question about my gpa Forum
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:24 am
question about my gpa
I graduated from UC Berkeley w/ a B.S. in Business Administration from the Haas School of Business. My LSDAS GPA is a 3.5.
While I have a respectable GPA from a top institution, my GPA falls in the 25% percentile of most top 20 law schools.
Haas is a very competitive business school and like most top business schools there is a curve (5% get A's, 10% get A-, 15% get B+....etc).
I've had people tell me that law schools don't care what undergrad institution you go to..all that matters is a high GPA and good/high LSAT score.
How does my GPA stack up against say someone who attended UC Berkeley but had a much easier major say for example Pysch or Sociology and had a 3.8 GPA, or someone who attended a State School and got a 4.0? Assuming that all of us had the same LSAT score.
Will admissions cut me some slack given the institution that I attended, or do they only care about raw numbers? I'm hoping it's the former as opposed to the latter.
I have a few friends who applied to law school from UC Berkeley but were Sociology majors, Social Welfare majors, Psych majors from UC Berkeley. They had GPAs in the 3.7-3.9 range. While a 3.8 GPA is impressive, their
While I have a respectable GPA from a top institution, my GPA falls in the 25% percentile of most top 20 law schools.
Haas is a very competitive business school and like most top business schools there is a curve (5% get A's, 10% get A-, 15% get B+....etc).
I've had people tell me that law schools don't care what undergrad institution you go to..all that matters is a high GPA and good/high LSAT score.
How does my GPA stack up against say someone who attended UC Berkeley but had a much easier major say for example Pysch or Sociology and had a 3.8 GPA, or someone who attended a State School and got a 4.0? Assuming that all of us had the same LSAT score.
Will admissions cut me some slack given the institution that I attended, or do they only care about raw numbers? I'm hoping it's the former as opposed to the latter.
I have a few friends who applied to law school from UC Berkeley but were Sociology majors, Social Welfare majors, Psych majors from UC Berkeley. They had GPAs in the 3.7-3.9 range. While a 3.8 GPA is impressive, their
- rinkrat19
- Posts: 13922
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:35 am
Re: question about my gpa
It may act as a tiebreaker between you and another Berk grad with identical GPA and an easier major. However, the Berkeley math/engineering major with a 3.5 probably gets the tiebreak over you.
Graduating from Berkeley may be a tiebreaker between you and someone graduating from Podunk State with a biz admin degree, assuming identical GPAs. But the Podunk State engineer and you might be evenly matched.
The effects are small, if present at all. Just going to Berkeley and majoring in BA won't make your GPA look any higher.
Graduating from Berkeley may be a tiebreaker between you and someone graduating from Podunk State with a biz admin degree, assuming identical GPAs. But the Podunk State engineer and you might be evenly matched.
The effects are small, if present at all. Just going to Berkeley and majoring in BA won't make your GPA look any higher.
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:24 am
Re: question about my gpa
Well yeah, for example i think the average GPA for a UC Berkeley engineering major is a 2.7? I know its in the 2.0's for sure. Probably around the same for math. I could see a 3.5 GPA in Engineering or Math beating me out, but I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.rinkrat19 wrote:It may act as a tiebreaker between you and another Berk grad with identical GPA and an easier major. However, the Berkeley math/engineering major with a 3.5 probably gets the tiebreak over you.
Graduating from Berkeley may be a tiebreaker between you and someone graduating from Podunk State with a biz admin degree, assuming identical GPAs. But the Podunk State engineer and you might be evenly matched.
The effects are small, if present at all. Just going to Berkeley and majoring in BA won't make your GPA look any higher.
Engineering and Business are among the most competitive majors at UC Berkeley. Not only do we have to deal with a curve, but most people in Haas are competing for jobs in investment banking, and only a select few get jobs in IB.
- rinkrat19
- Posts: 13922
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:35 am
Re: question about my gpa
Schools don't get to put an asterisk by the median GPA they report to USNWR for rankings calculations that says "but we have lots of business majors from berkeley!!"berkeleybear1 wrote:Well yeah, for example i think the average GPA for a UC Berkeley engineering major is a 2.7? I know its in the 2.0's for sure. Probably around the same for math. I could see a 3.5 GPA in Engineering or Math beating me out, but I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.rinkrat19 wrote:It may act as a tiebreaker between you and another Berk grad with identical GPA and an easier major. However, the Berkeley math/engineering major with a 3.5 probably gets the tiebreak over you.
Graduating from Berkeley may be a tiebreaker between you and someone graduating from Podunk State with a biz admin degree, assuming identical GPAs. But the Podunk State engineer and you might be evenly matched.
The effects are small, if present at all. Just going to Berkeley and majoring in BA won't make your GPA look any higher.
Engineering and Business are among the most competitive majors at UC Berkeley. Not only do we have to deal with a curve, but most people in Haas are competing for jobs in investment banking, and only a select few get jobs in IB.
All other factors assumed equal, a 3.8 in basketweaving from podunk state school would beat your 3.5, because they help the school's medians and you hurt them. That's just the way it is. If the difference were 0.05, maybe you win.
- DrStudMuffin
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:54 pm
Re: question about my gpa
Business administration isn't exactly regarded as the most difficult major of all time. There are plenty of hard science/engineering students at even better schools that have much more legitimate gripes.rinkrat19 wrote:Schools don't get to put an asterisk by the median GPA they report to USNWR for rankings calculations that says "but we have lots of business majors from berkeley!!"berkeleybear1 wrote:Well yeah, for example i think the average GPA for a UC Berkeley engineering major is a 2.7? I know its in the 2.0's for sure. Probably around the same for math. I could see a 3.5 GPA in Engineering or Math beating me out, but I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.rinkrat19 wrote:It may act as a tiebreaker between you and another Berk grad with identical GPA and an easier major. However, the Berkeley math/engineering major with a 3.5 probably gets the tiebreak over you.
Graduating from Berkeley may be a tiebreaker between you and someone graduating from Podunk State with a biz admin degree, assuming identical GPAs. But the Podunk State engineer and you might be evenly matched.
The effects are small, if present at all. Just going to Berkeley and majoring in BA won't make your GPA look any higher.
Engineering and Business are among the most competitive majors at UC Berkeley. Not only do we have to deal with a curve, but most people in Haas are competing for jobs in investment banking, and only a select few get jobs in IB.
All other factors assumed equal, a 3.8 in basketweaving from podunk state school would beat your 3.5, because they help the school's medians and you hurt them. That's just the way it is. If the difference were 0.05, maybe you win.
Want to continue reading?
Register now to search topics and post comments!
Absolutely FREE!
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:24 am
Re: question about my gpa
The subject of Business at UC Berkeley itself isn't difficult. The Haas curve is what makes it difficult, which is what i'm trying to get at, as that affects one GPA. Look at it like this: you have 50 smart and intelligent people in let's say an accounting class at UC Berkeley. Only 5 people in that class are going to get an A. The curve is a killer at Haas, not necessarily the course material or amount of work that needs to be done in a business class. But all that matters at the end of the day is your GPA, and Haas makes you really work for your grade. The same can't be said about majors such as Sociology, English, History, Psychology, Social Welfare and etcDrStudMuffin wrote:Business administration isn't exactly regarded as the most difficult major of all time. There are plenty of hard science/engineering students at even better schools that have much more legitimate gripes.rinkrat19 wrote:Schools don't get to put an asterisk by the median GPA they report to USNWR for rankings calculations that says "but we have lots of business majors from berkeley!!"berkeleybear1 wrote:Well yeah, for example i think the average GPA for a UC Berkeley engineering major is a 2.7? I know its in the 2.0's for sure. Probably around the same for math. I could see a 3.5 GPA in Engineering or Math beating me out, but I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.rinkrat19 wrote:It may act as a tiebreaker between you and another Berk grad with identical GPA and an easier major. However, the Berkeley math/engineering major with a 3.5 probably gets the tiebreak over you.
Graduating from Berkeley may be a tiebreaker between you and someone graduating from Podunk State with a biz admin degree, assuming identical GPAs. But the Podunk State engineer and you might be evenly matched.
The effects are small, if present at all. Just going to Berkeley and majoring in BA won't make your GPA look any higher.
Engineering and Business are among the most competitive majors at UC Berkeley. Not only do we have to deal with a curve, but most people in Haas are competing for jobs in investment banking, and only a select few get jobs in IB.
All other factors assumed equal, a 3.8 in basketweaving from podunk state school would beat your 3.5, because they help the school's medians and you hurt them. That's just the way it is. If the difference were 0.05, maybe you win.
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:24 am
Re: question about my gpa
this shit pisses me off. i should have been a social welfare major lolrinkrat19 wrote:Schools don't get to put an asterisk by the median GPA they report to USNWR for rankings calculations that says "but we have lots of business majors from berkeley!!"berkeleybear1 wrote:Well yeah, for example i think the average GPA for a UC Berkeley engineering major is a 2.7? I know its in the 2.0's for sure. Probably around the same for math. I could see a 3.5 GPA in Engineering or Math beating me out, but I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.rinkrat19 wrote:It may act as a tiebreaker between you and another Berk grad with identical GPA and an easier major. However, the Berkeley math/engineering major with a 3.5 probably gets the tiebreak over you.
Graduating from Berkeley may be a tiebreaker between you and someone graduating from Podunk State with a biz admin degree, assuming identical GPAs. But the Podunk State engineer and you might be evenly matched.
The effects are small, if present at all. Just going to Berkeley and majoring in BA won't make your GPA look any higher.
Engineering and Business are among the most competitive majors at UC Berkeley. Not only do we have to deal with a curve, but most people in Haas are competing for jobs in investment banking, and only a select few get jobs in IB.
All other factors assumed equal, a 3.8 in basketweaving from podunk state school would beat your 3.5, because they help the school's medians and you hurt them. That's just the way it is. If the difference were 0.05, maybe you win.
-
- Posts: 5215
- Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 2:16 am
Re: question about my gpa
The 3.8 is going to beat out the 3.5 every time, regardless of anything else that may factor in (e.g. major, school, upward/downward trends). It sucks for some people and helps out others, but regardless, that's just how it is, so there's really no use in griping about it (not that I don't understand the complaint).berkeleybear1 wrote:I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.
Last edited by xylocarp on Tue Jan 30, 2018 12:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:24 am
Re: question about my gpa
looks like i'm screwed hahaxylocarp wrote:The 3.8 is going to beat out the 3.5 every time, regardless of anything else that may factor in (e.g. major, school, upward/downward trends). It sucks for some people and helps out others, but regardless, that's just how it is, so there's really no use in griping about it (not that I don't understand the complaint).berkeleybear1 wrote:I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.
- wiz
- Posts: 44572
- Joined: Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:25 pm
Re: question about my gpa
If by screwed, you mean no HYS, then yeah, you're probs screwed. But any other school is still attainable with a high LSAT score.berkeleybear1 wrote:looks like i'm screwed hahaxylocarp wrote:The 3.8 is going to beat out the 3.5 every time, regardless of anything else that may factor in (e.g. major, school, upward/downward trends). It sucks for some people and helps out others, but regardless, that's just how it is, so there's really no use in griping about it (not that I don't understand the complaint).berkeleybear1 wrote:I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.
- DrStudMuffin
- Posts: 236
- Joined: Sun Mar 03, 2013 7:54 pm
Re: question about my gpa
This is accurate. All is not lost.wiz wrote:If by screwed, you mean no HYS, then yeah, you're probs screwed. But any other school is still attainable with a high LSAT score.berkeleybear1 wrote:looks like i'm screwed hahaxylocarp wrote:The 3.8 is going to beat out the 3.5 every time, regardless of anything else that may factor in (e.g. major, school, upward/downward trends). It sucks for some people and helps out others, but regardless, that's just how it is, so there's really no use in griping about it (not that I don't understand the complaint).berkeleybear1 wrote:I just can't see how a 3.8 GPA in either Sociology, Pysch, Social Welfare or History beating me out.
- midwest17
- Posts: 1685
- Joined: Sat Aug 31, 2013 5:27 pm
Re: question about my gpa
I love when people say things like this.berkeleybear1 wrote:How does my GPA stack up against say someone who attended UC Berkeley but had a much easier major say for example Pysch or Sociology and had a 3.8 GPA, or someone who attended a State School and got a 4.0? Assuming that all of us had the same LSAT score.
Also, you know that Berkeley is a state school, right?
-
- Posts: 861
- Joined: Fri Sep 30, 2011 10:56 am
Re: question about my gpa
Look at it like a business.
Law school admissions committees trade acceptances for numbers that will improve their USNWR ranking. That's it. So the kid with the same (or possibly even worse) LSAT score than you will be picked instead of you as long as he has a higher GPA. USNWR doesn't care how incoming students get their GPA, so neither do law schools. 3.8 in communications from a community college in Nebraska beats your 3.5 from Berkeley every day of the week.
Law school admissions committees trade acceptances for numbers that will improve their USNWR ranking. That's it. So the kid with the same (or possibly even worse) LSAT score than you will be picked instead of you as long as he has a higher GPA. USNWR doesn't care how incoming students get their GPA, so neither do law schools. 3.8 in communications from a community college in Nebraska beats your 3.5 from Berkeley every day of the week.
Register now!
Resources to assist law school applicants, students & graduates.
It's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- wowhio
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Mon Oct 07, 2013 4:52 pm
Re: question about my gpa
The claws come out.midwest17 wrote:
Also, you know that Berkeley is a state school, right?
-
- Posts: 784
- Joined: Fri Oct 04, 2013 12:50 am
Re: question about my gpa
.
Last edited by dosto on Fri Sep 25, 2015 3:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
- jordan15
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:06 am
Re: question about my gpa
What kind of trolling is this. The hardest part of Haas is getting in. The actual classes are easy. LMAO at Haas students thinking their classes are just as difficult as engineering. Just because you have to wear a suit to class doesn't mean your classes are harder than L&S. All of those other majors that you named grade on a curve too and sometimes it's even more harsh than the curve you just described.
If it makes you feel better, your major + any work experience/connections I'm sure you have from your time in HAAS are probably going to make your overall application look much stronger than all of the other majors. Your interview skillz and resume will make you stand out against other 3.5s.
If it makes you feel better, your major + any work experience/connections I'm sure you have from your time in HAAS are probably going to make your overall application look much stronger than all of the other majors. Your interview skillz and resume will make you stand out against other 3.5s.
- redsox
- Posts: 612
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:40 pm
Re: question about my gpa
And that business is a joke major, right?midwest17 wrote:I love when people say things like this.berkeleybear1 wrote:How does my GPA stack up against say someone who attended UC Berkeley but had a much easier major say for example Pysch or Sociology and had a 3.8 GPA, or someone who attended a State School and got a 4.0? Assuming that all of us had the same LSAT score.
Also, you know that Berkeley is a state school, right?
Get unlimited access to all forums and topics
Register now!
I'm pretty sure I told you it's FREE...
Already a member? Login
-
- Posts: 10
- Joined: Wed Oct 09, 2013 2:24 am
Re: question about my gpa
like i said previously, i understand engineering majors have to deal with a much tougher curve than Haas students (at Berkeley at least)...i think the average GPA for an Engineering Major at Berkeley is a 2.7?jordan15 wrote:What kind of trolling is this. The hardest part of Haas is getting in. The actual classes are easy. LMAO at Haas students thinking their classes are just as difficult as engineering. Just because you have to wear a suit to class doesn't mean your classes are harder than L&S. All of those other majors that you named grade on a curve too and sometimes it's even more harsh than the curve you just described.
If it makes you feel better, your major + any work experience/connections I'm sure you have from your time in HAAS are probably going to make your overall application look much stronger than all of the other majors. Your interview skillz and resume will make you stand out against other 3.5s.
other majors such as Sociology, Pysch, History, Poli Sci, Social Welfare, Legal Studies etc. don't have to deal with a curve. the course material isn't what makes Haas "difficult" it's the Haas curve that does.
- redsox
- Posts: 612
- Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:40 pm
Re: question about my gpa
Yeah but you're being curved against...other business students. How hard can it be?berkeleybear1 wrote:the course material isn't what makes Haas "difficult" it's the Haas curve that does.
- Lwoods
- Posts: 1483
- Joined: Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:27 am
Re: question about my gpa
To Californians, "State School"=CSUs. To the rest of the country, "state school"=public school (or schools where one can get "in-state" tuition).midwest17 wrote:I love when people say things like this.berkeleybear1 wrote:How does my GPA stack up against say someone who attended UC Berkeley but had a much easier major say for example Pysch or Sociology and had a 3.8 GPA, or someone who attended a State School and got a 4.0? Assuming that all of us had the same LSAT score.
Also, you know that Berkeley is a state school, right?
O/P, you have a few options here:
Kill the LSAT and go to law school
Get a finance job
Get an entry-level job at a company in an industry that interests you
Get a job doing anything you like
It may seem unjust now that your remarkable 3.5 from Berkeley Haas won't help you in law school admissions, but if it's truly remarkable, then you should become the guy who hires the lawyer instead of the lawyer.
If you love law, a little time off and experience will only help you, not just with getting into law school but with being hired later on (first by a firm, then by clients).
PS Don't discount the abilities of state school grads. Many may surprise you.
- thewaves
- Posts: 384
- Joined: Sun May 12, 2013 7:26 pm
Re: question about my gpa
+1 to everything in this post (especially getting a job outside of law)Lwoods wrote:To Californians, "State School"=CSUs. To the rest of the country, "state school"=public school (or schools where one can get "in-state" tuition).midwest17 wrote:I love when people say things like this.berkeleybear1 wrote:How does my GPA stack up against say someone who attended UC Berkeley but had a much easier major say for example Pysch or Sociology and had a 3.8 GPA, or someone who attended a State School and got a 4.0? Assuming that all of us had the same LSAT score.
Also, you know that Berkeley is a state school, right?
O/P, you have a few options here:
Kill the LSAT and go to law school
Get a finance job
Get an entry-level job at a company in an industry that interests you
Get a job doing anything you like
It may seem unjust now that your remarkable 3.5 from Berkeley Haas won't help you in law school admissions, but if it's truly remarkable, then you should become the guy who hires the lawyer instead of the lawyer.
If you love law, a little time off and experience will only help you, not just with getting into law school but with being hired later on (first by a firm, then by clients).
PS Don't discount the abilities of state school grads. Many may surprise you.
Communicate now with those who not only know what a legal education is, but can offer you worthy advice and commentary as you complete the three most educational, yet challenging years of your law related post graduate life.
Register now, it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login
- jordan15
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Sun Sep 15, 2013 12:06 am
Re: question about my gpa
These are also on a curve. Try again.berkeleybear1 wrote:like i said previously, i understand engineering majors have to deal with a much tougher curve than Haas students (at Berkeley at least)...i think the average GPA for an Engineering Major at Berkeley is a 2.7?jordan15 wrote:What kind of trolling is this. The hardest part of Haas is getting in. The actual classes are easy. LMAO at Haas students thinking their classes are just as difficult as engineering. Just because you have to wear a suit to class doesn't mean your classes are harder than L&S. All of those other majors that you named grade on a curve too and sometimes it's even more harsh than the curve you just described.
If it makes you feel better, your major + any work experience/connections I'm sure you have from your time in HAAS are probably going to make your overall application look much stronger than all of the other majors. Your interview skillz and resume will make you stand out against other 3.5s.
other majors such as Sociology, Pysch, History, Poli Sci, Social Welfare, Legal Studies etc. don't have to deal with a curve. the course material isn't what makes Haas "difficult" it's the Haas curve that does.
-
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Mon Mar 28, 2011 1:59 am
Re: question about my gpa
OP's point is related to Berkeley's uniqueness among top engineering/business colleges. It's engineering grades especially are curved harder due to less grade inflation than comparable private colleges. Many private and ivy colleges have grade inflation due to their higher interest in positioning their graduates for success. That results in a graduating class with higher gpa than schools such as berkeley.berkeleybear1 wrote:like i said previously, i understand engineering majors have to deal with a much tougher curve than Haas students (at Berkeley at least)...i think the average GPA for an Engineering Major at Berkeley is a 2.7?jordan15 wrote:All of those other majors that you named grade on a curve too and sometimes it's even more harsh than the curve you just described.
Your interview skillz and resume will make you stand out against other 3.5s.
Seriously? What are you waiting for?
Now there's a charge.
Just kidding ... it's still FREE!
Already a member? Login