3.97/176 unusual case Forum

[1988AndX]

I'm still in undergrad. My case is unique in that I don't have any grades for my junior year. For my junior year, I did a semester abroad at a foreign school, and my grades transferred back to my home institution as pass. I initially decided to take the spring semester off to study for the LSAT and to take it in February and in June if need be. Since, I got 176 in February, I'm not planning to retake it. Now I don't really have anything to do until the summer other than reading and trying to improve my skills in a foreign language. How would a year with no grades and an easy spring semester affect my application next cycle? I have typical ECs and decent summer internship. I'm applying to most of the T14 schools and a couple of schools ranked between 15 and 20.

[KibblesAndVick]

Stanford and Yale might care because they tend to be holistic and can afford to reject people with stellar numbers. You should be a lock for Harvard and everywhere else.

[JamMasterJ]

Virtually no one will care. The 3.97 shows you work hard and the 176 shows you are smart. S is tough, and Y is a crapshoot for a 180 4.33, but you should at least get JR1 and be fine everywhere else

[icpb]

Whether the lack of grades in your junior year and the gap matter would probably depend on where you attend undergrad.

[1988AndX]

I attend a top 15 school. I guess some people who study abroad for a year doesn't have grades either, but I guess my case is a little different.

[dpk711]

GTFO and enjoy HYS

[cassidylane]

If I'm reading your initial post correctly, I do think that most schools will ask you to account for why you took your second semester junior year off completely (this is what you are saying, correct? That you went abroad fall semester and then took spring semester off to study for the LSAT? So next year you are going to be a senior?). I believe most applications will want you to account for large gaps where you were not in school, and I'm not sure that taking time off specifically to study for the LSAT is the best answer you can give (because of us poor unfortunate souls that have to study for the LSAT while taking a full course load and/or having a full time job!). If I were you, I would get a job or start volunteering now to have something else you can put down for this chunk of time.

Other than that, I wouldn't worry about the abroad grades. Lots of programs don't transfer grades. I would try and get a hold of your abroad transcript though because (I'm not positive about this because my abroad grades show up on my normal transcript) I think you may have to send them to LSAC with your normal transcript.

good luck!

[surfg1203]

.

[dr123]

Probably not a big deal, I dont have any (letter) grades for entire bachelors degree

[1988AndX]

Should I try to get a job at the local supermarket/restaurant now?

[surfg1203]

.

[cassidylane]

Should I try to get a job at the local supermarket/restaurant now?

All I meant was, most applications ask you to explain any time you took off from school. If you have a reason (it could be anything really) than I'm sure you'll be fine, you have great numbers. I just think its a standard question on most applications, and if all you have to say is "I wanted to study for the LSATs" that might look a bit odd.

[1988AndX]

I decided to take the semester off because I would have enough credits to graduate (due to APs) with one fewer semester. At the time, not attending classes during the spring semester seemed like a good idea because it saved my parents a lot of money.

I guess I should try McDonald's. I doubt that I would be able to get a job though. Businesses in my area haven't been doing much hiring over the past two years.

[cassidylane]

I decided to take the semester off because I would have enough credits to graduate (due to APs) with one fewer semester. At the time, not attending classes during the spring semester seemed like a good idea because it saved my parents a lot of money.

I guess I should try McDonalds. I doubt that I would be able to get a job though. Businesses in my area haven't been doing much hiring over the past two years.

I think taking the semester off to save money is a totally legit reason. In your initial post you said you took it off to study for the LSAT. That was the only thing I thought might look a bit odd.

Explaining that you wanted to save money will I'm sure be a totally acceptable answer

ETA: Apparently I say "a bit odd" a lot. hahaha never noticed that before...

[YaSvoboden]

I decided to take the semester off because I would have enough credits to graduate (due to APs) with one fewer semester. At the time, not attending classes during the spring semester seemed like a good idea because it saved my parents a lot of money.

I guess I should try McDonald's. I doubt that I would be able to get a job though. Businesses in my area haven't been doing much hiring over the past two years.

I find it entertaining that you are almost definitely getting into HYS law but the local McDonald's is a bit of a stretch.

Just an interesting observation.

[elm84dr]

OP definitely needs to consider getting work experience after undergrad to make her a lock for the top 5 schools. TFA/Peace Corps/Americorps/JP Morgan/NGOs/Golman Sachs, etc.

[thecilent]

YHS prob out. Outside chance at CCN; I would ED to one of these.
i dont know which flame is worse mine or OPs

[1988AndX]

Thanks for the replies. I guess, from the replies and from the fact that some people think this is flame, that taking a semester off isn't too big of a deal as long as I have good reasons.

[yngblkgifted]

YHS prob out. Outside chance at CCN; I would ED to one of these.
i dont know which flame is worse mine or OPs

Definitely OPs.

[Sentry]

YHS prob out. Outside chance at CCN; I would ED to one of these.
i dont know which flame is worse mine or OPs

Actually retake or ED UVA is TCR.

[zonto]

Just write an addendum and create a strong application otherwise.