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Hello,

I recently graduated and will be applying to law school at the start of the next cycle. My main concern is my low GPA. I finished with just over a 3.0 GPA. I am planning on taking the LSAT in June and regularly PT under timed conditions between the range of 170-175. I realize this isn't indicative of what my actual score will be, however, I am mainly worried about the GPA. In regard to the GPA, I do have a medical reason. I have cerebral palsy, and while it doesn't overly affect my ability to walk, walking long distances or standing for long periods can become quite painful. When I started university, the campus was rather large and I didn't want, for reasons of pride, to have to depend on a mobility scooter. For that reason, I often avoided going to class to avoid the pain and it adversely affected my grades and during my first two years, my transcript is peppered with mediocre grades, Fs, and a ton of withdrawls. At the start of my junior year, I decided to get my act together. I got a mobility scooter, I managed the pain, and I made the dean's list for all five semesters (one was a summer semester in which I took four classes at once) of my junior and senior year.

I have read advice that sometimes disabilities can be seen in a negative light in GPA addendums, but I feel that the fact that I have a strong upward trend clearly gives creedence to the validity of my medical claim. Am I locked out of the T20? For informational purposes, I am a Georgia resident.

jadoo wrote:Hello,

I recently graduated and will be applying to law school at the start of the next cycle. My main concern is my low GPA. I finished with just over a 3.0 GPA. I am planning on taking the LSAT in June and regularly PT under timed conditions between the range of 170-175. I realize this isn't indicative of what my actual score will be, however, I am mainly worried about the GPA. In regard to the GPA, I do have a medical reason. I have cerebral palsy, and while it doesn't overly affect my ability to walk, walking long distances or standing for long periods can become quite painful. When I started university, the campus was rather large and I didn't want, for reasons of pride, to have to depend on a mobility scooter. For that reason, I often avoided going to class to avoid the pain and it adversely affected my grades and during my first two years, my transcript is peppered with mediocre grades, Fs, and a ton of withdrawls. At the start of my junior year, I decided to get my act together. I got a mobility scooter, I managed the pain, and I made the dean's list for all five semesters (one was a summer semester in which I took four classes at once) of my junior and senior year.

I have read advice that sometimes disabilities can be seen in a negative light in GPA addendums, but I feel that the fact that I have a strong upward trend clearly gives creedence to the validity of my medical claim. Am I locked out of the T20? For informational purposes, I am a Georgia resident.

You're definitely not locked out of the T20, and if you score in the 170s you have a shot at the T14. Of course, scoring in the 170s is easier said than done, but the LSAT is a very learnable test. Since you obviously have the right goals in mind, seek out resources and prep material that will help you achieve this goal. UVA and Georgetown are particularly splitter-friendly, though these would require ED apps. Depending on what work experience you get out of college, Northwestern is also a possibility. Best of luck!

If you do really well on the LSAT you have a chance at the lower T14. By all means write an addendum, but the fact that there were accommodations available and you chose not to use them will count against you. See if you can gloss over that, for instance: "I have cerebral palsy and I was unprepared for the challenges of attending a large university with my condition. However, I adjusted to these challenges and I believe that my junior and senior year GPA more accurately reflect my ability."

If you can get a 173-175, then you can still get into the T14. UVA, Northwestern, and Georgetown are all very possible, and you would have a small shot at a few other ones (NYU, Penn, Michigan). You need to do as best as you can on the LSAT, and don't stop until you've hit the mid-170s.

Also, a GPA addendum focusing on your upward trend would be good. I think cythiad is completely right in terms of how to frame your addendum with your medical condition.

Thanks for all the info so far! I got an LSAC fee waiver, so hopefully I will be able to cast a wide net and garner a few acceptances.

Is this your LSDAS GPA we are talking about? Not to sink your boat, but it has the potential to be lower than your UGPA.

Yep, it is the LSDAS GPA. My undergrad and LSDAS GPA were the same.

Checking into say your GPA has definitely not sunk you! I will also be applying with a 3.0x GPA next cycle. Study hard for the LSAT, there is high demand from schools for scores in the 175+ range, despite your GPA.

Thanks, and good luck with your cycle! I'll be sure to follow it when fall rolls around.