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How do schools look at improving scores

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 4:19 pm
by patfeeney
This might have been brought up before, but I couldn't seem to find a post regarding it.

On the LSAC website, it says schools tend to look favorably (at least relatively) upon candidates whose grades improve over time.
I understand that some claims the LSAC makes need to be taken with a grain of salt, but in everyone's prior experience, how seriously would you take this statement?

Personally, I'm aiming for T14. My cumulative GPA is a 3.54, which is chump change for T14. However, the poor grades were due to my abysmal first year at college (2.8, 3.2). As a junior, going on senior, my cume for the past four semesters is a 3.78, with a double major (3.7, 3.92, 3.68, 3.89). The difference between schools only considering my total cume and considering my GPA per semester may be the difference between being completely out of range for my top choices and being nearly in the median for them.

As a side note, the highest grade my school gives out is an A, so my cume should be pretty much on par with my official CAS GPA. I'm not expecting any significant drops or gains in that department.

Re: How do schools look at improving scores

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 4:23 pm
by francesfarmer
An upward trend is a good sign, but it won't make or break you. Just kill the LSAT.

Re: How do schools look at improving scores

Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 11:20 pm
by Tiago Splitter
A 3.78 is still below median at several T-14s. If you want to get into Harvard, get that GPA up during senior year and wait an extra year to apply so your senior year grades count. Also get some A+'s at a local community college. And get a really high LSAT score.

Re: How do schools look at improving scores

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 9:17 am
by patfeeney
Tiago Splitter wrote:A 3.78 is still below median at several T-14s. If you want to get into Harvard, get that GPA up during senior year and wait an extra year to apply so your senior year grades count. Also get some A+'s at a local community college. And get a really high LSAT score.
I'm looking Cornell and UPenn straight in the eye, although if I could get my GPA up, I might throw an app to either Harvard or Yale.

Re: How do schools look at improving scores

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 5:16 pm
by Tiago Splitter
patfeeney wrote:
Tiago Splitter wrote:A 3.78 is still below median at several T-14s. If you want to get into Harvard, get that GPA up during senior year and wait an extra year to apply so your senior year grades count. Also get some A+'s at a local community college. And get a really high LSAT score.
I'm looking Cornell and UPenn straight in the eye, although if I could get my GPA up, I might throw an app to either Harvard or Yale.
You can still get in to Harvard with that GPA as long as your LSAT is solidly above their 173 median.

Re: How do schools look at improving scores

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 7:01 am
by pupshaw
Tiago Splitter wrote:
patfeeney wrote:
Tiago Splitter wrote:A 3.78 is still below median at several T-14s. If you want to get into Harvard, get that GPA up during senior year and wait an extra year to apply so your senior year grades count. Also get some A+'s at a local community college. And get a really high LSAT score.
I'm looking Cornell and UPenn straight in the eye, although if I could get my GPA up, I might throw an app to either Harvard or Yale.
You can still get in to Harvard with that GPA as long as your LSAT is solidly above their 173 median.
With a 3.54? Not if he's not URM.

Re: How do schools look at improving scores

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 12:25 pm
by Tiago Splitter
Yeah my bad got confused thought he was at a 3.78