Spike up GPA or apply in the fall? Forum

[Clyde Frog]

The Cleveland Cavaliers came back from 3-1 down against the Golden State Warriors.

[lelesmiles]

What about the money? Is it worth paying for another semester, waiting to apply to law school and therefore losing a year of your legal career? I think the extra .1 in gpa isn't worth that extra year

[yadiermolina]

Agreed. Those stats (I would think) will get you a full tide to a t14, which is all anyone can really ask for. .1 is not guaranteed to get you anything better anyway (though I suppose it might).

[MT Cicero]

This is actually a pretty tough one. I guess it depends on where you're looking to go. Looking at the GPA medians, you'd be <25th for HYS and 25-50 for about half the remaining T14. Above median at only 4 schools. There are big schollies coming your way, no doubt.

There's a bit of an uptick on MyLSN with both acceptance % and $$$ moving from the 3.7-3.8 range into the 3.8-3.9 range.

Others will have more knowledge on movement from $$$ into Ruby/Hammy range as you go from 3.75 to >3.8, if that's what you're thinking. If the thinking is Y/S, then this could very well be a crucial .1!

Great job by the way.

[Clyde Frog]

What about the money? Is it worth paying for another semester, waiting to apply to law school and therefore losing a year of your legal career? I think the extra .1 in gpa isn't worth that extra year

I'm poor as shit and my school is super cheap so it's all covered with grants and scholarships.

[Clyde Frog]

This is actually a pretty tough one. I guess it depends on where you're looking to go. Looking at the GPA medians, you'd be <25th for HYS and 25-50 for about half the remaining T14. Above median at only 4 schools. There are big schollies coming your way, no doubt.

There's a bit of an uptick on MyLSN with both acceptance % and $$$ moving from the 3.7-3.8 range into the 3.8-3.9 range.

Others will have more knowledge on movement from $$$ into Ruby/Hammy range as you go from 3.75 to >3.8, if that's what you're thinking. If the thinking is Y/S, then this could very well be a crucial .1!

Great job by the way.

Preferably I'd like a full ride in the T6. HYS would be great, but I guess I really couldn't see myself paying near sticker.

[Philafaler]

What about the money? Is it worth paying for another semester, waiting to apply to law school and therefore losing a year of your legal career? I think the extra .1 in gpa isn't worth that extra year

I'm poor as shit and my school is super cheap so it's all covered with grants and scholarships.

Apply in the fall.

Take the three courses over the spring and fall to bring up the GPA over this academic school year.

If you don't like your law school options for this cycle, reapply next year with the higher GPA.

Also, retake.

[03152016]

You'll have some amazing options no matter what you do. If I were in your shoes, I'd stick around UG. Since you're not paying for it, you might as well boost your GPA, pad out your resume, and enjoy your remaining time as an undergrad. It's hard for me to see the downside.

[Clyde Frog]

You'll have some amazing options no matter what you do. If I were in your shoes, I'd stick around UG. Since you're not paying for it, you might as well boost your GPA, pad out your resume, and enjoy your remaining time as an undergrad. It's hard for me to see the downside.

Thank you. I've actually been looking for this answer. I just don't see why it's basically mandatory to retake your LSAT if it's not in the high 170s, but not much is ever said about padding your gpa. For example, a student heading into their senior year (90 credits) with a 3.5 gpa can bring it up to around a 3.7 with a mix of A+s and As, which makes a huge difference. Realistically I'm shooting for a Hamilton or a Ruby since HYS are averse to merit based scholarships.

[jbagelboy]

Your numbers could score you a Hamilton, but its never a guarantee - like yale but worse. Ruby and Hamilton are excessively difficult to get, considering only 25-30ish will be offered each year among several hundred applicants with deserving numbers.

How many years have you been in school? If you still have your senior year to go, then yea I say ride it out, relax, get a job and apply fall 2015. If you've already been in school 4 years, apply this fall.

[Tiago Splitter]

You'll have some amazing options no matter what you do. If I were in your shoes, I'd stick around UG. Since you're not paying for it, you might as well boost your GPA, pad out your resume, and enjoy your remaining time as an undergrad. It's hard for me to see the downside.

Thank you. I've actually been looking for this answer. I just don't see why it's basically mandatory to retake your LSAT if it's not in the high 170s, but not much is ever said about padding your gpa. For example, a student heading into their senior year (90 credits) with a 3.5 gpa can bring it up to around a 3.7 with a mix of A+s and As, which makes a huge difference. Realistically I'm shooting for a Hamilton or a Ruby since HYS are averse to merit based scholarships.

The big difference is cost, both in time and money. In your case it won't cost any more money, but there's no reason to lose a year of time if you'll have the exact same options a year later. This is especially true with a GPA as high as yours, as opposed to the 3.5-er in your example who should definitely stay as long as possible. I'd apply in the fall and then send a grade update after another semester of killer grades.

[09042014]

Just apply in late december when grades drop.

[Clyde Frog]

Just apply in late december when grades drop.

Spoken like a true Nazi.