Community College Classes and GPA Forum

[MattM]

Do T14 Law schools care about CC classes in GPA? I would think not too much since they have to report GPA's for UNSWR so fair or unfair a kid with a 3.7 from an easier school has a better chance than a 3.4 from a rigorous university

I'm considering taking some online CC classes to boost my GPA this Spring before i graduate....3.55 GPA

I'm saving LSAT until post graduation to get the last few extra remaining points I can increase my GPA and so LSAT and school don't conflict ( especially since there is no need to rush into law school until I have done everything I can to have a good app)



Or should i take the classes at my 4 year university ( A's are hard to come by though)

[2807]

You will have to submit transcripts from everything, everywhere, covering all college courses prior to the earning of your Bachelor Degree.
Community college or not.
Everything.
Every grade.
Even repeat classes for a better grade.
Everything.

You then are assigned a GPA, and that will be your "law school admission GPA."
It will likely not be the same as your graduating GPA.
Generally, the law school you apply to will only care about your LSAC GPA and your LSAT.
LSAT is king.

So, take the class where you can get the A.
Yes, you can pile on the A grades prior to your graduation and try to help your GPA.

[malleus discentium]

You will have to submit transcripts from everything, everywhere, covering all college courses prior to the earning of your Bachelor Degree.
Community college or not.
Everything.
Every grade.
Even repeat classes for a better grade.
Everything.

You then are assigned a GPA, and that will be your "law school admission GPA."
It will likely not be the same as your graduating GPA.
Generally, the law school you apply to will only care about your LSAC GPA and your LSAT.
LSAT is king.

So, take the class where you can get the A.
Yes, you can pile on the A grades prior to your graduation and try to help your GPA.

All this to say that no, schools will not care.

[DiniMae]

I disagree. Your upper schools have stated that they look not only at grades but also where you went, the type of classes (upper/lower, major), and at what point in your studies you took them. I've asked YHSCCN and they all gave the same answer.

I specifically asked because I took 2 before I enrolled in my bachelors while I was in the military. They said for me it's essentially irrelevant because it was before my real studies and while I was in active duty.

If you're already a senior, I'd suggest taking classes that appear to be upper level or not totally easy. Or at least relevant to your major. At the LAWS workshop, one said "If you've taken courses over the summer or a break, we probably won't care at all......But we will consider an applicant with the same GPA who haven't taken them at a CC to be stronger."

If you're talking about other schools, then pad away -- they seemed totally disinterested. Although I haven't asked UVA or UMich...

After all of this, I say if you will go from a 3.55 to a 3.70 then I think you should go for it regardless.

[BigZuck]

I disagree. Your upper schools have stated that they look not only at grades but also where you went, the type of classes (upper/lower, major), and at what point in your studies you took them. I've asked YHSCCN and they all gave the same answer.

I specifically asked because I took 2 before I enrolled in my bachelors while I was in the military. They said for me it's essentially irrelevant because it was before my real studies and while I was in active duty.

If you're already a senior, I'd suggest taking classes that appear to be upper level or not totally easy. Or at least relevant to your major. At the LAWS workshop, one said "If you've taken courses over the summer or a break, we probably won't care at all......But we will consider an applicant with the same GPA who haven't taken them at a CC to be stronger."

If you're talking about other schools, then pad away -- they seemed totally disinterested. Although I haven't asked UVA or UMich...

After all of this, I say if you will go from a 3.55 to a 3.70 then I think you should go for it regardless.

Those schools lied to you.

Eta: I mean, maybe Yale would prefer a 3.98/176 that went to Harvard over a 3.99/176 that went to some rando state school. But you're way overestimating things if you think that when you took classes is "essentially irrelevant." If those classes count toward your GPA then it's very relevant, especially at a school like NYU or Harvard