Can a high LSAT make up for low GPA?
Asked by: Hazle Reilly | Last update: November 18, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (11 votes)
A strong LSAT score can compensate for a low GPA, so it is well worth the investment of time and effort it takes to do well. Many competitive law schools screen applicants using a weighted index of their grades and LSAT scores, so extra points on the LSAT may effectively boost your GPA.
What is a good LSAT score for a low GPA?
To offset a low GPA, aim to score at least 10 to 15 points above your target school's median LSAT; this can help shift the focus away from GPA and signal your readiness for the academic demands of law school. LSAT scores range from 120 to 180, with most law schools accepting scores between 150 and 180.
Is your LSAT score more important than GPA?
In general terms, it can be said that law schools value LSAT scores more than they do undergraduate GPA, but whether or not this statement applies to a given institution and how by much depends on the school.
Is it possible to get into a good law school with a low GPA?
Yes! It's still possible to get into law school with a low GPA. You'll just have to work harder on the other parts of your application to ensure you prove you're still a worthy candidate.
Can GPA compensate for LSAT?
Assume that law schools weigh GPA and LSAT with equal importance. If you have a lower GPA but a higher than average LSAT score, your LSAT score may help compensate for the lower GPA. Conversely, if you have a very high GPA, this might help compensate for a lower LSAT score.
How I Got Into Law School With a LOW LSAT and Gpa || Releasing my LSAT || My Admission Story
Is a 3.2 GPA bad for law school?
So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5. That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.
Is 137 a bad LSAT score?
A well below average score is considered by many as anything below the 25th percentile, which typically indicates a score of 145 or below. However, do not be disheartened if your LSAT percentile is below average; use it as motivation to study harder and ensure quality results the next time you take the exam.
Is a 3.7 GPA too low for law school?
The average GPA for law school is between 3.91. However, like LSAT scores, it's important to understand that the specific average GPA can differ depending on the law school and its level of competitiveness. Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher.
Is a 2.3 GPA good in law school?
A 2.3 GPA is considered low for most law schools, but it's not impossible to get admitted. You can compensate with a high LSAT score, strong letters of recommendation, and a compelling application.
What is the average LSAT score?
The LSAT is scored on a 120–180 scale. The average LSAT score is about 153. This relatively small range of scores means that small improvements in performance can increase your score quite a bit.
Is 158 a bad LSAT score?
As mentioned above, the average LSAT score nationally is a 152. Generally speaking, a score of 160 and above is necessary to guarantee admission into top-100 schools like Tulane, UC Hastings, or Case Western Reserve.
Do law schools look at GPA or LSAT?
That being said, law schools often look at your GPA and LSAT within the context of the rest of your application. So these stats aren't necessarily the final arbiters of whether or not you'll be admitted.
Should I keep a 150 LSAT score?
How “good” of a score is good enough depends largely on what law schools you're applying to. For example, to get into a top-ranking law school, you'll probably need an LSAT score of at least 160 or above, while a score in the mid-150s is often acceptable at many excellent law schools.
How bad is a 135 on the LSAT?
As previously stated, the score range for any LSAT exam is 120 to 180, but the average score is about 150. However, most of the top ten law schools require a candidate to have scored at least 165 on the LSAT.
What LSAT score does Harvard look for?
So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.
Is 172 a high LSAT score?
So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.
What is the lowest GPA to get into Harvard Law School?
A high GPA is 3.99 and the median is 3.92. There's no lowest GPA but you probably won't get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA. Your GPA still needs to be somewhat competitive with the median GPA. That said, you can get into Harvard Law School even if your GPA is 3.82 or lower.
Is a 3.0 GPA bad for law school?
Is a 3.0 GPA Low For Law School? Considering students are generally advised to score a GPA of 3.5 in college to get into law school, a 3.0 is typically considered low. However, it all depends on the schools you're applying to! As discussed earlier, several schools consider a 3.0 to be within their competitive range.
What is the lowest GPA for Yale Law School?
Applicants must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3 and be 18 years old by the time the program begins.
How rare is a 176 LSAT?
Less than 1% of test takers score a 176. It's a very hard thing to do. Don't let this sub skew your perception of what's realistic.
What is the lowest LSAT score accepted?
What Is The Lowest Acceptable Score? A 144-145 is generally considered to be the lowest acceptable score to attend law school. The median LSAT score is around 151-152, so 144-145 is significantly lower than this. As such, the majority of law schools will not accept scores below this.
How hard is it to get a 170 on the LSAT?
The LSAT is scored on a bell curve, ranging from 120 to 180. On recent tests, the hump of the curve has centered around 153. Percentiles vary slightly between tests, but generally around 25% of test-takers score 160 or higher, 5% score 170 or higher, and 1% score 175 or higher. Only one in 1,000 test-takers scores 180.
Should I cancel my 148 LSAT score?
Remember, just because you feel you did poorly on the test does not necessarily mean you did. Some people may come out of the test feeling nervous or unhappy with how they did but end up scoring very well. You should only seriously consider canceling an LSAT score if you feel like you completely flunked the exam.
How rare is a 180 LSAT?
How Hard Is It To Get A Perfect Score On The LSAT? According to LSAC, only 119 test-takers out of nearly 60,000 achieved this in 2022. So when you ask, “How many people get a 180 on the LSAT?” the answer highlights the rarity and difficulty of this achievement.