Do law schools use your LSAC GPA?
Asked by: Prof. Orland Heaney | Last update: December 16, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (41 votes)
Law schools use the LSAC GPA to evaluate your academic ability and potential success in law school. The higher your LSAC GPA, the more competitive you will be as an applicant. However, it is important to note that the LSAC GPA is not the only factor that law schools consider when evaluating applicants.
Do law schools care about your GPA?
While law schools consider applicants' letters of recommendation, personal statements, work experience and extracurricular activities, many experts say undergraduate GPA and LSAT scores are often the most heavily weighed factors in admissions decisions.
Is 3.7 a bad GPA for law school?
A good standard for above average law schools tends to be a 160 LSAT and a 3.5 GPA. However even amongst that people will tell you a 3.7 and a 165 is better. Really just depends on you. Many good law schools ( well above average) will take a 3.5 160. In my opinion average law schools are around the 100 mark.
Does LSAC GPA count A+?
The LSAC grade scale is somewhat different from that of many undergraduate schools. An A+ (98-100) is worth 4.33. While the scale is based upon the normative 4.0 GPA scale, it allows for an A+ grade. It does not, however, award credit for an E or F.
Is a 3.3 GPA bad for law school?
Depends how you define ``good.'' A 3.3 GPA standing alone is not a great GPA for law school--it's below the median at every school in the top 100, and most beyond. That said, candidates with a 3.3 can be admitted to a top 50 school if they do well enough on the LSAT.
Getting Into Law School as a First Gen With Lower Stats | scholarships + application journey
Is a 2.9 GPA too low for law school?
Law Schools With GPA Medians of 2.9 and Below
Well, admissions statistics say you can! There is quite a large range of acceptable GPAs across all of the nation's law schools and our quiz is here to help you find out which schools to apply to if you have a low GPA!
Is a 168 on the LSAT good?
“If you want to put yourself in the best position to be admitted to a school, you want to be at or above their LSAT median,” Hicks-Jaco says. For example, at Duke University School of Law in North Carolina, 2024 scores in the 25th-75th percentile ranged from 168-171, with 170 as the median score.
Do law schools look at LSAC GPA?
In conclusion, the LSAC GPA is a crucial factor in law school admissions. Understanding how it is calculated, myths and misconceptions surrounding it, and strategies to improve it can make a significant difference in your success as a law school applicant.
Do law schools care if you retake classes?
Clear up any Incomplete grades before you apply to law schools since they may adversely affect your GPA and the quality of your transcript. Avoid repeating courses unless absolutely necessary.
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 Harvard Law GPA?
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. If you have a GPA of 3.94 or higher and above a 175, you are pretty much a lock for admission, particularly given the class size of ~560.
Is 3.8 GPA too low for law school?
Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher. They place a strong emphasis on academic excellence to complement strong LSAT scores. Mid-tier law schools, though still competitive, might have slightly lower average GPA expectations.
What matters more, LSAT or GPA?
Those rankings unquestionably value median LSAT score more highly than they do UGPA; in fact, a peek at the full details of the rankings (only available to those willing to pony up $29.95 for inside access) shows the LSAT score placed front and center, whereas it takes several clicks and some scrolling to discover the ...
What are softs for law school?
Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data.
Is W on transcript bad for law school?
Law school admission officers look beyond your GPA to carefully scrutinize your undergraduate transcripts. One or two withdrawals typically do not present much of an issue. However, a pattern of withdrawals will cause law schools to question your academic preparedness and ability to manage a demanding academic load.
What will an F do to a 4.0 GPA?
On a 4.0 scale, an A equals 4.0, a B equals 3.0, a C equals 2.0, a D equals 1.0, and an F equals 0.0. However, some high schools report student GPAs on a 5.0 scale instead. When schools use a 5.0 scale, a 4.5 GPA on a 5.0 scale is the equivalent of a 3.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
What GPA is required for Harvard?
GPA requirements for Harvard
At Harvard, the standard GPA is 4.18. (While some schools publish an unweighted GPA, most utilize a weighted GPA out of 4.0.) Harvard needs you to be at the top of your class with a GPA of 4.18. To compete with other applications, you'll need to receive almost all A's.
Why is my LSAC GPA lower than my actual GPA?
Courses excluded from the academic summary are not included in the GPA calculation. There may be some variation between the GPAs calculated by LSAC and those calculated by colleges or students; however, the variation is rarely substantial.
What is a respectable law school GPA?
A good GPA for law school generally falls between 3.5 and 4.0. However, top-tier institutions like Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, and Yale Law School often admit students with median GPAs closer to 3.9 or higher.
Is 3.7 GPA good for law school Reddit?
Honestly, more or less yes. I applied with a one-take 180 and a 3.7x. Attended a top undergrad and had solid WE, including at a top 3 Big Law firm.
What was Elle Woods' LSAT score?
Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.
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.