Is a 3.3 GPA in law school good?
Asked by: Lonie Bogisich IV | Last update: January 26, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (71 votes)
A 3.3 GPA in law school is decent, placing you above average at some schools but potentially below the curve at more competitive ones, especially for "Big Law" or elite clerkships, where higher GPAs (3.5+) are often expected; however, it's very strong for admission to many good T-50 schools, especially with a high LSAT or strong work experience, making it a viable GPA that can lead to success depending on your school's curve and career goals.
Is 3.3 a good law school GPA?
Top 80-90 Law Schools: For schools like New York Law School or Widener University, your 3.3 GPA and 160 LSAT score will likely meet or exceed the median applicant scores. These schools tend to be less selective than their higher-ranked counterparts, so your chances of getting in are relatively good.
What is considered a good GPA in law school?
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 a 3.3 GPA impressive?
A 3.3 GPA is generally considered good and above the national average (around 3.0), showing solid "B+" effort, making it suitable for many state universities and mid-tier colleges, but it's often not strong enough for highly selective schools like Ivy Leagues, where a stronger GPA plus compelling essays and extracurriculars are needed; it's also respectable for some jobs and scholarships, but may limit highly competitive internships or STEM programs.
Is a 3.3 GPA good enough for Harvard?
Getting into Harvard with a 3.3 GPA is highly improbable but technically possible, as Harvard uses holistic admissions, but successful applicants usually have GPAs around 3.9-4.0, requiring you to have an extraordinary profile in other areas (extracurriculars, essays, unique talents, or exceptional standardized test scores) to overcome the low GPA, with very few admitted students falling significantly below the average.
From 3.3 GPA to Harvard Law: The 177+ LSAT Blueprint
Do Ivy Leagues accept 3.3 GPA?
Ivy League colleges do not expect you to have a perfect GPA, and it doesn't help as much as you think it does. Anything over a 3.8 is fine, and you can sometimes get away with a GPA down to about a 3.5.
What GPA is top 1%?
A GPA in the top 1% generally means a near-perfect or perfect GPA, typically around 3.9 to 4.0 (or higher with weighted courses), often qualifying for the highest academic honor, summa cum laude, at many universities, though the exact number can vary by institution and class size. In high school, a 4.0 often places you in the top 2-5%, but achieving the very top percentile (1%) usually requires perfect scores or extremely high weighted scores from AP/IB classes.
Is a 3.3 GPA honor roll?
A 3.3 GPA can qualify for honor roll at some schools, often as "Honors" or "Silver Honor Roll," but it depends entirely on the specific school's criteria, as many require higher GPAs (like 3.5+) for "High Honors" or "Gold Honor Roll," with some even setting thresholds around 3.0-3.49 for basic recognition. It's a solid B-average (around B/B+) and usually meets requirements for general recognition but might not make top-tier honor lists.
Is a 3.3 GPA worth putting on a resume?
You should probably include a 3.3 GPA on your resume if you're a recent graduate with limited experience, as it's above average (around a B+) and shows consistent effort, but you might leave it off if you have significant work experience or are applying for very competitive roles where a 3.5+ is often the standard. If your major GPA is significantly higher (e.g., 3.5+) or you're fresh out of school, it's a good idea; otherwise, focus on your relevant experience and skills.
Is 3.3 GPA too low?
A 3.3 is above-average and raising it will take near-perfect work, but don't be discouraged.
What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
What is considered a bad GPA for law school?
What Is the Lowest GPA For Law School? Since the majority of law schools require a GPA of 3.0 or higher, anything below a 3.0 is considered very low. Some of the absolute lowest GPA requirements for schools are 2.80.
What GPA are law firms looking for?
At times, employers will even specify a GPA cut-off in the application process. They will indicate that they will not consider any applicant whose GPA is not at least, for example, a 3.0. Or they will not consider any applicant who is not in the top ten percent or top twenty-five percent of their law school class.
Is a 3.3 GPA considered outstanding?
GPA 3.3 means above-average performance, opening doors to many colleges and programs with strong supporting factors like extracurriculars and test scores. Many reputable colleges and scholarships accept a 3.3 GPA, offering excellent opportunities with strategic planning.
Can I get into Yale law with a 3.5 GPA?
We do not utilize a GPA or standardized test score cutoff of any kind in our review process. Every year applicants from all backgrounds and with scores in all ranges are admitted to Yale Law School. The only guarantee you will not be admitted is if you do not apply, and we take seriously every application we receive.
Does Harvard accept 3.3 GPA?
Getting into Harvard with a 3.3 GPA is highly improbable but technically possible, as Harvard uses holistic admissions, but successful applicants usually have GPAs around 3.9-4.0, requiring you to have an extraordinary profile in other areas (extracurriculars, essays, unique talents, or exceptional standardized test scores) to overcome the low GPA, with very few admitted students falling significantly below the average.
Is 3.3 a decent GPA?
A 3.3 GPA is generally considered good and above the national average (around 3.0), showing solid "B+" effort, making it suitable for many state universities and mid-tier colleges, but it's often not strong enough for highly selective schools like Ivy Leagues, where a stronger GPA plus compelling essays and extracurriculars are needed; it's also respectable for some jobs and scholarships, but may limit highly competitive internships or STEM programs.
What is the lowest GPA a college will accept?
The lowest GPA to get into college varies widely, with some schools accepting 2.0 or lower (often community colleges or open-enrollment institutions), while many others look for 3.0 or higher; top universities often require 3.5+, but you can improve your chances with a low GPA by highlighting strengths, writing strong essays, getting good recommendations, and applying to schools with lower requirements or no GPA minimums like Purdue Global or WGU.
Is Dean's List a big deal?
Yes, the Dean's List is a big deal as it signifies high academic achievement, looks great on resumes and transcripts for grad school/job applications, can unlock scholarships, and offers personal satisfaction, though its weight can vary by industry and career stage. It demonstrates dedication and work ethic, setting you apart from peers by showing you can handle rigorous coursework.
What will an F do to a 3.4 GPA?
When you fail a course, the grade you receive is often an F, which carries no grade points. As a result, failing a course can significantly lower your GPA, especially if it is worth several credits. For example, if you have a 3.5 GPA and fail a 4-credit course, your GPA will drop to 3.08.
What was Einstein's GPA?
Albert Einstein didn't have a GPA as we know it in the US; he attended European schools, but his grades at Zurich's ETH showed he excelled in math and physics (getting top scores of 6 out of 6) but struggled in languages, though he graduated with average marks overall, often relying on friends for notes, and famously didn't get an assistant position after graduation.
What is an impressive college GPA?
Typically, students with GPAs ranging from 3.5-3.7 will graduate cum laude (Latin for with distinction, with praise, or with honor ). Those with 3.7-3.9 GPAs graduate magna cum laude ( with great praise ), and those with a GPA of 3.9 or higher will be awarded summa cum laude ( with highest praise ).