Is a 3.8 GPA good to get into law school?

Asked by: Mr. Kayley Goldner  |  Last update: November 19, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (10 votes)

Most law schools require a minimum GPA of 3.5 for admission. However, top law schools typically require a GPA of 3.7 or higher to be considered a competitive applicant.

Is a 3.8 GPA good for Harvard law?

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.

Can I get into Stanford Law with a 3.8 GPA?

If your sights are set on Stanford Law, your GPA should be as close to 3.9 or 4.0 as possible for your best shot at acceptance. Here is some more information regarding Stanford Law's entering class' GPA scores: 25th Percentile: 3.78. 50th Percentile: 3.92.

What is the lowest GPA a law school will accept?

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.

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.

Can I get into a top school with a bad GPA? | LSAT Demon Daily, Ep. 151

20 related questions found

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.

Does Harvard accept 3.8 GPA?

Harvard University does not have a strict minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admissions. However, admitted students typically have very high GPAs, ranging from 3.8 to 4.0, with an average GPA of 3.9.

What is the hardest law school in the USA?

1. Yale University. With an acceptance rate of just 6.9%, it's no wonder that Yale is the hardest law school to get into. Only around 1 in 15 of their highly qualified applicants makes it through.

Can I get into a T14 law school with a 3.8 GPA?

As you prepare to apply, it's important to remember that T14 law schools are very competitive. Most accepted students have very high GPAs (at least 3.8) and LSAT scores (at least 170), which fall into top LSAT percentiles (check out this article for more on LSAT percentiles).

Can I get into Columbia Law with a 3.8 GPA?

Given this data, it's difficult to determine the Columbia Law School average GPA. However, we can assume that the Columbia Law average GPA likely ranges from 3.8 to 4.0.

What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

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.

What honors is a 3.8 GPA?

cum laude (GPA of 3.5–3.64); magna cum laude (GPA of 3.65–3.79); or. summa cum laude (GPA of 3.8–4.0).

Is LSAT or GPA more important?

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.

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 are softs for law school?

Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data.

What is the easiest law school to get into?

16 Easiest Law Schools to Get Into Based on Acceptance Rate
  • Creighton University Law School – 79%
  • University of Wyoming Law School – 78%
  • Marquette University Law School – 77%
  • Loyola New Orleans Law School – 76%
  • Drake University Law School – 75%
  • Oklahoma City University School of Law – 72%

What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

What GPA do you need to get into Yale Law School?

There is no minimum GPA or LSAT score for applicants, but the recent statistics show that the lowest GPA and LSAT scores received by a member of Yale Law School's most recently admitted class were 3.32 and 155 respectively.

How rare is 3.8 GPA?

To elaborate, the national average for GPA is around a 3.0, so a 3.8 puts you above average nationally. Keep in mind the 3.0 national average represents all students, not just students applying to college, so the average GPA of students admitted to colleges is higher than the national average.

Is a 3.8 GPA impressive?

While admissions officers consider multiple factors, including test scores, extracurricular activities, and course rigor, a 3.8 GPA places you in a highly favorable position when applying to colleges.

What's the lowest GPA Yale accepted?

We do not set a minimum GPA, nor do we attempt to re-weight GPA's to any standard other than what a school provides.

Is a 3.8 GPA good for law school?

Among the 191 ranked law schools that submitted grade data to U.S. News in an annual survey, the average median GPA of entering law school students in 2021 was 3.55. But at the 20 highest-ranked law schools, the average median GPA is much higher – 3.86.

What is the average debt for law students?

The average law school graduate owes $130,000 in student loan debt. 71% of law school students graduate in debt. $119,292 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school. $92,267 is the average amount borrowed to attend one of the top 10 law schools in terms of salary-to-debt ratio.

Do law firms care about grades?

Grades are important to many law firms when making hiring decisions. However, the weight that they carry in these decisions most often depends on the particular firm involved and whether you are (A) a junior attorney or law student, (B) a mid-level to senior associate, or (C) a partner.