Is a 3.83 GPA good for law school?

Asked by: Grayson Johnston II  |  Last update: March 22, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (20 votes)

Yes, a 3.83 GPA is excellent and highly competitive for law school, placing you well above the national average and in strong contention for many top-tier programs, though top-20 schools often see medians closer to 3.8-3.9+, meaning a strong LSAT score and compelling application are crucial for the most selective schools.

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 3.8 GPA good for the Ivy League?

A 3.8 GPA is very good and can get you into an Ivy League school, but it's below the average for accepted students (often 3.9-4.0 unweighted) and requires a strong overall application with compelling essays, extracurriculars, high test scores (if submitted), and potentially a "hook" like athletics or unique achievements to stand out. While a perfect GPA isn't required, a 3.8 puts you in a competitive position where other factors become crucial to differentiate you from other strong applicants. 

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

A competitive LSAT score for Harvard Law School is typically above 170, while a competitive GPA is usually above 3.8.

What did Barack Obama get on the LSAT?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score. 

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSIONS REACTIONS | Stats + Results | T14s

17 related questions found

What score did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?

Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after going from a 143 on a practice test to achieving this near-perfect score by studying intensely for Harvard Law School. Her remarkable score, combined with a 4.0 GPA, secured her admission to Harvard Law.
 

How rare is a 3.8 GPA?

A 3.8 GPA, or Grade Point Average, is equivalent to an A- letter grade on a 4.0 GPA scale. This means is equivalent to a 90-92%. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 3.8 is far above average. Because a 3.8 is already so high it can be hard to raise, but with hard work and dedication it is possible!

What's the lowest GPA Harvard accepted?

There's no official minimum GPA for Harvard, but successful applicants average around 3.9-4.0, though some are admitted with lower GPAs (e.g., 2.5-3.7) if they possess exceptional extracurriculars, essays, test scores, or unique backgrounds, with very few admitted below 3.5, often recruited athletes or those with significant life experiences. Your chances significantly increase with challenging coursework and outstanding achievements in other areas to compensate for a lower GPA. 

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.

Do law firms look at law school grades?

Law Students

Firms can also decide how much they like you. But in terms of judging how serious you are about law school, and how much aptitude you show for the practice of law, grades are generally the most important criterion that firms use in the hiring of law students.

What law school accepts a 3.5 GPA?

Law schools generally require that you have specified minimum collegiate GPA and LSAT scores to qualify for admission. Harvard, Yale, and the other top five-ranked law schools require that you have a GPA of at least 3.50 and an LSAT score of 170.

Is 3.63 a good GPA for law school?

That means for this law school, 25% of matriculants had UGPAs below 3.12, 50% had UGPAs between 3.12 and 3.63, and 25% had UGPAs above 3.63. Now, let's consider highest LSAT scores.

Can I get into UCLA law with a 3.7 GPA?

Since there is no minimum GPA you need to achieve, you may still stand a chance of getting in with a lower GPA. However, aiming for a GPA above the 3.95 UCLA Law School median GPA can make you a more competitive applicant.

Has anyone ever gotten a 10.0 GPA?

One student even managed to land a stunning 10.03 GPA by taking 17 advanced classes at a school that awarded bonus points.

What GPA is needed for Ivy League schools?

Most accepted applicants have: GPA: 3.9–4.0 (unweighted) or above 4.2 (weighted). SAT: 1450–1570+ ACT: 33–35+

Is a 3.8 GPA good for Ivy League?

A 3.8 GPA is very good and can get you into an Ivy League school, but it's below the average for accepted students (often 3.9-4.0 unweighted) and requires a strong overall application with compelling essays, extracurriculars, high test scores (if submitted), and potentially a "hook" like athletics or unique achievements to stand out. While a perfect GPA isn't required, a 3.8 puts you in a competitive position where other factors become crucial to differentiate you from other strong applicants. 

Has anyone got a 6.0 GPA?

Yes, it is possible for students to achieve a 6.0 GPA, but only in high schools with heavily weighted grading systems that give extra points for advanced courses like AP, IB, or Dual Enrollment classes, making the scale go beyond the traditional 4.0. While extremely rare and dependent on specific school policies, students have earned GPAs over 5.0 and even into the 6.0 range by taking numerous challenging courses and earning all A's, though many schools cap their weighted scales around 5.0. 

How many a's and b's is a 3.8 GPA?

You can calculate a 3.8 GPA by finding the right combination of A's and B's that averages out to 3.8. So, in this example with 10 classes, having eight A's and two B's will result in a 3.8 GPA.

What was Barack Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score. 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?

That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.

Does Elle Woods have autism?

No, Elle Woods from Legally Blonde is not officially written as autistic, but many fans interpret her character as having autistic traits, such as intense focus on interests (fashion, law), strong memory, literal thinking, and challenges with social norms, making her a relatable figure for some within the autistic community who see themselves in her journey and focus, even if it's not an official diagnosis.