Is a 3.9 GPA bad for law school?

Asked by: Abelardo Lehner  |  Last update: May 7, 2025
Score: 5/5 (40 votes)

But at the 20 highest-ranked law schools, the average median GPA is much higher – 3.86. Nineteen of those 20 schools had a median GPA that was at least 3.8, and of those, seven had a median GPA that was 3.9 or above.

Is a 3.9 a good GPA for law school?

Anything below a 3.8 is a serious hindrance. A 3.5 from any undergrad institution would make it remarkably difficult to get into a top law school, regardless of your LSAT. You would need mid 170s to have a realistic chance, and even then it is is extremely difficult/unpredictable.

Can I get into Harvard Law with 3.9 GPA?

While there is no strict GPA requirement, admitted students at Harvard Law typically have GPAs ranging from 3.8 to 4.0. However, a strong GPA alone is insufficient for admission, as Harvard Law considers applicants holistically.

Can I get into Yale law with a 3.9 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.

Is a 3.8 GPA too low for law school?

A low GPA for law schools will entirely depend on your goals. If your GPA is at or below a school's 25th percentile, your GPA will be considered low for that school. So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low.

Applying to law school with 3.9 GPA

32 related questions found

Can I get into Harvard Law with a 3.8 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.

What did Elle Woods get on the LSAT?

The trending post led to multiple stories, including one in Newsweek, that compares Boyle to the fictional character Elle Woods, who scored a nearly perfect 179 on her LSAT to gain entry to Harvard Law School.

Do Ivy Leagues accept 3.9 GPA?

To get into most Ivy League schools, you'll need an average GPA between 3.9 and 4.0. However, if you're aiming for a top Ivy League university such as Stanford, MIT, or others, a 4.0 GPA — or close to it — is expected.

Is a 3.7 okay for law school?

Here, an average GPA in the range of 3.5 to 3.7 is more common. Less competitive law schools may admit students with lower GPAs, often around 3.0 to 3.4 or even lower. These schools may prioritize other factors like diversity and unique experiences over strict academic metrics.

How hard is a 172 LSAT?

Your percentile on the LSAT shows how many people you outperformed on the test. Scoring 172 typically puts you in the top 1.3%, surpassing 98.7% of other test-takers. LSAT percentiles may change slightly each year based on everyone's performance.

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.

What is a perfect LSAT score?

The LSAT scale ranges from 120 to 180, with 120 being the lowest possible score and 180 being the highest possible score.

What GPA do I need for top law school?

Obtain High GPA & LSAT Scores

According to the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), students need a GPA of at least 3.59 and an LSAT of 162 or more to get into any top 10 law schools. However, that is the bare minimum, and you should aim higher if you want to increase your chances of getting into the top 3.

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.

What are softs for law school?

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

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.

Is a 3.9 college GPA good for law school?

But at the 20 highest-ranked law schools, the average median GPA is much higher – 3.86. Nineteen of those 20 schools had a median GPA that was at least 3.8, and of those, seven had a median GPA that was 3.9 or above.

Is GPA or LSAT more important?

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 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.

Is 3.9 GPA impressive?

A 3.9 GPA on a 4.0 scale is indicative of exceptional academic achievement. It typically corresponds to an average grade in the 'A' range, suggesting that the student has consistently achieved high marks, primarily A's, with very few B's in their coursework.

How rare is a 3.9 GPA?

3.9 GPA is equivalent to 94% or A letter grade. The national average GPA is 3.0 which means a 3.9 is far above average. A 3.9 is so high that it can be hard to raise it any higher!

Is a 3.9 GPA OK for Harvard?

In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Harvard. That means nearly straight As in every class, while also taking the highest rigor classes available to you at your high school.

What did Obama make on the LSAT?

During his time, the median LSAT scores for Harvard Law were generally between 170 and 175. This suggests that the Obama LSAT scores were within this range, placing him in the top percentiles of test-takers.

Is Legally Blonde realistic?

OVERALL (fairly accurate!)

After going through it myself - overall impression of Legally Blonde? Not too shabby! I'd say the class/school scenes are pretty accurate, as well as Elle's transition from totally uncomfortable to realizing that she deserves to be at Harvard Law.