What GPA do law school applicants look for?

Asked by: Olin Glover Sr.  |  Last update: July 26, 2023
Score: 4.6/5 (11 votes)

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.

Which GPA is looked at for law school?

Some people do well in their major GPA but have a low overall GPA because they performed poorly in their required general education courses. Unfortunately, law schools largely care about your overall GPA.

Do law schools look at your current GPA?

Dear Grade Point Analysis: Initial evaluation of your application will be based on your cumulative GPA and LSAT score. Thus, your 3.3 GPA – or 3.5 if you improve it – will be what admissions committees consider.

Is 3.3 GPA good for law school?

So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5.

Can you get into law school with a 3.5 GPA?

Most prestigious law schools require a GPA of 3.85 or higher. However, statistics show that some undergraduates have been accepted at Yale and Harvard with a GPA score of 3.56 and 3.50, respectively, although they likely had a higher LSAT score, excellent recommendations, and an optimal personal statement.

Law School Admissions Lowest GPA

24 related questions found

Is a 3.0 a bad law school GPA?

Typically, a low GPA for law school would be below 3.0.

Is a 3.0 too low for law school?

Law school is unusual among post-graduate educational pursuits in that a bad undergraduate GPA doesn't necessarily ruin your chances to attend an excellent law school. In fact, with a high enough LSAT score, you might just get into a T14 law school with a considerable scholarship, even with a sub-3.0 GPA.

Is a 3.7 GPA too low 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 LSAT score do I need for 3.3 GPA?

3.3 GPA, 165 LSAT Statistics.

What is the easiest law school to get into with a low GPA?

15 Easiest Law Schools to Get Into Based on GPA
  • DePaul University College of Law – 3.20.
  • Howard University Law School – 3.24.
  • University of Baltimore – 3.25.
  • Vermont Law School – 3.25.
  • University of Idaho College of Law – 3.25.
  • Akron Law School – 3.28.
  • Creighton University Law School – 3.29.

Will one C ruin my chances of Ivy League?

Just one bad grade in an advanced level course is not going to ruin your chances at an Ivy League. However, consistently underperforming in advanced classes in your area-of-interest classes will penalize you in the applications process.

Which is more important for law school GPA or LSAT?

Most law schools tend to give LSAT scores a bit more weight, but some schools care more about grades. The admissions process is inevitably subjective, and some admissions officers might be more forgiving of a gap than others.

What GPA does Harvard Law look at?

These GPA percentiles suggest most Harvard Law students achieve a GPA of 3.82 to 3.98. To give yourself the best chance of admission, you should strive for an undergraduate GPA as close to 4.0 as possible.

Do US law schools look at all 4 years?

We consider all years of study and, as a general rule, applicants with strong cumulative averages will be preferred.

How much do law schools care about GPA?

GPA is better thought of as kind of a pass/fail sort of thing. A bad GPA might keep you out, but a good GPA won't get you in, not without a good LSAT. However, a high LSAT score can and frequently does eclipse a low GPA. For more on this, see our post on getting in with a low GPA.

Do law schools look at weighted or unweighted GPA?

A 3.8 GPA or higher (unweighted on a 4.0 scale) from a university with a track record of several admits year-after-year at your target law school. 75th percentile or above LSAT score (as compared to the previous year's admitted students at a particular target law school)

What is the lowest LSAT score accepted by Harvard?

So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. 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.

What is a mediocre LSAT score?

The LSAT score range is 120–180, and the median score is approximately 152. You need to get about 60 questions right (out of 99–102 questions) to get that median score of 152, which means you need to bat about 60 percent.

Is 149 a bad LSAT score?

The LSAT is scored from 120-180, and an average score is about 150.

How do I fix my low GPA for law school?

The good news is there are a number of ways you can redeem yourself and still build an outstanding application—even with a relatively low college GPA.
  1. 1) Ace the LSAT. ...
  2. 2) Get Great References. ...
  3. 3) Take a Gap Year or Two. ...
  4. 4) Explain Your Circumstances. ...
  5. 5) Set Your Sights a Little Lower.

Is a B bad in law school?

Bs are perfectly acceptable grades in law school. What does a B grade represent? That a student has adequate mastery of the subject. Not great mastery.

Can I get into Georgetown Law with a 3.7 GPA?

While there are no GPA requirements to apply to Georgetown Law, class data can help you determine what GPA you should aim for. While it's difficult to determine the Georgetown Law School average GPA, consider the GPA percentiles of incoming full-time students: 25th percentile GPA: 3.66. Median GPA: 3.86.

Can a high LSAT offset a low GPA?

Use your personal statement to showcase your communication skills. Write a resume that specifies how your jobs required high-level performance under pressure. A strong LSAT score can compensate for a low GPA, so it is well worth the investment of time and effort it takes to do well.

Is a 3.4 good enough for law school?

If you want to attend a Top 10 law school, it's best if your GPA is a 3.8 or higher. Even for schools lower in the law school rankings, you don't want to slip below a 3.4.

Can you get into Yale Law School with a low 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.