What is the GPA range for Harvard Law?

Asked by: Dr. Ward Balistreri | Last update: November 2, 2025

Score: 4.3/5 (57 votes)

While there is no minimum GPA required to apply to Harvard Law, you should aim to match the median GPA of 3.94 or higher for a more competitive application.

What GPA do I need for Harvard Law?

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.

Can I get into Harvard Law with 3.5 GPA?

A high GPA is 3.99 and the median is 3.92. There's no lowest GPA but you probably won't get into Harvard with a 2.5 GPA. Your GPA still needs to be somewhat competitive with the median GPA. That said, you can get into Harvard Law School even if your GPA is 3.82 or lower.

Can I get into Harvard Law with a 3.8 GPA?

While the LSAT score and GPA are significant factors, Harvard Law considers applicants holistically, valuing diversity and unique perspectives. The LSAT score for Harvard Law School typically falls within the 169-175 range, while the average GPA for admitted students is between 3.8 and 4.0.

Is a 3.7 GPA good for Harvard Law?

The general picture that emerges, though, is that you want a 3.7 GPA or better for confidence at Harvard, Yale, Stanford & UChicago. For NYU, you should be aiming in the 3.6+ GPA range, and for Columbia, you should hope to have a 3.5 GPA or better.

The Three Things I did to get into Harvard Law School.

17 related questions found

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.

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.

Is a 3.8 GPA too low for Ivy League?

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.

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.

Is 174 a good LSAT?

So, a great score on the LSAT is a 172, but more than 100,000 people take the LSAT every year and only 1% score 172 or higher. For the top 50 law schools, the median LSAT score is between 164 and 174. A good LSAT score for top tier(defined by T14 schools for this article) law schools is between 171 and 174.

How hard is Harvard Law?

Applicants need a median LSAT score of 174 out of 180 to be competitive. The acceptance rate is low, at 9.5%, meaning out of the 8,393 applications received in 2022, only 798 were accepted. This means that applicants must have very good grades and test scores, especially on the LSAT.

Is 3.5 enough for Harvard?

In summary, while a GPA of 3.5 is less than average for Harvard admits, you shouldn't count yourself out automatically. Focus on strengthening the other components of your application, demonstrating dedication through your extracurriculars, and showing your unique perspective through your essays.

Is a 3.3 GPA bad 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 25^th 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.

How prestigious is Harvard Law?

Harvard University 2024 Law & Specialties Rankings

Harvard University is ranked No. 4 (tie) out of 196 in Best Law Schools. Schools were assessed on their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence.

Will a 3.7 GPA get me into 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 hardest law school to get into?

According to Lawschooli, the ten hardest law schools with the lowest acceptance rates are:

Yale University: 6.9%
Stanford University: 9.72%
University of Pennsylvania: 14.6%
University of Virginia: 15.3%
Harvard University: 15.6%
Columbia University: 16.8%
University of Chicago: 17.5%
Duke University: 20.2%

How rare is a 180 LSAT?

How Hard Is It To Get A Perfect Score On The LSAT? According to LSAC, only 119 test-takers out of nearly 60,000 achieved this in 2022. So when you ask, “How many people get a 180 on the LSAT?” the answer highlights the rarity and difficulty of this achievement.

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.

Is a 4.7 GPA good for Harvard?

GPA requirements for Harvard

At Harvard, the standard GPA is 4.18. (While some schools publish an unweighted GPA, most utilize a weighted GPA out of 4.0.) Harvard needs you to be at the top of your class with a GPA of 4.18.

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.

Can I get into Yale with a 3.7 GPA?

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1560 SAT or a 35 ACT. You should also have a 4.18 GPA or higher.

Will a 180 LSAT get you in anywhere?

Here is a breakdown of what counts as a good enough score for law schools based on the school's rank: Top-five law schools: 170 to 180. Schools like Harvard and Yale, which are the top two, rarely accept applicants with less than 172 on the LSAT. Law schools ranked between 5 and 10: 165 to 170.

What score is 75% on LSAT?

For example if your LSAT Scaled Score is 157 you will have a percentile rank of approximately 75% meaning that your Scaled Score of 157 is better than 75% of the LSAT Scaled Scores for the last three years.

What is the highest LSAT score ever?

Your LSAT score is the most important factor for admission to law school. The highest LSAT score is 180. The average LSAT score is about 152. A "good" LSAT score depends on the law schools you are considering.