What's a decent GPA in law school?

Asked by: Prof. Kayleigh Feeney  |  Last update: October 6, 2023
Score: 4.2/5 (36 votes)

Among the U.S. News top 20 law schools, the median GPA for accepted students in 2021 was 3.86. By Sarah Wood. | Jan. 27, 2023.

What is a respectable law school GPA?

DO raise that GPA, if it's not too late. You'll need a 3.8 or better to be above the median for a top 14 law school, and a 3.6 or better to be above the median for the top 50.

Is a 3.3 GPA in law school good?

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.

Is a 3.0 a bad law school GPA?

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

What is a good 1L law school GPA?

The list. No mandatory curve; 3.1 to 3.3 mean for 1L courses, except First-Year Rhetoric. 3.25 to 3.45 mean for most upper-level courses.

Law School LSAT and GPA Requirements

39 related questions found

Are B's in law school good?

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.

Is a B+ a bad grade in law school?

That means a B+ is the median grade at that school. However, in law school the number of people that must fall at or above that grade is not fully determined yet. Rather, the bulk of exam scores will fall exactly at the median, and the professor determines how many grades will deviate from that.

Do employers care about law school GPA?

Academic performance may be important during the first few years of your career, but as you gain experience as an attorney, employers care less and less about your grades and judge you on your work instead. It's unlikely you'll be asked much about your class rank or grades after about four years of law practice.

Do law firms look at GPA?

No firms will admit to having a solid grade or GPA requirement or a set number of schools which they exclusively recruit from. Each firm has a slightly different take on the grades it expects recruits to have and which schools it likes to recruit from.

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.

Is it worth going to a lower ranked law school?

Unless they have personal connections or career experience, graduates of lower-ranked schools face steep odds on the job market. Graduates of top-ranked law schools have a leg up on securing legal internships, clerkships, and job interviews—even with mediocre grades.

What LSAT score do I need for 3.3 GPA?

3.3 GPA, 165 LSAT Statistics.

What is the lowest GPA accepted at Stanford Law?

While there are no concrete Stanford Law School GPA requirements or cutoffs, a high GPA gives you a better chance at admission. The undergraduate GPA of first-year students at Stanford Law is: 25th Percentile: 3.81. 50th Percentile: 3.91.

What matters more GPA or LSAT?

Keep in mind that just because the LSAT gets more weight in the decision-making process, a GPA well below a school's typical range is still likely to keep you from being admitted to that school. While LSAT is the most important factor, GPA is still significant.

Do law schools look at GPA trends?

Keep in mind that law schools look at your application in full — not just your score and grades. An upward grade trend can offset a mediocre or poor GPA, as can a strong LSAT score. Similarly, consistently outstanding academic performance and a strong GPA can offset a less competitive LSAT score.

Do grades matter after law school?

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.

How can I raise my GPA in law school?

Taking Summer or Evening Classes

Law schools typically offer many such classes during the summer when fewer students are on campus. Enrolling in such courses can be a great way to boost your GPA, since you are more likely to receive a higher grade.

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.

What can you do with a bad GPA in law school?

To compensate for a weak GPA on your law school application, consider these three tips:
  • Explain your grades in an addendum.
  • Show your abilities elsewhere.
  • Take extra classes.

Do law schools look at your transcript or just GPA?

Grades/Transcripts

Short answer: YES! Assume that law schools weigh GPA and LSAT with equal importance. If you have a lower GPA but a higher than average LSAT score, your LSAT score may help compensate for the lower GPA.

Should I put my GPA on my law resume?

As a general rule, if your GPA is in the top half of the class, or starts with a "3," include it. Otherwise, you may want to consider leaving it off. Employers will assume your grades were lower than top half if they see no mention of grades or rank.

How important is GPA in law school admissions?

Undergraduate GPAs DO matter in law school admissions. Therefore, if you are still an undergrad, you should do anything you can to improve and maintain your GPA. But if you are beyond your undergrad studies, do not let a low undergrad GPA derail your law school ambitions.

Is the first year of law school the hardest?

Most students consider the first year of law school to be the most difficult. The material is more complex than they're used to and it must be learned rapidly. What's more, the way students are taught and tested is very different from high school or undergrad.

Is D failing in law school?

D = Equivalent to a failing grade and no unit credit is awarded.

How hard is it to get an A+ in law school?

If you are looking to get all A's in law school, you should know that it is difficult but very possible. Here I will tell you how I did it. I got all A's (three A-s) and 55% of my letter grades were A+'s. I was not the smartest person in my law school and I did not study 24/7.