<p>I had some pretty serious medical issues near the end of high school so I decided to attend a two year community college while I tried to get back on my feet. My grades in community college have been mediocre so far, (or at least I imagine they'll be labeled as such, due to the stigma that seems to accompany two year schools), as I'm set to graduate with a 3.89 at this point. I'm a member of phi theta kappa and have completed several honors projects during my time here, however, if that counts for anything.</p>
<p>I'm trying to decide whether to graduate with an associates and then complete the last two years in a university, or to transfer without obtaining a degree. I'm not sure what difference one or the other would make as far as "what looks good".</p>
<p>Is doing my general education requirements in community college and then transferring to a four year school to finish up a bachelor's going to hurt me when it comes to applying to a Law School? I know I'm intelligent enough to score very high on the LSAT, and I'm positive I can graduate with close to a perfect 4.0 when I finish my bachelor's.</p>
<p>Basically, what I'm wondering is if my choice to complete general education requirements at a community college is going to screw me over when it comes time to apply to graduate school.</p>
<p>I'm willing to consider any option that will increase my chance of acceptance, even if that means a year or two longer than required to get a bachelor's degree. If I transferred with an associates in English and then got a Bachelor's in both English and Philosophy from a four year school, would that lock me out from any of the top tier schools?</p>
<p>Uhh. I’m gonna go with no. Community college is not a bad option at all. They don’t really care that you started at a community college; they care where your bachelor’s degree is from. And a 3.89 GPA is hardly mediocre.</p>
<p>A follow up question: How important is the ranking of my undergraduate college? I’m trying to avoid dumping a ton of money on undergrad if I’m going to be shelling out a lot for law school.</p>
<p>Is two years of education at the college where I get my four year degree enough for a law school to make a judgement of my merits? If I transfer with an associates I’ll only be doing my junior and senior years there.</p>
<p>Also, how important are my extra curricular activities? I’m involved with my school’s Diversity club, write for the school newspaper, and participate in the debate club. From browsing these forums I’ve gotten the impression that GPA and LSAT scores are king, is that true?</p>
<p>Honestly, I’m hardly an expert, but I’m a community college transfer myself and I know lots of other transfers who are applying to law school with just two years of university transcripts. It has never hindered anyone as far as I know, and while admissions does recognize that there’s a difference between, say, a Berkeley degree in chemistry and a Cal State Fresno degree in psychology, the prestige of your undergrad probably won’t make or break you. </p>
<p>I just pledged Phi Alpha Delta (a pre-law fraternity) at UC Irvine, and most of the experts/law school admissions officers have said that THE most important factor is LSAT. GPA is very important too, but LSAT is the killer. If you’re truly mediocre as far as GPA goes by the time you graduate (as in not a 3.89), or your LSAT doesn’t end up where you thought it would, then extra-curriculars might put you over the edge, but otherwise they really don’t matter much at all.</p>
<p>Law schools do not care where your undergrad is from, what your major is or if it is a combo of CC and another university. They care about your LSAC total GPA and your LSAT score. </p>
<p>When you apply to LS you will send all of your transcripts to LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS) and they will calculate your official GPA based on transcripts from any and all schools where you have taken college level courses. This includes any CC classes you or anyone else might have taken while they were still in HS. This will be your official GPA and the only GPA that they care about. </p>
<p>You will get a lot of information there that will help you make better decisions about the path you take. It is funny, so many people break their backs trying to get into the most difficult prestigious schools thinking it will help them to get into a good Law School, but as it turns out you would be better off going to a school where you can do very very well and still have time for a life and EC’s.</p>
<p>My plans right now are to finish my undergraduate at URI where I’m sure I can graduate with a 4.0. Is going to University of Rhode Island going to lock me out from any schools? I’d love to be accepted to Yale or Harvard, and while I noticed a couple schools that were ranked in the 100s, University of Rhode Island is ranked 160. </p>
<p>I’m positive I can score extremely well on the LSAT too, with practice. (177+).</p>
<p>With a 4.0 from a lower ranked school and a very high LSAT, am I set for applying to some top schools?</p>