<p>Will law schools differentiate between a cumulative GPA and a major GPA?
I took a lot of physical science and math courses my first two years as a lost and confused biochemistry major only to realize that it wasn't my calling. I then switched to political science at the end of my 2nd year in undergrad. My GPA in the political science department is 3.8 but with all the science courses I've taken, my GPA is a low 3.3.</p>
<p>The index number that LSAC produces for each school is based solely on cumulative GPA. Schools’ stats for admitted students cite cumulative GPAs. At lawschoolnumbers, candidates sometimes report their cumulative and major GPAs. Cumulative seems to be the key number for admission.</p>
<p>DS didn’t think that any weight was given to the fact that his major GPA was higher than his cumulative GPA. He did submit a brief personal statement explaining low grades his first year (attempting to be a science major too), and flagged that his grades and major were so much higher after that year. IMO, a higher GPA in a major is part of the total application and academic record, and can be viewed as a soft factor.</p>
<p>Yes, they will “look” at it holistically, but won’t magically consider your 3.3 to be equivalent to a 3.5+. Ain’t gonna happen. Upward trend is a plus, however.</p>
<p>I disagree with Neonzeus in the major gpa being a “soft factor.” Your major gpa should be higher, almost by definition, since you are taking courses that you “like” and not the dreaded GE’s/Distributives. I would guess that for nearly everyone, a major gpa is higher. Thus, it can’t be much of a factor at all, since it doesn’t differentiate anyone.</p>
<p>BlueBayou: I think we’re actually in agreement. A GPA in a major won’t replace the cumulative GPA. Soft factors are anything besides GPA and LSAT (including references, job experience, rigor of undergraduate program, internships, personal statement, etc.). </p>
<p>A really good GPA in a major can be used to emphasize the applicant’s turnaround academically, or the ability to succeed in a particular field. The 3.3 could decide whether OP’s application gets before a Committee at some schools. Once the Committee has her application though, the OP will have the opportunity to bring the 3.8 to a Committee’s attention. I think it’s a good idea, as part of a personal statement explaining an overall academic record.</p>
<p>OP - you’ve been given some good advice before about trying to bring up your GPA. Have you gotten your LSAT scores yet, and do you know if you’re a “splitter?” as you expected?</p>
<p>Read: [LSAC</a> - LSAC Policies](<a href=“http://www.lsac.org/policies/transcript-summarization.asp]LSAC”>http://www.lsac.org/policies/transcript-summarization.asp)</p>
<p>It is so important to understand how GPA is calculated by LSAC</p>