<p>I went to Colgate in 2002 but I had a really tough time there. I suffered a really bad depression (anti-depressants and therapists barely helped to keep above water). In two years, I only finished one semester and went on two med leaves. The semester I did complete I had a rough GPA (2.67). I know that really sucks. So I came home in 2004 and went to my local CC in Philly. I managed to get a 3.82 which raised my overall GPA to about a 3.2, which is still low for law school. I just married in May and moved to Cleveland. I am transferring to Case in the Fall as a junior. Even if I managed to get a 4.0 (which I doubt) my overall GPA would only be 3.459 (do law schools round up?). Realistically, I think that I could get around a 3.5 at Case. Without that freaking Colgate GPA, my GPA could be really good. How can I explain to adcoms what happened? How can I make up for those two years at 'gate? Should I even explain what happened?</p>
<p>Thanks,
Faith</p>
<p>P.S. What are some good prep books and comp. prog. for the LSAT?</p>
<p>I'm in the same boat. For my first two years, I went to Hamilton and messed up pretty badly. I ended up with something like a 2.6. I eventually transferred to Wake Forest, and it looks like I will graduate summa cum laude next spring. I've matured very much, and I'm hoping that will sway the law schools I apply to (well, that and the 172 I just got on the LSATs). I hope you'll (or we'll) be fine...</p>
<p>Given my situation, should I even bother with some t14 schools?</p>
<p>you can submit an addendum (additional essay explaining part of your application) describing your health issues, the impact they had on your grades, the actions you took to remedy your situation, and the academic improvement you've demonstrated. Just be brief and matter-of-fact and it probably won't hurt you as much as you might think...law schools like high gpas, but they also like hardworking, proactive people who know how to solve problems and overcome challenges. </p>
<p>you might also want to apply to more schools than you would have otherwise...if you pick a single t14 to apply to, it might not go for you, but if you apply to 5 you might get into one or 2. good luck!</p>
<p>Good advice about the addendum. Do not use it as a personal statement. The addendum should be there, no matter what. </p>
<p>I would strongly suggest taking some time off between college and law school. Anything that you can do to show that you are now a good, functional adult is helpful. While admissions officers may feel sympathetic, they also don't want to admit people who cannot handle the rigour of law school.</p>
<p>So go to Case, get as good a GPA as possible, and apply to a lot of schools. Apply early in the cycle. Request interviews. While schools are often stingy about interviews, you can get them later on in the application cycle. Submit apps in early October. Around January or February, ask to interview.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies. They're definitely helpful and have given me hope. Aries, I was thinking about taking a break between UG and law school to work for a year or two. I just feel like I'm getting kinda old. I'm 22 now and by the time I finish UG I'll be 24 which means that if I take a year or two off I won't enter law school until I'm 25 or 26. Hmm, but that isn't too old for law school I guess. I've heard work experience helps makes applicants look better. Have any of you found that to the case?</p>
<p>scoobygirl, don't worry about your age at all! some schools (like northwestern) really like older students. my roommate (rising 3L) is 31, and there are lots of people in my 1L class in their mid-late 20s. I even met a woman last year who was a 57-year-old 2L at Berkeley!</p>
<p>bumping this up b/c I have an update and some questions:</p>
<p>So I graduated from Case magna cum laude with a 3.77 GPA. I added all my college GPAs together and got an average of 3.42.</p>
<p>I know that LSAC combines all the GPAs. At Colgate, an A+ was worth more than an A- or an A. However CCP and Case don't distinguish between A+, A, etc. I think I read that LSAC does this if your school doesn't but I'm not sure. Is this true?</p>
<p>Also, if in an addendum, law schools saw my GPAs from CCP and Case, would they take that as being more demonstrative of abilities than the GPA at Colgate (which was really only for 1 1/2 semesters) and the averaged GPA?</p>
<p>--Congrats!
--LSAC does count A+'s no matter what. They're a 4.33. A (-) grade is worth --0.33, regardless of how your school counts them. (Usually -0.3, which is pretty close.)
--The big thing to worry about now is the LSAT. Once that's in line, everything else in the picture becomes more clear.</p>
<p>I haven't seen my therapist in three years and I lost her contact info. I also haven't been on anti-depressants in three years either. So I'm not sure what a doctor's note would do besides say that I'm fine? I mean I could tell my new doctor (I'm moving) about my medical history but would a note from him/her really help?</p>