<p>So I'm a second year right now and my GPA is a 3.5. I'm thinking of taking a year off after senior year and applying after my final grades get in for the GPA boost. I'm also thinking of even taking an extra year to try and raise my GPA.</p>
<p>My LSAT diags have been in the 172-177 range, and I think my EC's are good enough that I'd be competitive at T14 if I could raise my GPA to say a 3.8, which is MAYBE possible at the end of my senior year (if I get close to straight A's from now on). An extra year would probably give me more time and units to boost the GPA, but I'm worried it might look bad for applications.</p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>172-177 is still a big range. 3.5, 177 is pretty much a lock at eleven of the T14. Even 3.5, 172 isn't bad odds at most of them, much less 3.8.</p>
<p>Taking the year off would NOT look bad -- if you do something cool, it is in fact a bonus.</p>
<p>If you do add another year of study, or even another semester, you might want to use that time to strengthen your letters of recommendation, and get some research in your field, which is always a plus on an application. However, I would personally advise you to get some work experience to strengthen your application, and to have the chance to see what things are like outside of law (unless you are very passionate about your field and would like to continue your studies). Extra time in college might also only marginally add to your GPA, and it would likely increase your current debt levels. It really depends on whether you want to continue your studies or to pay down some of your undergraduate debt and see what things are like outside of law.</p>