<p>You heard me. Most law schools are point and shoot GPA+LSAT combo. But which law schools, especially "top" (as in, top 20, say) ones, place an unusually high emphasis on upward trend GPA during admissions?</p>
<p>To the best of my knowledge, none. Trends are nice, but total cumulative GPA is king.</p>
<p>Well of course. But some schools must place more emphasis on trend than OTHER schools…not more emphasis on trend than overall GPA, but, perhaps schools to look towards particularly or ones to avoid particularly.</p>
<p>Why do you think some schools “must place more emphasis on trend?”</p>
<p>Educated guess. I DO know for a fact that admissions traditions and policies at schools vary. For example, Northwestern (as it states on its own website) places a relatively (i.e. relative to some other schools) high emphasis on work experience. </p>
<p>Therefore, I guess that there must similarly be tiers of interest in all qualities of an applicant, since the pool of possible law schools is so diverse. Some schools may not give a rat’s ass about upward trend. Others, however, may consider it slightly, if still nowhere near as much as they consider overall GPA. </p>
<p>Whether or not a CC poster can accurately say, oh, such and such school places more emphasis on upward trend than such and such, is, well, far more of a blind gamble. But it doesn’t hurt to ask.</p>
<p>The differentiating factors (other than GPA and LSAT score, of course) that will make a much greater difference in one’s application are personal statement, accomplishments and awards, work experience, ECs, recommendations and diversity (racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and geographic). An upward trend in grades might be a small factor, but will not stand out against a candidate who has stellar grades throughout his or her academic career. </p>
<p>An upward trend in grades is certainly better than consistently poor grades, but any low grades on one’s transcript is, in almost all circumstances, a fault in a law school application that must be explained rather than a factor for which one will be lauded.</p>
<p>I was looking at it more like this:</p>
<p>Two students have a 3.2.</p>
<p>One has a drastic upward trend.</p>
<p>Would some law schools be more interested in upward trend kid, pending similar personal statements/ECs/etc. and LSAT scores?</p>
<p>I say this because my brother is ending his college career and thinking of law school next. His GPA is poor, but he did receive a 4.0 his final 2 yrs of school, taking only 300-400 level classes. His LSAT is extremely high (170+). He is clearly a smart kid who has gotten his butt into shape and would excel in law school. Would he compare on par with or more favorably than other applicants in his GPA group with no upward trend? And would in fact some emphasis then be taken off his overall GPA, in light of his upward trend and high LSATS? Which schools would be more likely to look at his situation sympathetically?</p>
<p>I.e. schools with a relatively high emphasis on LSAT as opposed to GPA, schools sympathetic to upward trends, etc.</p>
<p>Your brother’s best bet would be to write a great addendum explaining what happended his first 2 years, what he did to turn things around.</p>
<p>I also recommend that he purchase the Richard Montauk and Anna Ivey books as they give great advice on how to handle this.</p>
<p>Thanks. Along what lines are the suggestions?</p>
<p>'Cause I can tell you right now nobody died/he didn’t contract a serious illness (well, he was out of commission for half a month sophomore year but that doesn’t explain the other 3 semesters)…</p>
<p>It is probably the typical things. Burnout from HS. Lack of study skills. Freedom but no direction. Etc. Does the book address these things?</p>