LOW UG GPA, but GREAT work experience, grad GPA, LSAT

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>What are my chances at the Top 20? Specifically UCLA and the DC schools. </p>

<p>I have a low undergraduate GPA, just under 3.0 unfortunately. My English minor is a 3.5 but my major (soft science) is around 2.5. It was incredibly stupid of me not to switch to English major, believe me I know that, but it's too late now.</p>

<p>I've been working for two years; will be three and half by the time I enter law school if I apply this year. I've already been promoted (twice!), received several awards for excellence, and am active in community service within the agency (which I was selected by my boss to help head up). </p>

<p>My LSAT score is in the mid 170s, haven't taken it officially this year but I range from 174-178 on the practice tests, but I also took it once my junior year of college (around the time my grandmother died) and received a 158. Will the fact that I improved so much help me, or will the 158 just highlight the rather obvious trend of doing poorly academically in my college years? Also, I'm Asian. Which is always a kick in the face when it comes to standardized testing/GPA comparisons. </p>

<p>Furthermore: I've taken grad classes (MPA) and received As in all of them. If one of the recs for my app was from a professor at a highly reputable university, would that help my cause?</p>

2

<p>Your GPA probably knocks you out of the picture at UCLA. See lawschoolnumbers.com to confirm. Once you retake the LSAT, you’ll have a better idea of your chances at other schools.</p>

3

<p>As you already know, the grad school courses will not be considered in your LSAC gpa and will have very little if any bearings on admissions. </p>

<p>Should you actually score in the 170’s you will be a splitter. Unfortunately, splitter cycles are very hard to predict. You would have been in a better position, if you already had your scores and had applied very early in the cycle, then to apply after the October test.</p>

<p>Georgetown is known to be GPA whores. Again, should you actually get in the 170’s I would recommend minimally applying to their part time program, where your chances would be better than applying to the full time program (where your gpa is going to bite you). Also toss an application to Northwestern and the 10-14 group to see what pans out.</p>