LSAC question and raising GPA

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>Hello everyone, just some questions about how LSAC works...</p>

<p>I've heard they won't take any extra classes into account after you've gotten your degree, Bachelor's I'm assuming? Is that true?</p>

<p>Messed up my GPA two semesters quite a bit with some real life stuff going on, not giving excuses, just saying :P</p>

<p>Would my last two years left before degree be the only chance I have left to raise my GPA? Or can I take extra classes, before degree, to raise it?</p>

<p>It went pretty low calculating last couple semesters in with F's and not withdrawing, ugh. How high could I raise a 2.5(roughly) if I get all A's(theoretically, heh) till I graduate? </p>

<p>Wondering if all/most hope is lost in getting a low-mid B average is still possible, under LSAC terms. </p>

<p>Thanks guys for any information! and good luck to everyone</p>

2

<p>
[quote]

I've heard they won't take any extra classes into account after you've gotten your degree, Bachelor's I'm assuming? Is that true?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>yes, this is true.</p>

<p>
[quote]
Would my last two years left before degree be the only chance I have left to raise my GPA? Or can I take extra classes, before degree, to raise it?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, you can take extra classes or summer school classes @ your local Cc in an effort to raise your lsac gpa.</p>

<p>Think about it this way (not factoring in the rest of your grades):</p>

<p>for each F you received you will have to get an A to balance that one grade out to a C</p>

<p>for each F you received you will have to get 3 A's to balance that one grade out to a B</p>

<p>for each F you received you will have to get 6 A's to balance that one grade out to a B+</p>

<p>I would suggest putting your grades on an excel spread sheet can calculate the scenario of your current grades and add in if you were to get All A's over the next 2 years </p>

<p>If your school uses the following scale</p>

<p>A =4
A- = 3.7 (use 3.6 because this is what the LSAC will give you)
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B-= 2.7 (use 2.6 because this is what the LSAC will give you)
C+ = 2.3
C= 2.0
C- = 1.7 (use 1.6 because this is what the LSAC will give you)</p>

<p>Use grade * # of credits for each course = quality points</p>

<p>Assuming no grade replacements</p>

<p>example Term 1</p>

<p>B+ (3.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 9.9
B+ (3.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 9.9
C+ (2.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 6.9
A- (3.7) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 11.1
F (0) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 0</p>

<p>Total Quality points = 37.8
Divide the quality points 37.8 By the # of credits attempted (15)</p>

<p>your GPA for the term would be 2.52, Your credits earned would be 12</p>

<p>Term 2
B+ (3.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 9.9
B+ (3.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 9.9
C+ (2.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 6.9
A- (3.7) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 11.1
F (0) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 0</p>

<p>Total Quality points = 37.8
Divide the quality points 37.8 By the # of credits attempted (15)</p>

<p>your GPA for the term would be 2.52, Your credits earned would be 12</p>

<p>Overall Gpa after year 1 (37.8 + 37.8 ) = 75.6 total quality points
divide by 30 (total credits attemped over the 2 terms)
= 75.6/30 = 2.52 GPA for the past 2 terms</p>

<p>total credits earned 24</p>

<p>Term 3</p>

<p>B+ (3.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 9.9
B+ (3.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 9.9
C+ (2.3) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 6.9
A- (3.7) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 11.1
F (0) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 0</p>

<p>Total Quality points = 37.8
Divide the quality points 37.8 By the # of credits attempted (15)</p>

<p>your GPA for the term would be 2.52, Your credits earned would be 12</p>

<p>total after 3 terms
Quality Points =113.4
Credits attempted 45
GPA = 2.52
Credits earned 36</p>

<p>term 4</p>

<p>A (4) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 12
B (4) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 12
A (4) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 12
A (4) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 12
A (4) * 3 (# of credits for the course) = 12</p>

<p>Total quality points = 60
total credits attempted 15
term GPA = 4.0</p>

<p>Overall gpa (4 terms)</p>

<p>total QP = 173.4 (60 + 113.4)
total credits attempted = 60
Overall GPA after 4 terms 173.4/60 = 2.89
total credits earned 51</p>

<p>hope this helps (YMMV if you attend a school that gives grade replacements).</p>

3

<p>First, <em>THANKS</em>! for that thorough response. </p>

<p>Follow up question concerning grade replacements. I was under the impression the law school's take into account the F even if you retake the class and get another grade. Am I wrong here?(would be nice if I am! hah). </p>

<p>Cause currently I can do grade replacements but only for classes failed or withdrawal of course.</p>

4

<p>Hmm can't seem to edit this time. Well did more research and it turns out they will count both grades. The F and the retaken grade. Too bad they can't replace the F but definitely sounds better then just having those ugly F's by themselves at least.</p>

5

<p>grade replacements depend on your school.</p>

<p>At some schools the policy is what it is at your school; both the "F" and the replacement grades show up on the transcript. In this case, the LSAC counts both grades.</p>

<p>At other schools they may remove the F completely off your transcript, if you retake for a better grade and only the better grade shows. in this case, if the F is not on your transcript, it is not counted in your LSAC gpa.</p>

6

<p>My son is an undergrad at a private LAC. If he was interested in boosting his overall GPA for law school admissions, how would it work if he took a few additional classes over the summers at the regional state univ. here? I mean, I doubt his college would transcribe those grades or apply that course work towards his graduation requirements (well, I don't know really, maybe they would) -- anyway, if they didn't, when it comes time for him to be applying to law schools, would he just send transcripts from both schools and then the grades would all be factored into the LSAC?</p>

<p>If he did send an additional transcript from the state univ. here (where he is not a matriculated student), it would also list about 10 classes he took there while still techinically a high school student, although there's nothing to that effect on the transcript itself; it just shows the courses he completed and his grades in them. Since those grades would be on that transcript, would they also be averaged into the LSAC?</p>

7

<p>The grades that your son received in college courses taken while he was a high school student will count as part of his LSAC-calculated GPA regardless of whether he takes additional classes at the nearby university. A student applying to law school must submit all transcripts for all college courses taken before the first degree is received, including each and every college course taken while in high school.</p>

8

<p>rentof2: yes absolutely. That is a great way for your son to boost his overall LSDAS GPA. As for the grades he earned while in high school at the state university, I don't know whether those would be factored in. If they're all A's, go for it and don't worry about whether they are or not. If they're not, find out what LSAC says and determine whether it would be better or not for him to take courses at the state college.</p>

9

<p>chance me please!
<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/634495-virginia-colleges-w-m-w-l-uva.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/634495-virginia-colleges-w-m-w-l-uva.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

10

<p>
[quote]
As for the grades he earned while in high school at the state university

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Depending on the grades that he has previously received, he may not feel the need to take any further courses to "boost" his gpa. If the first school gives a grade of "A+", it will definitely be to his advantage especially if current school caps the grade at an "A".</p>

<p>If he only took 1 course, it probably won't be factored in (this was my neice's situation); however, if he has taken multiple courses, I do believe they will be factored in. Either way they will show up on the LSAC transcript and will be sent with his college transcript to the law school(s). </p>

<p>As Sally stated, you will still have to submit the transcripts of courses he took at college even if he received high school credit for the course or he never used the courses at college.</p>

11

<p>Thank you, Sybbie, Sally, and Brand. I am forever impressed by the breadth of knowledge available on College Confidential... and grateful for the generosity of posters who are willing to share that knowledge.</p>

<p>My son had a rather disappointing first freshman semester (grade-wise) at his LAC. I mean, it wasn't a disaster or anything, but not up to his usual standards. It was mostly due to acclimating to the new 24/7 social environment and all the tempting distractions that go with that. He is really happy where he is, and having a wonderful time, but he had that splash-of-cold-water-in-the-face experience when he saw his grades for the Fall semester. He's now resolved to not let that happen again.</p>

<p>He has long had a wish to go to a top tier law school, and honestly, the GPA expectation at those schools is very high. Just doing the math, you can't really afford to take a hit to your GPA like he did this semester.</p>

<p>He does have excellent grades in the college classes he took here at home before entering as a freshman at his current LAC. It would only help mitigate his so-so grades for this past semester if his transcript from the state univ. here were factored in. He may take a couple more classes there in the summers upcoming. Mostly because there is a professor there who very much inspires him and he'd like to take a couple more classes from him.</p>

<p>Anyway, thanks again for the info. It sounds like it could be helpful for him... I mean, if he sticks with his law school plan. He's only 19 and has a lot of undergrad ahead of him, so I know things are likely to change. But still, it's a help.</p>

12

<p>'rent,</p>

<p>Tell your son, do not dispair and it is no the end of the world. It is his first term and it is rough going from high school to college. For many students, it is a bit of a culture shock when they found out especially when attending elite schools, that it is a whole different world from when you are in high school. He still has time to re-group and finish with a stellar GPA.</p>

<p>Still has 7 terms (and whatever summer courses he takes at home) to raise his gpa. The good thing is he has found out rather quickly what does not work for him so he will not be doing that again. </p>

<p>I think going forward, the most important thing he will need to do is strike a balance example, don't load up with 7 dense reading/heavy writing classes in one term. Each term take at least one "relaxing" course that he will enjoy and will not be taxing on him. Take advantage of the resources available to him (student reviews) to help him select courses, course sections and professors.</p>

<p>Also tell him not to let his pride/ego get in the way as there is no shame if he has to go to tutoring, the writing center, meeting with professors, etc. to get help with his stuff (it is a fool who does not take advantage of the resources available).</p>

<p>Wishing him a safe trip back to school and a successful spring term.</p>

<p>S</p>

13

<p>Thanks, Sybbie. And also for the wise advice on being careful about his class choices. He got excited about the classes offered this fall and probably bit off a bit too much for a first semester in terms of difficulty level. All lessons learned. And on top of it all he has to work part-time and is on a varsity sports team. But truly, it was the lure of hanging around with new friends at all hours and all the fun of living 24/7 with peers that was his undoing. Well, maybe not "undoing", but caused his focus to shift enough to not do his best work for his classes. He feels serious regret about it now, though.</p>

<p>He's back at school now because his team is still in training, but classes don't start up until late January. He's giving a very careful look to balancing his course load for the spring.</p>

14

<p>Weren't you bragging about your son having read Franklin and Winston a few months ago?
And, here I thought your son was a nerd or something.</p>

<p>I hope he wasn't one of the guys who kept tearing apart Chuck Pratt every weekend.</p>

15

<p>He's a nerd, a Northie nerd. Put a nerd, a jock, and a gentle country boy in a blender..... ;)</p>

16

<p>Fiske calls them "well-rounded, overachieving, gentle-person jocks."</p>

<p>I didn't fare too well in the GPA department this semester either. Nor did my pre-med buddies...</p>

<p>I want to look into taking courses at UMass, Smith, or Holyoke this summer though, if they offer summer terms... I'd like to know if FA would cover Tuition, Room and Board if we are able to study there instead. Might cost less than instate.</p>

<p>I had planned on taking some courses at NYU Stern, but for some very funny reason, each course costs 4,424 dollars. You think they would give a friendly discount for those students whom they had admitted. Guess it's their way of getting back at me. :3</p>

17

<p>Most schools will not you get FA for summer unless you are required to be there (ex. sophomore summer at Dartmouth). If you receive federal aid (pell, stafford loans, etc) and use them over the summer, it will reduce the aid you will get during the school year. </p>

<p>KWU, </p>

<p>Apparently you live in NYC so why don't you just take classes at CUNY which will be your most financially feasible option.</p>