<p>When applying to top-tier law schools, which is more important: Rigor or GPA?</p>
<p>I get the feeling that I shouldn't be too eager to sign up for super-hard undergrad courses and get an okay GPA (3.8ish), but instead sign up for easier undergrad courses and get 3.95+ because from what I've experienced of the college admission process, GPA trumps rigor any day....</p>
<p>A 3.8 is not an “okay” GPA, unless your plan is to apply to only the top 5 law schools. For any other school, a 3.8 is very strong. </p>
<p>That said, yes, cumulative GPA matters more than the rigor of your course-load. That’s not to say the admissions people might not take notice if all you take is basket-weaving and wine-tasting, but you won’t be turning any heads if your semesters are full of upper-level seminars either. </p>
<p>On the other hand, I do think it’s a bit silly to plan out your undergrad education based on how your grades will look for law school. Take courses in which you have an interest and work hard. That’s a better formula for success and actual growth.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response. Like I alluded to, college admissions has taught me that just courses I’m interested in and working hard isn’t necessarily enough…</p>
<p>It was enough to get you into Georgetown, according to your location. </p>
<p>I would feel like I cheated myself if I had chose my college courses only to please some nameless, prospective member of an admissions committee. It’s your education, and your life we’re talking about here. Live it.</p>
<p>Why waste 4 years and tens of thousands of dollars taking classes only because those classes are labeled “easy” just in case you decide to go to law school?</p>
<p>If you have your goals set at attending a top law school, there will be plenty of other students applying to that top law school who took demanding courseloads and who managed to achieve excellent grades, too. You don’t want to suffer by comparison.</p>
<p>In addition, please remember that if you take classes that interest you and challenge you, you will likely do well in those classes anyway, since you will be more engaged in the subject matter. Study something that teaches you how to think critically, how to write and how to do research. Those tools will be invaluable to you, both in law school (should you end up going), in your career and in your life. Find what is meaningful to you – what really makes you think – what gives you goosebumps.</p>
<p>College is not merely prep school for law school. Remember that of all of the people who think they might want to go to law school when they are 17 or 18 years old, only a small number actually do go.</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses, guys. Of course I’m excited for Georgetown, which is a great school. :)</p>
<p>While you’re right, Sally, that “College is not merely prep school for law school,” I’m certain I’m entering into law. However, from applying to colleges I’ve learned that admissions committees are far more concerned about GPA than rigor. After reading all those applications, one most rigorous schedule doesn’t seem different from a “rigorous” schedule. </p>
<p>Lastly, I’m not looking for “easy” classes… not only are they not labelled, where I’m headed things will become very tough very quickly; nor am I avoiding classes I’m interested in, as you have insinuated. Quite frankly, at this point, every course (except Math or Bio… ugh) appeals to me, some more than others, but they all have appeal. I also think it’s impossible to earn the major I want without “really [thinking].” Besides, by your own definition, if what I find meaningful to me is a high GPA, then isn’t that what I should keep my eyes on? ;)</p>