<p>“Here’s a short answer to your long post: the “rumor” you mention is true. The schools prefer higher GPAs and will not take into account the prestige of your undergrad institution to a great extent. A 4.0 from State U, all other factors being equal, will probably be selected over a Harvard grad with a 3.9.”</p>
<p>This isn’t a very logical situation. I doubt many schools have to choose between a 3.9 from Harvard and a 4.0 from somewhere else. Last year, 6 kids with GPA’s above 3.9 applied to Harvard Law School who had previously graduated from Harvard College. 5/6 were accepted. The one kid who was denied had an LSAT of 164. If you have a 3.9 from Harvard and have above a 170, you’re pretty dang set at anywhere except Yale and maybe Stanford.</p>