Undergrad. Transfer GPAs effect on Law School Acceptance

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>As an undergrad, I have started at a private school where I have a pretty horrible experience. I ended up not doing too well freshman year, however recovered a bit over sophomore year. By GPA remained low though, 2.0 (ouch!), because my first semester was such a fluke. So I transfered to a state school where my GPA is significantly higher, around 3.8, and hopefully will be remaining that high for the next two semester until I graduate.</p>

<p>I want to apply to law school, however I don't want my bad experience from the beginning of my undergrad to come back to haunt me. Will admissions look at my GPA, and see that some serious changes were made? Or will they think transferring was a cop out?</p>

<p>At both schools I was an economics major, and took higher level more writing intensive courses at the state school I transferred to. It may also be important to note that the first school was on a different credit system, most classes earned 4 credits, meanwhile my current school has most classes at 3 credits. Will the 4 credit classes count more, even though when applied to my degree a .67 multiplier is used?</p>

<p>I know LSAT scores matter more, but GPA is still a factor, so I am looking for some advice on this. Thanks everyone.</p>

2

<p>They may look at the upward trend in your GPA, but your gpa will be calculated with ALL of your grades. I don't think they will look at your transfer as being bad, it just didn't work out at that school. You may want to consider staying an extra semester or two to bring your GPA up (if you think it's not good enough). Once you graduate your GPA is fixed and there is nothing you can do to raise it further.</p>

3

<p>You are the reason most schools have an option to include an addendum to explain why some part of your academic record does not accurately reflect your academic potential. I would definitely take advantage of it if I were you.</p>

<p>That said, LSAC calculates in all of your grades, regardless is your were in high school taking a community college class, transferred, or retook a class for a higher grade. So that first semester is gong to be in there no matter what, and I think at the 4 hours your previous school applied. I would expect your LSAC GPA to drop from your school one, possibly significantly. Good luck though.</p>