Will one bad transcript disqualify an applicant in Law School admissions?

Graduate School Law School
1

<p>Im currently a junior at The University of Maryland, College Park. </p>

<ul>
<li>Econ/Psych Major
(Going to either pursue business or law)</li>
<li>3.95 GPA on 83 Credits (So far...98 Cr. by end of Spring Semester)</li>
</ul>

<p>The problem is, I attended Community College for 8 months after HS. I Didnt do good. I Took 8 Credits & received a 2.4 GPA. Somehow I was able to get into UMD. Im applying to Law School next year & I fear that eventhough Ive did extremely well at Maryland, my previous transcript might hurt my chances, especially when considering the competition these schools usually attract. How large of an effect would that transgression have on my application?</p>

<p>Law School Choices:
Stanford Law (Dream School!!!!!!!!)
Harvard Law
Yale Law
UPenn Law
Columbia Law
NYU Law
UVA Law
UMich Law
Chicago Law</p>

2

<p>what’s your lsat?</p>

3

<p>Im taking the actual test in June. I’ve been studying ever since last summer. Took 2 practice tests so far. My first score was a 167. My second score was a 172.</p>

4

<p>Calculate your LSDAS GPA factoring in your community college credits. If your GPA remains high (3.8X) in spite of your early stumbling, you should be fine.</p>

5

<p>The grades in the CC classes will be factored into your GPA by LSAC. While the grades certainly will not help, your GPA will still be competitive for at least some of the schools you mention. To have a chance at any of these schools, however, you will need to do exceptionally well on the LSAT, which will probably have more impact than your GPA.</p>

6

<p>So in other words, I have “a behind the back from half court with my eyes closed” kind of shot at Stanford Law School. </p>

<p>Man that sucks…if I could venture back in time, I would smother myself for making such foolish decisions.</p>

7

<p>That’s even worse. Being dead counts against you almost as much as having a low GPA at Community college.</p>

8

<p>^^^^^^^^^</p>

<p>I was going through alot during that time. Wasn’t really thinking about my future & just enrolled in school because I needed something to do after graduation & going away to a 4 year didnt seem interesting at the time. Im not trying to use any excuses but, I can’t do anything about spilled milk.</p>

9

<p>You have an exceptional record notwithstanding the grades you earned at the CC. The most important things for you are to (i) concentrate on doing well this semester, which will help to further offset the effect of lower grades, and (ii) making sure you are as prepared as you can be for the LSAT. While your scores on the practice tests are very good, keep in mind that most people will score a few points less on the actual test than they do on the practice tests.</p>

10

<p>The T3 tend to care more about GPA, if you look at their 25/75 percentiles. The rest of the T14 are more flexible with it. I’d say add Northwestern Law onto the list if you’re already considering Chicago.</p>

11

<p>According to your posting history, you

  • have a high SAT
  • a horribly low SAT
  • are a junior at U of Maryland with a 2.4 gpa from a community college and 3.95 U of Maryland
  • are a sophomore at North Carolina A&T but trying to transfer to U of Maryland; and
  • are also a current student at Howard trying to transfer to U of Maryland. </p>

<p>And that was all from February 2010.</p>

12

<p>maybe he has a lot of “friends” that he is posting for or perhaps a few multiple personalities</p>

13

<p>^^Lets hope it`s the first thing ;] :S</p>