two seperate GPAs if you're a double major?

[groveera]

Do law school admissions consider two seperate GPAs if you're a double major?
I am currently a Chemistry major at Georgia Tech and am considering staying an extra semester to complete a double major in Public Policy.I have about a 3.0 GPA in terms of Chemistry classes and a 3.7 in terms of Public Policy classes.I have an LSAT of 174.Should I pursuit the degree in Public Policy or should I just apply to law school?I am scared my GPA is too low.Do law school admissions consider two seperate GPAs if you're a double major?

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Groveera,

Assuming that you will complete both of those majors under the same degree, the double major won't make a huge difference. Yes, they would see the major GPAs, but the 3.7 you have in Public Policy will already be factored into the overall GPA, which is the key number they use. So, by itself, simply having that as a second major isn't that helpful.

What you do have going for you is that Chemistry is not the usual major people have when applying to law school (and anything that sets you apart positively is good), and that Georgia Tech is well known to have a rough grading curve. So, you'll get some understanding there (but it isn't a huge benefit).

Staying an extra semester to complete that degree obviously brings up some interesting points:

• Having the extra classes gives you the chance to raise your GPA further, which is good.
• Having that second major doesn't hurt (but then again it's not world-changing either).
• It's not cheap to stay an extra semester, and that's a major downside.
• You lose an entire year by taking the extra semester, and that's a high price as well.

How those all balance out is up to you, but one thing to look at is, how much can you raise your GPA by staying an extra semester?

Please let me know if that helps, and let me know the answer to that last question if you can. Thanks!