Huge Difference between LSAC GPA and UGPA

[akrepaki]

Hi everyone,

I know differences between LSAC GPA and UGPA are common, however in my case the disparity is enormous. My GPA from community college is 3.6 and from my 4-year college is 3.97. However, I have "a few" F's for repeated courses from my community college that my college didn't include in my GPA calculation, but LSAC will. If my calculations are correct, those F's will plummet my LSAC GPA to 2.9.

I know that law schools care about the LSAC GPA, but I wonder how such a disparity will be evaluated by schools. Do most schools even notice such a difference or is the LSAC GPA the only number they look at besides the LSAT score?

I'm shooting for a good score of 170+ to have a chance at a good tier 2 school. Do you think this is a realistic expectation or is the 2.9 GPA too difficult to overcome even with a very good LSAT score?

I am also an ESL student. Do you think this is something that will be evaluated favorably or negatively during the admission process? Kinda a separate question, but I would like to hear your thoughts on that as well.

thanks.

[Dave Killoran]

Hi akrepaki,

I have posted some thoughts below:

I know that law schools care about the LSAC GPA, but I wonder how such a disparity will be evaluated by schools. Do most schools even notice such a difference or is the LSAC GPA the only number they look at besides the LSAT score?

They will rely on the CAS GPA, unfortunately. They will see your other GPA though, and I'd urge you to write and addendum explaining what happened here. I know it's unfair, and I've complained about this for years, but it's their policy.

I'm shooting for a good score of 170+ to have a chance at a good tier 2 school. Do you think this is a realistic expectation or is the 2.9 GPA too difficult to overcome even with a very good LSAT score?

With a score that high and an explanation for the GPA, I think you'd be just fine

I am also an ESL student. Do you think this is something that will be evaluated favorably or negatively during the admission process? Kinda a separate question, but I would like to hear your thoughts on that as well.

It's neither favorable or unfavorable, just a different dimension. In some sense, it would depend on if you can make is a strength somehow.

Thanks!