My question is regarding GPA. I am a Canadian applying to American law schools. It is my understanding that the GPAs in the US are often inflated and that this rarely happens in Canada. For example a GPA over 4.0 is impossible and unheard of. University of Chicago posted that last year’s class had a range up to 4.10.

A school suggested that I add an addendum to my application about the difference in the grading system between the two countries. Do you know if this is in fact true and how I can tactfully explain that my GPA would be higher if I studied in the US?

Also, are there any other disadvantages in regards to acceptance I face as a Canadian applying in the US?

Thank you for your writing your blog. I was wondering if you could help me: LSAT scores are 147 and 145. I graduated from SUNY Binghamton with a 3.6-something GPA, (I don’t remember it exactly because I don’t have ready access to the transcript) double majored in History and Medieval Studies. minored in French, cum laude. I graduated from UF with a 3.87, with an M.A. in History with thesis. Do I have any chance at getting into a school whose median is 150 and 2.9?

S

First I wanted to thank you for using this blog to help so many people. I am a non-traditional student about to finish up my sophomore year. I am 40 years old and starting a new career after retiring when I was 38 due to being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My cumulative gpa is a 3.78 and I haven’t taken the LSAT yet, so I can study as much as possible. I know that part is alright, but here’s my problem. When I went to the same university back in 1990 I didn’t withdrawal from my classes properly and I finished that semester with a 0.5 gpa. I have used the D/F repeat rule to retake those classes and get my gpa to where it is today. However, it is my understanding that law schools still count ALL the grades on your transcript, which would drop my gpa considerably. First of all, is this true? Also, do you think it will destroy my chances at a top tier law school even if I do really well on my LSAT?

Thank you for any help you can give me, this is worrying me to death!

Graduated 3 years ago from Pitt with a 3.2 GPA, but was a non-traditional student (only 2 years at Pitt following a 4 year break while on active duty) due to being in the military. Since graduating with a degree in Poli/sci and history I have gone on to become an officer and a helicopter pilot. I believe I have a very good personal statement, resume and great LORs from previous commanders and legal professionals. I’m 30, still serving and stressing about the LSAT in February since it’s my last ditch for 2012. I scored a 146 on my Kaplan diagnostic and moved up to a 151 on my last practice. I have two weeks to go and the opportunity to take several more tests in my Kaplan course. I’m applying to go full time at Pitt, Duquesne, Widener, Penn State or Drexel. I’m not sure what advice or encouragement I’m looking for! Maybe I just needed to vent “out loud” to sleep a little easier tonight. I just hope I stand on more than just my GPA and potential test scores. Thank you!

I am an undergraduate student interested in applying to law school. I currently have a 3.75 GPA and a 145 LSAT score. However, I have a learning disability that has crippled my ability to take exams within the given amount of time. I applied to get extra time on the LSAT exam and I received 18 mins extra. But, I STILL could not finish the exam within the time limit due to my slow ability to process information and my inability to read at a fast pass. My disability has put me at a great disadvantage while taking this exam. I did everything within my power to prepare for the exam from taking a prep class to hiring a tutor. The bottom line is, all the money in the world could not buy me the ability to complete this exam to the best of my abilities in a limited amount of time. This, I feel, is something that cannot be corrected. No matter how many times I take the exam I will still be disabled and I will still be at a disadvantage.

I have overcome many challenges in my college career from studying abroad in Japan for 5 months to be an important board member of three clubs. I have worked harder than anyone I know trying to juggle numerous responsibilities while suffering with a disability. Yet, I have achieved a great deal. I do not believe that the LSAT score is in any was a reflection of my intelligence nor can it determine whether or not I will succeed in Law school. I understand very well that I would have done much better if I had not been given a time restriction that did not assist my disability. I am writing to you for some sense of hope. I want to know if law schools take into consideration someone who has a disability with nearly a 3.8 average, and the challenge of living in a foreign country with little English citizens while received NO learning disability services. I want to know if they believe I’m capable of being successful in law school. I have to struggle every day, but I have NEVER let that stop me from accomplishing my dreams and being academically successful. Sadly, I can only do what is within reasonable limits when I am not given the proper assistance for my learning disability. So I wondering if I am going to be laughed at by the admissions counsel for all the tireless hard work, commitment, and dedication I’ve put into geting this far or is it possible that they would understand such limitations and see the challenges I’ve overcome with my disability and understand that I would work twice as hard to do whatever took to do well in laws school?

Thank you so much!