GPA issue due to CC courses

asinine16 · 06-13-2012, 05:52 PM

If for example I was to get a 3.85 GPA at USC as a major in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology and Law, and an LSAT of 172-176, I would be pretty much set for T14 law schools right, or at least have a good chance?

However, if I do achieve this, the CC courses I have taken as a high school student will lower my GPA to a 3.76. Is that a really big difference? Let's say for HYS?
At CC, I took really difficult math courses (Calc III, Lin Alg) that were impossible to get an A. I should have been more aware of the consequences, as I was not a full time student and could only devote so little of my time to studying.

bluebayou · 06-13-2012, 07:03 PM

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Is that a really big difference? Let's say for HYS?

Yes. HYS tend have a floor of 3.8 for the unhooked....

sybbie719 · 06-14-2012, 12:41 AM

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an LSAT of 172-176

This is a huge range when we are talking HYS. Don't speculate on anything until you have actual LSAT scores.

asinine16 · 06-14-2012, 02:52 AM

Yes yes I know a lot of people here say not to mention scores that you have not received but I'm just saying what if...

But considering my USC GPA to be over 3.8, my main undergraduate institution, would it still be that inhibiting? I took the courses at the CC when I was like 15, won't the evaluators understand that?

cvolz12 · 06-14-2012, 03:45 AM

first of all....it is not impossible to get A's in those classes in high school....I took calc 3 and diff eq in high school and it really wasnt that bad.....but the difference of .1 in gpa prolly wont make too much a difference especially if you explain extenuating circumstances

sybbie719 · 06-14-2012, 09:47 AM

You haven't even started at USC yet. Relax!! You have no way of knowing what is going to happen over the next 4 years (or if you will still even be interested in becoming a lawyer).

asinine16 · 06-14-2012, 06:45 PM

I did not take those courses in a high school. I took it at one of California's top transferable cc's. No one in my classes pulled off A's. I hate how I always got stuck with the toughest teachers because those were the only classes that were open.

What if I take a gap year and have senior year grades bump up my GPA a few points? Is that common? What do people do in that year?

I'm just making hypothetical examples. I want to see if there is worth in trying.

kkuo12887 · 06-15-2012, 12:52 AM

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However, if I do achieve this, the CC courses I have taken as a high school student will lower my GPA to a 3.76. Is that a really big difference? Let's say for HYS?
At CC, I took really difficult math courses (Calc III, Lin Alg) that were impossible to get an A. I should have been more aware of the consequences, as I was not a full time student and could only devote so little of my time to studying

Do these even count into your GPA for law school admissions?

sybbie719 · 06-15-2012, 05:23 AM

You must provide a transcript to LSAC of all college and community college courses you took even if taken in high school and those will be provided to law schools. Two, the law school then chooses what to actually use for admission and most if not all will ignore something you took in Freshman year of high school unless it was used as college credit when you started college.

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Transcripts to include:

community colleges
bachelor's and graduate institutions
law/medical/professional institutions
institutions attended for summer or evening courses
institutions attended even though a degree was never received
institutions from which you took college-level courses while in high school even though they were for high school credit
institutions that clearly sponsored your overseas study. Clear sponsorship means:
the courses received the sponsoring institution's academic credit (not transfer credit);
the course codes, titles, credits earned, and grades appear on the sponsoring institution's transcript. Typically, these grades and credits are included in the sponsoring institution's cumulative GPA. The courses are often administered and taught by the sponsoring institution's faculty at an overseas institution.

Requesting Transcripts | LSAC.org

asinine16 · 06-15-2012, 07:59 PM

What really defines as college credit because USC is not going to allow me to bypass anything other than math.

bluebayou · 06-15-2012, 08:09 PM

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But considering my USC GPA to be over 3.8, my main undergraduate institution, would it still be that inhibiting? I took the courses at the CC when I was like 15, won't the evaluators understand that?

Yes, the do "understand" but the fact is that they just don't care. LS adcoms are more driven by rankings, since they have to publish their mid-quartile scores, and any score that drops them median and quartiles....

OTOH, assuming what you wrote in your first post is true, adcoms would find your life experiences make you a very interesting candidate, giving them reason to accept a gpa in their bottom quartile.

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Anyways, the personal statement. I lost my father in a very tragic accident. The topic is very touchy but he was, as much as I know, a member of the Russian mafia and ultimately left the political group. He was assassinated a month later. It's very hard for me to explain this but losing a parent because of an intentional murder scene is one of the worst things in life you can ever experience. It changed me completely. After his death, we were forced to move to Armenia because we did not have enough money to support ourselves in the U.S (single parent) and to go into hiding in case of more potential murders in our family, Consequently, in Armenia, I learned so much about my heritage and the simplest blessings of life (like, family) that I would never had experienced before. I don't know what to do about the essay, I have so much to say, but I want to control it. They say to never talk about the 4 D's.
After many struggles, we left Armenia and dared to approach the U.S once again and struggled to thrive.

asinine16 · 06-15-2012, 10:01 PM

I'm really disappointed in myself because I wrote my personal statement about the circumstances that have tried to inhibit my growth as a functional human being in society. I talked about all of that, and I was only waitlisted to the top schools (Ivy's). I know I should not complain, but I wish there was some sort of confirmation that what I did was right. It is not easy to share a story like that and it always hurts me when it is not acknowledged.

I suppose maybe I did not get into the schools I wanted, but I should be appreciative. I was a Horatio Alger National Scholar this year!

. That's a great award in itself and of course an acceptance to USC is also awesome.

In all honesty, I am motivated after meeting so many people that believe in me. A part of me wants to show them that they were right. I want to go to law school for many reasons and I want to make it to the top. I know I am capable but I feel powerless because of the numbers that are against me (an already weak GPA).

bluebayou · 06-15-2012, 11:52 PM

you have a LOT of coursework ahead of you. Just earn as many A's as you can at 'SC and then try to ace the lsat.

Good luck.

asinine16 · 06-16-2012, 01:22 PM

Thank you. I'll do everything I can!

cvolz12 · 06-18-2012, 09:52 PM

lol...i dont think any high school offers those classes....i took them through college via dual enrollment while i was attending high school