parentstwo

Bump, and can we get this to stay at the top of the category. This is an excellent resource.

zeraldaviperia

I started out at a cc and have a couple of really remedial classes on the transcripts that I barley made it through with c's in. Are they going to count this against me? Granted I was 18 at the time. Also I have like 20 units of cc PE classes that I got A’s in. But it seems kind of stupid to put to much emphasis of cc classes at all! Is it really all a numbers game for the GPA, they truly don’t care what classes you take or about your major? Because if that is true after I finish my core classes in one more quarter for my major. This sounds bad but I can spend the next three quarters taking easy classes just to get A’s and boost my 3.4 GPA to nearly a 4.00. Basically what I am asking, do the admissions committees care more if the classes are challenging and you earn a 3.4 GPA or if the classes are easy and you earn a 4.00 GPA. From what I have been reading they would be more likely to accept a student with higher grades with an easy major than one with a more challenging major or courses?

bluedevilmike

Yes. Most college freshmen are 18. They care a little bit about what classes you take, where you take them, and what major they are in, but not an awful lot -- i.e. it is unlikely to compensate for large GPA differences. If you have already finished five quarters of school, you are unlikely to be able to pull a 3.4 to a near-4.0 in three more quarters.

SteveSteve

I am returning to school as an adult student (38 years old) with military (USMC) and work (15 years at a top Finance firm) experience. I hold the majority of licenses for investment planners (series 7, 6, 63, etc) but have no college experience. I worked into a regional position for my firm but have been told my lack of a degree prevents any further promotions. If I am going back to school I intend to change professions entirely and will pursue a law degree.
Here is the dilemma: The quickest way for me to get a degree is thru Western Governors University. It is designed for adults returning to school and each class is pass/fail as determined by either an examination or essay or combination. I believe I can get a degree in 1 year here versus 3-4 years in a traditional school but the grades do not convert to the standard 4.0 GPA scale. My practice LSAT scores are currently coming in around 170 so those should easily be top quartile by the time I test next year. Do you have any idea how the top schools will evaluate a BS from a fully accredited school (Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities) that does not convert to the traditional GPA system?

marny1

steve- I don't think anyone on these boards can give you an accurate answer. Your situation does sound unique.
I would suggest you contact Western Governors to find out how similar situations have been handled--contact LSAC and see if they can give you some insight into the situation and also contact an admission office at one or two law schools and see how they view it.
It seems plausible that UG grades might have less signifigance with your background and a solid LSAT score- but I don't think anyone on these boards can give you a definitive answer. And I don't think you want to waste 1 vs. 4 years getting an UG degree, if the Western Governors program is viable.
Best of luck to you.

iop

So would it be safe to say that the prestige of your undergrad school matters little?

Ex) UCI with 4.0 GPA and same LSAT + major + ecs vs UCLA with 3.6 and same LSAT + major + ecs

who now has a better chance of getting into t14 law school?

roneald

^^
UCI and it's not even close.

parentstwo

time to give this one a bump . . .