<p>So I am a freshman student at Howard Unviersity.
I just completed my first semester at school with a 3.2.
I just took a LSAT cold (without studying) and I recieved a 135.
I know its early to start studying but based on how i struggled throughout the the whole test I knew 3 good years of studying was going to be needed to bring my test score up to where it needs to be. I also need to focus on my gpa a lot more.</p>
<p>Am I to determined or an I on the right path?</p>
<p>If you are aiming for T14, you cannot be further away from the right path.</p>
<p>For now, you really, really need to concentrate on keeping your GPA at a more respectable level. A 3.2 is a tough spot to be. I would worry about the LSAT later. I don’t think you will need a full three years to study for the test.</p>
<p>Do not be discouraged by the other poster’s comment. However, you need to put in quite a bit more effort if you’d like to make into a higher-ranked law school (assuming that is your goal).</p>
<p>You are certainly not “too determined”. The LSAT is the single most important factor in law school admissions; it therefore makes sense for you to devote as much time preparing for it as you invest in getting a high GPA. This said, your numbers so far (for both GPA and LSAT) are disturbingly low. You absolutely must get your GPA higher- a 3.2 simply isn’t acceptable at most top schools unless you are a URM or score incredibly well on the LSAT. If you can’t bring your numbers up by this time next year, perhaps you should seriously reconsider your post-college plans. </p>
<pre><code> At this point in time, I agree with the above poster who said GPA should be your primary concern. Perhaps you could devote next summer to LSAT prep, but for now, concentrate on getting good grades. Even if you change your mind about law school later on, the grades you receive now will remain very important.
</code></pre>
<p>Whats the major that you are getting a 3.2 in?</p>
<p>I go to Howard as well and I am a freshman. Rather you’re on the right path depends on what schools you’re planning on going to for law school. I haven’t taken the LSAT yet, but I have a 4.0 GPA. I am aiming for Harvard/Columbia. What are the schools you’re interested in?</p>
<p>@Rock1234, I’m sure she is an URM.lol. I am basing this assumption on the fact that Howard is the top historically black university in the country. Therefore, she is most likely black.
However I don’t think that will help her that much. She has alot of competition from other Howard students with better GPAs trying for law school.
I attend Howard and have a 4.0 and I am also a freshman. Most of my friends are pre-law and they are all 3.75+ gpas.</p>
<p>Take a step back and a deep breath as no one knows how the next 3 years are going to pan out. You may find that with the next 3 years you may want to do something different. </p>
<p>Just stay focused and do your best work to get the best possible grades. Prep for the LSAT junior year and wait to see how things play out.</p>
<p>While getting a 4.0 in any semester isn’t necessarily easy, a perfect GPA in your first semester (probably taking easy core classes) doesn’t mean you’re Harvard bound. Very few people maintain that type of GPA.</p>
<p>I don’t believe I ever said I’d be able to maintain a perfect gpa for the next 5 semesters. I said I currently have a 4.0. Also considering that I was NOT taking easy core classes due to AP credits your statement isn’t valid. I could graduate in 3 years if I wanted, but I have a 4 year scholarship and may stay for 4 years. Therefore credit wise I am a sophomore, and I believe you are as well so I don’t need you to tell me what I won’t be able to maintain.</p>
<p>Furthermore, I said I am aiming for Harvard/Columbia, that does not imply I am currently Harvard bound. It simply means I am aiming for grades that will get me into those schools. Also considering Harvard’s 75th percentile gpa is above a 3.9 there are people who are capable of accomplishing this and I know myself better than you. I am one of those people. I wasn’t the one asking for advice on this thread so why don’t you help out the OP. I am doing just fine. </p>
<p>In case you missed my entire point, obviously the harder your classes become the harder it is to maintain a perfect gpa. However, most people agree that it is better to start off strong. It is alot easier to maintain a high gpa than to raise a low one. If the op is starting at a 3.2 he/she is going to have to work extremely hard to bring it to the 3.75 range unless it is brought up this next semester.</p>
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<p>Congrats on getting off to a good start. You are right, it is better to start off with strong gpa and maintain than it is to try to raise the gpa.</p>
<p>Although I have no dog in this fighe, unless there is something really new going on at Howard (and i have a few family members who graduated from Howard and I know a number of freshmen students currently attending Howard on scholarship), they do not award 4-year scholarships. THe scholarship is renewed each year, if a student meets the GPA requirement (3.0, 3.3, 3.5 depending on the scholarship received). IF your gpa falls below the scholarship threshold, you lose the scholarship. </p>
<p>Howard offers a scholarship that is renewable for 4 years, but it is not an automatic 4 year scholarship. </p>
<p>[Grants</a>, Scholarships & Fellowships - Howard University](<a href=“http://www.howard.edu/financialaid/grants_scholarships.htm#Freshman]Grants”>http://www.howard.edu/financialaid/grants_scholarships.htm#Freshman)</p>
<p>I am aware of this. This is a technicality of words. Most scholarships have requirements to keep the scholarship. I have a 4 year scholarship granted I keep a 3.3 gpa. By 4 years I mean that it cannot be renewed for a 5th year. Since I have this scholarship for 4 years I mine as well enjoy 4 full years at Howard.</p>
<p>If they renew it each year this constitutes a 4 year scholarship. They don’t review and randomly decide to remove someones scholarship. When granted they send you a later stating congratulations on this scholarship and as long as you keep the specific gpa for your scholarship you keep your scholarship.</p>
<p>I’m not really sure what the point of your post was. I read the fine print of the scholarship before I signed the paper. And considering that I attend Howard I also know a number of freshman students on scholarship and if asked each of us would word it as a 4 year scholarship considering that all you have to do to get it renewed it to keep a certain gpa. Really, most schools do it this way. They are not going to allow a student with a 2.0 gpa to keep their full ride. I think I’m good though, not currently at any type of risk to need to worry about losing my scholarship.</p>
<p>You might have a 4.0 GPA, but I sure hope your writing improves when you write out that personal statement to Harvard Law School.</p>
<p>My writing is fine. I hope you are aware that this is a message board. I’m not trying to use perfect English and I’m not trying to edit what I type. I’m sure you’re aware that not everybody feels the need to be perfect all the time. I received the highest grade on every paper in my honors English class this semester, however I am on my break now. I’m not trying to prove myself to anyone.</p>
<p>BTW, since you like to critique writing, your statement should have left out the word “out.” But oh wait…I think this is a message board, it doesn’t matter.
P.S. You also should have left out sure. It doesn’t make sense in this statement “sure hope” is just a cliche phrase.</p>
<p>Alas! Another worthwhile thread has descended into petty bickering.</p>
<p>Please don’t bicker with this observation.</p>
<p>Haha, I’m not going to bicker with your observation. I don’t know why people started criticizing me for having a 4.0 and a 4 year scholarship. I’m not the OP, I didn’t ask for advice. That is one thing I hate about this site, people always try to lessen someone elses accomplishments. If you work on yourself you won’t feel the need to do things such as look up someone elses scholarship and inform them it isn’t really a 4 year scholarship because it has the stipulation that you must keep a certain gpa. Or that your conversational English isn’t on par for a Harvard personal statement. SMH.</p>