Skip to main content

Manage a Split in GPA, LSAT Scores as a Law School Applicant

By U.S. News & World Report

Most law school applicants find that their LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs both fall within a group of schools’ ranges for each statistic. Some applicants, however, are considered splitters, meaning that one of their two statistics is at the high end of the range for most schools, while the other is at the low end of the range for most schools.

In this week’s post, we’ll discuss two things that splitters should do when tackling law school applications.

[Check out law school admissions trends to expect this cycle.]

Find Ways to Make Up for Your Weakness

In order to have the most success as a splitter, it is essential to both accentuate the stronger of the two statistics and find ways to make up for the weaker number. This requires a careful tailoring of the content in your application.

If your GPA is low but your LSAT score is high, tailor your application to highlight parts of your profile that indicate your ability to perform well academically. It will also be important to find academic recommenders who are able to speak compellingly about your academic success.

A recent client of mine was advised to seek out former professors who gave her very high grades and for whom she submitted significant and memorable academic work. If you are in the same situation, make sure to remind your professors of the work you did for them in their class or classes so that they can directly reference it in the letter of recommendation they write.

If your LSAT score is low but your GPA is high, find ways to accentuate your analytical skills. If you have excelled academically in fields such as formal logic, mathematics and natural sciences, make sure to mention those successes in your applications. One great opportunity to bring up such successes is in supplemental essays, particularly essay prompts that invite you to discuss an aspect of who you are that is not discussed in other parts of your application.

[Follow five steps to craft a great law school personal statement.]

Writing addenda is another great way to make up for a weaker LSAT score or GPA. If there are any extenuating circumstances that contributed to a low LSAT score or GPA, make sure to write an addendum that addresses these situations.

For example, a recent client suffered the loss of a parent, which significantly affected his grades one semester, causing his overall GPA to dip significantly. We worked with him on an addendum to explain the lower GPA and demonstrate that his GPA is not a good representation of his academic performance.

Research Schools and Apply to a Broad Range

Although most admissions committees place slightly more value on LSAT scores than GPAs when considering an applicant’s candidacy, some schools place a higher weight on GPAs than others.

For example, from what I’ve seen, the law schools at Stanford University, the University of California–Berkeley and the University of Chicago tend to place a greater weight on undergraduate GPA than most schools. Make sure to apply to schools whose LSAT and GPA ranges indicate that they favor the stronger of the two numbers in your application.

[Get insight into how law schools view LSAT scores.]

Some schools more strongly consider factors other than LSAT scores and undergraduate GPA, particularly job experience after college. For example, Northeastern University‘s law school places significant weight on an applicant’s employment history when evaluating its candidates.

Many schools, including Northwestern University‘s law school, also strongly encourage their applicants to interview with the admissions office. Splitter applicants should make sure to take advantage of this additional way to distinguish themselves.

Finally, since being a splitter makes it more difficult to predict your admissions results, it is important to cast a wide net when it comes to school selection. Make sure to apply to at least a few schools for which the lower of your two statistics falls within the range of admitted applicants.

Do you have additional questions about what to do if you are a splitter? Let me know in an email or tweet me.

More from U.S. News

Know the Difference Between LSAC, Undergraduate GPA Calculations

Plan for Law School as an Undergraduate

3 College Courses That Can Strengthen Legal Skills

Manage a Split in GPA, LSAT Scores as a Law School Applicant originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote