An Overview of the LSAC GPA and Its Impact on Law School Admissions

For students applying to law schools, the LSAC GPA is one of the most critical factors in the admission process. Calculated by the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), this GPA calculation standardizes grades from various undergraduate institutions to provide admission offices with a uniform metric for evaluating law school applications. However, applicants often misunderstand how the LSAC GPA differs from their cumulative GPA, how repeated courses affect their scores, and what strategies can mitigate a low GPA.

This guide breaks down how the LSAC GPA is calculated, its significance in the application process, common misconceptions, and strategies for improving your academic standing before you apply to law school.

Read: LSAC Credential Assembly Service (CAS): What it Is and How It Works for Law School Applications

What Is the LSAC GPA and Why Does It Matter for Law School Admissions?

The LSAC GPA, calculated by the Law School Admission Council, standardizes grades earned from different undergraduate institutions to provide law schools with a consistent measure of academic performance. Unlike a university’s cumulative GPA calculation, which considers only courses taken at that school, the LSAC GPA includes transfer credits, study abroad coursework, and repeated courses, even if an undergraduate institution excludes them.

For many applicants, the LSAC GPA plays a crucial role in determining whether they will be school accepted into competitive law schools. Alongside an LSAT score, it is one of the most weighted components in the admission process, influencing scholarship eligibility and admission to top-tier institutions.

However, grades are only part of the picture. Law school applications also include personal statements, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and other qualitative factors that can bolster an applicant’s profile.

How the LSAC GPA Is Calculated

The LSAC calculates an applicant’s GPA by converting grades from their undergraduate transcripts into a standardized 4.33 scale. This process includes transcript summarization, where LSAC reviews and standardizes grading variations across different institutions. By doing so, law schools can evaluate all applicants using a consistent grading system, ensuring fairness regardless of the original undergraduate grading scale.

Key Factors in LSAC GPA Calculation:

1. Inclusion of all undergraduate courses – The LSAC GPA considers all undergraduate courses, including transfer credits, study abroad credits, and repeated courses.
2. Impact of repeated courses – Unlike some undergraduate institutions that replace an original grade with a new grade, the LSAC GPA factors in both attempts, which can significantly affect a student’s cumulative GPA.
3. Credit hours weighting – The LSAC GPA is weighted by credit hours, meaning that semester credit hours and quarter credit hours may affect the final calculation differently.
4. A+ conversion to 4.33 – The LSAC converts an A+ to a 4.33 GPA, while some undergraduate institutions cap an A+ at 4.0. This difference can impact applicants from schools that do not grant A+ grades.

For a detailed breakdown of how LSAC GPA calculation applies to specific grading systems, applicants can refer to the academic summary report provided through LSAC’s Credential Assembly Service (CAS).

Differences Between LSAC GPA and Cumulative GPA

Many students assume that their LSAC GPA is identical to their cumulative GPA, but key differences exist that can impact how law schools evaluate an applicant’s academic performance.

A cumulative GPA calculation at an undergraduate institution typically includes only courses taken at that specific school, whereas the LSAC GPA accounts for all completed coursework from multiple institutions. This means that courses from transfer credits, study abroad coursework, and repeated courses are included in the LSAC GPA, even if an issuing school does not factor them into its internal cumulative GPA calculation.

Another critical difference lies in the treatment of repeated courses. Some undergraduate institutions allow students to retake a course and replace the original grade with a new grade, but the LSAC GPA includes both attempts. This policy can lower an applicant’s overall GPA calculation compared to their cumulative GPA at their home institution.

Additionally, quarter credit hours are weighted differently than semester credit hours when LSAC calculates a student’s GPA. Since some undergraduate institutions operate on different academic calendars, LSAC converts quarter credit hours using a 0.67 multiplier to align them with semester credit hours. This discrepancy can lead to small variations in the final LSAC GPA compared to what an issuing school reports.

Lastly, grade notation varies across undergraduate institutions. Some schools award an A+ as the highest passing grade and assign it a 4.33 value, while others cap it at 4.0. The LSAC GPA follows its own standardized GPA calculation method, which can benefit or disadvantage students depending on their undergraduate institution’s grading policies.

How to Determine Your LSAC GPA

To calculate the LSAC GPA, applicants should:

1. Collect undergraduate transcripts from all issuing schools, including institutions where they took transfer credits, study abroad coursework, or repeated courses.
2. Identify grades earned for each course and match them to LSAC’s standardized conversion chart, ensuring accurate alignment with the highest passing grade in each grading scale.
3. Multiply each grade by its corresponding credit hours to determine quality points, keeping in mind LSAC’s adjustments for quarter credit hours and semester credit hours.
4. Sum all quality points and divide by the total number of credit hours attempted to get the final LSAC GPA.

Applicants should also verify their bachelor's degree conferral date, as LSAC calculates GPA based only on undergraduate courses completed before degree conferral. Post-degree coursework or graduate and professional schoolwork is not included in the LSAC GPA calculation.

To assist applicants in confirming their GPA calculation, LSAC provides an academic summary report through its Credential Assembly Service (CAS). Reviewing this report ensures that all grades, credit hours, and grade notations have been accurately processed before submitting law school applications.

Common Myths About the LSAC GPA

The LSAC GPA plays a crucial role in the admission process, yet many applicants hold misconceptions about how it is calculated and its impact on law school applications. Understanding these myths and the realities behind them can help students make informed decisions to strengthen their applications.

Myth 1: Only the LSAT Score Matters in the Admission Process

While a strong LSAT score is a key factor in law school admissions, the LSAC GPA is equally important. Competitive law schools consider both metrics to assess an applicant’s academic potential. A high LSAT score can offset a low GPA to some extent, but many admission offices use index formulas that weigh both factors. Additionally, some law schools set minimum GPA requirements, meaning that even a perfect LSAT score may not compensate for a weak academic record.

Myth 2: Graduate and Professional Schoolwork Can Boost a Low LSAC GPA

The LSAC GPA calculation includes only undergraduate courses completed before the bachelor’s degree conferral date. While strong performance in graduate and professional schoolwork may demonstrate intellectual growth, it does not alter the LSAC GPA that law schools use to evaluate applicants. However, if a student has completed additional undergraduate courses after receiving their degree, those may be factored into their academic summary report and could slightly influence their cumulative GPA.

Myth 3: A Low LSAC GPA Cannot Be Improved

While the LSAC GPA is fixed once coursework is completed, there are strategic ways to strengthen an application despite a low GPA. Applicants can:

• Take additional undergraduate courses before completing their degree to boost their cumulative GPA calculation.
• Enroll in rigorous coursework to demonstrate academic ability and offset weaker past performance.
• Retake courses where possible, understanding that LSAC includes both the original grade and the new grade in its GPA calculation.
• Focus on earning a high LSAT score to balance out a lower LSAC GPA.
• Craft a compelling personal statement that highlights professional experience, intellectual growth, and resilience.

Strategies to Improve a Low LSAC GPA

A low LSAC GPA does not necessarily prevent applicants from gaining admission to competitive law schools. While the LSAC GPA calculation includes all undergraduate courses, including repeated courses, there are strategic ways to strengthen an application and demonstrate academic capability.

1. Retake Courses to Demonstrate Improvement

If allowed by an undergraduate institution, repeating courses where grades were low can showcase resilience and academic growth. Although LSAC calculates both the original grade and the new grade, law schools may still recognize the effort to improve. Some admission offices consider upward grade trends favorably, particularly if the applicant demonstrates improvement in the later years of their degree.

2. Earn High Grades in Additional Undergraduate Courses

Taking extra undergraduate courses—particularly in challenging subjects—can help offset a low GPA. Even after the bachelor’s degree conferral date, enrolling in semester credit hours of coursework can highlight a student’s ability to handle rigorous academics. Applicants may consider enrolling in post-baccalaureate programs or extension courses to strengthen their academic summary report.

3. Take Rigorous Coursework to Show Academic Readiness

Instead of focusing only on boosting GPA numbers, applicants should consider enrolling in challenging courses that are relevant to legal studies. Courses in business, political science, economics, or philosophy can demonstrate strong analytical and writing skills. Law schools value applicants who can prove they are prepared for the intellectual rigor of a legal education, regardless of past grade notation.

4. Focus on LSAT Preparation to Compensate for a Low GPA

A high LSAT score can significantly mitigate concerns about a lower LSAC GPA. Since many law schools weigh the LSAT score heavily in the admission process, scoring well can strengthen an applicant’s overall profile. Comprehensive LSAT prep, including practice tests and strategic study plans, can improve admission chances at competitive institutions.

Read: LSAT Prep 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Succeeding on the Exam

5. Address a Low GPA in the Personal Statement

A well-crafted personal statement provides an opportunity to explain circumstances that may have impacted academic performance. Applicants can highlight professional growth, personal challenges, or changes in study habits that led to an improvement in grades earned. Some law schools allow for an addendum in which applicants can briefly explain external factors that influenced their cumulative GPA calculation.

The Role of Personal Statements and Extracurricular Activities

While the LSAC GPA and LSAT score carry significant weight in the admission process, law schools also assess applicants holistically. Personal statements provide an opportunity to explain extenuating circumstances that may have impacted academic performance, while strong extracurricular activities and work experience showcase leadership skills and commitment to the legal field.

A well-crafted personal statement can differentiate an applicant from others with similar GPA and LSAT scores, making it a crucial part of the application process.

Read: Top 30+ Free Resources for the LSAT

How to Address a Low LSAC GPA in Law School Applications

Applicants with a low LSAC GPA should take a strategic approach in their law school applications to highlight their strengths and mitigate concerns about their GPA calculation. Law schools evaluate applicants holistically, so demonstrating resilience, academic growth, and professional experience can enhance an application.

Here are key ways to address a low GPA in law school applications:

• Provide a concise explanation in an addendum – If circumstances such as illness, financial hardship, or personal difficulties impacted academic performance, applicants should include an addendum explaining these challenges. The explanation should be factual, concise, and focused on growth and improvement rather than making excuses.
• Strengthen the personal statement – A compelling personal statement can shift focus from a low GPA to an applicant’s intellectual curiosity, leadership skills, and legal career aspirations. Highlighting perseverance, professional achievements, and analytical abilities can help demonstrate potential beyond grades earned.
• Demonstrate academic improvement through additional coursework – Taking post-baccalaureate coursework, additional semester credit hours, or upper-level undergraduate courses can show law schools that an applicant is capable of excelling academically. This is particularly useful for applicants who had a strong upward grade trend in their final years of college.
• Earn a high LSAT score – A high LSAT score can counterbalance a low LSAC GPA by demonstrating analytical and logical reasoning skills essential for success in law school. Many law schools weigh the LSAT score heavily in the admission process, making it a powerful tool for applicants looking to strengthen their profile.

Read: How to Get the Best LSAT Score for Law School: Maximizing Your Potential

• Showcase relevant work experience or leadership roles – If an applicant has significant professional experience, leadership roles, or relevant internships, they should emphasize these in their application. Law schools value candidates with practical experience in legal, business, or advocacy roles, as this demonstrates maturity, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Highlight strong letters of recommendation – A persuasive letter of recommendation from a professor, employer, or mentor can vouch for an applicant’s intellectual ability, work ethic, and potential for success in law school. If a recommender can provide insight into an applicant’s resilience or academic improvement, this can help mitigate concerns about past performance.
• Apply to law schools with holistic admissions policies – Some law schools place greater emphasis on work experience, personal statements, and LSAT scores rather than relying solely on GPA calculation. Researching schools that consider applicants holistically can improve admission chances.
• Demonstrate analytical and writing skills through a well-crafted application – Strong writing ability is critical in law school, and applicants should ensure that their personal statement, optional essays, and addendum are polished and well-structured. Demonstrating strong analytical thinking and communication skills can reassure admission offices that an applicant will succeed despite a low GPA.

Key Takeaways

• The LSAC GPA is a standardized GPA calculation used by law schools and differs from an undergraduate institution’s cumulative GPA.
• Law schools consider LSAT scores, personal statements, and extracurricular activities alongside the LSAC GPA in the admission process.
• Repeated courses, transfer credits, and study abroad coursework impact the LSAC GPA differently than an institution’s cumulative GPA calculation.
• Applicants can strengthen their applications by improving their LSAT scores, crafting compelling personal statements, and gaining relevant experience.
• Understanding the nuances of the LSAC GPA and strategically presenting a well-rounded law school application will maximize an applicant’s chances of admission to top law schools.

Given the competitive nature of law school admissions, working with an experienced law school admissions consultant can provide valuable guidance.

Top law school admissions coaches help applicants refine their personal statements, address GPA concerns, and develop a tailored admissions strategy to optimize their chances of success. With expert support, applicants can craft a compelling application that stands out to admission offices, even in highly selective law schools.

Read next:

• ​​Law School Addendum: Writing Tips and Samples
• What is a Good GPA for Law School? (2025)
• Law School Acceptance and Average Age: Insights Into Law School Admissions
• How Important is the LSAT for Law School Admission?
• What is URM for Law School? What to Know in 2025

FAQs

How does LSAC handle grades from institutions with non-traditional grading systems?

• LSAC converts grades from U.S. institutions to a standard 4.0 scale to provide law schools with a uniform basis for comparing applicants. This conversion ensures consistency across various grading systems.

Are grades from study-abroad programs included in the LSAC GPA?

• Yes, if the study-abroad program was sponsored by a U.S. or Canadian institution and the grades and credits appear on the transcript of the sponsoring institution, they are included in the LSAC GPA calculation.

How are grades from repeated courses factored into the LSAC GPA?

• All grades and credits earned for repeated courses are included in the LSAC GPA calculation if the course units and grades appear on the transcript. A line drawn through course information or a grade does not eliminate the course from GPA calculation if the course units appear on the transcript.

Does LSAC include grades from Advanced Placement (AP) or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) courses in the GPA calculation?

• AP or CLEP courses are summarized and included in the GPA if the undergraduate school transcript shows grades and credits for them.

How does LSAC treat grades that have been academically forgiven by an institution?

• All grades reflected on your transcript for forgiven courses will be included in the calculation of the GPA even if the institution issuing the transcript excludes the courses from its own calculations.

What should I do if there is a discrepancy between my transcript GPA and the LSAC-calculated GPA?

• U.S. grades are converted by LSAC to a standard scale to furnish law schools with a uniform basis for comparing applicants. This system may vary from that of the college you attended. If you have concerns about discrepancies, you can consult LSAC’s Interpretive Guide to Undergraduate Grading Systems for more information about how your school’s grades are converted.