Chalkboard with GPA Written

Applying to Law School With a Low GPA

While grades aren’t the only thing considered in a law school application, they are a critical component.

But how exactly can you apply for law school with a low GPA?

Gabriel Kuris, a contributor at US News and founder of Top Law Coach, recently offered a few tips on how students can address a low GPA in their applications.  

INCLUDE AN ADDENDUM

Experts recommend applicants use an addendum to explain and offer context to any past mishaps.

“An addendum should be brief, professional and forthright. If you have a concrete reason for underperformance, like an illness or personal challenge or change in majors, describe it succinctly and explain how the situation resolved or why it won’t affect your law school performance,” Kuris writes.

It’s important, experts say, to keep your addendum concise and not get carried away.

“All you need to do is state what the academic discrepancy is, what happened, and why it happened,” according to Magoosh. “That’s it. If you ramble on for pages, admissions officers will probably get bogged down and skim only the first few paragraphs anyhow.”

HIGHLIGHT OTHER AREAS

Kuris says if your grades aren’t your strong suit, then highlight other areas that are.

“Get recommendation letters from people who can speak to your intellectual abilities,” she writes. “Use your personal statement to showcase your communication skills. Write a resume that specifies how your jobs required high-level performance under pressure.”

Other areas, such as a strong LSAT score, can help to outweigh a low GPA.

“Many competitive law schools screen applicants using a weighted index of their grades and LSAT scores, so extra points on the LSAT may effectively boost your GPA,” Kuris writes.

Sources: US News, Magoosh