high LSAT mediocre GPA

[briTTT]

okay, wait.  So they'd rather have a 170 3.1, than a 160 3.8?  (By “they“, I mean T2 schools or whatever, I know T1s want both high GPA and LSAT). But, that doesn‘t seem right!  Not everyone has access to $2,000 LSAT prep materials and private LSAT tutors, but everyone can work hard to keep their GPA up.  (I'm not including people who have family tragedies that drop their GPA for a term or 2).  Hmm, guess I’ll be re-studying my ass off when (if) I take it again.

[ghostpirate]

Most people, no matter how much they study, simply do not process information quickly or accurately enough to score a 180.  To some extent the test is preppable, and that is regrettable.
Consider this RE: GPA, though - rich folks can afford private tutoring in college not to mention that they don't have to devote 20+ hrs/week to working in order to pay their way.  Basically unless socioeconomic status is directly taken into account in admissions, there's no way to remedy this problem.
However, if you doubt my numbers, bust out a spreadsheet program and run them yourself.  The data is available at lsac.

[swagger]

okay, wait.  So they'd rather have a 170 3.1, than a 160 3.8?  (By “they“, I mean T2 schools or whatever, I know T1s want both high GPA and LSAT). But, that doesn‘t seem right!  Not everyone has access to $2,000 LSAT prep materials and private LSAT tutors, but everyone can work hard to keep their GPA up.  (I'm not including people who have family tragedies that drop their GPA for a term or 2).  Hmm, guess I’ll be re-studying my ass off when (if) I take it again.

This issue has been extensively argued, but this is my two cents, probably worth less.

The difference between a 160 and a 170 LSAT is firm, considering that both people took an identical or very similar test, under identical conditions. 

The difference between a 3.1 and a 3.8 is difficult to measure, because of different curriculums, instructors, majors, and educational institutions..  One can make the mistake of taking difficult classes to actually LEARN something, resulting in a lower GPA, when one could have easily coasted through with a 4.0 in an easier school, major, or series of courses.

What is a law school to do?

About expensive preparation:  Being a lawyer depends on results, not excuses.  And your LSAT score is a result, regardless of what advantages or disadvantages you may have had in preparing.  Your socioeconomic factors will be considered later in the admissions process.

[Sportseditor23]

BTW,

Both of those sets of numbers 3.8, 160 and 3.1 170 would get you in the top tier, but the 170 has a chance to get into much better schools inside the top 25.

[legallyliz]

BTW,

Both of those sets of numbers 3.8, 160 and 3.1 170 would get you in the top tier, but the 170 has a chance to get into much better schools inside the top 25.

I agree, getting a 170 with a low GPA can sometimes be much better than a high GPA with low LSAT.  My friend had a 170/2.9 last year and got into UPENN!  So it does happen. 

[DESI]

BTW,

Both of those sets of numbers 3.8, 160 and 3.1 170 would get you in the top tier, but the 170 has a chance to get into much better schools inside the top 25.

here's my story (again)

LSAC GPA:  3.13
LSAT:  164

I'm at a top 25

Perhaps my engineering curriculum helped me get a GPA boost or something.

[NYKnicks]

I agree, getting a 170 with a low GPA can sometimes be much better than a high GPA with low LSAT.  My friend had a 170/2.9 last year and got into UPENN!  So it does happen. 

This makes me feel good, there is hope for me yet.

[Silversoma]

It's funny, we really don't obsess about numbers in Canada like you guys do in the States.

Thank God for small favours 

[Silversoma]

Lol, it's a vain attempt to maintain that "Canadian identity", I guess

Subconscious too, I might add.

[goingthedistance]

BTW,

Both of those sets of numbers 3.8, 160 and 3.1 170 would get you in the top tier, but the 170 has a chance to get into much better schools inside the top 25.

here's my story (again)

LSAC GPA:  3.13
LSAT:  164

I'm at a top 25

Perhaps my engineering curriculum helped me get a GPA boost or something.

Does having an engineering or technically degree help all that much in the application process or does it really just depend on the situation.  I just feel that a technical degree might help later in the process if at all.