Welcome to the latest installment of Law Admissions Q&A, a monthly feature that provides law school admissions advice to readers who send in questions and admissions profiles.
If you have a question about law school, email me for a chance to be featured next month.
This week, I will answer questions about undergraduate transcripts for applicants who returned to school after dropping out. I will also address when graduating seniors should reach out to academic recommenders.
I first attended college from 2002-2003. After a brief year and a dismal GPA, I decided to drop out. In 2013, I recommenced my education and started from scratch. I transferred none of my credits from my old college from 10 years ago. I am now scheduled to graduate with a GPA of more than 3.8. According to LSAC guidelines, I have to submit all my GPAs from postsecondary educational institutions. However, this would significantly dilute my GPA. Moreover, it does not reflect my current dedication and aptitude toward academics. My target law schools are Harvard University, Yale University and Stanford University, and, as we all know, they want spotless candidates. What should I do? -Tainted Transcript
Dear Tainted Transcript: Congratulations on your success since returning to school. Starting over is not easy and I applaud your newfound dedication to your academics.
You are correct that law schools require applicants to submit transcripts from undergraduate institutions they attended even if they never received a degree.
You are also correct that your cumulative undergraduate GPA will be diluted as a result. Law School Admission Council calculates a cumulative GPA that include all your undergraduate work. LSAC will also send copies of these transcripts to law schools for their review.
[Discover ways a low GPA might not derail a law school application.]
However, law schools — including Harvard University, Yale University and Stanford University — do not expect candidates to be spotless. I worked with an applicant with a criminal record who was accepted to Harvard.
I have also advised applicants who attended multiple undergraduate institutions. One applicant dropped out of three schools before earning a 3.8-plus undergraduate GPA.
She cried when I told her she would have to submit transcripts from her past. But she was admitted to her first choice school with a substantial scholarship and will graduate debt-free in the top of her class this spring.
Here’s are five steps you need to take: Include an undergraduate GPA addendum with your application; perform well on the LSAT; secure academic letters of recommendation; craft compelling essays that convince admissions committees that you have the intelligence and drive to succeed in their program; and apply early in the admissions cycle. Finally, remember : N o one is spotless.
[Learn how to make a strong argument for law school.]
I am a senior majoring in political science. I am graduating a year early and plan to take the LSAT this September and apply either this fall/winter round or, depending on my LSAT score, apply next fall. I was wondering if I should get my letters of recommendation sometime before I graduate this May? And if so, how should my professors/TAs send the letters — do they send them directly to LSAC? If I don’t happen to apply this fall, should they still send them in? -Graduating Senior
Dear Graduating Senior: Sounds like you are already thinking strategically about your law school applications. Strong academic letters of recommendation will be a valuable component of your applications.
Once you have signed up for the LSAT, you will have an LSAC account. You can then register for the Credential Assembly Service. CAS will send a law school report to the schools you apply to that includes your LSAT score, writing sample, transcripts, resume and recommendations. Recommenders upload their letters directly to LSAC through CAS.
[Read about the anatomy of a law school recommendation letter.]
As for timing, I suggest that you talk to professors now while you are still on campus about your interest in attending law school. Making in-person requests for letters of recommendation will enable you to engage in a dialogue about your motives for pursuing a law degree.
Talk with your professors about specific accomplishments you hope they will include in the recommendation to ensure your letter is not generic. Requesting the recommendations before graduating is also helpful since your professors will more easily remember your academic feats in detail.
Your letters of recommendation will remain valid on your LSAC account even if you do not apply this cycle. If you delay submitting more than a couple years, however, you may want to ask your professors to submit an updated version so the recommendation still feels fresh.
More from U.S. News
How to Use Timed LSAT Practice
Recommendation Letter Tips for Waitlisted Law School Applicants
Make the Most of Untimed LSAT Practice
Apply to Law School With Multiple Transcripts, Early Recommendations originally appeared on usnews.com
