Earning the Grades

Students are often relieved to hear that law schools do not place restrictions on—nor do they offer recommendations for—what a student majors or minors in. Thus, whether a student pursues a course of study in the liberal arts, business, or in technical or health fields is of little consequence to the law schools to which they ultimately apply. What does matter, however, is the student's overall academic record. As the saying goes, law school is a numbers game, and one set of numbers is the UGPA or "undergraduate grade point average." Click here to view table providing a sample of the law schools that have accepted our students over the past ten years, organized by GPA and LSAT score. As a general rule, you are encouraged to take classes that interest you because interest spurs motivation and leads to successful performance. Of course, due to the requirements of each school and college at SU, you will undoubtedly encounter classes that you dislike or even dread. While it will be more challenging to persevere and excel in those classes, you must if you want to go to law school. It is critically important to the admissions committees that you demonstrate your ability to succeed in a rigorous academic environment, which defines the law school experience. Moreover, you must prove to the committees that you have gained the skills necessary to handle the law school curriculum. Thus, strong grades across all classes and disciplines will contribute greatly to your chances for admission to your chosen schools.

You may be tempted—or feel obligated—to take the "law-related" classes that are sprinkled throughout SU's academic offerings in order to prove to the admissions committees that you are serious about the study of law. While these classes will certainly give you additional exposure to legal topics, they are not required for law school admission, so don't panic if you're unable to fit them into your schedule.