LSAC GPA Calculator
Select based on your undergraduate institution’s grading system
Your Courses
Law School Competitiveness
GPA Breakdown
How LSAC GPA is Calculated
⚠️ Important LSAC Notes
- • LSAC includes all undergraduate coursework, even if repeated or from community college
- • Summer courses, study abroad, and transferred credits are included
- • This calculator provides an estimate. LSAC makes final determination
- • LSAC GPA is reported to law schools with 3 decimal places (e.g., 3.456)
⚠️
Common LSAC GPA Examples
| Sample Transcript | Credits | LSAC GPA | Law School Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mostly A’s, some A-‘s | 120 credits | 3.85 – 4.00 | Top 14 Competitive |
| Mix of A’s and B+’s | 120 credits | 3.50 – 3.70 | Good Regional Options |
| Mostly B’s, some B+’s | 120 credits | 3.00 – 3.30 | Need Strong LSAT |
| Mix of B’s and C’s | 120 credits | 2.50 – 2.90 | Consider GPA Addendum |
Based on typical 4-year undergraduate programs (120 total credits).
Common LSAC GPA Mistakes
🎓 Omitting Courses
LSAC includes ALL undergraduate courses, even failed classes, withdrawals (W), and courses from community college. Missing any course will give you an inaccurate GPA.
🎓 Wrong +/- System
If your school doesn’t use plus/minus grades (only A, B, C, etc.), LSAC won’t either. Using the wrong system can significantly impact your calculated GPA.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between LSAC GPA and my school GPA?
LSAC GPA includes all undergraduate coursework from every institution, even repeated courses. Your school GPA might exclude failed courses, transfer credits, or use different weighting. LSAC GPA is usually lower.
Does LSAC include graduate school grades?
No. LSAC GPA only includes undergraduate coursework. Graduate grades are reported separately on your law school application but don’t affect your LSAC GPA calculation.
What if I retook a failed class?
LSAC includes both attempts. The failed grade and the passing grade both count toward your LSAC GPA. This differs from some schools that replace the grade.
Understanding LSAC GPA: The Complete Law School Application Guide
If you’re applying to law school, you’ve probably heard about LSAC GPA. It’s not the same as your undergraduate GPA, and understanding the difference could impact where you get accepted. The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) calculates a standardized GPA that all law schools use to compare applicants fairly. This guide explains everything you need to know about LSAC GPA calculation.
What is LSAC GPA and Why Does It Matter?
LSAC GPA is a standardized grade point average calculated by the Law School Admission Council for all law school applicants. Unlike your undergraduate GPA, which might vary by institution, LSAC GPA ensures fair comparison across different colleges and grading systems. Law schools rely heavily on this number, along with your LSAT score, when making admissions decisions.
Key Difference: LSAC vs Undergraduate GPA
Your undergraduate GPA might exclude failed courses, use grade replacement, or calculate differently by department. LSAC GPA includes every undergraduate course from every institution, with no exceptions. This often makes LSAC GPA lower than what appears on your transcript.
The LSAC GPA Formula: How It’s Calculated
LSAC GPA uses a standard 4.0 scale with specific rules for plus/minus grades. Here’s the formula:
Quality Points are calculated by multiplying the grade value (4.0 for A, 3.7 for A-, etc.) by the credit hours for each course. Here’s the complete LSAC grading scale:
| Letter Grade | With +/- System | Without +/- System | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 4.0 | Same both systems |
| A- | 3.7 | 4.0 | Big difference! |
| B+ | 3.3 | 3.0 | Without +/-: B=3.0 |
| B | 3.0 | 3.0 | Same both systems |
| B- | 2.7 | 3.0 | Without +/-: B=3.0 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 2.0 | Without +/-: C=2.0 |
| C | 2.0 | 2.0 | Same both systems |
| D/F | 1.0/0.0 | 1.0/0.0 | Same both systems |
Notice the significant differences, especially for A- and B+ grades. This is why selecting the correct grading system in our calculator is crucial for accuracy.
What Courses Does LSAC Include in GPA Calculation?
LSAC is comprehensive, sometimes frustratingly so. Here’s what gets included:
Included Courses
- All undergraduate courses (even if not for major)
- Failed courses and withdrawals (W)
- Repeated courses (both attempts)
- Community college courses
- Study abroad courses
- Summer school courses
- Courses taken after bachelor’s degree but before law school
Excluded Courses
- Graduate school courses
- Law school courses
- Courses taken in high school for college credit
- Non-credit courses
- Professional development courses
Warning: The “All Courses” Rule
Many applicants are shocked to learn that courses they thought were excluded (like failed classes from freshman year) are included in LSAC GPA. There are no exceptions. If it appears on an undergraduate transcript, LSAC includes it.
LSAC GPA Competitiveness for Law Schools
Understanding where your LSAC GPA places you competitively helps set realistic expectations. Here’s a breakdown by law school tier:
| LSAC GPA Range | Competitive For | LSAT Needed | Application Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.85 – 4.00 | Top 14 Law Schools | 170+ | Strong candidate everywhere |
| 3.70 – 3.84 | Top 25 Law Schools | 165+ | Competitive for most schools |
| 3.50 – 3.69 | Top 50 Law Schools | 160+ | Strong regional options |
| 3.30 – 3.49 | Top 100 Law Schools | 155+ | Need strong application package |
| 3.00 – 3.29 | ABA Accredited Schools | 150+ | Consider GPA addendum |
| Below 3.00 | Some ABA Schools | High 150s+ | Strong LSAT crucial |
Remember, these are general guidelines. A strong LSAT score can compensate for a lower GPA, and vice versa. Also, unique personal experiences, strong letters of recommendation, and compelling personal statements can influence admissions decisions.
Step-by-Step: Calculating Your LSAC GPA
While our calculator automates this process, understanding the manual calculation helps you verify results. Here’s a complete example:
Step 1: Gather All Transcripts
Collect every undergraduate transcript from every institution attended.
Step 2: List Every Course
Create a spreadsheet with course name, credit hours, and letter grade for ALL courses.
Step 3: Convert Grades to Points
Use LSAC’s conversion scale (4.0 for A, 3.7 for A-, etc.) based on your school’s grading system.
Step 4: Calculate Quality Points
Multiply grade points by credit hours for each course. Example: A (4.0) in 3-credit course = 12.0 quality points.
Step 5: Sum Everything
Add all quality points (numerator) and all credit hours (denominator).
Step 6: Divide
Divide total quality points by total credit hours. Result is your LSAC GPA.
Example Calculation
3 credits of A (4.0) = 12.0 quality points
4 credits of B+ (3.3) = 13.2 quality points
3 credits of B (3.0) = 9.0 quality points
Total: 10 credits, 34.2 quality points
LSAC GPA: 34.2 ÷ 10 = 3.42
Special Cases and How LSAC Handles Them
Certain academic situations require special attention in LSAC GPA calculation:
Pass/Fail Courses
If your transcript shows “P” (Pass), LSAC excludes it from GPA calculation. If it shows “F” (Fail), it counts as 0.0.
Withdrawals (W)
Courses with “W” are excluded from GPA calculation but appear on your transcript summary sent to law schools.
Incomplete Grades
If an “I” becomes a letter grade, it’s included. If it remains incomplete, it’s excluded from GPA.
Quarter vs Semester Systems
LSAC converts quarter hours to semester hours by multiplying by 0.667. Example: 3 quarter credits = 2 semester credits.
When Your LSAC GPA Differs from Expectations
Many applicants discover their LSAC GPA is lower than expected. Common reasons include:
- Forgotten community college courses from summer sessions or dual enrollment
- Failed courses that your undergraduate institution excluded from GPA
- Withdrawals that you didn’t realize still affected the calculation
- Transfer credits that brought grades from another institution
- Plus/minus differences if your school doesn’t use them but you calculated with them
If your calculated LSAC GPA is significantly lower than expected, double-check that you’ve included every course from every institution. Our calculator’s “Load sample courses” feature can help you test the calculation process.
Strategic Implications for Law School Applications
Understanding your LSAC GPA helps you develop smart application strategies:
GPA Addendum Consideration
If your LSAC GPA is lower due to specific circumstances (illness, family issues), consider writing a GPA addendum to explain.
LSAT Target Setting
Use your LSAC GPA to determine what LSAT score you need for your target schools. Higher GPA allows more flexibility.
School List Development
Create a balanced school list: reach (above your numbers), match (at your numbers), and safety (below your numbers) schools.
Timing Decisions
If your GPA is borderline, consider taking additional undergraduate courses to raise it before applying.
The 75th/50th/25th Percentile Rule
When researching law schools, look at their GPA percentiles. If your LSAC GPA is at or above a school’s 75th percentile, you’re competitive. At the 50th percentile, you’re in range. Below the 25th percentile, you’ll need compensating factors like a high LSAT score.
Using Our LSAC GPA Calculator Effectively
Our calculator simplifies a complex process. For best results:
- Use official transcripts: Don’t rely on memory. Pull your actual transcripts for accuracy.
- Select correct grading system: This is the most common error. Check if your school uses plus/minus grades.
- Include everything: Add every course, even ones you’d rather forget. LSAC won’t forget them.
- Verify quarter conversions: If you attended quarter-system schools, convert credits properly.
- Save your work: Use the PDF export feature to save your calculation for reference.
Remember, while our calculator provides an accurate estimate based on LSAC’s methodology, the final official LSAC GPA is calculated by LSAC when they process your transcripts. Minor discrepancies can occur due to specific institutional grading policies or transcript notations. However, for 95% of applicants, our calculator will be within 0.02 of the official LSAC GPA.
Note: This calculator uses LSAC’s standard conversion methodology. For applicants with unique circumstances (international grades, non-traditional grading systems), LSAC may apply different conversion rules. Always consult official LSAC resources or contact LSAC directly for definitive answers about your specific situation.