Law School Numbers: Your Admissions Index

Your law school admissions index is calculated based on your  LSAT score and undergraduate GPA with your LSAT score almost always given more weight. When you register with the Credential Assembly Service, you'll get access to formulas that will help you calculate your index for each school where you're applying.

While each law school weighs these numbers differently, generally your index will put you into one of three categories:

1. Likely Accepted

If your index is very, very strong compared to the school's median or target index number, you have a good chance of getting admitted.

2. Likely Rejected

If your index is significantly lower than the school's median or target index, your chances of getting in are slim. When an admissions officer reads your application, they will be looking for something so outstanding or unique about you that they are willing to take a chance. Not many people in this category will receive that coveted acceptance.

3. Maybe Accepted

The majority of applicants fall into this category, which is comprised of people whose index number is right around the median or target number. People typically apply to schools that they think they have at least a shot of getting into based on their grades and LSAT scores.

Here is how decisions about “Maybe” applicants are made:

1. First, the law school will look at the competitiveness of your undergraduate program.
2. Second, admissions officers will look at the rest of the information in your application— personal statements, letters of recommendation, etc.—for any outstanding qualities.

How is GPA used in your law school admissions index?

Undergraduate GPA

Many law schools assign greater weight to LSAT scores when calculating your admissions index, but your undergrad GPA is a key aspect of your application. Your overall GPA is more imortant than your major. Some undergraduate colleges offer prelaw of criminal justic majors, but plenty of applicants are admitted with bachelor's degrees in other subjects. A well-rounded liberal arts curriculum of classs that foster analytical thinking is an excellent foundation for law.

Does your GPA need a boost? Jump online and connect with one of our expert tutors in less than minute. Learn more about our online tutors.

Grad School GPA

Your grades in graduate school will not be included in the calculation of your GPA (the CAS reports only the UGPA ), but will be taken into account separately by an admissions committee if you make them available. Reporting grad school grades could be to your advantage, particularly if they are better than your college grades. That shows the admissions committee that your academic work has improved as you've matured.

What's MY Law School Admission Index?

Do you have the law school numbers you need for the top programs on your list? Check out our law school profiles to compare your LSAT scores and GPA with the average scores for accepted students at the law schools you are considering. You can also view your chances of acceptance at various law schools based on your GPA and LSAT scores on the Law School Admission Council website. 

Practice for the LSAT

Take a LSAT practice test with us under the same conditions as the real thing. You'll get a personalized score report highlighting your strengths and areas of improvement.

START A FREE PRACTICE TEST