How much weight does GPA carry?

[fiverriver1995]

Question on being a splitter (Low GPA/High LSAT). What does it look like for someone with a low 3.xx GPA but a 170 LSAT to get into a decent law school?

[TobyFlenderson]

Is that 170 an actual score or a projected one? 

Splitters aren't quite as prevalent as they are in the States. Canada generally weighs GPA equal to, if not a little more than, the LSAT. With a low GPA, applicants often have higher B2/L2s, and apply to schools that favour those increases to minimize the effect of their lower GPA.

Edit: the real question is how low is low. And what's your actual LSAT score?

[Ben]

It happens. I had barely a 3.50 cGPA and a 172 LSAT and got into Queen’s and U of T. Not osgoode, though, so ymmv

[Gamgee]

If you do in fact have a 170+ LSAT (even a high 160), and a low 3.XX cGPA, you definitely have a good chance of getting into a law school in Canada, it just may not be your first choice. The odds become even better if your L2/B2 is higher. 

[Bazilica]

I had a 3.2 and a 175. Got into Osgoode and UBC, but was rejected and waitlisted from several Ontario schools. You should really only be asking this after you’ve taken the lsat, but yes a high score can make up for lower gpa. 

[fiverriver1995]

Thanks guys this was quite informative.

[AtticusFlinch]

Good job on the 170 that's a crazy good score. Depends on the school but GPA is almost always weighted heavier in Canada. Whether that be 55-45 60-40 or something else is indeterminable without perhaps asking admissions if they are even allowed to reveal that kind of stuff.  

[SNAILS]

Having a low 3.xx GPA could be not so bad with a high LSAT or it could be a significant hinderance.

For example, Student A could have a 3.3 cGPA with a 3.8 L2. Student B could have a 3.1 cGPA with a 3.1 L2.

It would help you, when considering your chances, to look into things like L2 (your GPA in the last 2 years) B3 (best 3 years; used by U of T) and B20 (best 20 courses; used by Ryerson).

Life experience (if you are a mature student), Access claims (if you are justifying a low GPA and applying in the Access category where applicable), and Indigenous/ minority status (if applicable) can all be game changers.