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Bringing up gpa from 2.6 to 3.4+

chh05chh05
edited October 2013 in General
How hard is it to bring up my gpa from 2.6 to 3.4 or higher? I've completed 41 credits so far (after fall 2013) and was simply slacking before. I'm a hum major. I just wasn't applying myself before, I don't work (so grateful for my family) so if I concentrate on school as much as possible, how difficult would this be?
I'm thinking of law school after undergrad but I'm still undecided. Ubc seems way too competitive
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Comments

  • 112233
    edited October 2013
    Ok, here what you do. Open up excel, then in the first column list every class you've taken. In the next column but the letter grade. In the column beside that put in the numerical value for each grade. So a+ 4.33, a 4, a- 3.67 and so so on... In the next column put how many credits each course is. Now set the value of the next column to be equal to the product of each courses credits and your grade. Now sum up all of these classes and put it into a cell. In another cell have the sum of all your credits. Your gpa is the sum of creditxgrades divided by the sum of total credits. If you want to know what grades you need and how many classes, simply add in "dummy" classes into your class list and put in potential grades. Personally I think you're being a dreamer. :( sorry.

    There used to be a link for a calculator that does this on the sfu site but the link I have is broken. Maybe you can search it?
  • bluebou
    edited October 2013
    The more credits you have, the harder it is.  You're still early enough in your degree that it's possible, but you need to start aiming for A- and higher.

    Also, keep in mind when applying to other schools, your GPA can get downgraded (many schools use a % or 4.00 system).  So if you want a 3.4, try to aim for a 3.5 just to be on the safe side.
  • EricJ
    you could always retake a few of you shittiest courses if you've got any C's or otherwise bad marks dragging you down to help bump up your gpa more.
  • ryan
    Assuming a 120 credit degree I believe you would have to average ~3.8 on your remaining 79 credits in order to meet your goal. Assuming you do not retake previous courses (which might be a good idea if you have any particularly low scores).
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    edited October 2013
    @112233 What the fuck happened to that calculator??? It was soooo useful wtf??!?!? They better bring it back!

    Also UBC law is like 3.8 GPA cut off btw and most other BC law schools avg. 3.67 GPA. 

    Also if you weren't working, and weren't applying yourself to school. What WERE you doing? Cuz it's usually work a lot, get low grades, or don't work and get high grades.
  • chh05chh05
    I failed one course just because I was stupid and didn't drop it when I dropped the rest. I'm retaking it now. So have I completely screwed over my chances of law school? :/
  • ryan
    You could still get in. You just have to get your marks up a bit then do well on the LSAT.
  • chh05chh05
    I went and saw an advisor and I was mistaken, my gpa is actually 2.8 not that that's significantly better lol but if I keep at a b average for the next six semesters I should be able to get to 3.2...hopefully I do well on the lsat. Does volunteering help law school admissions? I'm actively volunteering with elementary school aged kids that are at risk for two years so far
  • bluebou
    edited October 2013
    B average is a 3.00, so I'm not sure how you're going to magically jump up to 3.2.

    B+ average will get you closer, but it'll depend on how many credits you take.  Good luck.
  • chh05chh05
    Thanks
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    You probably don't have chance for UBC law realistically, but unless you're a genius and do extremely well on the LSAT then you would get accepted for sure. They will weight more on the LSAT score than your GPA in this case.

    For some law schools your volunteer will definitely help. 2 years is a good time. I wouldn't say you have no chance for law school because the LSAT is a major factor, you probably have little chance at UBC law because they don't give a shit about volunteer and it's GPA/LSAT only but other law schools you should have a shot with your combo of GPA, volunteer experience and if you do well on the LSAT. 
  • chh05chh05
    Yeah and also I've been researching some other law schools outside of bc and some only calculate your gpa based on the last two years of your degree. I think it was the law school in Alberta. I've already crossed ubc off the list and I'm fine with it. Hoping for somewhere in bc but anywhere in Canada would be good
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    or other countries with even lower standards like some in US and Australia believe it or not.
  • hehehe
    https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.raymongulati.gpacalculator

    That app has an option which can directly answer your question. 
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    Is that the one where an SFU guy made the gpa app?
  • hehehe
    Yes. That SFU guy now works at BlackBerry.
  • Lucid
    @chh5; My sister also messed up her first year and ended up going to UofA for law school.  She's a lawyer now.  It's possible!!  =)
  • chh05chh05
    @lucid if you don't mind me asking what was her gpa when she graduated and her last score??
  • chh05chh05
    And also, did they only look at her last 2 years?
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    @Lucid Does she have her own law firm or is she working as a law clerk at another firm? How much does she make per year :P
  • Canuckred
    Over your degree you are able to retake a maximum of 5 courses with your highest grade counting towards your GPA. Maybe look at retaking the some lower grades and see if that helps
  • chh05chh05
    Yeah I'm planning on doing that, but ill probably wait until near the end of 4th year just to see if I'm still invested in wanting to go to law school so I don't waste my money now
  • Canuckred
    For sure. Another option would be transferring though it could be tough for now with your GPA. You keep credit for courses that you pass but the new school won't include your SFU GPA in the calculation.
  • 112233
    Just an FYI, some schools don't do that! Some schools will keep your current gpa and will continue to use it for calculating your gpa.
  • chh05chh05
    I don't plan on even applying to those ones :p
  • BeAnBeAnBeAnBeAn
    Just give up on life.
  • BestFarmvillerNA
    this may seem like a dumb question, but even if i retake courses that i have received bad marks on (or simply an F), wouldn't the law schools calculate ALL of the courses i have taken into consideration? For example, if i got an F in psyc, and retook it and got a B, wouldn't the law schools blend the two marks, or is the mark F not counted for?


  • chh05chh05
    It depends on the school. Some law schools will take the best grade while some take into account you got that f
  • ezc
    @BestFarm most professional schools won't drop grades, especially if they're just looking at the last 2 years.  You'd most likely have to contact the specific school.  Repeating classes is more for helping you get better grades at SFU, so you can graduate, get into specific classes, etc.
  • BestFarmvillerNA
    I know for certain that UVic blends the two marks, but what about UBC? I cannot seem to find a source anywhere...

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