What's Happening?
The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) has announced a delay in the implementation of a new policy regarding the inclusion of dual enrollment grades in the LSAC GPA calculation. Originally set to take effect for the 2026-2027 application cycle, the policy will
now be postponed until the 2027-2028 cycle. This change means that for the 2026-2027 cycle, LSAC will continue its long-standing practice of including grades from college credits earned in high school in the LSAC GPA. Starting with the 2027-2028 application cycle, LSAC will exclude these grades for all applicants, including new applicants and reapplicants from previous years. The decision to delay was made after reviewing concerns about providing adequate notice to prospective applicants and law schools, allowing more time for adjustment to the new policy. LSAC aims to ensure that all applicants in a given cycle have their GPAs calculated uniformly.
Why It's Important?
This policy adjustment by LSAC holds significant implications for prospective law school applicants and educational institutions across the U.S. The initial decision to exclude dual enrollment grades was driven by concerns over varying access to college-level courses in high schools and potential misunderstandings among students about how these grades might impact their law school applications. By delaying implementation, LSAC provides an additional year for high school students, pre-law advisors, and law schools to adapt to the new standard. This extra time can help ensure that students are not unfairly disadvantaged by a sudden change in GPA calculation methods, particularly those who have already taken dual enrollment courses with the expectation that these grades would contribute to their LSAC GPA. The policy aims to create a more equitable playing field for all applicants, regardless of their high school's dual enrollment offerings, by removing a potential source of disparity in the application process.
What's Next?
For the upcoming 2026-2027 application cycle, applicants with college credits earned in high school will still have those grades included in their LSAC GPA, consistent with the previous policy. The new policy, which excludes these grades, will officially commence with the 2027-2028 application cycle. This extended timeline allows law schools to update their admissions criteria and advising practices, and for high school students to plan their academic paths accordingly. LSAC emphasizes that law schools will continue to receive full transcripts through the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) report, enabling applicants to highlight their dual enrollment performance through addendums if they wish to provide a more comprehensive picture of their academic achievements. The delay is intended to facilitate a smoother transition for all stakeholders involved in the law school application process.
Beyond the Headlines
The LSAC's decision to delay the exclusion of dual enrollment grades from GPA calculations touches upon broader issues of educational equity and access in the U.S. The varying availability and quality of dual enrollment programs across different high schools can create an uneven playing field for students aspiring to higher education, including law school. While dual enrollment can offer academic advantages, its inconsistent implementation can inadvertently favor students from better-resourced schools. By eventually excluding these grades from the standardized LSAC GPA, the council is attempting to mitigate potential biases and ensure that the core GPA reflects a more uniform academic experience. This move could encourage a re-evaluation of how dual enrollment credits are viewed in competitive admissions processes, potentially shifting focus back to traditional high school performance and standardized test scores as primary indicators of academic readiness for law school. It also highlights the ongoing challenge of standardizing academic metrics in a diverse educational landscape.
