A Nobel Prize winner and one of the most powerful men in the world, Barak Obama’s LSAT score has mostly been a matter of confusion and mystery. While few go about questioning the credibility of the LSAT score revealed, few are convinced about the score’s authenticity. According to the self-published book, Barack O’liberal by Alan R. Lockwood, the President of The United States may have entered Harvard Law School on the back of less than average GPAs but stunning LSAT Score. The fact that he has gone on to achieve much greater things in life is history.
Unraveling the secret behind Obama’s LSAT Score
- The book by Lockwood takes into account the demographic data published by LSAC in 1990. Based on the data it’s observed that 10 African-American students from Columbia University applied to law school.
- Only two of them scored over the 63% mark; and in fact scored between 94-98%, which would be equivalent to a score of 166 – 171 in today’s grading system. Hence it’s very likely that Obama had an LSAT Score around the median of the class (43 on the then-used 48 point scale).
Poor GPAs didn’t stop the future President’s march
- According to Obama’s own admission, his GPA scores left a lot to be desired. He had a GPA of 3.3 at Occidental College while his GPA was marginally better at Columbia – 3.7. Thus his combined GPA score was 3.5.
- Given that 80% of his class at Harvard Law had a GPA of 3.5 and above and LSAT score of over 95%, the future President of the country would have made it in the bottom 20% of the class.
Yet he impressed at Harvard Law and beyond
- Lockwood suggests that if LSAT-GPA only system was applied, then Obama might have been rejected by the prestigious law school. Take a moment to wrap your head around that. It was probably his experience in community organizing that went in his favor.
- Once Obama had found his place in the college though, there was no looking back. He holds the distinction of being the first black president of Harvard Law Review. He also graduated in the top 14% of the class.
The inspiration
The story is a lesson for all Law School aspirants. The reason LSAT is given so much importance is that it correlates well to first year law school grades. Hence rather than being overwhelmed by it, you need to look at it as an opportunity to overcome your GPA handicap and get into Law school of your choice… and oh, in the process, just do not forget to dream big!
Begin your LSAT preparation today. Attempt free LSAT practice tests.
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