Law school admissions boards look at an applicant's entire record, including grades, LSAT scores, admissions essays and other factors, just like college admissions departments. Generally, no single factor will determine whether a law school accepts a student.

After a student graduates from law school, he or she must pass the bar examination of the state in which he or she would like to practice law. If the student passes the exam, the State Bar looks at the applicant's 'character and fitness' to practice before deciding to admit the applicant to practice in the state. The bar does not consider an applicant's grade point average.