Can you get into California Western with a 153 LSAT?

California Western's Fall 2025 entering class had a median LSAT of 155 and a median GPA of 3.50. A 153 is 2 points below that median. Here is an honest read of what that means. No fake percentages: nobody can put a real number on one applicant's odds.

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What a 153 means here

A 153 sits below this school's median of 155. That makes California Western a reach for you. People get in from reach territory every cycle, but it takes a stronger file elsewhere to do it: a GPA above the 3.50 median, strong essays, or meaningful work experience. If you have time before applications are due, a retake is the highest-leverage move you can make. A few more points move this school from reach to target.

Scholarship risk at the bottom of the class

Scholarship risk: 126 of 199 students who entered with a conditional scholarship here had it reduced or eliminated (ABA 509, class entering 2024). Students admitted at the bottom of the class carry the most risk.

The honest caveats

Medians describe last year's class, not a cutoff and not your odds. Admissions offices read GPA, essays, recommendations, and background alongside the score. A 153 with a standout file beats a higher score with a thin one more often than applicants expect. Apply to a balanced list: reaches like this one if it applies, targets around your score, and safeties a few points below. Do not skip the safeties.

Next steps

Medians from ABA Standard 509 disclosures via ILRG, Fall 2025 entering class. Reach/target/safety bands are estimates anchored on ABA Standard 509 data, not guarantees.

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Last updated October 12, 2026