A splitter is a prospective law school student whose LSAT score and GPA (as calculated by LSAC) vary significantly from one another, such that his or her numbers are "
split" between high and
low marks. More recently,
two specific categories of splitter have been defined: the "traditional splitter" (
high LSAT, low GPA) and the "reverse splitter" (
low LSAT,
high GPA). The traditional splitter is considered much more common, while the reverse splitter will frequently try to retake the LSAT for a better score. When used with no qualification, "splitter" usually refers to a traditional splitter, but can refer to either or both (when speaking generally).
The criteria for referring to someone as a splitter can vary based on the person asked, the applicant's goal law school(s), how competitive the admissions cycle is, and a number of other factors. One rule of
thumb, however, is that a splitter will have one number above the 75th percentile of his/her
target school, while the other can be below the 25th percentile (to an extent).
The status of being a splitter is a matter of
great concern to law school applicants, and a subject of extensive discussion every admissions cycle. However, some individuals, especially after being admitted, will wear the term as a badge of
honor.
Hiram has a 3.2 GPA and a 175 LSAT; he's a traditional splitter.
Jaime has a 4.0 GPA and a 162 LSAT; he's a
reverse splitter.
Peter has a 3.7 GPA and a 172 LSAT; he's not a splitter.
Fred has a 2.6 GPA and a 164 LSAT; he's not a splitter.