Anybody else really glad to get an "average" grade?

[ChemDr]

All through last semester, I never put any attention to know grading curves etc, so do not know what % would be A's and so on. However I vaguely remember a median would be B. We do not have B+, just A, A-, B and so on.

SG

[racheles05]

just got my grades. Here's a stupid question. How does one know where he stands in class for the first semester? I thought we can find that only after an year. Although I have a good feeling I am up there (3.8 GPA), it would be good to know. ALso how does one know what teh "average" grade is for a particular course?

At my school, they post everybody's grades on pdf's along with BAGS numbers. So, an enterprising person could input all the grades into an Excel spreadsheet, sort by GPA and figure out class rank that way.

[Mimimimi]

I have 2 B+s so far, which I think puts me in the top half...? But I have no idea really.  I was incredibly relieved to get the B+ in contracts, because I missed a HUGE issue on the final.  However that's also annoying b/c I know that if I'd gotten that issue, I probably would have gotten an A.  Oh well. 

ChemDr... that is an excellent GPA.  I don't think anyone has rankings yet, but do you know how your law school curves?  For example, my law school does roughly 20% A's, 70% B's, and 10% C's.  I'm not sure what the +/- breakdown is but based on that curve I'd think a 3.8 would be somewhere around top 10%?  Basically, you know what the average grade is if the professor tells you or if the curve is standardized.

Wish we had your curve...ours is 10% A, 25%b-B+...they want a C+ median for the 1L class, and a B median for 2-3L...

Our curve was something like 20% C's until this year, I'm glad they changed it before I got here since I didn't pay attention to that stuff when choosing a school.  Why do they want the 1L median so much lower at your school?

[Contract2008]

Why do they want the 1L median so much lower at your school?

The answer is simple: to prevent students from transferring out.  Some schools will take transfers on class rank OR JUST GPA. 

[Leaf2001br]

I spent weeks preparing for my first exam.  At least five times as much as any other class.  I was certain it was my best grade when exams were over.

Reality: It was in the middle


My next exam was horrible.  One of the three parts I answered was pure crap.  I was sure it was without a doubt my worst exam grade.

Reality: It was in the middle


My favorite class and favorite professor's exam I felt supremely confident about going in.  It was a very tough exam but I felt good about while everyone else cried about it.

Reality: It was my worst grade by FAR


Though I had been warned about the last exam being the most dangerous as you burn out from studying, I nonetheless fell into this trap.  With light at the end of the tunnel I spent barely a day preparing for this exam and consequently did not feel good about the exam I wrote though I was happy to be finished.

Reality: It was my best grade by FAR


I have therefore been convinced that it is in fact true...  Professors simply throw darts at a dartboard to decide your grades.  Though luckily I am ahead of the median curve I have only the darts to thank for it.  My only fear is that the law of averages will be stalking me when the darts get dusted off again in May.

[midjeep]

I would kill for average scores. I dont think I did terrible on the finals, but everyone feels the same so its all on comparison. Crim Law, Contracts, and Civ Pro are scaring the hell out of me. What really sucks is that we dont get our grades until the end of Feb!!!! SMU wont release any scores even though I know Civ Pro and Legal Writing have already been graded.

Yours is one of my favorite "Cinderella" stories. I bet you'll surprise yourself again and do exceptionally well.

Thanks, I hope you're right! Being in the top half would be great but I really I hope I get a good rank to show the adcom that even though I had a low LSAT, I was still a good choice.

[Trancer]

Im just happy that ill be able to keep my scholarship... that was a big fear of mine.  Also, im a very optimistic person and i look at the whole grade situation like this: we are new to the requirement of law school, the only place we can go now is up.  We are aware of what is expected of us; we now know our limitations, our weaknesses and our strengths.

[Contract2008]

Also, im a very optimistic person and i look at the whole grade situation like this: we are new to the requirement of law school, the only place we can go now is up.  We are aware of what is expected of us; we now know our limitations, our weaknesses and our strengths.

Instead of being optimistic, get realistic.  When you are more aware of what to expect, to know your limitation, and to know your weakness and strengths, so do the REST OF YOUR CLASS/COMPETITORS.  Don't forget, it's graded on a curve. 

[squarre]

Our curve was something like 20% C's until this year, I'm glad they changed it before I got here since I didn't pay attention to that stuff when choosing a school.  Why do they want the 1L median so much lower at your school?

It really makes no difference where your curve is set (for any purpose other than maybe making you feel good about yourself).  Potential employers aren't looking at your GPA when they compare you to similar students at other schools.  Instead they look at your class rank and the relative strength/reputation of the schools.  A 3.1 at one school may be better than a 3.5 at another.

[wildcataz2004]

I've got 3 of 4 grades back- all B's (At least I'm consistent;I just found them out today. My school has a 25/55/20 curve so it's hard to see how I rank especially since we there is no plus's or minuses