Law school curve

[casper86]

I didn't pay attention to curves in college, because I figured as long as I got A's it doesn't matter to think about it. Now,obviously I do care now that I got one of my grades back from my first semester, a B- in contracts ( 5 units) and an intro to law class a B ( 2 units). I am still waiting for the grade for my other class that's 3 units. Anyhow, do I have to get mostly A's to be in the top 25% of my class? Basically, did I already ruin my chances to have a good academic standing?

I know that the top 25% of the graduating class at my school had a 3.434 and above.

Thank you!

[TheBreadWinner]

Yep.  Game over.  Drop out now.   

Obviously its first semester, and you can still pull your grades up...

A good friend of mine started with a 3.1 his first semester.  He ended first year with a 3.45 (#16 in our class).  Learn from your mistakes.  You can absolutely improve on your grades.  A lot of people are burnt out second semester and end up dropping off. 

[casper86]

Thanks so much for the advice!

[jillibean]

Note that it is a lot easier to move up in rank if you class size is on the small size. My school had a huge 1L class- over 450, so a moving up 50 isn't going to be as big of a leap as it would be if there were only 150 in the class. And remember, some law schools get rid of curves after the first year. I know mine does, so basically everyone always does much better grade wise 2 and 3L year, but they stay in the same region in rank

[Ninja1]

This will field most of those "what do I need to finish where" type questions (and most other questions about a school):

http://www.nalplawschoolsonline.org/ndlsdir_search_quick.asp

[cooleykid]

I didn't pay attention to curves in college, because I figured as long as I got A's it doesn't matter to think about it. Now,obviously I do care now that I got one of my grades back from my first semester, a B- in contracts ( 5 units) and an intro to law class a B ( 2 units). I am still waiting for the grade for my other class that's 3 units. Anyhow, do I have to get mostly A's to be in the top 25% of my class? Basically, did I already ruin my chances to have a good academic standing?

I know that the top 25% of the graduating class at my school had a 3.434 and above.

Thank you!

Well I'm top 10% (ranked 11/842), law review and national moot court which are all rank and GPA based in part and I've got a 3.6. At Cooley all three years are on a curve. Someone must fail in each class, and the median grade in most all classes is between 2.1 and 2.2. If your getting all B's then you must be busting your ass as hard as I am. Keep it up!

[Ninja1]

I didn't pay attention to curves in college, because I figured as long as I got A's it doesn't matter to think about it. Now,obviously I do care now that I got one of my grades back from my first semester, a B- in contracts ( 5 units) and an intro to law class a B ( 2 units). I am still waiting for the grade for my other class that's 3 units. Anyhow, do I have to get mostly A's to be in the top 25% of my class? Basically, did I already ruin my chances to have a good academic standing?

I know that the top 25% of the graduating class at my school had a 3.434 and above.

Thank you!

Well I'm top 10% (ranked 11/842), law review and national moot court which are all rank and GPA based in part and I've got a 3.6. At Cooley all three years are on a curve. Someone must fail in each class, and the median grade in most all classes is between 2.1 and 2.2. If your getting all B's then you must be busting your ass as hard as I am. Keep it up!

Well... Oh never mind, too easy.

I'm starting to wonder if you're just a reasonably well done troll.