Is a C passing in law school?
Asked by: Prof. Patsy Bosco I | Last update: February 6, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (60 votes)
Yes, a 'C' is generally a passing grade in law school, but its significance varies by school, often falling into a range where it's considered satisfactory but below the B-average curve, with some schools treating a 'C-' or lower as failing for academic standing. Most law schools curve grades, so a 'C' represents understanding the material, but too many can impact GPA, while some require a minimum 'C-' for credit in elective courses.
Is a C in law school passing?
PASS—Grades of “C-” or above will be recorded as “Pass (P)”. Unit credit is awarded. UNSATISFACTORY—Grades of “D+” or “D” will be recorded as “Unsatisfactory (U)”.
What is a failing grade in law school?
A “Fail” indicates that the student would have earned less than a C had the course been subject to letter grades. A student earning a “Fail” will not be awarded academic credit for the course.
Is 70% C or D?
A 70% is usually a C or C-, depending on the specific grading scale, but it's often at the top end of a C or the very bottom of a D range, frequently falling into the C- (70-72%) or just a plain C (70-74%), with variations by school, instructor, and use of plus/minus grades.
Is 78% a C+?
Yes, 78% is very often a C+, as many grading scales set the C+ range at 77-79%, but it can vary by institution, with some placing it slightly lower (e.g., 76.5-79.49%) or higher, so it's always best to check your specific school's scale.
Law School Grades - First Semester (1L Year)
Is 60% C or D?
A 60% is usually a D (D-), considered a minimum passing grade in the U.S., but it can sometimes be an F (Failing), as it sits right at the boundary between a low D and an F (typically below 60% is F) and depends heavily on the specific school's or instructor's grading scale, especially with plus/minus systems.
What was Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Is law school harder than med school?
Medical school is generally considered harder due to its intense, fact-heavy curriculum requiring massive memorization and dealing with life-or-death stakes, while law school focuses more on reading, critical thinking, and analysis, though both are rigorous and demand significant commitment. Med school involves vast scientific knowledge and clinical rotations, whereas law school builds analytical "thinking like a lawyer" through heavy reading, writing, and case application, culminating in high-stakes final exams.
Is C+ still passing?
A-F letter grading: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- and F. Grades A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D- indicate passing grades; F indicates failure.
What's the hardest class in law school?
The hardest law school subjects vary, but Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Property are consistently cited as top contenders, especially in the first year, due to abstract concepts, complex rules, and interconnected details. Advanced courses like Federal Courts, Tax Law, and Evidence are also known for their difficulty, involving dense statutory interpretation, complex codes, and intricate rules.
Can you fail classes in law school?
Most schools allow retakes and let you stay for a probationary period to get grades up if you are below the minimum GPA requirement. Failing a class is not the end of the world and in no way reflects how you will perform as a lawyer (although it will make the job search harder).
Do law school grades actually matter?
For big law firms, they hire only people with high GPAs. They bill you as an associate for $550/ hour and tell you to collect 1800 hours a year. For smaller firms, they don't care about GPAs, so long as you are well put together (submit work on time, show up on time, dress well, have proper hygiene).
What is considered passing in law school?
C or higher for required classes is a passing grade. For non-required classes, it's a D or higher.
What year is the hardest in law school?
Most law students agree the first year (1L) is the hardest due to the steep learning curve, new teaching methods (Socratic/Case Method), intense reading/writing, and high-pressure environment designed to build foundational skills, though 2L brings different stressors like career planning and internships. 1L is a "bootcamp" for thinking like a lawyer with unfamiliar concepts and high stakes for grades, making the transition from undergraduate studies particularly challenging.
What disqualifies you from law school?
What disqualifies you from law school often involves dishonesty, serious criminal history (especially crimes of moral turpitude like fraud), significant financial irresponsibility, or academic misconduct, all falling under the "character and fitness" evaluation, though a single minor issue usually isn't a bar if disclosed honestly and explained well; failure to disclose, lying on the application, or misrepresenting facts is often a more significant reason for denial or later disbarment.
What is the hardest subject in a law degree?
The hardest law school subjects vary, but Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Property are consistently cited as top contenders, especially in the first year, due to abstract concepts, complex rules, and interconnected details. Advanced courses like Federal Courts, Tax Law, and Evidence are also known for their difficulty, involving dense statutory interpretation, complex codes, and intricate rules.
What pays more, law or medical?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gives median salaries for both doctors and lawyers, so it's clear that the doctors' number is higher. But median salaries are the midpoint in a list of salaries for one occupation, meaning that half of the list makes more and half makes less.
Is law school harder than nursing?
A law degree will take longer overall, including the required bachelors degree, which many might consider more difficult.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?
That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
Did Michelle Obama pass her bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What GPA do I need for Harvard?
Harvard doesn't have a strict minimum GPA, but successful applicants typically have nearly perfect weighted GPAs (around 4.18 average) or unweighted GPAs near 4.0, demonstrating exceptional achievement in the most rigorous courses (AP/IB) to be competitive for admission. A GPA below this average requires exceptional standardized test scores (like 1580 SAT/36 ACT) and a standout overall application, including strong extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations, as Harvard uses a holistic review process.
What is a high 2.1 degree?
Upper Second-Class Honours (60-70%): there are two levels of second class degree. An upper second class, known as a 2:1 or two-one, is the higher of the two levels. Lower Second-Class Honours (50-60%): a 2.2 or two-two is the lower level of the second class degree.