Is getting an A in law school hard?
Asked by: Josiah Ryan IV | Last update: January 21, 2026Score: 4.9/5 (38 votes)
The exams themselves can be challenging. The material covered in law school classes is complex and ever-changing, so law school requires determination. Also, the exams are often graded on a curve, which means that only a small percentage of students will typically receive an A.
How many people get A's in law school?
For each first-year course and all JD courses with 50 or more students, the faculty suggests that 12%–17% of the grades be A, 20%–30% of the grades be A− and/or B+, 20%–30% of the grades be B, 20%–30% of the grades be B− and/or C+, and 10%–15% of the grades be C or below.
What is the hardest class in law school?
- Constitutional Law.
- Civil Procedure.
- Contracts.
- Federal Courts.
- Federal Income Tax.
- Administrative Law.
- Partnership Tax.
Is a 3.7 GPA too low for law school?
The average GPA for law school is between 3.91. However, like LSAT scores, it's important to understand that the specific average GPA can differ depending on the law school and its level of competitiveness. Top-ranking law schools often expect higher average GPAs, typically ranging from 3.8 to 4.0 or even higher.
Can you get an A+ in law school?
Especially in law school, where A+'s are so rare. At my school (and I think at virtually every law school though I have not verified this) an A+ has no special effect on your GPA. So a plain old “A” is treated the same as an “A+” for GPA purposes. And class ranking purposes.
Why Most Students Think Law School is Hard (and How to Make it Easier)
Is a D+ passing in law school?
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)”.
Does A or A+ matter in GPA?
Note first that an unweighted GPA cannot average to more than 4.0, which means that there is no mathematical difference between an A and an A+ in unweighted GPAs. Furthermore, not all schools offer A+ as a grade, so colleges treat it as identical to an A in unweighted GPAs.
How rare is a 176 LSAT?
Less than 1% of test takers score a 176. It's a very hard thing to do. Don't let this sub skew your perception of what's realistic.
What is a respectable law school GPA?
A good GPA for law school generally falls between 3.5 and 4.0. However, top-tier institutions like Harvard Law School, Stanford Law School, and Yale Law School often admit students with median GPAs closer to 3.9 or higher.
Is 163 a good LSAT score?
From your raw scores, the test is graded on an LSAT score scale from 120-180. The average LSAT score is about 150. To get into a top 14 law school, you need to score above 166, and to get into a top 50 law school, you need 153 or above.
How many students fail law school?
How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions. This article delves into the types of attrition, the schools with the highest rates, and the impact of these rates on student choices and institutional policies.
Is one C bad for law school?
In the first place, one poor grade has never kept anyone out of even the most competitive law school, and secondly, you should be willing to explore. You may find that once you are exposed to unfamiliar territory, it may become an exciting academic interest.
What is the easiest law degree to get?
The easiest law degree to earn is a Master of Legal Studies degree. For more information about earning a Master of Legal Studies or for help finding a program, reach out to Learn.org today.
Is it rare to get an A in law school?
Note that because the first year of law school is graded on a curve, very few students receive A's. So, it is a bit of a different story than undergrad, where professors are not limited in how many A's they can give. The key to getting all A's in law school is not to be the smartest. Nor is it to study 24 hours a day.
Can a 2.5 GPA get you into law school?
So generally, if you're trying to get into the top schools, a GPA below 3.6 will be considered low. But to answer the question what GPA do you need to get into law school, any law school, then the answer is at least a 2.5. That is realistically the lowest GPA you can have to get into law school.
What does the first year of law school look like?
First-year law students generally prepare for exams by creating and studying outlines (lengthy summaries of the course material). The exception is legal writing, a course in which you'll likely have several graded assignments (motions, briefs, etc.) throughout the semester.
What are softs for law school?
Softs refer to everything in your application that isn't "hard" data.
What is the average debt for law students?
The average law school graduate owes $130,000 in student loan debt. 71% of law school students graduate in debt. $119,292 is the average amount students borrow just to attend law school. $92,267 is the average amount borrowed to attend one of the top 10 law schools in terms of salary-to-debt ratio.
How many times can you take the LSAT?
How many times may I take the LSAT? Five times within the current reportable score period (i.e., since June 2019). A total of seven times over a lifetime.
What did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?
Elle Woods, a fictional character portrayed by Reese Witherspoon in the movie Legally Blonde, is known for her remarkable LSAT score—179 out of 180. Portrayed as a stereotypical "valley girl," she embarks on a journey to Harvard Law School in the movie that has since become a cult favorite.
Will a 180 LSAT get you in anywhere?
Here is a breakdown of what counts as a good enough score for law schools based on the school's rank: Top-five law schools: 170 to 180. Schools like Harvard and Yale, which are the top two, rarely accept applicants with less than 172 on the LSAT. Law schools ranked between 5 and 10: 165 to 170.
What LSAT score do I need for Harvard?
So let's take a look at what it actually takes to have a chance of being admitted to the most prestigious and preeminent law school in the world. As you can see from these numbers, an LSAT score of 170 or higher and a GPA above 3.75 will give you a chance of gaining admission to Harvard Law School.
Do law schools count A+?
The LSAC GPA scale is based on the traditional 4.0 scale, but it ranges from 0 to 4.33 to accommodate for A+s. Law schools use the LSAC GPA to evaluate your academic ability and potential success in law school. The higher your LSAC GPA, the more competitive you will be as an applicant.
Will one B ruin a 4.0 GPA in college?
A single 'B' can lower your GPA from a perfect 4.0, but the impact depends on the number of classes you have taken and their credit hours. However, a strong overall academic record with one 'B' is still highly regarded.
Is 3.9 unweighted GPA good?
Is a 3.9 GPA good? Assuming an unweighted GPA, a 3.9 means that you're doing exceptionally well. This GPA indicates that you've earned all As on average across all of your classes. If you've been taking high level classes, this is all the more impressive.