Fordham Law 1L - Below 50% - Drop out? Forum

[avacado111]

do well next semester and transfer to a tier 3 and hope for a scholly?

[OperaSoprano]

You guys are not helping the OP. IBR is not some kind of horrible ball and chain that forces people to stay in public interest. Fordham will make the first five years of OP's IBR payments if he works for a nonprofit, and after that he can reevaluate what he wants to do. There is also legislation pending that will make non PI loan forgiveness tax free, in keeping with the spirit of the program.

My apologies if that was rambling or incoherent. My first grade just posted.

Good or bad?

pretty sure it's bottom 50%

Silly you. Unlike OP, I have no meaningful anonymity, and I realize that one grade could be a fluke, so I would be wise not to be too happy or pissed off about it. I just want OP to know that he'll be fine. He has two more grades coming this semester, and I, a part time student, have one more. We can celebrate or freak out (whichever it be) once we know the real score.

[metsfan2486]

What is the grade curve distribution at Fordham?

I can't seem to find it anywhere. And the distribution listed on my writing class syllabus seems to be incorrect.

[1Lpanic]

I feel like I made a terrible mistake in coming to Fordham (and probably law school at all). I have really enjoyed law school (minus studying for finals and I wasn't overjoyed writing my long memo), but the fear of repaying the $210k on a 50k salary (if I'm lucky, from what it sounds like) is crushing me. Even on the 25-year IBR plan I will be paying off my loans until I'm 55. Will I ever be able to afford a house or a car? Will I ever have a normal financial life?

I never thought I was guaranteed a job paying 160k or anything like that, but I didn't think my likely only option was a job paying 50k or less (which I could make temping in NYC or in an admin job without the 210k in debt).

If I drop out at the end of this year, I will still need to figure out a way to repay the 70k from the first two semesters. I'm terrified.

I turned down money at WUSTL because I wasn't sure if I could commit myself to living in a place (St Louis or Chicago after school) where I'd never lived and knew no one. Plus, I'd lived in NYC for ten years and built a life here.

I feel like I made the worst decision of my life. Is there any way to fix this?

[1Lpanic]

Approximate Class Standing | Class of 2008 | Class of 2009/10
10% | 3.58 | 3.55
25% | 3.46 | 3.38
33% | 3.39 | 3.31
50% | 3.27 | 3.17

[09042014]

I feel like I made a terrible mistake in coming to Fordham (and probably law school at all). I have really enjoyed law school (minus studying for finals and I wasn't overjoyed writing my long memo), but the fear of repaying the $210k on a 50k salary (if I'm lucky, from what it sounds like) is crushing me. Even on the 25-year IBR plan I will be paying off my loans until I'm 55. Will I ever be able to afford a house or a car? Will I ever have a normal financial life?

I never thought I was guaranteed a job paying 160k or anything like that, but I didn't think my likely only option was a job paying 50k or less (which I could make temping in NYC or in an admin job without the 210k in debt).

If I drop out at the end of this year, I will still need to figure out a way to repay the 70k from the first two semesters. I'm terrified.


I turned down money at WUSTL because I wasn't sure if I could commit myself to living in a place (St Louis or Chicago after school) where I'd never lived and knew no one. Plus, I'd lived in NYC for ten years and built a life here.

I feel like I made the worst decision of my life. Is there any way to fix this?

Have you gotten back your other grades yet?

[Space_Cowboy]

I feel like I made a terrible mistake in coming to Fordham (and probably law school at all). I have really enjoyed law school (minus studying for finals and I wasn't overjoyed writing my long memo), but the fear of repaying the $210k on a 50k salary (if I'm lucky, from what it sounds like) is crushing me. Even on the 25-year IBR plan I will be paying off my loans until I'm 55. Will I ever be able to afford a house or a car? Will I ever have a normal financial life?

I never thought I was guaranteed a job paying 160k or anything like that, but I didn't think my likely only option was a job paying 50k or less (which I could make temping in NYC or in an admin job without the 210k in debt).

If I drop out at the end of this year, I will still need to figure out a way to repay the 70k from the first two semesters. I'm terrified.

I turned down money at WUSTL because I wasn't sure if I could commit myself to living in a place (St Louis or Chicago after school) where I'd never lived and knew no one. Plus, I'd lived in NYC for ten years and built a life here.

I feel like I made the worst decision of my life. Is there any way to fix this?

If you drop out right now, isn't it only $35k?

EDIT: I clearly can't read. You meant academic year and I'm still stuck in 2009.....

[1Lpanic]

I heard that my Contracts professor doesn't get his grade in until February and the new semester starts Monday.

[Space_Cowboy]

I heard that my Contracts professor doesn't get his grade in until February and the new semester starts Monday.

Hmm.... That is a damn good way to prevent people from dropping out after a semester.

[ZXCVBNM]

Approximate Class Standing | Class of 2008 | Class of 2009/10
10% | 3.58 | 3.55
25% | 3.46 | 3.38
33% | 3.39 | 3.31
50% | 3.27 | 3.17

I'm also at Fordham...where did you find this? Also do you know the curve break down for 1L classes? What % get A's, A-, etc...

Also, don't freak out. Law school is a marathon. Even if you get the rest B's (which you might have done better) you have 5 semesters to do better. OCI is tough right now anyway so most students will be interviewing into their third year and after graduation. If you really want to be a lawyer then stick it out and you'll be telling your kids the story of how you didn't do well first semester, thought about dropping out, and then did much better. At the very least you should finish the year....IMO.

[1Lpanic]

Do employers even look at your grades after the first year? Is class ranking at graduation only based on first-year grades?

If I get a 3.0 my 1L year and stick it out, will it help me at all if I do much better my second and third years, or are those grades pretty irrelevant?

I know with a 3.0 I am out for OCI.

[Space_Cowboy]

Do employers even look at your grades after the first year? Is class ranking at graduation only based on first-year grades?

If I get a 3.0 my 1L year and stick it out, will it help me at all if I do much better my second and third years, or are those grades pretty irrelevant?

I know with a 3.0 I am out for OCI.

If 2L SAs are drying up, I imagine 3L OCI (2 years of grades) will be a bigger draw.

[ZXCVBNM]

Employers will look at ALL grades to date with a possible emphasis on first year grades...but an upward trend is good. Also, take a deep breathe and wait for the other grades. A 'B' is not bad....most people get it. You can easily clmb into the top half of the class (or higher) second semester.

[1Lpanic]

I'm definitely waiting for my other grades (and probably at least finishing the year at this point since classes begin Monday) but I'm pretty sure they are in the 3.0 range or worse (legal writing I probably got a B - my short memo was a B and I don't think my long memo improved dramatically. My LW professor was not all that helpful). My K class and Crim exams just really did not feel good afterwards.

I'm really starting to think about Plan B for my life, and figuring out what kind of job I'll have to do immediately in order to start paying back the 70k if I feel I have to drop out because of my grades, and what else I can do with my career. It's really hard.

[ZXCVBNM]

OS....do you know the curve at fordham for classes....what % get each grade? I can't find it anywhere. Also, I can't believe I haven't met you yet. I'm also in evening division but in Section 9/10.

[ZXCVBNM]

I'm definitely waiting for my other grades (and probably at least finishing the year at this point since classes begin Monday) but I'm pretty sure they are in the 3.0 range or worse (legal writing I probably got a B - my short memo was a B and I don't think my long memo improved dramatically. My LW professor was not all that helpful). My K class and Crim exams just really did not feel good afterwards.

I'm really starting to think about Plan B for my life, and figuring out what kind of job I'll have to do immediately in order to start paying back the 70k if I feel I have to drop out because of my grades, and what else I can do with my career. It's really hard.

A friend of mine told me you should be worried when you think you did well on an exam and when you think you did poorly very often you actually did better.

[ZXCVBNM]

Approximate Class Standing | Class of 2008 | Class of 2009/10
10% | 3.58 | 3.55
25% | 3.46 | 3.38
33% | 3.39 | 3.31
50% | 3.27 | 3.17

1L, where did you find this?

[1Lpanic]

Approximate Class Standing | Class of 2008 | Class of 2009/10
10% | 3.58 | 3.55
25% | 3.46 | 3.38
33% | 3.39 | 3.31
50% | 3.27 | 3.17

1L, where did you find this?

http://law.fordham.edu/career-planning/1416.htm

Here is an updated version:

Approximate Class Standing Class of 2010 Class of 2011/12
10% 3.61 3.57
25% 3.44 3.38
33% 3.38 3.31
50% 3.27 3.19


So if I get a 3.0 it will be pretty bad.

[ZXCVBNM]

THanks....you still have 6 grades left....don't worry yet. Median or close to it is not bad at Fordham. There are 7 schools ranked lower in NYC area and most will finish at median or below by definition.

[1Lpanic]

I'll report back when I get my other grades, although I don't think we get our LW grade until the Spring.

Please wish/pray/whatever for B+s for me!

[OperaSoprano]

THanks....you still have 6 grades left....don't worry yet. Median or close to it is not bad at Fordham. There are 7 schools ranked lower in NYC area and most will finish at median or below by definition.

This. You are going to be okay. I can't list my first grade because I have no meaningful anonymity, but I freaked out too. What this curve tells us is that grades are tightly clustered around B/B+ with few outliers. Most people in your section have Bs or B+s, and at least a few have B-s.

ZXCVBNM, do I know you? I am in section 12.

OP, you will get your B+s. Statistically, it is quite likely to happen. You may even get A-s or As, though I don't know how many there are.

[1Lpanic]

I hope so. I really don't know how I'll deal if the remaining two grades this semester are B-s.

[OperaSoprano]

I hope so. I really don't know how I'll deal if the remaining two grades this semester are B-s.

I feel awful that you, a classmate of mine, are worrying like this. I don't know whether I know you or not; such is the size of our school. It is highly unlikely that you will get a pair of B-s. I could get Rayiner to come up with a statistical model telling you just how unlikely it is, but hopefully you will take my word for it, since I pestered him quite enough already.

You go to a school full of amazing people, and they will be there for you if you need them.

[solidsnake]

God, your relentless optimism is so obnoxious. Why did you go to law school, anyway? Aren't you more of an MBA/marketing type?

[OperaSoprano]

God, your relentless optimism is so obnoxious. Why did you go to law school, anyway? Aren't you more of an MBA/marketing type?

No, I'm more of an MSW type. Why do you ask?