Harvard Law School Magna Cum Laude Forum

[DoubleChecks]

DoubleChecks, where does the 3.95 figure come from? Just an educated guess? The highest I've seen not make it so far is a 3.93 (at least this was one second-hand report here) Any other info?

No real reason. Recall hearing someone mention that during my 3L yr, but nothing to back it up. That being said, 3.96 is so hard to say, even if we had full information of all prior years, it might not help you too much. Your year could be a bit tougher and bam be 3.97. Unless it's historically always been pretty much the exact same number, and that number is like 3.95, I don't know how you'd know for certain :S Sorry.

But your experience will indeed be a very useful data point haha, so go for the DS! jk

[klankenburger]

Thanks. I guess I'll just cross my fingers!

[englawyer]

Yeah, I averaged all three years together, so unless I somehow messed up, the 3.96 should be accurate. Could to know the 3.98/3.99 made it at least. Anyway, thanks for your input. I really don't like how opaque they are about it, but I guess I understand the point.

Good luck to you. I would like to think that 3.96 would get you magna, since I wonder how close to 4 it can be, but that's just sheer speculation. I would be curious to hear the official cut off as well.

You also have to take into account how relatively "generous" the HLS grading scale is. There are a ton of smart people which counteracts the effect, and grades are of course somewhat random, but someone who is at the 70% percentile of every class will get straight H's, and a 4.0. You do not need to ace everything and beat out the entire class every time to get a 4.0.

[breakfastsandwich]

Now that Latin honors are out, any insight into what the cut-off for magna is?

[ryan1888vandy]

Now that Latin honors are out, any insight into what the cut-off for magna is?

3.97 was Magna. Not sure where the cut-off is.

[dm21998]

Really interesting that 3.97 made the cut for magna. I would have thought that it would be higher for sure, like at least 4.05. Especially since I know people who didn't make magna but still landed pretty grade-competitive feeder clerkships. I guess it's always possible that they stopped trying after they landed those clerkships, but seems like a waste to let go of a potential SCOTUS clerkship opportunity like that.

[DoubleChecks]

Really interesting that 3.97 made the cut for magna. I would have thought that it would be higher for sure, like at least 4.05. Especially since I know people who didn't make magna but still landed pretty grade-competitive feeder clerkships. I guess it's always possible that they stopped trying after they landed those clerkships, but seems like a waste to let go of a potential SCOTUS clerkship opportunity like that.

Actually, from this thread and other anecdotal evidence, I think magna cutoff has traditionally been around 3.96-3.97. I do know of cases in prior years where 3.97 GPAs got it, and I THINK 3.96 as well (thinking back haha). I'm also sure it varies yr to yr, but magna is more that range.

If I had a 3.96 (I didn't), I would think I'm on the bubble for magna, in any given year.