Etiquette of discussing grades? Forum

[thrillerjesus]

I'm a 1L at a not-particularly awesome school, LSAT was significantly higher than the median for the entering class. We just got grades for our first midterm today. My exam was the top grade in the section, and the prof posted it online as an example of a strong answer. It's all anonymous, but people are openly speculating about who wrote it (probably just because it's our first grade), and as part of that, I have been asked by several people both about my guess as to the author, and also asked what my grade was.

I've asked enough good questions in class so that professors know my name and know that I'm on top of things (going to try to transfer so I need to establish those LOR relationships), but I definitely don't act like a gunner. Even so, a few people have explicitly asked me if I got the top grade. It seems like just saying 'I don't discuss grades" to people I'm friends with is kind of douchy, but it would feel like bragging to answer honestly. Is there a good option here?

[NonTradHealthLaw]

"I did well but need to work harder next time" is both true and vague.

[inchoate_con]

"I'm pleased with my performance." A few asswipes from my section posted their results on Facebook...unbelievably gauche.

[let/them/eat/cake]

"I did well."

or you could just tell one person with whom you're close and trust that it will get out (it's law school, so it will) and so you won't have to keep answering inquiries about it.

[thrillerjesus]

"I did well."

or you could just tell one person with whom you're close and trust that it will get out (it's law school, so it will) and so you won't have to keep answering inquiries about it.

I'll probably go with option 1, unless it goes on for more than a couple days. Then it'll be option 2.

[saucie]

Your classmates should understand that you don't want to share. You should tell them from the start that you don't discuss grades so you won't be asked again after finals. You may think it's douchey because you did well, but I bet you wouldn't think not sharing was douchey if you'd bombed it.

[Pizon]

Just be like, "I don't think that was a real student's answer. There's no way one of us could have produced that masterpiece."

[12262010]

"I'm pleased with my performance." A few asswipes from my section posted their results on Facebook...unbelievably gauche.

we had someone do this. classy.

[dood]

...

[dood]

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[12262010]

"I'm pleased with my performance." A few asswipes from my section posted their results on Facebook...unbelievably gauche.

we had someone do this. classy.

i have FB friends who poasted "[insert name of V10 firm here]!!" as their FB status.

aspie fucks.

[kswiss]

This same situation happened to me last week. We got our midterms back and immediately everyone started getting into groups.

I felt like a social outcast. I didn't want to talk about it because anytime I did, people would ask me how I did. Everyone was talking about the arbitrariness of the grading and trying to figure out why they got the grade they did.

I actually left the law school for the immediate aftermath... I couldn't run into anyone without them asking about it. The next day it wasn't so bad. Now, a week or so later, no one talks about it.

One dude saw my test right when I opened it and got the score, and later was ribbing me about it in a common area of the law school. I had to tell him to quiet down. He didn't understand why I wouldn't want to tell everyone. I was like: "I don't want all of these people gunning for me."

People are competitive enough as it is, no need to present yourself as a target.

I can't imagine what 2nd semester might be like at the top of the class. Does everyone know, or do you just have to constantly skirt the issue?

[rayiner]

It's fine if you just STFU. Really, no one cares. Just don't be a dick.

[Lawl Shcool]

I was in a similar situation as OP in a couple classes throughout 1L and just never asked anyone else about grades or ever talked about them. I would always just say i did "well" or "ok" and most of the time people would stop asking but if they further inquired I would just tell them what I got. I also thought rankings were posted publicly until after 1st semester so I figured everyone would know about grades anyways. FWIW they don't publicly post rankings.

[abudaba]

Out of curiosity what is the reason to avoid being known as someone who preforms well? I had gotten one of the top scores on a midterm and was discrete (only told 1 close friend) because I dont wanna be a d-bag about it but I cant say I would mind if others were aware I did well...

Is it the expectation that you get shunned by the 99% who didnt do as well? Personally I kinda want to know who is at the top cause they could be helpful to talk to and shoot hypos around with... or is that the issue - everyone might want you to help them preform like you did?

Flame on - be easy on me tho, its an honest (albeit perhaps a naive) question.

[Gamecubesupreme]

If you guys really don't want people gunning for you, just act like an idiot in class every time you're called on.

That way, no one will ever suspect you being a top student.

[d34d9823]

Out of curiosity what is the reason to avoid being known as someone who preforms well? I had gotten one of the top scores on a midterm and was discrete (only told 1 close friend) because I dont wanna be a d-bag about it but I cant say I would mind if others were aware I did well...

Is it the expectation that you get shunned by the 99% who didnt do as well? Personally I kinda want to know who is at the top cause they could be helpful to talk to and shoot hypos around with... or is that the issue - everyone might want you to help them preform like you did?

Flame on - be easy on me tho, its an honest (albeit perhaps a naive) question.

IMO people are just obsessing.

Nothing wrong with keeping your mouth shut. Nothing wrong with telling people if they ask. It's only douchey if you broadcast it.

[joobacca]

I'm pretty straightforward about it. It works for me. I just say my grade, and my grades range from C to A. I demand that the other mother fucker tell me what he/she got though.

[go4hls]

Just be like, "I don't think that was a real student's answer. There's no way one of us could have produced that masterpiece."

LOL. TITCR.

[LoriBelle]

Etiquette of discussing grades? In a word, don't.

What to say when people ask you? "I don't like to talk about my grades." Say it with a sad face and let people assume you aren't doing well if you want, but don't lie outright.

[frost]

Etiquette of discussing grades? In a word, don't.

+1. Especially not in the situation that OP is posting about, when the class is just hunting down the top grader.

[bmontminy]

If someone asks you your grade just tell em. If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked. I understand not wanted to sound like a tool, so don't go around bragging about it, but i someone asks you there is nothing wrong with telling them. I never understood this 'never talk about grades thing,' and my section has been pretty open about everything we have had returned with anything resembling a grade so far.

[Grad_Student]

"A+"

[12262010]

If someone asks you your grade just tell em. If they didn't want to know, they shouldn't have asked. I understand not wanted to sound like a tool, so don't go around bragging about it, but i someone asks you there is nothing wrong with telling them. I never understood this 'never talk about grades thing,' and my section has been pretty open about everything we have had returned with anything resembling a grade so far.

idk, we had this neurotic asshole going around making everyone uncomfortable.

[Bankhead]

I talked about grades with my friends. It's not a big deal either way, so long as you're not arrogant about it. Really, we all asked each other as soon as the grades came out -- it just wasn't a big deal. My friends and I even showed each other exams, in the hope that we could improve as a result.

I sensed a huge disconnect between the TLS "ZOMG keep it a secret" and what actually occured at my school. As long as you can be mature, it is not a faux pas to mention grades. People ended up knowing my grades as a result of some loose lips, but I don't think it really mattered, no one that I cared about resented me for it.