What percent of self described "top of the class" lying Forum

[09042014]

I think it's gotta be like 50% of self described.

[mx23250]

I think it's gotta be like 50% of self described.

Yeah, probably at least that.

Part of it may be due to the ambiguity of what "top of the class" means and how much students exaggerate their standing. Is it just the #1 person in the entire class? Or top 1%? or top 5? or top 10%? I'm sure some people in the top 20% would even consider themselves as being at the "top of the class".

[bjsesq]

Top 10% of people not in the Top 10%?

[Dredd_2017]

I think it's gotta be like 50% of self described.

Yeah, probably at least that.
Part of it may be due to the ambiguity of what "top of the class" means and how much students exaggerate their standing. Is it just the #1 person in the entire class? Or top 1%? or top 5? or top 10%? I'm sure some people in the top 20% would even consider themselves as being at the "top of the class".

0L with a followup question, isn't it poor form to say you're "Top of the Class" unless explicitly asked? Wouldn't "I'm doing well" be a more appropriate response to a question about your grades?

On that note, I assume grades are similar to salary in that asking acquaintances or people you only tangentially know would be seen as intrusive / rude unless they volunteered it. What can you possibly say instead of "That's great" or "Keep your chin up." Obviously it's different for friends who you want to congratulate or support depending on the result.

[pertristis]

Depends on the law school.

[rayiner]

Top 10% of people not in the Top 10%?

[09042014]

Top 10% of people not in the Top 10%?

The JCLC Story

[jumpin munkey]

I actually don't think the meaning of "top of the class" depends on the law school. Top 20% at Harvard is more difficult to get than a single digit rank at some really bad schools, but the latter is obviously top of the class and the former isn't.

ETA: My personal impression is that when someone on TLS (in like the clerkship or transfer forums) says that they are "top of the class," my immediate mental impression is around top 5%.

[IAFG]

Top 10% of people not in the Top 10%?

The JCLC Story

dead.

[IAFG]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

[bjsesq]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

That's actually a medical condition called Deep Vein Strombosis

[bk1]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

That's actually a medical condition called Deep Vein Strombosis

[09042014]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

That's actually a medical condition called Deep Vein Strombosis

I do not understand

[09042014]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

That's actually a medical condition called Deep Vein Strombosis

I do not understand

LOL

[IAFG]

I do not understand

and they said literacy was required for litigation

[09042014]

I do not understand

and they said literacy was required for litigation

They have a HLS grad check my work for me.

(not lying)

[bjsesq]

LOL

The post where you caught it made me lose my shit.

[northwood]

0L with a followup question, isn't it poor form to say you're "Top of the Class" unless explicitly asked? Wouldn't "I'm doing well" be a more appropriate response to a question about your grades?

On that note, I assume grades are similar to salary in that asking acquaintances or people you only tangentially know would be seen as intrusive / rude unless they volunteered it. What can you possibly say instead of "That's great" or "Keep your chin up." Obviously it's different for friends who you want to congratulate or support depending on the result.

Rule of thumb: if you think its poor form to say something, it probably is.

Would you just go around bragging about how much money you make to someone? Even if randomly asked?Law school grades are like that.

[Georgia Avenue]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

That's actually a medical condition called Deep Vein Strombosis

holy shit

[rad lulz]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

That's actually a medical condition called Deep Vein Strombosis

I don't get it

[rayiner]

I do not understand

and they said literacy was required for litigation

It took me a couple of tries too...

[Georgia Avenue]

worse still, people with good grades lying that they have even better grades

why

That's actually a medical condition called Deep Vein Strombosis

I don't get it

northwestern joke afaik

[Mal Reynolds]

I think it's gotta be like 50% of self described.

Yeah, probably at least that.

Part of it may be due to the ambiguity of what "top of the class" means and how much students exaggerate their standing. Is it just the #1 person in the entire class? Or top 1%? or top 5? or top 10%? I'm sure some people in the top 20% would even consider themselves as being at the "top of the class".

Aren't you a 0L? Why are you answering these questions.

[First Offense]

I think it's gotta be like 50% of self described.

Yeah, probably at least that.
Part of it may be due to the ambiguity of what "top of the class" means and how much students exaggerate their standing. Is it just the #1 person in the entire class? Or top 1%? or top 5? or top 10%? I'm sure some people in the top 20% would even consider themselves as being at the "top of the class".

0L with a followup question, isn't it poor form to say you're "Top of the Class" unless explicitly asked? Wouldn't "I'm doing well" be a more appropriate response to a question about your grades?

On that note, I assume grades are similar to salary in that asking acquaintances or people you only tangentially know would be seen as intrusive / rude unless they volunteered it. What can you possibly say instead of "That's great" or "Keep your chin up." Obviously it's different for friends who you want to congratulate or support depending on the result.

Don't mention specific grades except with VERY close friends, preferably in another section. Just be vague unless asked directly, and then be as vague as possible while not being awkward. "I did well/okay/could've done better" is about as specific as I'll get with any but the truest of bros. Depending on where you go, this should get drilled into your head throughout 1L until grades. It just sucks because the person bragging about how well they did tends to not realize that their success came at the direct expense of someone else. Bragging about how you got an A in torts to someone who got a B- is kind of shitty.

[Mal Reynolds]

I think it's gotta be like 50% of self described.

Yeah, probably at least that.
Part of it may be due to the ambiguity of what "top of the class" means and how much students exaggerate their standing. Is it just the #1 person in the entire class? Or top 1%? or top 5? or top 10%? I'm sure some people in the top 20% would even consider themselves as being at the "top of the class".

0L with a followup question, isn't it poor form to say you're "Top of the Class" unless explicitly asked? Wouldn't "I'm doing well" be a more appropriate response to a question about your grades?

On that note, I assume grades are similar to salary in that asking acquaintances or people you only tangentially know would be seen as intrusive / rude unless they volunteered it. What can you possibly say instead of "That's great" or "Keep your chin up." Obviously it's different for friends who you want to congratulate or support depending on the result.

Don't mention specific grades except with VERY close friends, preferably in another section. Just be vague unless asked directly, and then be as vague as possible while not being awkward. "I did well/okay/could've done better" is about as specific as I'll get with any but the truest of bros. Depending on where you go, this should get drilled into your head throughout 1L until grades. It just sucks because the person bragging about how well they did tends to not realize that their success came at the direct expense of someone else. Bragging about how you got an A in torts to someone who got a B- is kind of shitty.

And yet, here you are.

Some do and some don't. All 3 of my substantive classes have midterms, and none of them are graded or count for anything. Apparently we're going to discuss them in class. I WANT A CURVED GRADE SO BAD. The uncertainty is killing me. (Although I think that's the point.)

My Torts midterm was curved. I did well on it (actually an A+, which is cool), but at the same time I wish it wasn't graded. My section has gotten weird trying to find out who got what since then. Meanwhile I'm the guy in the back, quietly gunning my way to law review.