C exams at T14? Forum

[AZ123]

From what I understand, it's pretty rare to get a C or C+ at a T14. Are C's usually reserved for exams that show absolutely zero effort or understanding? Like people who didn't even study? Or is it possible to get a C from a good faith exam effort? Sorry if this is a dumb question, but I'm legitimately curious. Looking for anecdotes or other info.

[White Dwarf]

I've only heard of two instances at Columbia where professors have given out Cs. I don't know any of the details, though (other than the fact that both professors involved are kinda spazzy).

The general consensus here is that as long as you are semi-coherent, you'll get a B (or at worst, a B-). Professors at other T14 schools may be more willing to dip below a B, though.

[BmoreOrLess]

Depends on the professor, but it happens (along with D's) at GULC. In most cases it's one seemingly terrible exam in the class, but I did have one particuarly satanic professor give at least 7 C+'s or lower in a 110 person class. (Stevenson for those that care).

[TheSpanishMain]

I've seen it happen at GULC too, but it's really, really rare. Obviously I don't know the particulars (you can just see the grade distribution after exams are over) but I would assume you'd have to show literally zero understanding.

[nealric]

I had a visiting professor at GULC give out an F to someone. No idea what the circumstances were (just saw it on the grade distribution posted on line). But generally speaking, I imagine exams that got below a B- must have been truly awful.

[cba4321]

The above posts miss the point. Cs are handed out at T14 schools virtually every year, especially to 1Ls. Unless it happens repeatedly, I wouldn't read into a C any more than that student simply having had a bad day. Some exceptional students (yes, those who put in a genuine good faith effort) and attorneys have an initial challenge. They are usually better for it. Leave it at that.

[cavalier1138]

The above posts miss the point. Cs are handed out at T14 schools virtually every year, especially to 1Ls. Unless it happens repeatedly, I wouldn't read into a C any more than that student simply having had a bad day. Some exceptional students (yes, those who put in a genuine good faith effort) and attorneys have an initial challenge. They are usually better for it. Leave it at that.

This is not true at most T14 schools. Cs are usually discretionary grades that professors only hand out for exams that were far enough off the curve (without being complete dumpster fires) that to give them a B would be unfair to the pack of students who got stuck with Bs by virtue of the median game.

[trebekismyhero]

The above posts miss the point. Cs are handed out at T14 schools virtually every year, especially to 1Ls. Unless it happens repeatedly, I wouldn't read into a C any more than that student simply having had a bad day. Some exceptional students (yes, those who put in a genuine good faith effort) and attorneys have an initial challenge. They are usually better for it. Leave it at that.

This is not true at most T14 schools. Cs are usually discretionary grades that professors only hand out for exams that were far enough off the curve (without being complete dumpster fires) that to give them a B would be unfair to the pack of students who got stuck with Bs by virtue of the median game.

Yeah, if I came across a transcript that had a C on it during OCI or callbacks I would lean towards it being an auto-ding unless they had really good reason. Bs happen and even B-s do. But a C, esp at a t14 means you either have the worst professor or more likely you put little to no effort into preparing for the exam.

[BigZuck]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

[Mullens]

A couple 1L professors will give them out at Northwestern (they're discretionary) if you're very far below the rest of the curve

[nealric]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

The T14 has nothing to do with USNWR. There is no such thing as an occasional T14.

[BigZuck]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

The T14 has nothing to do with USNWR. There is no such thing as an occasional T14.

o rly?

I know I'm tarless but 10K posts over here broseph, come on

[AZ123]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

The T14 has nothing to do with USNWR. There is no such thing as an occasional T14.

o rly?

I know I'm tarless but 10K posts over here broseph, come on

I only chose the T14 distinction since T14s generally have a 3.3 curve. Anecdotes from other schools with similar curves still answer my question.

[BigZuck]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

The T14 has nothing to do with USNWR. There is no such thing as an occasional T14.

o rly?

I know I'm tarless but 10K posts over here broseph, come on

I only chose the T14 distinction since T14s generally have a 3.3 curve. Anecdotes from other schools with similar curves still answer my question.

UT is willy nilly with the F's though (also a 3.3 curve). It sounds like there is a marked difference between T14 and below when it comes to joyfully giving people career ruining grades.

[crumb cake]

.

[dabigchina]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

The T14 has nothing to do with USNWR. There is no such thing as an occasional T14.

o rly?

I know I'm tarless but 10K posts over here broseph, come on

come on man. don't give up on the T15 so easily

[cavalier1138]

Heard of Ds at NU.

I've heard of Ds at NYU as well, but you have to basically write, "All work and no play makes Johnny a dull boy," for every answer.

[nealric]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

The T14 has nothing to do with USNWR. There is no such thing as an occasional T14.

o rly?

I know I'm tarless but 10K posts over here broseph, come on

The top schools are the top schools regardless of what some moribund magazine has to say. If you want to make it 10 or 20, doesn't matter to me one bit.

[BigZuck]

There's almost always at least one sacrificial F on each curve at UT. C or lower is like 10% of the class or something. But UT is only occasionally a T14 so not really relevant to this thread.

The T14 has nothing to do with USNWR. There is no such thing as an occasional T14.

o rly?

I know I'm tarless but 10K posts over here broseph, come on

The top schools are the top schools regardless of what some moribund magazine has to say. If you want to make it 10 or 20, doesn't matter to me one bit.

[+] Spoiler

That's the joke

[Voyager]

I don't know what it would take to get a C at Columbia.

Average student gets a B+.

If you only understand the basic concepts and catch only a few of the issues in a ham fisted way, you get a B

If you write what amounts to legal nonsense with some reference to class material you get a B- (I did that once! not my finest hour...)

A "C"? Maybe also embark on semester long effort to antagonize the professor? I don't know.

It's not going to happen to you. But don't worry, B- is embarrassing enough as it is...

[browniestasty]

I know someone that literally didn't hand in a final paper (supposedly 25% of grade) and still got a B-. It's really really hard to get a C in T14 law schools (with inflated curves and all). You have to try really really hard.

Only ways I've seen it happen:
Multiple Choice exam and you basically score no better than random selection.
Missing classes in a seminar class where attendance/participation is explicitly large part of the grade
Not handing in assignments at all

[20171203]

.

[BigZuck]

One of my professors gave 6 Cs (not even C+s) last semester. 1L at GULC

I think this discussion is limited to top law schools

[GreenEggs]

Obviously depends on the school, but at CLS you must do something pretty egregious to get a C+ or below

[dabigchina]

Obviously depends on the school, but at CLS you must do something pretty egregious to get a C+ or below

doesn't Krause give out a couple every year? also, that horrible crim teacher that I can't seem to remember at the moment.