Mandatory Curve on ALL Classes - Prospective FLS 1Ls READ Forum

[Fordham2L]

Hi,

I'm a current 2L at Fordham. Last week we found out that all classes (not just 1L classes) will be curved starting fall of 2014.

Why haven't you heard about it?

The administration may be waiting for deposit deadlines to pass for your class before announcing an unpopular policy.

What does that mean for you?

You've probably heard of all the 1L horror stories about The Curve. Grades seem arbitrary, you're stressing out about competeing with your classmates, everyone goes a little nuts towards exam time. That's all true, to an extent, though my classmates were great.

But after 1L, you're able to take smaller non-curved seminar classes where you can focus on learning, not on beating your classmates so you can beat the odds (quite literally) to compete with your classmates at OCI. Not anymore. All classes with over FOUR people will be curved come fall.

Why does this matter?

Because at least 70% of you will not get A's in your 1L classes (because of the curve) with a curve on all classes, you'll have less hope to improve your GPA in order to compete for jobs for your next two years. Also, as if competing with NYU and Columbia kids isn't hard enough, their GPAs will be naturally higher, because they don't have a policy like this.

We thought you deserved to know before making a decision to come to Fordham. I suggest you reach out to the school for more information before sending in your deposit. This policy WILL make it harder for you to get a job.

[luuma]

Wow! Thank you SO much for providing this. As I'm still deciding, and Fordham is one of the schools on my list. What is their reasoning behind it? Jeez this is crazy...

[sublime]

..

[UVAIce]

Welcome to the rest of the pack. There is no real "1L curve" at UVA because all classes are subject to the B+ curve. The only respite we've received is that non-core (1L) classes give the professor the discretion to to curve the class to the mean GPA of the student body if it is higher than a 3.3.

I thought NYU and Columbia continue to have a curve 2L and 3L, it just happens to be more forgiving. I know this is the case at Berk and a few other schools.

[Fordham2L]

I believe NYU and/or Columbia curve for classes over 28 people. Many upper level courses, as you know, have far less. At any rate, a curve for a class of 4 is ridiculous.

[LexLeon]

I believe NYU and/or Columbia curve for classes over 28 people. Many upper level courses, as you know, have far less. At any rate, a curve for a class of 4 is ridiculous.

I agree that a mandatory curve for a class of four is ridiculous.

However, how can it be any more ridiculous than a mandatory curve for a class of a larger number? At what number of students is imposing such a curve no longer ridiculous, and why?

[rinkrat19]

I believe NYU and/or Columbia curve for classes over 28 people. Many upper level courses, as you know, have far less. At any rate, a curve for a class of 4 is ridiculous.

I agree that a mandatory curve for a class of four is ridiculous.

However, how can it be any more ridiculous than a mandatory curve for a class of a larger number? At what number of students is imposing such a curve no longer ridiculous, and why?

Sample size, duh. The larger the group is, the more likely the students genuinely fall on a bell curve. If you have a class of 10, it's perfectly reasonable to think that most or all of those 10 might deserve an A. But in a group of 50, it's much less likely.

Northwestern has a mandatory curve for classes over 40, and only a couple of professors who curve when it's not mandatory.

[turtles]

Law School Acceptances, Denials, and Waitlists

[Hipster but Athletic]

This is dumb. Curves are nice, especially once transfers come to your school. Also they ensure you don't do worse than a B+ if you have any idea what's going on. Why you think a policy that basically makes 1L grades the end all be all is a good idea, I have no idea. In such a policy, once you've established rank, everyone getting A's for 2L and 3L will not allow upward mobility. But thanks whistleblower guy!!!