Apr 20, 2024  
2012 - 2013 Graduate Catalog 
    
2012 - 2013 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Law: Class Ranks


How we calculate your law gpa

  • Statistically, there is little significant difference in a cumulative grade point average that extends beyond one decimal point.  Therefore, the Law School uses only a rounded gpa as the law cumulative grade point average.  The cumulative GPA reported to a third party by either the Law School or you is that which is rounded from the hundredths place to the tenths place.
  • Examples of rounding: 
    3.05 rounds to 3.1
    3.04 rounds to 3.0
    2.99 rounds to 3.0
  • It is this rounded GPA that is used for rank purposes.

How you are ranked

  • Class ranks are based on the rounded GPA defined above.
  • Because it is difficult to obtain meaningful percentage ranks above 3.6, students holding a GPA of 3.6 or higher will be given a numerical rank. All ranks of 3.5 and lower will be a percentage.  The majority of the class will receive a percentage rather than individual class rank.   In either case, it is conceivable that multiple students will share the same rank.
  • Your first class rank is at the conclusion of one full year of legal study at William & Mary.  Thereafter, you are ranked only at the conclusion of the fall and spring terms (i.e., no re-ranking will occur following a summer term).
  • Your class rank is emailed to your William & Mary email address.  We do not print class ranks on either the unofficial or official transcript.
  • Graduates and, in rare cases, current students may require a statement of class rank.  This is obtained through the Associate Dean for Administration.