Content start here
Hero Background Image

Class Rank & Grading - Juris Doctor (JD)

USC Gould School of Law

To foster the collegial and communal atmosphere for which USC Gould is known, we do not assign individual class rankings to our students. We do, however, publish the grade point average cutoff for the top 10 percent of each class. Students graduating in the top 10 percent of their class β€” who complete at least 66 units of law studies in graded courses β€” become members in the national honorary legal scholastic societyΒ Order of the Coif.

We use an alphanumeric grading system that allows more nuance than a standard letter-grade system. Numerical grades range from 4.4 (highest) to 1.9 (lowest). A student receiving an A+ might earn a numerical grade of 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, for instance.

Because our admissions process is so rigorous and our student body so strong academically, USC Gould has adopted a curve that is flexible and that encourages students to take a wide variety of courses based on their interests rather than incentivizing them to try to earn an "easy" grade. This results in our students competing with themselves to achieve their personal best rather than competing with classmates to remain in the program.

Next Steps

Apply Now
placeholder image alternative text
Apply Now
Start the online application process.
Take a Tour
placeholder image alternative text
Take a Tour
Come experience life at USC Gould.
Visit Us
placeholder image alternative text
Visit Us
Sit in on a real class session.
Request More Information
placeholder image alternative text
Request More Information
Download or request our viewbook
Check Application Status
placeholder image alternative text
Check Application Status
Check your application status online.
Meet Student Ambassadors
placeholder image alternative text
Meet Student Ambassadors
Meet your JD student ambassadors.
Admitted Students Portal
placeholder image alternative text
Admitted Students Portal
Log in to our admitted students portal.
Contact Us
placeholder image alternative text
Contact Us
Still have questions? Let us help.