Academic Recognition & Grade Representation Policy

Academic Recognition

Students of The George Washington University Law School are not supplied with individual class rankings. However, in lieu of specific rankings, students’ relative academic accomplishments are represented through two scholar designations.

Students in the top 1% to 15% of the class (based on cumulative GPA at the end of each semester) are designated “George Washington Scholars,” and students in the top 16% to 35% of the class (based on cumulative GPA at the end of each semester) are designated “Thurgood Marshall Scholars.”


Grade Representation Policy

There is no requirement that grades be included on student resumes. Students who wish to represent grades on their resumes, however, must do so in one or more of the following ways: (1) by scholar designation, (2) by letter grade, or (3) numerically by GPA. 

Further instructions and examples of how to properly represent your grades in each of these formats is included below.

1.      By scholar designation, for example: “Thurgood Marshall Scholar (Spring 2019)”

Any scholar designation must also include an appropriate date designation.  For example:

  • George Washington Scholar (top 15% of class, as of Spring 2019); or
  • George Washington Scholar (top 1% to 15% of class, as of Spring 2019); or
  • George Washington Scholar (Spring 2019); or
  • George Washington Scholar (as of Spring 2019); or
  • Thurgood Marshall Scholar (top 35% of class, as of Spring 2019); or
  • Thurgood Marshall Scholar (top 16% to 35% of class, as of Spring 2019); or
  • Thurgood Marshall Scholar (as of Spring 2019); or
  • Thurgood Marshall Scholar (Spring 2019).

Students who attain multiple scholar designations over the course of their academic career may indicate their achievement for each semester or as the current cumulative distinction:

  • George Washington Scholar (Fall 2018, Spring 2019); or
  • George Washington Scholar (Fall 2018), Thurgood Marshall Scholar (Spring 2019); or
  • Thurgood Marshall Scholar (top 16% to 35 % of class, as of Spring 2019).

2.      By letter grade, for example: “Maintaining a B+ Average”;

For the purposes of stating a letter grade average, follow the Law School Bulletin letter grade numerical equivalents:

 

A+

= 4.33

 

B+

= 3.33

 

C+

= 2.33

 

D

= 1.0

 

A

= 4.0

 

B

= 3.0

 

C

= 2.0

 

F

= 0

 

A-

= 3.66

 

B-

= 2.66

 

C-

= 1.66

     

 3.      Numerically by GPA, for example: “GPA: 3.006" or “GPA: 3.006/4.333.”

If a student chooses to represent grades by a numerical GPA on the resume, the GPA should be represented to the third decimal to comport with the transcript.

Any student who is found to have misrepresented grades may be guilty of academic dishonesty and subject to sanctions under The George Washington University Law School Code of Academic Integrity.

Students who would like to discuss how to represent their academic recognition or grades on their resume should speak with a counselor in the Career Center at [email protected] or 202.994.7340.


Academic Recognition by Class Year

JD Students

The distinctions of George Washington Scholar or Thurgood Marshall Scholar may be used as appropriate. JD students who would like to discuss how to represent their academic recognition or grades on their resume should speak with a counselor in the Career Center at [email protected] or 202-994-7340.

LLM Students

Class rankings are not determined for LLM students. Those LLM students who would like to display grade information on resumes may indicate grade point averages and/or letter grades.

LLM students who would like to discuss how to represent their academic recognition or grades on their resume should speak with a career counselor in the Graduate and International Programs Office at 202-994-7242.