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Academic Recognition & Grade Representation Policy

Class Rank and Transcript Designations

JD students whose cumulative GPA places them in the top portion of the class at the end of any semester will receive a transcript designation reflecting their standing.

Transcript notations will appear as follows:

  • Jurisprudence Scholar – Top 1% of the class to date
  • Distinguished Scholar – Top 5% of the class to date
  • Capital Scholar – Top 10% of the class to date
  • Professorial Scholar – Top 25% of the class to date
  • Gavel Scholar – Top 40% of the class to date

Grade Representation on Resumes

Students are not required to include grades on their resumes. However, those who choose to do so must represent them in one or more of the following approved formats:

By Scholar Designation

  1. Scholar honors may be listed using the official title and must include the semester and year. Examples:
    1. Jurisprudence Scholar (top 1% of class, as of Fall 2024)
    2. Distinguished Scholar (top 5% of class, as of Fall 2024)
    3. Capital Scholar (top 10% of class, as of Fall 2024)
  2. Students with multiple honors may list them separately or cumulatively. Examples:
    1. Jurisprudence Scholar (Fall 2024, Spring 2025)
    2. Jurisprudence Scholar (Fall 2024); Distinguished Scholar (Spring 2025)
    3. Jurisprudence Scholar (top 1%, Fall 2024); Distinguished Scholar (top 5%, Spring 2025)

By GPA

  1. Students may list their GPA as it appears on the transcript, reported to the third decimal. Acceptable formats include:
    1. GPA: 3.006
    2. GPA: 3.006 / 4.333

*For purposes of class rank calculation, first-semester 1L grades are weighted at 50%.
* Effective fall 2024