AboutSally A. Kane Expertise As a recent law school graduate who excelled in law school, I can answer questions regarding the law school experience including preparing for and applying to law school, excelling in law school, law review, legal writing tips, the law school curriculum, exam success, financing law school, balancing work and school, clerkships and externships, job interviewing and more. I do not answer homework questions.
Experience I have thirteen years’ experience in the legal field, ten as a litigation paralegal and three as a corporate attorney. During law school, I juggled many priorities including a full time job, law school and a newborn baby. In law school I served as a law review editor, wrote for student publications and completed two externships, one with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and one with the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Publications I have published law and career related articles in a variety of publications including Legal Assistant Today, The Legal Intelligencer, Juris and The Journal of Legal Nurse Consulting.
Education/Credentials I possess a B.A. in Writing from Edinboro University, a Paralegal Certificate from Duquesne University and a J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law.
Question Hi-- I have heard from some students that certain law schools cut a certain percentage of their first year class and do not allow them to become 2L's. (i.e. the bottom 30%)How common is this? Do you know what schools practice this?
Thanks much!
Answer Dear Elaine,
I am not aware of this practice. Many law schools have an academic probation policy in which students whose grade point average falls below a certain level are placed on academic probation. Students are generally given notice of their probationary status and granted a time period (such as one semester) to regain good academic standing. Failure to regain good academic standing within the prescribed time period usually results in permanent dismissal from the law school.
