Hey,

I am planning to do an LLM in either the US or UK next year. However, as I am planning to apply for some of top law schools, I am a bit concerned about one of my grades. In Norway we have a mandatory course named Examen Facultatum which everyone one has to pass in order to get the bachelor degree. The course is a 10 ECTS and functions as an introductory course within philosophy and scientific method. Althoguh we are given grades in this course, no one actually cares, not even the university itself. Due to this I did not put down any effort and recieved a very low grade on the exam. This is of no problem in Norway but I am worried this does not look good when applying to top schools in the US and UK. Does anyone have any idea if the admission centre will put much emphasis on this? Is it possible to explain the status of the course in Norway and that that is the reason for the low grade and will such explenation even matter?

Please give me some advice on this matter.

Best regards from Norway

Hey, this is the same answer I posted on the United Kingdom - Ireland forum

Well I have one question for you? Does that grade appears somewhere in your academic transcripts? Does it appear in your diploma or mentions something about it?

If it doesnt then dont send any copies of that cause it might affect you of course. Its not like you are being dishonest, I just thinkg that if it is something that its not part of your transcripts then dont send copies of it.

However, if it this score appears on your transcripts or diploma then in your personal statement you can give a very brief explanation stating why you got that grade and how your system works in Norway. But be brief just provide the essential information and I think you ll be fine. If your grades were fine and this is the only score that its low then i dont think it affect you very much.

Good luck colleague from Norway :O)

Thanks for the response Pucca!

Unfortunately, the grade do apppear on the transcripts. Do you know if it is possible to enclose an addendum to the transcripts describing the grade system etc? Maybe this varies from school to school, but if so there is the possibility that I can describe the status there perhaps...?

It's so damn irritating if that grade, which is of no importance in Norway, could destroy my chances at any uni! :)

Appreciate any further inputs!