I'm a little frustrated trying to figure out how American grade point averages translate into English assessment standards. (Suppose, hypothetically, that I have grades around a 3.5 (top 15% of class) in my JD program and a 3.95 in my masters program.)

Also, I'm a little confused about university rankings between the two countries. If a UK university states that applicants should have a degree in law from a "First Class . . . or a very good Second Class university," does that translate, roughly to the USNews first tier/second tier distinction??

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

I posted a reply up ages ago to a similar question (can't be bothered to find it - it's on this board under my name) this is what I said:

"A First Class paper is one that is graded 70%+. The Second Class runs from 50% - 60%, but there is a cleavage between the 'Upper' Second Class (60%+) and the 'Lower' Second Class (50%+). So a '2.1' is an Upper Second and a '2.2' is a Lower Second. A Third is anything below 50%.

Firsts are very difficult to achieve. You will hear many people in the UK saying things like 'Strong 2.1', or 'Good 2.1'. That means that they will have been awarded a cluster of marks in 65%+ region.

A 2.1 is the most common mark, and the low numbers of students attaining Firsts or 2.2s has led to charges against universities of grade inflation and/or poor differentiation between able students. But the reason why so many people get 2.1s is that, realistically, you need a 2.1 for a decent job."

***
Hope that helps! Can't provide a precise equivalency between UK and US system. You sound like you're a 1st/high 2.1 equivalent.

Unsure about first class/second class university. Probably first class if the admissions tutor has heard of it.