I think you're right. In general, I believe that "assez bien" is awarded to the top 15%. At Paris 2, it would be even higher though, since it is given at 13/20 and not 12/20 (If I'm not mistaken). In France, there is a huge difference between a 10/20 and a 12-13/20. Let's hope the US schools see that...

My university required 13 to get assez bien too. But I'm not quite sure that American universities give much value to a GPA of 14 something, particularly when funding and scholarship are requested.

I think US schools, at least the decent ones, have some vague idea that French schools grade severely. I don't know to what extent, however. To get a 80% average from a US school is not as difficult as obtaining a 16/20 average from France. Just apply to several schools and see what happens. That's all you can do! Best of luck.

Let's hope for that! Best of luck to you, too!

I hate the way they grade in France

In my University (Jean Moulin Lyon III) grades are like some other French universities (Paris 1, 2) : at 13/20, 15/20 and 17/20

I will take the example of the 3rd-year law degree ("Licence en droit":
-On 1600 students the first year, only 1 had more than 15/20 at the end of 3rd year, and the grade "Bien" (good).
And it wasn't me :'(

lol

That's why it's so hard to rank ourselves where there is no official ranking...

1 in 1600 in amazing. I asked my school what the average grades were and was able to get a good idea of my rank. Whether or not this unofficial ranking will be taken into consideration by the US schools is another question, though!

Hi - just thought I'd offer my 2 cents. I applied to various LL.M. programs back in 2006 with the following background: went to a top Australian law school, my law degree grades were deemed "above average" by LSAC and, although I hadn't actually practised as a lawyer in Australia, I had worked as a paralegal for a local Sydney firm throughout university and had then gone on to work as a paralegal for one of the top Wall Street firms (in their New York office). My LORs were written by a partner at the Wall Street firm and one of my law school professors. I applied to and was accepted by: Columbia, Georgetown, UPenn, UChicago, Northwestern and UVA. I was rejected by Harvard, NYU, and UMichgan. I too, for personal reasons ended up not going but deferred my place at Columbia. In the end, I didn't go but have applied again this year and now have 3.5 more years under my belt (I spent those years practising as a project finance lawyer in the London office of another Wall Street firm). Sorry for the long-winded message here but the point I wanted to make was that "above average" from LSAC doesn't preclude you from getting into good schools. Hope this is helpful!

Aussiegirl

Thank you so much for your answer :)

And : Columbia, Georgetown, UPenn, Chicago, Northwestern.... Dreams of all students ! Congratulations !

I hope you'll be admitted this year too, and maybe you'll be even in the one's who have rejected you last time ! ;)

Aky - thanks so much for your response. I've got my fingers crossed that I get in again this year but there appears to be an element of luck involved so I just have to be patient and wait! I didn't apply to as many schools this time, as I have a clearer idea of what I want to study. I ended up applying to Columbia, NYU, Georgetown, UVA, Duke and UPenn as they all have good international law programs (I decided not to apply to U Michigan again as I have decided I don't want to live in Ann Arbor, as lovely as the school itself is). I am not sure if I will be lucky enough to get into various LL.M. programs again this time. Unfortunately, I only decided to apply on the 6th of November by which point I had missed most of the early review cut offs so I guess I just have to wait and see. Good luck with your apps!