University of Texas School of Law - Peregrinus Yearbook (Austin, TX)

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Opening any a law student has wondered whose brilliant idea it was to plant weeds all over the 26th Street hill, instead of planting something practical like a staircase. As many intricate architectural details as Townes Hall possesses, a staircase doesn’t seem too difficult to negotiate. But such minutiae don’t seem to faze law students. The nasty details with which they are concerned are posted each semester on two little kiosks: grades. And section 38.12 of the Penal Code or Rule 10b-5 — those are the trivialities that concern law students. Never mind that UT is one of the most richly endowed law schools in America and the faculty one of the finest. Never mind that Tarlton Library houses one of Texas' finest art collections. Naw-, just details. But, they are the details that make it Texas Law Sc joo . Opening — 9

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8 — Opening

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Getting a Job Grade curve factor decides legal future The way a student falls against the Law School s numerical curve will dictate his future at Texas, his job offers, his choice of where to live and even his psyche. The struggle for good grades is handled in different ways by each student through careful outlining or maybe last minute cramming. All to get coveted honor grades that will sell in the job marketplace. If grades weren't important, law firms by now would not pay attention to them, said Professor Guy Wellborn. Firms continue to look at grades, but not to the exclusion of other factors; so they must be important. And it is the law firms who know what measures future performance. “Professors certainly believe that things we test are relevant to what lawyers do, but I don't think anybody considers testing skills comprehensive,” Wellborn continued. Grades are certainly a factor, but how large a factor must be very mysterious.