how bad is median first semester? Forum

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how bad is median first semester?

Post by Anonymous User » Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:21 pm

If my goal is generally biglaw, what are the chances of that happening out of MVPB with median grades from my first semester? I've been applying to a lot of places for a 1L summer job but have been getting little response.

I know this is a real general question, but I mean it more in regard to 2L summer, as I've pretty much given up on a firm job for this summer.

spondee

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Re: how bad is median first semester?

Post by spondee » Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:29 pm

Hiring isn't all about numbers. It'll depend a lot on what else you have to offer: URM? IP? work experience? good interviewing skills (it's not about "personality")? law review? Etc.

Median isn't a terrible place to be after one semester at a t-10. Figure out how to do better on exams and focus on bringing up your GPA. Take the law review competition seriously. Biglaw is still a very realistic goal.

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Kohinoor

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Re: how bad is median first semester?

Post by Kohinoor » Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:39 pm

Bottor than bottom third. Worso than top third.

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edcrane

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Re: how bad is median first semester?

Post by edcrane » Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:39 am

1L summer hiring is extremely competitive. For many people, it's a lot harder than 2L hiring.

Median isn't a great place to be. You should keep yourself motivated and try to improve your grades. Still, you should have a decent chance of landing a biglaw job, even from the middle of the class.

pasteurizedmilk

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Re: how bad is median first semester?

Post by pasteurizedmilk » Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:44 pm

You'll have to hustle, but you could get biglaw at median. but why risk it? kill spring and be assured biglaw with top 1/3 grades.

Talk to every prof about your grades + what you could have improved. Compare exams to see what you did to get higher grades on some than others.

And REVIEW OLD MODEL EXAMS. If you did this in fall, do it more in spring. Have every model answer printed by the end of today. whenever you're reading a case or a statute, think about how the model exams applied it, and how you could apply it, on an exam and what ambiguities the case leaves open that you could ponder on on the exam.

ambiguities are great - they're easy points. find them and discuss them on the exam, then apply the facts to analytical option 1, option 2, et al.

And take copious class notes. every thought the professor mentions could be points on the exam. class notes are the second most useful tool (first being old model answers).

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