Possible GPA + Journal + WE combinations for DC from Duke Forum

[Anonymous User]

Everyone says DC is a tough nut to crack. If your GPA is <3.6, should you abandon hope? Does LR make up for less than stellar grades? What impact does WE have?

[IAFG]

See, people want legal hiring to be mechanical. For there to be a LSN of firms. But it's not mechanical like that, and you can't just blanket the firms/markets like you can top law schools. If someone says you have a shot at DC, are you going to go all in on DC? It's not your safest bet and it's unlikely your "softs" are going to make it a safe bet.

[Anonymous User]

See, people want legal hiring to be mechanical. For there to be a LSN of firms. But it's not mechanical like that, and you can't just blanket the firms/markets like you can top law schools. If someone says you have a shot at DC, are you going to go all in on DC? It's not your safest bet and it's unlikely your "softs" are going to make it a safe bet.

Fair point. I guess I'm just looking for anyone with something to say that's not the stock TLS "Bid NY BIGLAW." Answers here won't change my strategy, I was just hoping someone would have something more enlightened/nuanced to say than, "If you're under 3.6, you have no shot." That's just as mechanical, albeit with only one variable.

[Anonymous User]

See, people want legal hiring to be mechanical. For there to be a LSN of firms. But it's not mechanical like that, and you can't just blanket the firms/markets like you can top law schools. If someone says you have a shot at DC, are you going to go all in on DC? It's not your safest bet and it's unlikely your "softs" are going to make it a safe bet.

Fair point. I guess I'm just looking for anyone with something to say that's not the stock TLS "Bid NY BIGLAW." Answers here won't change my strategy, I was just hoping someone would have something more enlightened/nuanced to say than, "If you're under 3.6, you have no shot." That's just as mechanical, albeit with only one variable.

Why don't you post your grades, if you're on DLJ, how much work experience you have, and what firm you are looking at?

Suspicious OP is a 0L.

[IAFG]

See, people want legal hiring to be mechanical. For there to be a LSN of firms. But it's not mechanical like that, and you can't just blanket the firms/markets like you can top law schools. If someone says you have a shot at DC, are you going to go all in on DC? It's not your safest bet and it's unlikely your "softs" are going to make it a safe bet.

Fair point. I guess I'm just looking for anyone with something to say that's not the stock TLS "Bid NY BIGLAW." Answers here won't change my strategy, I was just hoping someone would have something more enlightened/nuanced to say than, "If you're under 3.6, you have no shot." That's just as mechanical, albeit with only one variable.

Anyone who says you have no shot is being overly pessimistic, obviously. But you know your odds are not great. DC still doesn't have a lot of jobs, still is the darling market of top students and clerks, still is grade-snobby.

Rather than focusing on your chances generally, you should be working on a way to get in front of lots of firms in a back-up market in case you strike out in DC. You only have so many bids within OCI, so you need to try to get interviews through avenues besides bidding, make sure your DC bids are sensible ones, etc. Trying to convince yourself your chances at DC aren't as grim as TLS CW says they are? Not helpful to your ultimate goal of being employed.

[Anonymous User]

Why don't you post your grades, if you're on DLJ, how much work experience you have, and what firm you are looking at?

Suspicious OP is a 0L.

Not a 0L, on DLJ, WE would out; let's just say I'm not a K-JD and did more than wait tables. Fried Frank is of interest, but looking at all of the DC firms on OCI besides W&C, GDC, Cadwalader, Hunton Williams, SullCrom, McDermott, and Latham.

[ajaxconstructions]

Why don't you post your grades, if you're on DLJ, how much work experience you have, and what firm you are looking at?

Suspicious OP is a 0L.

Not a 0L, on DLJ, WE would out; let's just say I'm not a K-JD and did more than wait tables. Fried Frank is of interest, but looking at all of the DC firms on OCI besides W&C, GDC, Cadwalader, Hunton Williams, SullCrom, McDermott, and Latham.

Cuz posting your GPA would out you, yeah.

[Anonymous User]

Cuz posting your GPA would out you, yeah.

3.4. WE would out.

[ajaxconstructions]

Cuz posting your GPA would out you, yeah.

3.4. WE would out.

That GPA is super low for DC. Hope you have incredible WE or LR.

[Anonymous User]

Figured as much... Lesson to future 1L's... Don't f-up 1st year classes.

[Anonymous User]

Figured as much... Lesson to future 1L's... Don't f-up 1st year classes.

You've definitely started to get the right attitude for DLJ. When 3.4 is fucking up, the 50%+ of the class below you must have not tried at all.