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I am a CLS rising 3L. Last year I was a middle to low Harlan Fiske Stone scholar (CLS rough equivalent of cum laude). This year I am James Kent Scholar (CLS rough equivalent of magna or summa cum laude).

I realize that 3L EIP is tepid most everywhere, what do people think my options will be? I currently have a V40 and would like to upgrade to a V15 that is stronger in my desired practice areas. Will the grade improvement from 1L (mostly A- and some B+) to 2L (mostly As) make a difference for 3L EIP?

Anonymous User wrote:I am a CLS rising 3L. Last year I was a middle to low Harlan Fiske Stone scholar (CLS rough equivalent of cum laude). This year I am James Kent Scholar (CLS rough equivalent of magna or summa cum laude).

I realize that 3L EIP is tepid most everywhere, what do people think my options will be? I currently have a V40 and would like to upgrade to a V15 that is stronger in my desired practice areas. Will the grade improvement from 1L (mostly A- and some B+) to 2L (mostly As) make a difference for 3L EIP?

It depends on what classes you've taken to get Kent. I have friends who were Kent after not doing well 1L year and it didn't help them in 3L OCI at all because they took pretty bs classes with very generous curves. If you took Evidence, FedCourts, etc. and then were Kent you may have a better chance. Even then though, from what I've heard, it depends mostly on your interviewing and your first year grades. Uphill battle IMO even with your amazing second year.

All of the NYC V15s coming to 3L EIP would have been within your grade range 1L year anyway (Cravath perhaps a reach, but they take folks within that range), so it's going to come down to your interviewing.

OP here... Thank you for the advice! I appreciate it.

I took classes like admin law, corporations, antitrust, fed tax...

I agree that almost all firms take people within the stone range, but I think people can slide through interviews a bit more easily without optimal technique if their grades are good enough. Certainly from 1L I know quite a few people who aren't the best interviewers who are at amazing firms due to other characteristics...

Just graduated from CLS. I did 3L EIP and went moved from a V50 to a V10, which I start in the fall. Grades are one of the biggest factors, next is getting an offer from your summer firm. Also, firms at 3L EIP are fitting needs, generally, so you have to be flexible in what you want to do. Good luck. But, mainly, enjoy your summer. The SA is the best job you'll ever have.

Trying to not hijack, but a semi-related question: would a transfer who got Stone (middle range, as far as I can tell) be considered to have a "substantial improvement?" I am summering at a V50ish, but was basically shut out of anything ranked higher than V50 during 2L EIP. I'm very happy with my firm, but just curious.