Georgetown EIW - 2016 Forum

[Glasseyes]

Tagging to relive some hellish memories. I'll try and post some weirdly specific, mostly useless tips when I get a min

[Anonymous User]

Top 15ish% with a 3.6X - - hoping for transactional work in NYC or something regulatory-related in DC. Would prefer NYC, but my work experience is easier to sell for regulatory work (worked in DC for a couple of years).

1. Davis Polk (NYC)
Skadden (NYC)
Simpson Thacher (NYC)
Paul Weiss (NYC)
5. Debevoise (NYC)
Kirkland & Ellis (NYC)
Latham & Watkins (NYC)
Sidley Austin (NYC)
Gibson Dunn (NYC)
10. Weil Gotshal (NYC)
Ropes & Gray (NYC)
Jones Day (NYC)
O'Melveny (NYC)
Willikie Farr (NYC)
15. Simpson Thacher (DC)
Paul Weiss (DC)
Latham & Watkins (DC)
Sidley Austin (DC)
Jones Day (DC)
20. Hogan Lovells (DC)
Steptoe (DC)
Goodwin Procter (NYC)
Shearman (NYC)
Freshfields Bruckhaus (NYC)
25. Clifford Chance (NYC)
Linklaters (NYC)
Milbank (NYC)
Akin Gump (DC)

[buckiguy_sucks]

Top 15ish% with a 3.6X - - hoping for transactional work in NYC or something regulatory-related in DC. Would prefer NYC, but my work experience is easier to sell for regulatory work (worked in DC for a couple of years).

1. Davis Polk (NYC)
Skadden (NYC)
Simpson Thacher (NYC)
Paul Weiss (NYC)
5. Debevoise (NYC)
Kirkland & Ellis (NYC)
Latham & Watkins (NYC)
Sidley Austin (NYC)
Gibson Dunn (NYC)
10. Weil Gotshal (NYC)
Ropes & Gray (NYC)
Jones Day (NYC)
O'Melveny (NYC)
Willikie Farr (NYC)
15. Simpson Thacher (DC)
Paul Weiss (DC)
Latham & Watkins (DC)
Sidley Austin (DC)
Jones Day (DC)
20. Hogan Lovells (DC)
Steptoe (DC)
Goodwin Procter (NYC)
Shearman (NYC)
Freshfields Bruckhaus (NYC)
25. Clifford Chance (NYC)
Linklaters (NYC)
Milbank (NYC)
Akin Gump (DC)

NYC transactional probably won't be a tough sell regardless of WE that you need to hedge with DC bids

[Glasseyes]

Top 15ish% with a 3.6X - - hoping for transactional work in NYC or something regulatory-related in DC. Would prefer NYC, but my work experience is easier to sell for regulatory work (worked in DC for a couple of years).

1. Davis Polk (NYC)
Skadden (NYC)
Simpson Thacher (NYC)
Paul Weiss (NYC)
5. Debevoise (NYC)
Kirkland & Ellis (NYC)
Latham & Watkins (NYC)
Sidley Austin (NYC)
Gibson Dunn (NYC)
10. Weil Gotshal (NYC)
Ropes & Gray (NYC)
Jones Day (NYC)
O'Melveny (NYC)
Willikie Farr (NYC)
15. Simpson Thacher (DC)
Paul Weiss (DC)
Latham & Watkins (DC)
Sidley Austin (DC)
Jones Day (DC)
20. Hogan Lovells (DC)
Steptoe (DC)
Goodwin Procter (NYC)
Shearman (NYC)
Freshfields Bruckhaus (NYC)
25. Clifford Chance (NYC)
Linklaters (NYC)
Milbank (NYC)
Akin Gump (DC)

The NY firms should be an easy sell. I'm sure you'd do fine in DC, but there's almost zero reason not to bid pure NY unless you want some of the DC firms more. It sounds like you don't, so don't waste those bids unless you really want to. Pretty much every firm you have listed from 16-21 is unlikely to preselect you (though maybe, who knows), and those will be much harder to land than anything in NY. May as well gun for stuff like S&C and Cravath (if you want them) which are both a reach but prob not impossible. There are plenty of other NY firms to add too, like Cahill, Fried Frank, Cadwalader, hell, all of em.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

[TLSModBot]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

There are just my thoughts, but I'd say no - your GPA is what it is. If employers have a firm cutoff, all the explanation in the world won't help. If employers don't have a firm cutoff, then interviewing skills are going to make the difference. If an interviewer specifically brings up your GPA, then of course a reasonable reply is in order. I wouldn't proactively mention it.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

There are just my thoughts, but I'd say no - your GPA is what it is. If employers have a firm cutoff, all the explanation in the world won't help. If employers don't have a firm cutoff, then interviewing skills are going to make the difference. If an interviewer specifically brings up your GPA, then of course a reasonable reply is in order. I wouldn't proactively mention it.

Would putting it on my resume just make me look butt-hurt like "GPA 3.44 /Top third 3.46" or something

I appreciate that all the big firms will know about where this puts me but I'm just wondering for smaller firms or other employers in the future

[TLSModBot]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

There are just my thoughts, but I'd say no - your GPA is what it is. If employers have a firm cutoff, all the explanation in the world won't help. If employers don't have a firm cutoff, then interviewing skills are going to make the difference. If an interviewer specifically brings up your GPA, then of course a reasonable reply is in order. I wouldn't proactively mention it.

Would putting it on my resume just make me look butt-hurt like "GPA 3.44 /Top third 3.46" or something

I appreciate that all the big firms will know about where this puts me but I'm just wondering for smaller firms or other employers in the future

Just put the GPA.

[Glasseyes]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

There are just my thoughts, but I'd say no - your GPA is what it is. If employers have a firm cutoff, all the explanation in the world won't help. If employers don't have a firm cutoff, then interviewing skills are going to make the difference. If an interviewer specifically brings up your GPA, then of course a reasonable reply is in order. I wouldn't proactively mention it.

Would putting it on my resume just make me look butt-hurt like "GPA 3.44 /Top third 3.46" or something

I appreciate that all the big firms will know about where this puts me but I'm just wondering for smaller firms or other employers in the future

Yeah, I think Cap's point is that it highlights a weakness more than it associates you with almost-greatness. Most of these firms probably have rough cutoffs at like 3.5 or 3.4 anyway, and I doubt many firms take the time to normalize their expectations by section, as much as we might wish they cared that much. So yeah. Add it in if you must, but I think it's more apt to hurt than help.

[EncyclopediaOrange]

If anyone wants to help a clueless (admitted but not necessarily committed) transfer student make a bid list I'd love you forever. Would prefer Chi/DC/(Maybe Texas?) but willing to do what it takes to get biglaw.

Re: Chi. Strong midwest ties. Could probably make a good showing for why I'd like to be there. If you're interested in helping (or if you're curious I guess), feel free to PM for my stats.

If NYC is the move, are Magic Circle firms pipe dreams? Really not sure about my competitiveness for any given firm. Basically, what I'm saying is, I'm Wachtell or bust.

Native students, please don't hate me, thanks!

[merpturtle]

Is it too soon to get this cycle's EIW thread rolling? I met with a Career Counselor last week who told me that, despite what I thought was the conventional wisdom to bid conservatively, I should to be more not less aggressive in bidding firms where I was below median, both in DC and generally. Wished I'd had a EIW thread to share it in

I can give specific transfer advice if anyone wants it (quote and I can PM).

A word of advice, our career center is pretty good at hustling to get you in front of interviewers. But I would STRONGY CAUTION their advice upon all other matters.

TLS wisdom provides a solid set of tips that should be followed, which are often contradictory to OCS advice.

Hi! Would love some transfer advice about EIW. Got my acceptance and considering transferring Gtown...very confused about what to do for EIW.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

There are just my thoughts, but I'd say no - your GPA is what it is. If employers have a firm cutoff, all the explanation in the world won't help. If employers don't have a firm cutoff, then interviewing skills are going to make the difference. If an interviewer specifically brings up your GPA, then of course a reasonable reply is in order. I wouldn't proactively mention it.

Would putting it on my resume just make me look butt-hurt like "GPA 3.44 /Top third 3.46" or something

I appreciate that all the big firms will know about where this puts me but I'm just wondering for smaller firms or other employers in the future

Just put the GPA.

I'm going to say the opposite. I did GPA 3.4x (Top 1/3: 3.4y) when I was .01 off and multiple firms said something along the lines of "so you're top third . . ."

Career services also told me to do this.

[Londonbear]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

There are just my thoughts, but I'd say no - your GPA is what it is. If employers have a firm cutoff, all the explanation in the world won't help. If employers don't have a firm cutoff, then interviewing skills are going to make the difference. If an interviewer specifically brings up your GPA, then of course a reasonable reply is in order. I wouldn't proactively mention it.

Would putting it on my resume just make me look butt-hurt like "GPA 3.44 /Top third 3.46" or something

I appreciate that all the big firms will know about where this puts me but I'm just wondering for smaller firms or other employers in the future

Just put the GPA.

I'm going to say the opposite. I did GPA 3.4x (Top 1/3: 3.4y) when I was .01 off and multiple firms said something along the lines of "so you're top third . . ."

Career services also told me to do this.

Career services tells you to do a lot of things, and some things they're wrong about. I actually would likely agree with Capitol on this point. Interviewers are aware of what GT's cutoffs are, and if you miss top third, you miss top third. It's the harsh world of BigLaw. Close is sometimes not good enough, and you putting it in there is just a very clear reminder of how you fell short. And I completely agree with the bolded statement.

[Anonymous User]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

There are just my thoughts, but I'd say no - your GPA is what it is. If employers have a firm cutoff, all the explanation in the world won't help. If employers don't have a firm cutoff, then interviewing skills are going to make the difference. If an interviewer specifically brings up your GPA, then of course a reasonable reply is in order. I wouldn't proactively mention it.

Would putting it on my resume just make me look butt-hurt like "GPA 3.44 /Top third 3.46" or something

I appreciate that all the big firms will know about where this puts me but I'm just wondering for smaller firms or other employers in the future

Just put the GPA.

I'm going to say the opposite. I did GPA 3.4x (Top 1/3: 3.4y) when I was .01 off and multiple firms said something along the lines of "so you're top third . . ."

Career services also told me to do this.

Career services tells you to do a lot of things, and some things they're wrong about. I actually would likely agree with Capitol on this point. Interviewers are aware of what GT's cutoffs are, and if you miss top third, you miss top third. It's the harsh world of BigLaw. Close is sometimes not good enough, and you putting it in there is just a very clear reminder of how you fell short. And I completely agree with the bolded statement.

Are you sure about that? I don't know exactly what info they get, but it never seemed like they knew what section you're in. And if you don't point out how close your are, you could be doing yourself a disservice: If you're in section 5 with a 3.4 I do think you should point out that you're in the exact same spot as someone with a 3.5 in section 3 or a 3.49 in section 1, and well ahead of someone with a 3.4 in either of those sections.

[Anonymous User]

Can someone critique my bidlist (mainly top 20). Targeting corporate; preference is DC, then NY. GPA in the high 3.6X range / in-between top 10-15%.

Are STB and Davis Polk too low??

1. Latham & Watkins DC
2. Sidley NY
3. Debevoise NY
4. Latham & Watkins NY
5. Skadden DC
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6. Fried Frank DC
7. Kirkand & Ellis DC
8. Gibson Dunn DC
9. Kirkland & Ellis NY
10. Weil NY
-----------------------------------------------------------
11. Prosekauer NY
12. Shearman & Sterling NY
13. Paul, Weiss NY
14. Milbank NY
15. Cahill NY
16. Linklaters NY
-------------------------------------------------------
17. White & Case NY
18. Clifford Chance NY
19. Davis Polk NY
20. STB NY
21. Willkie Farr NY
---------------------------------------------------------
22. Skadden NY
23. Ropes & Gray NY
24. Goodwin Proctor NY
25. Fried Frank NY
26. Dechert
--------------------------------------------------------
27. Morgan Lewis NY
28. Cadwalader NY
29. Sullivan and Cromwell NY
30. Freshfields NY
31. Cravath NY
----------------------------------------------------
32. Cleary NY
33. Schulte Roth NY
34. Cooley NY
35. Paul Hastings NY
36. McDermott NY
37. Akin NY
----------------------------------------------------------------
38. Chadbourne NY
39. Jones Day NY
40. Kaye Scholer NY
41. Greenberg Traurig NY
42. Vinson & Elkins
43. Mintz Levin NY
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
44. Baker & McKenzie
45. Allen & Overy NY
46. Pillsbury NY
47. Baker Botts NY
48. Baker Hostetler NY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
49. Mayer Brown
50. Curtis, Mallet

[buckiguy_sucks]

Can someone critique my bidlist (mainly top 20). Targeting corporate; preference is DC, then NY. GPA in the high 3.6X range / in-between top 10-15%.

Are STB and Davis Polk too low??

1. Latham & Watkins DC
2. Sidley NY
3. Debevoise NY
4. Latham & Watkins NY
5. Skadden DC
-----------------------------------------------------------------
6. Fried Frank DC
7. Kirkand & Ellis DC
8. Gibson Dunn DC
9. Kirkland & Ellis NY
10. Weil NY

I'm pretty sure K&E and gibson DC don't really do much corporate

e: also this list doesn't scream someone targeting DC, more of a light preference

[Anonymous User]

Is there any value or way to address just missing top third? I have a 3.44 and top third is 3.46 for my section

don't do that. your GPA is solid as it is. Work on your interviewing, get some cool experience this summer to talk about and you should be fine.

[Gray]

.

[buckiguy_sucks]

Tagging for lulz/potential future masochism

Give in to the 180k

[barkschool]

Employers love to know how close you came to a gpa cutoff

[TLSModBot]

Employers love to know how close you came to a gpa cutoff

Yeah I put it in my resume under the section "Almost Accomplishments" along with my "Almost-First Place" Moot Court victory and the "Considered for publication but ultimately rejected" Journal article.

[Anonymous User]

Do many employers have hard GPA cutoffs? Where do they tend to fall?

[buckiguy_sucks]

Do many employers have hard GPA cutoffs? Where do they tend to fall?

pm me if you want i can send you 2015 gpa data it has mins as well as max and median. mins will typically be cutoff, but sometimes there are outliers for like extraordinary candidates

[barkschool]

Do many employers have hard GPA cutoffs? Where do they tend to fall?

pm me if you want i can send you 2015 gpa data it has mins as well as max and median. mins will typically be cutoff, but sometimes there are outliers for like extraordinary candidates

Athletes & babes

[Gray]

.