Below Median Job Search Thread Forum

[JCougar]

So, what if your school doesn't give out a true median and/or class rank?

I'm know I'm below median at 3.26, and the average grade given out being a 3.3 B+, but IDK how much grade inflation there is at my school or even my entering class of 2016. If I'm at the 47th percentile, I'm not as bad off as if I'm in the bottom third of a grade-inflated bunch.

If your grades are that low, you're better off not bringing them up or even trying to figure out your class rank. Just put your GPA on your resume and let the employer figure it out. Focus your conversations on something else where you excelled.

[Anonymous User]

So, what if your school doesn't give out a true median and/or class rank?

I'm know I'm below median at 3.26, and the average grade given out being a 3.3 B+, but IDK how much grade inflation there is at my school or even my entering class of 2016. If I'm at the 47th percentile, I'm not as bad off as if I'm in the bottom third of a grade-inflated bunch.

If your grades are that low, you're better off not bringing them up or even trying to figure out your class rank. Just put your GPA on your resume and let the employer figure it out. Focus your conversations on something else where you excelled.

Anon above. I wasn't planning on bringing them up at all, and was told to not have grades on the resume unless it was an 3.6 or above, so i'm not too worried about it being a topic unless interviewers bring it up. I kind of assumed that they wouldn't, or that they would at least know about it before my interview. I was just going to go with "Well, I had tough time adusting to the testing, to be honest. Having to write an essay exam was new to me, but I have worked to get better at it and my grades have gone up with my redoubled efforts." It's the god's honest truth, and about the best thing I can come up with. 3.15 first semester, 3.45 second semester (but had fewer credits).

[Anonymous User]

If your not a 3.6 or above your told not to put it on your resume? Im at a t14 and they tell us to put our gpa on our resume if its above a 3.00

[JCougar]

If your not a 3.6 or above your told not to put it on your resume? Im at a t14 and they tell us to put our gpa on our resume if its above a 3.00

Yeah, if you don't have your GPA at all, I feel like they just assume you're at the bottom of the class. My GPA actually looked (looks?) good due to rampant grade inflation, even though it's slightly below median. I've had a bunch of people comment "wow you did well" after I put it back on. Even if they look it up later, at least it gives a good first impression. A lot of TTT schools curve to like a 3.0 or some shit...so some people just have it in their minds that anything significantly above a 3.0 is at least decent.

[Anonymous User]

If your not a 3.6 or above your told not to put it on your resume? Im at a t14 and they tell us to put our gpa on our resume if its above a 3.00

Yeah, if you don't have your GPA at all, I feel like they just assume you're at the bottom of the class. My GPA actually looked (looks?) good due to rampant grade inflation, even though it's slightly below median. I've had a bunch of people comment "wow you did well" after I put it back on. Even if they look it up later, at least it gives a good first impression. A lot of TTT schools curve to like a 3.0 or some shit...so some people just have it in their minds that anything significantly above a 3.0 is at least decent.

"Yeah, if you don't have your GPA at all, I feel like they just assume you're at the bottom of the class." - I second this. I spoke with a senior associate at Weil and he told me this exact advice.

[Anonymous User]

friend with ~3.2 at duke got a CB last night from reed smith LA

[Anonymous User]

Did he have crazy work experience or was a great interviewer? Going through OCI right now is tough just knowing about my grades.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any experience with bringing up an explanation for a low grade trend at OCI? I was above median in the fall, below median in the spring, coming out at median. However, during the spring I had to be home a lot because of the health of a family member. I don't want to look like I'm making excuses, but I also think it would help the interviewer sell me to the hiring committee if they liked me in the interview, but my grades are at the low end of what the firm is looking for. Thoughts?

[Anonymous User]

Below median at CCN and just got an offer from pre-OCI mailing (~ about 50 apps to the V100 split across 2 markets)! There is hope!

[Anonymous User]

Did he have crazy work experience or was a great interviewer? Going through OCI right now is tough just knowing about my grades.

No real WE and not an amazing interviewer but obviously not bad. Keep your head up guys, I am a little below at duke as well with 2 NYC v100 callbacks so far. We got this shit

[Anonymous User]

Did he have crazy work experience or was a great interviewer? Going through OCI right now is tough just knowing about my grades.

No real WE and not an amazing interviewer but obviously not bad. Keep your head up guys, I am a little below at duke as well with 2 NYC v100 callbacks so far. We got this shit

Impressive. I am a little below too, 3.25, no CB's yet

[Anonymous User]

Well below median at MVP. 25 OCI screeners. 2 CBs so far. 0 dings as of yet.

100+ mass mailings...radio silence...

[Anonymous User]

lower t14, below median, 20+ screeners (job fair+oci), 0 callbacks... 5 ding...

[Anonymous User]

below median CCN, no w/e, not diverse: 5 screeners 2 rejections 2 cbs 1 ??? (Cbs on opposite coasts)

Waiting for OCI to start

[Anonymous User]

Anyone have any experience with bringing up an explanation for a low grade trend at OCI? I was above median in the fall, below median in the spring, coming out at median. However, during the spring I had to be home a lot because of the health of a family member. I don't want to look like I'm making excuses, but I also think it would help the interviewer sell me to the hiring committee if they liked me in the interview, but my grades are at the low end of what the firm is looking for. Thoughts?

Ignore it; anyone that asks about grades will care, and all else equal will probably pick someone else

[Anonymous User]

I am a recent grad (CCN), was below median at oci - struck out but landed a V50 in the end. It will work out.

[Anonymous User]

almost every market is still hiring, so don't give up!

bottom 35%, not urm, k-jd, took time off - legit reason
6 cbs, 4 markets

[Anonymous User]

I am a recent grad (CCN), was below median at oci - struck out but landed a V50 in the end. It will work out.

How did you snag it? Mass-mailing, 3L OCI, something else? Did your grades improve significantly?

Below median at CCN, pretty sure I've struck out. I'm doing everything I can, but it all feels so hopeless. Posts like the quoted help. Thanks for sharing OP.