Low grades 1st semester/Great grades 2nd semester Forum

[Anonymous User]

I just got my spring grades back. After doing rather "meh" 1st semester (below median), I did extremely well 2nd semester. Certainly within the top 10-15% although I don't exactly know for certain. I'm at a T10. If you've seen Elena Kagan's transcript, I basically did the exact same thing.
My question is how do I talk about this in an interview if it comes up? I feel like since it's an upward trend it at least looks better than the reverse, but it will still make some people go WTF when looking at my transcript. Any good ideas for what to say that are better than "I liked my classes better second semester", which is what the real reason is.
Also, I don't want big law. I will be doing OCI but mostly for government/public interest and a few firms.

[thesealocust]

edit: n/m

[amclane]

I just got my spring grades back. After doing rather "meh" 1st semester (below median), I did extremely well 2nd semester. Certainly within the top 10-15% although I don't exactly know for certain. I'm at a T10. If you've seen Elena Kagan's transcript, I basically did the exact same thing.
My question is how do I talk about this in an interview if it comes up? I feel like since it's an upward trend it at least looks better than the reverse, but it will still make some people go WTF when looking at my transcript. Any good ideas for what to say that are better than "I liked my classes better second semester", which is what the real reason is.
Also, I don't want big law. I will be doing OCI but mostly for government/public interest and a few firms.

huh?

[Anonymous User]

Something similar happened me to me 1L, though not as drastic. It's easy to explain and isn't uncommon at all. It took you a semester to figure out the most efficient study method that worked for you.

I'd be surprised if employers ask about it. Though, if they do just tell them you I would not say you liked the classes better. My reason is better because it indicates that you now get it, and that the 2nd semester grades are more indicative of your potential, whereas your reason indicates that you slack if you find something boring. No one will question the first reason, guaranteed. Some people don't figure out the best study method until the end of law school.

Good job on bringing up the grades.

[thecilent]

I just got my spring grades back. After doing rather "meh" 1st semester (below median), I did extremely well 2nd semester. Certainly within the top 10-15% although I don't exactly know for certain. I'm at a T10. If you've seen Elena Kagan's transcript, I basically did the exact same thing.
My question is how do I talk about this in an interview if it comes up? I feel like since it's an upward trend it at least looks better than the reverse, but it will still make some people go WTF when looking at my transcript. Any good ideas for what to say that are better than "I liked my classes better second semester", which is what the real reason is.
Also, I don't want big law. I will be doing OCI but mostly for government/public interest and a few firms.

huh?

lol I actually did laugh when I read the bold

[Anonymous User]

I was going to post something about this as well. All B's and an A first semester. All A's and a B second semester. To some extent I feel grades being brought up would benefit me in an interview if I could portray the "now I get it" factor. Pardon my ignorance, but grades being of utmost importance in this process, wouldn't a mention of this oddity be relevant in an interview? (contingent upon the ability to work it into the interview in a way that isn't awkward and out of place). Thanks for any insight.

[Anonymous User]

In a very similar situation. Thoughts on listing the second semester GPA on one's resume, alongside the cumulative? Jump was about .4-.5 from first to second semester

[thesealocust]

edit: n/m

[Anonymous User]

Fair enough, to be expected I suppose. I only asked because, in reality, very little of what we are learning in the countless hours of study will be applicable to our first years in a firm. What really matters to employers is how quickly we can learn what THEY teach us. That was my strategy/play if it came up, because as one who knew very little about working the law school system before I actually came to law school, I think a vast improvement indicates the ability to pick up and learn foreign concepts quickly. However that is in my world of rainbows and butterflies, and I understand the cold process we are in, and won't expect it to come up. Thanks for the insight.