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Would this be okay or considered weird? FWIW I had below median grades 1L Fall and 3.8 for 1L spring. What about putting something like this on your resume:

GPA: 3.8/4.0 (Top 10%) second semester, 3.464/4.0 (Top 33%) cumulative

I still need to figure out if I can get a rank for spring semester alone, but provided that's possible, would the above be alright? Not meant to mislead, just to show that I came back strong after a miserable fall semester.

What about referencing a grade jump like this in cover letters? Or should I save any discussion of it until potential interviews?

I would recommend against it. Your second semester GPA and rank, on their own in a vacuum, are irrelevant to employers. They will only look at your cumulative data when they screen resumes. Including those figures implies that you aren't willing to own up to your less-than-optimal first semester. Being in the top third of your class is a good thing; breaking out the second semester figures would likely make a recruiter pause and ask, "How is this person only in the the top third after getting a 3.8?" Then they'll do the math and realize the exact thing you want them to overlook.

Put your cumulative grades and rank on the resume. Then, in the interview, mention your dismal first semester and explain how you responded to it. Employers DO want to hear that you are capable of growing after a failure.

You want to put one semester's grades first and in BOLD? and then put in fine print what your actual GPA is? This sounds like a horrible idea

The way you have it formatted seems a little dishonest (with the bolding and the order)

You might be able to get away with GPA: X.XX (Fall 2010: X.XX; Spring 2011: X.XX)

I would put your cumulative, and then show a breakdown of both semesters. They will likely note the improvement. Its not something you need to hide.

OP here. Thanks for your input. I agree that it looked weird, that’s why I asked. I’m just really worried that top third at a T1 still makes me destined for shitlaw, even being at the strongest school in the market where I would like to practice. I seriously considered dropping out after getting median pwnd first semester, but decided to stick it out and I’m glad I was able to pick up some of the pieces. Hence why I am trying to think of anything that will at least get me an interview.

I’ll probably go with the breakdown of semesters advice above and leave any semester rank out. And take out the bold print that just looks tacky. Still, should I address the increase in my cover letters at all, or just wait and see if I can get an interview and explain it then?

Any success stories, anecdotal or whatever, from people in similar situations and how you handled a better second semester would be seriously appreciated.

Just put your cumulative. Your approach seems like a dishonest way of hiding the fact that you're not a quick learner.

shepdawg wrote:Just put your cumulative. Your approach seems like a dishonest way of hiding the fact that you're not a quick learner.

You still think it's dishonest if I broke it down as: GPA: cumulative (Fall x.xx, Spring x.xx)? If so, why?

Really not "trying to hide the fact that I'm not a quick learner," just trying to play up positives to get a job. Also, I wouldn't chalk up first semester to not being a quick learner. Suffice it to say that LEEWS and GTM don't work for everyone and in the spring I made a lot of changes that worked well for me. Not like one could learn that a professor doesn't like the LEEWS approach half-way through exams...

a) dude that just looks retarded
b) prolly should check that doesnt violate ur school policy on grade representation

This reeks of desperation and I can't speak generally, but I know my hiring partner would pitch your resume for doing that.

OP, just list your GPA. Everyone gets a mix of grades in law school, firms aren't going to care about your trend. You care a lot about your grades, but to firms it's just a necessary evil to sort through applicants. Don't talk about them, draw attention to them, attempt to explain them, window dress some of them an try to keep others in the basement, etc.