DC GPA/Class Rank Question Forum

[Anonymous User]

Vandy law 1L here. I'm interested in what kind of GPA/class rank DC firms (lower V100-NLJ250) look for from Vandy students. This has bearing on where I decide to accept an internship for this summer.

Thanks.

[LawIdiot86]

Vandy law 1L here. I'm interested in what kind of GPA/class rank DC firms (lower V100-NLJ250) look for from Vandy students. This has bearing on where I decide to accept an internship for this summer.

Thanks.

Your CSO almost certainly has a list of firms with the median/average GPAs of students they have hired in the past.

[johndhi]

That sounds like a piece of information your career services office is highly likely to have. At my school, they have a list of average and median and max GPAs for each firm. Things tend to be a little harsher today than they were a few years ago, though, so the numbers are skewed down a bit.

[LawIdiot86]

That sounds like a piece of information your career services office is highly likely to have. At my school, they have a list of average and median and max GPAs for each firm. Things tend to be a little harsher today than they were a few years ago, though, so the numbers are skewed down a bit.

Yeah, adding 0.1-0.2 to my school's list brought it up to current standards.

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Vandy CSO does not maintain this type of database. If anyone has any anecdotal experience/stories from Vandy or similarly situated schools, that would be great.

[LawIdiot86]

OP here. Vandy CSO does not maintain this type of database. If anyone has any anecdotal experience/stories from Vandy or similarly situated schools, that would be great.

What is the curve median at Vandy? Adjusting slightly for the T14-phoney prestige, I might be able to help.

[Aberzombie1892]

Assuming that Vanderbilt curves to a 3.25, you would probably need something around a 3.4-3.5+ (assuming the top 25-30% can still get NLJ250) - it is impossible to cut this down to an exact GPA, as there are many other factors that factor into whether you would get the job (competition, journal, moot court, the needs of the firm, prelaw experience, personal connections, personality, etc.).

I probably wouldn't bother applying to DC NLJ firms, barring anything special, without at least a 3.45 or so (essentially top 1/3, which you can figure out by talking to students as Vanderbilt doesn't rank outside the top). I would use that time instead to focus on markets I had ties to, in addition to Atlanta, Tennessee, and Alabama.

[jawsthegreat]

Assuming that Vanderbilt curves to a 3.25, you would probably need something around a 3.4-3.5+ (assuming the top 25-30% can still get NLJ250) - it is impossible to cut this down to an exact GPA, as there are many other factors that factor into whether you would get the job (competition, journal, moot court, the needs of the firm, prelaw experience, personal connections, personality, etc.).

I probably wouldn't bother applying to DC NLJ firms, barring anything special, without at least a 3.45 or so (essentially top 1/3, which you can figure out by talking to students as Vanderbilt doesn't rank outside the top). I would use that time instead to focus on markets I had ties to, in addition to Atlanta, Tennessee, and Alabama.

Top 1/3 is borderline dc quality from UVA. Friends at Vandy have told me you need top 15% at the bare minimum to even think about dc.

[Anonymous User]

I have a general question about this as well. CSO has some DC firms as having medians only slightly above median. Is it a safe assumption that these firms are the ones that are no longer hiring large enough classes to justify a bid?

[LawIdiot86]

I have a general question about this as well. CSO has some DC firms as having medians only slightly above median. Is it a safe assumption that these firms are the ones that are no longer hiring large enough classes to justify a bid?

Yes, a Vandy median GPA would be extremely uncompetitive at the average DC V100 office.

[Anonymous User]

summered at dc V15, offers in dc form V15 and 2 V30s at top 15-10% at GW... dunno if you consider that a "similar" school though

[Aberzombie1892]

Assuming that Vanderbilt curves to a 3.25, you would probably need something around a 3.4-3.5+ (assuming the top 25-30% can still get NLJ250) - it is impossible to cut this down to an exact GPA, as there are many other factors that factor into whether you would get the job (competition, journal, moot court, the needs of the firm, prelaw experience, personal connections, personality, etc.).

I probably wouldn't bother applying to DC NLJ firms, barring anything special, without at least a 3.45 or so (essentially top 1/3, which you can figure out by talking to students as Vanderbilt doesn't rank outside the top). I would use that time instead to focus on markets I had ties to, in addition to Atlanta, Tennessee, and Alabama.

Top 1/3 is borderline dc quality from UVA. Friends at Vandy have told me you need top 15% at the bare minimum to even think about dc.

I can see that. But I still think the OP could throw a bid or two on DC if he/she is in the top range, even though he/she shouldn't get his/her hopes up for an interview. However, Vanderbilt has never been known for DC placement in the first place, so I imagine it was difficult to get a job there even before the recession.

Side note: I'm surprised that Vanderbilt does not keep up with firm/gpa/rank data.

[Anonymous User]

I am a Vandy 1L who asked around among the 2Ls during the last semester. The highest GPA cutoff from the most elite DC firms (V5ish)* had a Vandy GPA cutoff of 3.7. Other great firms (V20-V50ish) would drop down to 3.5ish depending on work experience, interview "performance," fit, etc. Bottom line - anything over 3.7 and the sky is the limit. Anything below and the other factors start coming more heavily into play. Below 3.5 and I would think your already diminished chances might be gone.

If career services aren't helping you, ask around to find 2Ls who got great DC jobs and then ask them. They generally have been really helpful. Good luck!