Page 1 of 3

75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:31 pm
by GW_Law_Student
Screwed out of biglaw?

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:37 pm
by kalvano
You're in the bottom quarter of the class? Screwed out of most everything.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:47 pm
by LawIdiot86
kalvano wrote:You're in the bottom quarter of the class? Screwed out of most everything.
Shockingly, he is not screwed out of PMF, because GWU places the largest number of law students in that program and the evaluators are specifically not permitted to consider grades or school reputation.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:51 pm
by Anonymous User
kalvano wrote:You're in the bottom quarter of the class? Screwed out of most everything.
Wouldn't that mean he/she is in the top quarter?

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:52 pm
by gaud
^ That was me. Sorry, didn't mean to be anon

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:54 pm
by kalvano
Anonymous User wrote:
kalvano wrote:You're in the bottom quarter of the class? Screwed out of most everything.
Wouldn't that mean he/she is in the top quarter?
I'm unsure, hence the question mark at the end. It's an odd way to phrase it.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:58 pm
by pballer
75th percentile means that the OP is ahead of 75% of his class.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:00 pm
by Br3v
pballer wrote:75th percentile means that the OP is ahead of 75% of his class.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:00 pm
by GW_Law_Student
A 170 LSAT is the 98th or 99th percentile. I am 75th percentile at GWU.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:03 pm
by Br3v
GW_Law_Student wrote:A 170 LSAT is the 98th or 99th percentile. I am 75th percentile at GWU.
Also, that is how percentiles work

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:05 pm
by pballer
Br3v wrote:
GW_Law_Student wrote:A 170 LSAT is the 98th or 99th percentile. I am 75th percentile at GWU.
Also, that is how percentiles work
It was actually developed after generations of scientists marveled at the LSAT's novel method.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:17 pm
by GW_Law_Student
pballer wrote:
Br3v wrote:
GW_Law_Student wrote:A 170 LSAT is the 98th or 99th percentile. I am 75th percentile at GWU.
Also, that is how percentiles work
It was actually developed after generations of scientists marveled at the LSAT's novel method.
Trying to analogize it to something most people on this board would understand. Shocked that individuals exist for whom this is a substantive question.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:19 pm
by pballer
GW_Law_Student wrote:
pballer wrote:
Br3v wrote:
GW_Law_Student wrote:A 170 LSAT is the 98th or 99th percentile. I am 75th percentile at GWU.
Also, that is how percentiles work
It was actually developed after generations of scientists marveled at the LSAT's novel method.
Trying to analogize it to something most people on this board would understand. Shocked that individuals exist for whom this is a substantive question.

Haha, fair enough.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:21 pm
by Br3v
GW_Law_Student wrote:
pballer wrote:
Br3v wrote:
GW_Law_Student wrote:A 170 LSAT is the 98th or 99th percentile. I am 75th percentile at GWU.
Also, that is how percentiles work
It was actually developed after generations of scientists marveled at the LSAT's novel method.
Trying to analogize it to something most people on this board would understand. Shocked that individuals exist for whom this is a substantive question.
I got what you were doing.
But hopefully someone will be able to give you advice now that we have determined were you fall in your class. I'm 0L of little use.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:26 pm
by dudders
Not completely out of the park. Out of 518, 95 went to firms 251+ from the Class of 2011 (or about 19% of the class). This may have dropped or improved the last two years. I don't really know any non-15% law reviewers with biglaw lined up for 2L, but most people I know are public interest-minded anyway so I may not be the best proxy. I would speculate that people beyond that group are patent, anyway.

If you keep/improve your grades, you at least have a shot at OCI. Certainly not a guarantee tho.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:28 pm
by pballer
As a substantive response, I'd say that you're in a much better position to tell whether you're foreclosed from biglaw with that class standing than any non GWU posters. Talk with 2Ls about where they've been able to get SAs or 3Ls about where they got offers. I'm at UGA, which is a little behind you in the rankings, but not by too much and it seems that top 20% here is atleast in the running, so I'd say you're probably not too far off right now.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:35 pm
by Anonymous User
GW 2L here: I am top 33% (below OPs percentile rank), non-LR, non-IP, V50 2L SA through OCI.

Same thing for 2 other of my friends. People outside the Top 15% land BigLaw - but generally we are not K-JD and have work experience.

OP, being in the Top 25% you are in good shape for at least getting screening interviews for OCI. For the most part, follow the grade cut offs closely when submitting bids - firms are unforgiving with those. Perhaps send out one or two "reach" bids to firms beyond your grade cut off. Outside of OCI, mass mail to firms that are not visiting campus.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:53 pm
by Always Credited
Anonymous User wrote:GW 2L here: I am top 33% (below OPs percentile rank), non-LR, non-IP, V50 2L SA through OCI.

Same thing for 2 other of my friends. People outside the Top 15% land BigLaw - but generally we are not K-JD and have work experience.

OP, being in the Top 25% you are in good shape for at least getting screening interviews for OCI. For the most part, follow the grade cut offs closely when submitting bids - firms are unforgiving with those. Perhaps send out one or two "reach" bids to firms beyond your grade cut off. Outside of OCI, mass mail to firms that are not visiting campus.
Another GW 2L with friends similarly positioned. The real cutoff is top 1/3 (or 66% for you OP), and after that it comes down to being lucky and being sociable/likable.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:35 am
by GW_Law_Student
Thanks for the good news everyone. I'm an evening student, a registered patent agent doing freelance work. Currently working for (consulting for) a small patent boutique on a drug delivery method. I don't have a PhD.

From what I've observed, the big demand for IP is EE/physics/compsci, not for chem engr, so I'm not relying on a substantial bump from that. I did work for a year after a master's, maybe that'll help.

Mostly I'm focusing hard on breaking into the top 15%. I think it's doable.

Btw, I have to stay in the DC area. Does that materially alter my chances? Do you need higher grades to get an SA in the area? I hear DC is crazy competitive.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 11:48 am
by LawIdiot86
GW_Law_Student wrote:Thanks for the good news everyone. I'm an evening student, a registered patent agent doing freelance work. Currently working for (consulting for) a small patent boutique on a drug delivery method. I don't have a PhD.

From what I've observed, the big demand for IP is EE/physics/compsci, not for chem engr, so I'm not relying on a substantial bump from that. I did work for a year after a master's, maybe that'll help.

Mostly I'm focusing hard on breaking into the top 15%. I think it's doable.

Btw, I have to stay in the DC area. Does that materially alter my chances? Do you need higher grades to get an SA in the area? I hear DC is crazy competitive.
Generally I've heard you need higher grades in DC compared to NY, but once you've convinced them on grades, it's not as hard as Chi/Tex/Philly to prove connections. I've also heard Chem is in demand; look at places like Keller & Heckman or Hollingsworth.

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:28 pm
by Anonymous User
I am in the bottom 25% at a top 40 law school and landed BigLaw as a 1L....

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:31 pm
by pballer
Sounds made up

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 4:33 pm
by Anonymous User
pballer wrote:Sounds made up
It ain't bro, so don't worry about it....

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:12 pm
by GW_Law_Student
Anonymous User wrote:
pballer wrote:Sounds made up
It ain't bro, so don't worry about it....
connections

Re: 75th percentile at GWU

Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2012 5:23 pm
by Anonymous User
GW_Law_Student wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
pballer wrote:Sounds made up
It ain't bro, so don't worry about it....
connections
Nah...I had multiple offers, but the gist was that I applied early and by the time they saw my grades I wasn't a mere applicant, I was a finalist for the position. I was honest, said my grades were not where I wanted them to be, but if they looked at my undergrad record, previous professional work experience, etc., then they will see that my grades don't reflect my true ability.

Moreover, I went to those "networking" events so I can speak with the Partners and sell myself, rather than wait on a HR to make the decision. A lot of places refused to interview me, however, if you cast a wide net and do the things that other people aren't doing, doors can open.