Help: how to answer interviw questions regarding low GPA? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am a rising 2L and registered the loyola patent program and have be selected to 15 interviews, many of those are my 'dream firms."
I have both my undergrad and grad degree in engineering (guess that is why those firm picked me), however, both my undergrad and grad school GPAs are low, I even failed one class at grad school. I don't have any decent excuse for that and I bet the interviwers have heard plenty.
Currently I am at a top 20 law school and top 1/3 in my law classs (I also have a full-ride at the lawschool). I have worked at a IP firm as a law clerk for a couple of months this summer so far.
With these backgrounds, how could I handle questions regarding my low GPAs? I noticed almost all the firms I will interview with require to bring undergrad and grad school transcript, I defintely will be grilled hardly... Should I even go to those interviews? With about one moth till the interview, is there anything I could do to make up my low GPA and add some credentials?

Thanks very much!

[iliketurtles123]

I am a rising 2L and registered the loyola patent program and have be selected to 15 interviews, many of those are my 'dream firms."
I have both my undergrad and grad degree in engineering (guess that is why those firm picked me), however, both my undergrad and grad school GPAs are low, I even failed one class at grad school. I don't have any decent excuse for that and I bet the interviwers have heard plenty.
Currently I am at a top 20 law school and top 1/3 in my law classs (I also have a full-ride at the lawschool). I have worked at a IP firm as a law clerk for a couple of months this summer so far.
With these backgrounds, how could I handle questions regarding my low GPAs? I noticed almost all the firms I will interview with require to bring undergrad and grad school transcript, I defintely will be grilled hardly... Should I even go to those interviews? With about one moth till the interview, is there anything I could do to make up my low GPA and add some credentials?

Thanks very much!

1. Yes do the interviews
2. What is your GPA(s)? Are we talking 3.0 or sub 3.0? If so, how much below 3.0? WE? Did you not list this on your resume when you applied?

[suzige]

But what are your excuses for your grades?

[Anonymous User]

I am a rising 2L and registered the loyola patent program and have be selected to 15 interviews, many of those are my 'dream firms."
I have both my undergrad and grad degree in engineering (guess that is why those firm picked me), however, both my undergrad and grad school GPAs are low, I even failed one class at grad school. I don't have any decent excuse for that and I bet the interviwers have heard plenty.
Currently I am at a top 20 law school and top 1/3 in my law classs (I also have a full-ride at the lawschool). I have worked at a IP firm as a law clerk for a couple of months this summer so far.
With these backgrounds, how could I handle questions regarding my low GPAs? I noticed almost all the firms I will interview with require to bring undergrad and grad school transcript, I defintely will be grilled hardly... Should I even go to those interviews? With about one moth till the interview, is there anything I could do to make up my low GPA and add some credentials?

Thanks very much!

1. Yes do the interviews
2. What is your GPA(s)? Are we talking 3.0 or sub 3.0? If so, how much below 3.0? WE? Did you not list this on your resume when you applied?

Both above 3.0. At graduate school, all my other grades are either A or B, but I got 1 F.

[Anonymous User]

But what are your excuses for your grades?

I am an international student and was on student visa. I came back to my counry in the middle of the semester, and my visa got checked so didn't make it back to one exam on time. I was told I could retake that class and the school would write off the F, however, until I graduated they never offered that class again, so that F stays on my transcrpit forever...

For undergrad I really don't have any excuse, didn't work hard enough .

[NotMyRealName09]

I had a low undergrad GPA which - of course - I did not list on my resume. One law firm asked me what it was during OCI - and I told them and explained that as a young man I lacked focus and made mistakes during undergrad, but I took the opportunity in law school to redeem myself.

So turn it into a positive. Address it briefly as something regrettable but also something you've put behind you by succeeding in law school.

That firm that asked me my undergrad GPA - the only OCI firm that asked - hired me and I work there today.

[Anonymous User]

I had a low undergrad GPA which - of course - I did not list on my resume. One law firm asked me what it was during OCI - and I told them and explained that as a young man I lacked focus and made mistakes during undergrad, but I took the opportunity in law school to redeem myself.

So turn it into a positive. Address it briefly as something regrettable but also something you've put behind you by succeeding in law school.

That firm that asked me my undergrad GPA - the only OCI firm that asked - hired me and I work there today.

Thanks for the reply, and I definetly would try the same strategy. I am not sure which type of law you are practising, however, for IP firms , especially IP prosecution, the firms are very emphasized on your technical capabilities, which would only reflect in your transcript or work experience(I had none...), so I am not sure those IP firms would be understandable as other firms.

[09042014]

I am a rising 2L and registered the loyola patent program and have be selected to 15 interviews, many of those are my 'dream firms."
I have both my undergrad and grad degree in engineering (guess that is why those firm picked me), however, both my undergrad and grad school GPAs are low, I even failed one class at grad school. I don't have any decent excuse for that and I bet the interviwers have heard plenty.
Currently I am at a top 20 law school and top 1/3 in my law classs (I also have a full-ride at the lawschool). I have worked at a IP firm as a law clerk for a couple of months this summer so far.
With these backgrounds, how could I handle questions regarding my low GPAs? I noticed almost all the firms I will interview with require to bring undergrad and grad school transcript, I defintely will be grilled hardly... Should I even go to those interviews? With about one moth till the interview, is there anything I could do to make up my low GPA and add some credentials?

Thanks very much!

1) don't give your UG transcript unless they explicitly ask. Even if they ask you to bring it, don't give it until they ask

2) how bad is bad? Above 3.0 is salvageable.

3) Aim for patent lit, those groups care way less.

4) Come up with a way of acknowledging the poor grades but pivoting to bragging. I used "I didn't take school seriously and it's my greatest regret, but I used that lesson to make sure I took law school seriously and I had great results."

5) Your biggest employment issue is your low T, whimp attitude. " Should I even go to those interviews?" What the hell friendo.

[Anonymous User]

I am a rising 2L and registered the loyola patent program and have be selected to 15 interviews, many of those are my 'dream firms."
I have both my undergrad and grad degree in engineering (guess that is why those firm picked me), however, both my undergrad and grad school GPAs are low, I even failed one class at grad school. I don't have any decent excuse for that and I bet the interviwers have heard plenty.
Currently I am at a top 20 law school and top 1/3 in my law classs (I also have a full-ride at the lawschool). I have worked at a IP firm as a law clerk for a couple of months this summer so far.
With these backgrounds, how could I handle questions regarding my low GPAs? I noticed almost all the firms I will interview with require to bring undergrad and grad school transcript, I defintely will be grilled hardly... Should I even go to those interviews? With about one moth till the interview, is there anything I could do to make up my low GPA and add some credentials?

Thanks very much!

1) don't give your UG transcript unless they explicitly ask. Even if they ask you to bring it, don't give it until they ask

2) how bad is bad? Above 3.0 is salvageable.

3) Aim for patent lit, those groups care way less.

4) Come up with a way of acknowledging the poor grades but pivoting to bragging. I used "I didn't take school seriously and it's my greatest regret, but I used that lesson to make sure I took law school seriously and I had great results."

5) Your biggest employment issue is your low T, whimp attitude. " Should I even go to those interviews?" What the hell friendo.

Thanks for the response.
Would passing patent bar be helpful for the interview? would that make up a little for my poor GPA?

[Anonymous User]

Nobody cares too much about college and graduate GPA. You're being judged for your legal skills. It won't get asked.

Law school GPA is very important. Patent bar is good, but won't make up for it. It's just a required by a small number of firms, and opens the door to doing more interesting work at any firm.

[09042014]

Nobody cares too much about college and graduate GPA. You're being judged for your legal skills. It won't get asked.

Law school GPA is very important. Patent bar is good, but won't make up for it. It's just a required by a small number of firms, and opens the door to doing more interesting work at any firm.

This is totally wrong. Every patent prosecution shop asked me for my UG creds and they all dinged me for it.

[09042014]

I am a rising 2L and registered the loyola patent program and have be selected to 15 interviews, many of those are my 'dream firms."
I have both my undergrad and grad degree in engineering (guess that is why those firm picked me), however, both my undergrad and grad school GPAs are low, I even failed one class at grad school. I don't have any decent excuse for that and I bet the interviwers have heard plenty.
Currently I am at a top 20 law school and top 1/3 in my law classs (I also have a full-ride at the lawschool). I have worked at a IP firm as a law clerk for a couple of months this summer so far.
With these backgrounds, how could I handle questions regarding my low GPAs? I noticed almost all the firms I will interview with require to bring undergrad and grad school transcript, I defintely will be grilled hardly... Should I even go to those interviews? With about one moth till the interview, is there anything I could do to make up my low GPA and add some credentials?

Thanks very much!

1) don't give your UG transcript unless they explicitly ask. Even if they ask you to bring it, don't give it until they ask

2) how bad is bad? Above 3.0 is salvageable.

3) Aim for patent lit, those groups care way less.

4) Come up with a way of acknowledging the poor grades but pivoting to bragging. I used "I didn't take school seriously and it's my greatest regret, but I used that lesson to make sure I took law school seriously and I had great results."

5) Your biggest employment issue is your low T, whimp attitude. " Should I even go to those interviews?" What the hell friendo.

Thanks for the response.
Would passing patent bar be helpful for the interview? would that make up a little for my poor GPA?

Do you even have time to pass it?

I don't think it'll make much of a difference anyway.

[toothbrush]

5) Your biggest employment issue is your low T, whimp attitude. " Should I even go to those interviews?" What the hell friendo.

quoted for making me lol

[Spartan_Alum_12]

I am a rising 2L and registered the loyola patent program and have be selected to 15 interviews, many of those are my 'dream firms."
I have both my undergrad and grad degree in engineering (guess that is why those firm picked me), however, both my undergrad and grad school GPAs are low, I even failed one class at grad school. I don't have any decent excuse for that and I bet the interviwers have heard plenty.
Currently I am at a top 20 law school and top 1/3 in my law classs (I also have a full-ride at the lawschool). I have worked at a IP firm as a law clerk for a couple of months this summer so far.
With these backgrounds, how could I handle questions regarding my low GPAs? I noticed almost all the firms I will interview with require to bring undergrad and grad school transcript, I defintely will be grilled hardly... Should I even go to those interviews? With about one moth till the interview, is there anything I could do to make up my low GPA and add some credentials?

Thanks very much!

1. Yes do the interviews
2. What is your GPA(s)? Are we talking 3.0 or sub 3.0? If so, how much below 3.0? WE? Did you not list this on your resume when you applied?

Both above 3.0. At graduate school, all my other grades are either A or B, but I got 1 F.

Yeah, you're fine. I listed my 3.1 UGPA on my resume and still got 14 PS at Loyola, and I go to a TTT. Only about half of my interviews even ask for undergrad transcripts. Be confident.

[09042014]

Above 3.0? Not even a problem buddy.

Also, did you put your UGPA on your resume for Loyola?

[Anonymous User]

Above 3.0? Not even a problem buddy.

Also, did you put your UGPA on your resume for Loyola?

I didn't put my UGPA in my resume..
I saw you said your were dinged for patent prosecution positions because of you UGPA, may I ask did you get a job at loyola eventually? If yes, is any experience you could share if don't mind.

[09042014]

Above 3.0? Not even a problem buddy.

Also, did you put your UGPA on your resume for Loyola?

I didn't put my UGPA in my resume..
I saw you said your were dinged for patent prosecution positions because of you UGPA, may I ask did you get a job at loyola eventually? If yes, is any experience you could share if don't mind.

Yes. Patent lit groups never really asked for my UGPA so it wasnt an issue with them at all.

[Anonymous User]

Above 3.0? Not even a problem buddy.

Also, did you put your UGPA on your resume for Loyola?

Not OP but I put my GPA on my Loyola resume. It was in the low 3.0's

I feel like I got less preselects than my law school rank and grades would have gotten me.. I bid all lit
Should I not have listed my GPA?

[Anonymous User]

Attorney here: don't talk about your grades. Nothing you can say will make it better. If they ask, say something simple and move on.

The interview isn't about answering tough questions, it's about getting to know you and building a relationship. I've done several interviews and often don't even look at transcripts beforehand - committees care about that kind of thing, I as an interviewer really don't. There's nothing you could say about grades that would be helpful in the slightest. They are what they are, and if we're talking there are a million more important things to focus on during our time together.

[Anonymous User]

Attorney here: don't talk about your grades. Nothing you can say will make it better. If they ask, say something simple and move on.

The interview isn't about answering tough questions, it's about getting to know you and building a relationship. I've done several interviews and often don't even look at transcripts beforehand - committees care about that kind of thing, I as an interviewer really don't. There's nothing you could say about grades that would be helpful in the slightest. They are what they are, and if we're talking there are a million more important things to focus on during our time together.

This question may sound dumb, but what if the committe don't want to hire a candidate because of her bad grade, but the interviwer like the candidate becaue of her great personality, interviewing skill...?