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I have two questions regarding 1L SA offers and grades

1. If a firm interviews you and basically says they want you but have to wait for 1st semester grades, how much are they willing to tolerate with your GPA? Seems like 1L people are going through a reversed process to interview since interviews happen first and your gpa doesnt exclude you from getting called.

2. If grades are decent in the first semester do they typically follow up and request spring semester grades? I dont plan to bomb either semester, but still curious.

Given the hard curve in lawschool it is tough to know my performance compared to the class. Fingers crossed.

Some firms offer without seeing 1l grades, but it's pretty rare. 1l sa positions are uncommon and really competitive (and I think most firms are extra concerned with ties during the 1l process as well). Just prepare for the interview the best you can, and don't worry about your grades. There's nothing you can do with regards to grades at this point. If nothing else, the 1l sa process is good interviewing practice to help you prepare for next summer when it really counts.

Just do your best and stop reading tea leaves

Ive already gone through the interview and have substantial ties. Hoping my grades wont eliminate me. Guess i shouldnt worry much since grades are what they will be :/

Are 1L SA positions really that competitive? At my school the vast majority of the top students weren't actually interested in them and didn't try for them.

I honeslty dont know how competetive they are. Im IP focused, but it seems a lot of people want to work for judges or go public interest...

FascinatedWanderer wrote:Are 1L SA positions really that competitive? At my school the vast majority of the top students weren't actually interested in them and didn't try for them.

I think it depends a lot on the market. I have also heard a lot of the "1L SA's are super competitive stuff," but got quite a few interviews in my home market and have gotten an offer without grades. (I'm not IP or diverse)

FascinatedWanderer wrote:Are 1L SA positions really that competitive? At my school the vast majority of the top students weren't actually interested in them and didn't try for them.

Damn, must be nice to have no interest in making a cool 25k in a cushy gig during a wholely meaningless summer (so long as you have a job Doing something legal).

Anonymous User wrote: I think it depends a lot on the market. I have also heard a lot of the "1L SA's are super competitive stuff," but got quite a few interviews in my home market and have gotten an offer without grades. (I'm not IP or diverse)

Since you're anon would you at least name the market?

lymenheimer wrote:

Anonymous User wrote: I think it depends a lot on the market. I have also heard a lot of the "1L SA's are super competitive stuff," but got quite a few interviews in my home market and have gotten an offer without grades. (I'm not IP or diverse)

Since you're anon would you at least name the market?

TX in general for interviews, offer in Houston

From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Anonymous User wrote:From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Timing and school also matter a lot. Was top 5 after first semester at a t20 with substantial Texas ties and was only able to get one screener as a 1L.

@OP: If you're interested in these, be applying now, don't wait on grades. Also: If you're outside the t14 and/or not diverse, don't hold your breath.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Timing and school also matter a lot. Was top 5 after first semester at a t20 with substantial Texas ties and was only able to get one screener as a 1L.

@OP: If you're interested in these, be applying now, don't wait on grades. Also: If you're outside the t14 and/or not diverse, don't hold your breath.

**T20 not in Texas.

RaceJudicata wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Timing and school also matter a lot. Was top 5 after first semester at a t20 with substantial Texas ties and was only able to get one screener as a 1L.

@OP: If you're interested in these, be applying now, don't wait on grades. Also: If you're outside the t14 and/or not diverse, don't hold your breath.

**T20 not in Texas.

Yes - should have clarified that. UT has a huge leg up on these things.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Timing and school also matter a lot. Was top 5 after first semester at a t20 with substantial Texas ties and was only able to get one screener as a 1L.

@OP: If you're interested in these, be applying now, don't wait on grades. Also: If you're outside the t14 and/or not diverse, don't hold your breath.

OP here. Thanks for the heads up. I've applied to a number of firms, both as a diversity hire (not really too diverse but I should qualify as a checkbox) and as a patent/IP guy (with WE, patent bar, and eng graduate degree). So far I've had an interview and they are now just waiting on grades for a final decision. Just hoping my grades aren't bad enough for them to reject me.

I do have another interview I will do soon in early Jan.

Otherwise, applied to maybe 12-14 SA positions. Still stressful :\

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Timing and school also matter a lot. Was top 5 after first semester at a t20 with substantial Texas ties and was only able to get one screener as a 1L.

@OP: If you're interested in these, be applying now, don't wait on grades. Also: If you're outside the t14 and/or not diverse, don't hold your breath.

OP here. Thanks for the heads up. I've applied to a number of firms, both as a diversity hire (not really too diverse but I should qualify as a checkbox) and as a patent/IP guy (with WE, patent bar, and eng graduate degree). So far I've had an interview and they are now just waiting on grades for a final decision. Just hoping my grades aren't bad enough for them to reject me.

I do have another interview I will do soon in early Jan.

Otherwise, applied to maybe 12-14 SA positions. Still stressful :\

12-14, even for 1L SA, is NOTHING.

RaceJudicata wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Timing and school also matter a lot. Was top 5 after first semester at a t20 with substantial Texas ties and was only able to get one screener as a 1L.

@OP: If you're interested in these, be applying now, don't wait on grades. Also: If you're outside the t14 and/or not diverse, don't hold your breath.

OP here. Thanks for the heads up. I've applied to a number of firms, both as a diversity hire (not really too diverse but I should qualify as a checkbox) and as a patent/IP guy (with WE, patent bar, and eng graduate degree). So far I've had an interview and they are now just waiting on grades for a final decision. Just hoping my grades aren't bad enough for them to reject me.

I do have another interview I will do soon in early Jan.

Otherwise, applied to maybe 12-14 SA positions. Still stressful :\

12-14, even for 1L SA, is NOTHING.

I probably should apply to more. I am limiting myself too much to my current area and sadly not as much IP. Guess I should get on it and apply to more.

Do you just apply through their website for open positions or are you also mailing the recruiting contacts at the firms?

RaceJudicata wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:From my understanding, TX is one of the easier (if not the easiest) markets for 1L SAs, so long as you have ties to TX.

I got my 1L SA in a secondary market w/no grades -- but I'm also at a T6 and had substantial ties.

Timing and school also matter a lot. Was top 5 after first semester at a t20 with substantial Texas ties and was only able to get one screener as a 1L.

@OP: If you're interested in these, be applying now, don't wait on grades. Also: If you're outside the t14 and/or not diverse, don't hold your breath.

OP here. Thanks for the heads up. I've applied to a number of firms, both as a diversity hire (not really too diverse but I should qualify as a checkbox) and as a patent/IP guy (with WE, patent bar, and eng graduate degree). So far I've had an interview and they are now just waiting on grades for a final decision. Just hoping my grades aren't bad enough for them to reject me.

I do have another interview I will do soon in early Jan.

Otherwise, applied to maybe 12-14 SA positions. Still stressful :\

12-14, even for 1L SA, is NOTHING.

Yeah, this. As a 1L IP seeker, I've already applied to upwards of 80 across several markets. Even with something like IP you're playing a numbers game, as most won't even consider you as a 1L anyway. But that being said, you're never wrong to make them tell you no. So send the recruiting contact an email with your resume and cover letter and see what happens. Gotta be brave when hustling for jobs.

ETA: I don't want to claim 80 is a lot either, but I've confined myself to one major market and two markets where I have ties and that's where it has gotten me. I am particularly tied down to geographic regions for personal reasons, so if not similarly situated, that number would likely be *insert number* of firms who have an IP practice in every market I'd personally be comfortable working in. It'd be a big number I'm guessing.

It depends.