Chances of getting a 1L Summer Associate position Forum

[Anonymous User]

Just got my grades back for my first semester. Finished with a 3.85. What are my chances of getting a 1L Summer Associate position in DC, NY or another large market in NE. I'm simply applying online through my school's job site. Assume I'm attending GULC/UT.

Thanks.

[Anonymous User]

No guarantee but pretty high. Just be personable and sharp in every interview. Make sure you have a solid resume and cover letter that impresses as well.

[Joscellin]

Worth trying, but don't count any chickens.

I was in the tier of schools below you (T20), but struck out for a 1L SA despite a 4.0.

If you're not totally geographically locked to the East Coast, definitely apply in Texas as well. They take a lot more 1Ls NY/DC do.

[favabeansoup]

Just got my grades back for my first semester. Finished with a 3.85. What are my chances of getting a 1L Summer Associate position in DC, NY or another large market in NE. I'm simply applying online through my school's job site. Assume I'm attending GULC/UT.

Thanks.

No one can guess your chances because 1L hiring, especially in the NE, is a total crapshoot. You can have fantastic grades and not get anything, and some people can get things without grades even being in. Completely different than 2L hiring, where you'd certainly get some offers with that GPA.

All you can do is just apply everywhere and hope something sticks.

[Anonymous User]

Just got my grades back for my first semester. Finished with a 3.85. What are my chances of getting a 1L Summer Associate position in DC, NY or another large market in NE. I'm simply applying online through my school's job site. Assume I'm attending GULC/UT.

Thanks.

No one can guess your chances because 1L hiring, especially in the NE, is a total crapshoot. You can have fantastic grades and not get anything, and some people can get things without grades even being in. Completely different than 2L hiring, where you'd certainly get some offers with that GPA.

All you can do is just apply everywhere and hope something sticks.

Why is 1L and 2L hiring different? Is 1L hiring more interview center-ed while 2L more depending on your grades?

I guess I am confused because when people refer to SA hiring, they use phrasing like top 50% for T6, top 30% for T10 etc.

Would love to learn more.

Thank you!

[BlendedUnicorn]

Just got my grades back for my first semester. Finished with a 3.85. What are my chances of getting a 1L Summer Associate position in DC, NY or another large market in NE. I'm simply applying online through my school's job site. Assume I'm attending GULC/UT.

Thanks.

No one can guess your chances because 1L hiring, especially in the NE, is a total crapshoot. You can have fantastic grades and not get anything, and some people can get things without grades even being in. Completely different than 2L hiring, where you'd certainly get some offers with that GPA.

All you can do is just apply everywhere and hope something sticks.

Why is 1L and 2L hiring different? Is 1L hiring more interview center-ed while 2L more depending on your grades?

I guess I am confused because when people refer to SA hiring, they use phrasing like top 50% for T6, top 30% for T10 etc.

Would love to learn more.

Thank you!

Outside of certain markets (Texas) big law firms almost never hire 1Ls except through diversity programs. On the other hand, 2L summer is when they do the bulk of their full time hiring- SA positions are more (105%) about recruiting than they are about hiring useful workers for the summer (-5%).

Not every firm follows this formula but the bulk do. Some small and mid sized firms *might* be more willing to hire a 1L summer. So I guess the answer to your question depends on whether you'd qualify for a diversity program.

Texas would be good advice except my understanding is that Texas hiring is pretty much done by now. i would focus the bulk of your effort on finding something public interesty at this point, you're pretty late in the game.

E. good news is you're well on your way to a 2L SA spot which is what the game is all about. Just find legal work of any variety for this summer.

[Anonymous User]

Texas hiring is definitely not done by now. OP (or anyone else) will definitely be a little behind by not starting until now, but hiring is by no means done. I have interviews lined up through the end of January. Also, if OP's 3.85 comes from UT and (s)he sends apps to most of the Texas firms I would bet money that (s)he gets a job.

[sawyercb]

Worth trying, but don't count any chickens.

I was in the tier of schools below you (T20), but struck out for a 1L SA despite a 4.0.

If you're not totally geographically locked to the East Coast, definitely apply in Texas as well. They take a lot more 1Ls NY/DC do.

This is my experience with 1L positions in east coast firms. I had a 3.9 1L and no 1L SA. From what I saw, those who got 1L positions were either minorities / client's kid / other connection.

[BlendedUnicorn]

Texas hiring is definitely not done by now. OP (or anyone else) will definitely be a little behind by not starting until now, but hiring is by no means done. I have interviews lined up through the end of January. Also, if OP's 3.85 comes from UT and (s)he sends apps to most of the Texas firms I would bet money that (s)he gets a job.

Fair. People I knew who were targeting Texas told me that they had to have their apps in on December 1 to have a chance but that very well could have been rumor.

I guess my point was less "don't bother trying" and more "start thinking hard about other optional."

[BigZuck]

You're probably not going to get a 1L SA (especially in those markets) but you miss 100% of the shots you don't take, YOLO, etc.

You're anon, you can say what school you go to

Grouping UT/GULC is weird

I'm sure Texas isn't "done" but applying this late certainly puts yourself at a significant disadvantage

[Anonymous User]

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