Invited to Interview with firm (low GPA) Forum

[Anonymous User]

I need help guys.

I'm a transfer from a shit school to T14. Obviously I had good grades at my previous school. I struck out at OCI, but two weeks ago I hit up a firm in my hometown (where my shit school is located, but not the T14). It's not Vault ranked, but it's still somewhat highly regarded and pays $150k+. When I submitted my application, I did not have my T14 first semester grades yet. So I sent them my previous law school transcript. The partner liked that I externed at a government agency that deals with cases similar to what the firm does.

Today, they told me they would be happy to meet with me but at my own expense. Now that's fine and I don't mind paying to travel there. The issue is that my first grades at the T14 came in and they suck (around a 3.1 GPA). What should I do? Should I just go and hope they don't ask for an updated transcript. I'm positive I'll have better grades next semester. Last semester I put all my time and effort into finding a job, as a result I fell behind in readings and keeping up with outlines. Won't happen this semester, and I have a much easier exam schedule. So is it possible that they would give me an offer and not ask for an updated transcript until after the SA begins, in which case I'd have my second semester grades in?

Or should I updated the partner with new grades and tell him I'd be glad to pay for my trip there, and pray he doesn't look at them lol?

[Anonymous User]

Why do you want to send your updated grades BEFORE the firm asks for it? I don't understand.

I would rather go in, have an interview and kill it to the extent they would care less about my T14 grades. If asked, just say you were transitioning, blah blah.

[Anonymous User]

Why do you want to send your updated grades BEFORE the firm asks for it? I don't understand.

I would rather go in, have an interview and kill it to the extent they would care less about my T14 grades. If asked, just say you were transitioning, blah blah.

OP here. I applied like 2 weeks ago. So this is not similar to interviewing and getting an offer at the OCI stage, in which case I wouldn't update. I don't want them to see me as being sneaky and not trustworthy. I would think they're going to notice that it's late in January, and grades should be in by then, no?

[RaceJudicata]

Don't update grades until you have to. If they have already asked for updated grades, then send em. But if not, go to the interview without updating. Only update after they ask (whenever (if) they ask). Easier to overcome your grades after a good interview then before.

[Anonymous User]

Don't update grades until you have to. If they have already asked for updated grades, then send em. But if not, go to the interview without updating. Only update after they ask (whenever (if) they ask). Easier to overcome your grades after a good interview then before.

Thanks, they haven't asked for updated grades.

If anyone else wants to provide more wisdom, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[clerk1251]

3.1 is not great but not terrible. Especially at a top school. When you think about it, your cumulative GPA would still be pretty high - except that they start you over when you transfer. Don't over think it.

Take the interview, and crush it. Talk about how you always push yourself to do better in everything you do and that's why you transferred. Sell the fact that you always intended to return to the city where the firm is. If they ask for an updated transcript, send it but don't stress about it. I doubt they will ask for it. If they ask you about it, just say that you had to relearn a whole new way to study, without your study partners from 1L, or something like that. Then just focus on doing better for the remainder of your time there. As long as you graduate with above a 3.3, I think you'll be in good footing, even if this one job doesn't work out.

[elendinel]

My advice: Considering it sounds like you moved cities (or states) to go to the T14, and you're resetting with a whole different set of expectations, 3.1 is not the worst. But if you go into your interview acting as though it's unacceptable, the interviewer is likely to think it is, too. So I'd say your job from now until the interview is to convince yourself that it's not the end of the world that you got those grades, and that most people in your position wouldn't have had a stellar semester, either. Then project that confidence in the interview, regardless of whether they ask about grades or not. In most circumstances, a confident person who can calmly and confidently explain the situation and solutions to the issue sounds like a person on top of their s**t; a not-so-confident person who explains the situation and assures the interviewer that it won't happen again sounds like a person who is apologizing for their record (regardless of whether or not what that sounds like is actually true/what you mean to project).

[Anonymous User]

3.1 is not great but not terrible. Especially at a top school. When you think about it, your cumulative GPA would still be pretty high - except that they start you over when you transfer. Don't over think it.

Take the interview, and crush it. Talk about how you always push yourself to do better in everything you do and that's why you transferred. Sell the fact that you always intended to return to the city where the firm is. If they ask for an updated transcript, send it but don't stress about it. I doubt they will ask for it. If they ask you about it, just say that you had to relearn a whole new way to study, without your study partners from 1L, or something like that. Then just focus on doing better for the remainder of your time there. As long as you graduate with above a 3.3, I think you'll be in good footing, even if this one job doesn't work out.

OP here. Thanks for the advice. Contacted my career advisor to do a mock interview.

[Anonymous User]

My advice: Considering it sounds like you moved cities (or states) to go to the T14, and you're resetting with a whole different set of expectations, 3.1 is not the worst. But if you go into your interview acting as though it's unacceptable, the interviewer is likely to think it is, too. So I'd say your job from now until the interview is to convince yourself that it's not the end of the world that you got those grades, and that most people in your position wouldn't have had a stellar semester, either. Then project that confidence in the interview, regardless of whether they ask about grades or not. In most circumstances, a confident person who can calmly and confidently explain the situation and solutions to the issue sounds like a person on top of their s**t; a not-so-confident person who explains the situation and assures the interviewer that it won't happen again sounds like a person who is apologizing for their record (regardless of whether or not what that sounds like is actually true/what you mean to project).

OP here. Thanks, that's a very interesting perspective and I wholeheartedly agree. I will have that in mind when I interview. I think I am stressing too much about grades with respect to this firm. I think it stems from being disappointed in myself.