Bad grade affects offer? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a 2L with an SA at a v10. I don't have a business background, so I took an accounting class to beef up on these concepts. While it definitely has been helpful, I am terrible at it. I regularly get less than 50% on the homework, despite spending 10-12 hours a week on the class. I have gotten help from my professor and he knows how hard I'm working.

I am not giving up already, but let's say I get a C, D, or F in this class. What impact would this have on my offer status? I do not anticipate having any problems in my other classes...knocks on wood.

[Anonymous User]

Assuming it's not an F, I don't think they care. Firms really just care about the first year grades, because that's when everyone's on an equal playing field and is incentivized to work hard. A firm recruiter told me that they only really look at first-year grades for young laterals, but that's obviously a small sample. My hunch is that anyone no offered because of grades was going to be no offered anyway, but the grades provide an objective basis for laying someone off that insulates the firm from potential liability whereas something like fit or poor work product is more contentious and controversial.

[BrainsyK]

Hire a tutor. It's probably worth a couple hundred bucks to minimize the risk, which admittedly, is minimal.

[QContinuum]

Can you take the accounting class pass/fail, instead of for a letter grade? Can you drop it and simply stay in as a formal/informal auditor (assuming you'd still have enough credits to remain a full-time student this semester and remain on track to graduate on time)?

Do you know what the curve for the accounting class looks like? Does the professor actually flunk students?

Based on admittedly anecdotal evidence, I don't think you'd have any issue with a C, but I'd be hesitant to risk a D/F in your shoes if there was any way I could avoid the risk.

[BeeTeeZ]

C = meh
D = concerning
F = go for litigation

[Anonymous User]

Is there any way you can drop the class?

No, it's too late

Can you take the accounting class pass/fail, instead of for a letter grade? Can you drop it and simply stay in as a formal/informal auditor (assuming you'd still have enough credits to remain a full-time student this semester and remain on track to graduate on time)?

Do you know what the curve for the accounting class looks like? Does the professor actually flunk students?

Based on admittedly anecdotal evidence, I don't think you'd have any issue with a C, but I'd be hesitant to risk a D/F in your shoes if there was any way I could avoid the risk.

Too late to take it pass/fail as well. Looks like IF he maxes out the curve, 40% get As, 50% get Bs, 10% get Cs (it's with the business school).

[sparty99]

I would drop the class. I was bad at accounting too. Took it in summer school in undergrad and had to drop the course and then took it in the regular year where I got like a C and a B in Accounting I and II. I actually worked for a Big 4 consulting firm prior to law school, which is the ironic part. But its not worth the bad grade. I did much better in Finance, landed a 4.0. Maybe take that course? At least you tried and should be applauded. But accounting is not easy if you are not a quantitative student.

[QContinuum]

Is there any way you can drop the class?

No, it's too late

Can you take the accounting class pass/fail, instead of for a letter grade? Can you drop it and simply stay in as a formal/informal auditor (assuming you'd still have enough credits to remain a full-time student this semester and remain on track to graduate on time)?

Do you know what the curve for the accounting class looks like? Does the professor actually flunk students?

Based on admittedly anecdotal evidence, I don't think you'd have any issue with a C, but I'd be hesitant to risk a D/F in your shoes if there was any way I could avoid the risk.

Too late to take it pass/fail as well. Looks like IF he maxes out the curve, 40% get As, 50% get Bs, 10% get Cs (it's with the business school).

I don't think b-schools are in the business of flunking students. (I'd be more concerned if this was a college class.) You should be fine.

[thatlawlkid]

Classic thread, this is the content i show up for.

You're gonna be fine broski, do well in your other classes and make it look like an anomaly. Everyone knows lawyers dont like numbers. Also, buy a calculator and stay off the dope.

[tk421991]

Classic thread, this is the content i show up for.

You're gonna be fine broski, do well in your other classes and make it look like an anomaly. Everyone knows lawyers dont like numbers. Also, buy a calculator and stay off the dope.

Well, law students like to complain about not being able to math. I love math as a law student. But I agree with your overall premise.

I worked as a tutor in undergrad and all but one of the students I tutored needed help in accounting classes. I realize this experience isn't law school, but here's a few tips:

*Everyone except for a few students on top tend to run around and say "I don't get accounting!" Sort of like how no one gets CivPro1 or Evidence or LP.
*Visit the professor's office hours before you hand in anything, assuming the professor gives out regular assignments. Simply going to office hours and working through assignments with the professor can greatly improve grades.
*Read the textbook closely. I realize this is more of a problem for undergrads than law students, but the book should explain the methodology enough.
*Accounting is more or less basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and you should always run the calculations twice to see if you got the right answer.

Basically what I'm saying is that everyone freaks out about accounting, but the problems can largely be solved by working with the professor or a tutor.