3L Grades at CCN Forum

[Idontwanttomakeaname]

I'm a 3L at CCN with a job lined up at a v5 firm and I have no interest in clerking, are there any circumstances under which my grades will matter going forward? I've been having severe senioritis and was wondering whether there are any real consequences to bad 3L grades. Will it matter if I try to lateral? What about if I try to move in-house?

[Anonymous User]

take it from a junior who hates their group and wants to lateral - you don't want to get a 3.0 as a 3L. If you get unlucky and slot into a psychotic group/work for terrible partners, you are going to want to lateral ASAP. As a junior, people will look at your transcript.

I should add that your chances of getting unlucky at a v5 are pretty high.

[icansortofmath]

Just don’t totaly flunk it (3.0 is flunking, 3.2 probably not) and end up with a C+ or straight Bs and you’ll be fine.

Even then, worst case stick with psychotic group for two years and you’re probably fine anyway.

[QContinuum]

Just don’t totaly flunk it (3.0 is flunking, 3.2 probably not) and end up with a C+ or straight Bs and you’ll be fine.

Even then, worst case stick with psychotic group for two years and you’re probably fine anyway.

Cs aren't on the curve at any of CCN. If NYU, I'd try to avoid getting any B-s, but short of that I don't think even straight Bs would kill off early lateral prospects. Sure, with straight Bs you probably won't lateral to another V5/10, but even a bit further down the Vault ranks, firms stop caring about T6 candidates' grades (again absent B-s or worse).

[FND]

a bit further down the Vault ranks, firms stop caring about T6 candidates' grades (again absent B-s or worse).

I'd be very wary about such a comment. Plenty of the larger firms care about grades/class rank, and would rather take a higher ranking student from a (somewhat) lower ranked school than a bottom-feeder at a better school. In the V50-V100 area, there are enough firms that would choose a top 10% at BU, Fordham, or GW over a bottom 50% at CCN any day of the week

[QContinuum]

a bit further down the Vault ranks, firms stop caring about T6 candidates' grades (again absent B-s or worse).

I'd be very wary about such a comment. Plenty of the larger firms care about grades/class rank, and would rather take a higher ranking student from a (somewhat) lower ranked school than a bottom-feeder at a better school. In the V50-V100 area, there are enough firms that would choose a top 10% at BU, Fordham, or GW over a bottom 50% at CCN any day of the week

We know the so-called "bottom feeders" at the T6 do just fine at 2L OCI (again, barring the sub-3.0 folks). Further, we know OP's 1L grades were strong enough to get them into a V5, and (given OP's post) presumably their 2L grades and first-semester 3L grades were also fairly strong (if OP's grades took a nosedive after 1L, there'd be no reason for OP to be particularly concerned about lower grades in their last semester). So OP is pretty far from being a "bottom feeder". There's no remote reason and in fact I'd say it's borderline irresponsible scaremongering to suggest that a single semester of weaker grades (again, weaker grades, not terrible grades - I expressly noted OP should avoid B-s and worse grades) is going to tank OP to the point where they're going to be run out of the V100 should they wish to lateral. OP's overall GPA will still be fairly strong even if they get straight Bs this last semester - their solid performance from their previous 5 semesters will outweigh their single 3.0 semester.

[icansortofmath]

Basically don’t flunk (law school flunk B- or straight Bs of course) and it probably won’t matter.

[FND]

a bit further down the Vault ranks, firms stop caring about T6 candidates' grades (again absent B-s or worse).

I'd be very wary about such a comment. Plenty of the larger firms care about grades/class rank, and would rather take a higher ranking student from a (somewhat) lower ranked school than a bottom-feeder at a better school. In the V50-V100 area, there are enough firms that would choose a top 10% at BU, Fordham, or GW over a bottom 50% at CCN any day of the week

We know the so-called "bottom feeders" at the T6 do just fine at 2L OCI (again, barring the sub-3.0 folks). Further, we know OP's 1L grades were strong enough to get them into a V5, and (given OP's post) presumably their 2L grades and first-semester 3L grades were also fairly strong (if OP's grades took a nosedive after 1L, there'd be no reason for OP to be particularly concerned about lower grades in their last semester). So OP is pretty far from being a "bottom feeder". There's no remote reason and in fact I'd say it's borderline irresponsible scaremongering to suggest that a single semester of weaker grades (again, weaker grades, not terrible grades - I expressly noted OP should avoid B-s and worse grades) is going to tank OP to the point where they're going to be run out of the V100 should they wish to lateral. OP's overall GPA will still be fairly strong even if they get straight Bs this last semester - their solid performance from their previous 5 semesters will outweigh their single 3.0 semester.

oh, I think OP will be fine. And most people at CCN will land on their feet. I just don't agree with your cliam that a bit further down the vault rankings firms stop caring about grades. Some firms are much more grade-whore, other firms care a lot more about the prestige of the law school.

[Idontwanttomakeaname]

a bit further down the Vault ranks, firms stop caring about T6 candidates' grades (again absent B-s or worse).

I'd be very wary about such a comment. Plenty of the larger firms care about grades/class rank, and would rather take a higher ranking student from a (somewhat) lower ranked school than a bottom-feeder at a better school. In the V50-V100 area, there are enough firms that would choose a top 10% at BU, Fordham, or GW over a bottom 50% at CCN any day of the week

We know the so-called "bottom feeders" at the T6 do just fine at 2L OCI (again, barring the sub-3.0 folks). Further, we know OP's 1L grades were strong enough to get them into a V5, and (given OP's post) presumably their 2L grades and first-semester 3L grades were also fairly strong (if OP's grades took a nosedive after 1L, there'd be no reason for OP to be particularly concerned about lower grades in their last semester). So OP is pretty far from being a "bottom feeder". There's no remote reason and in fact I'd say it's borderline irresponsible scaremongering to suggest that a single semester of weaker grades (again, weaker grades, not terrible grades - I expressly noted OP should avoid B-s and worse grades) is going to tank OP to the point where they're going to be run out of the V100 should they wish to lateral. OP's overall GPA will still be fairly strong even if they get straight Bs this last semester - their solid performance from their previous 5 semesters will outweigh their single 3.0 semester.

OP here: this is basically right. My 2L grades were way up from 1L and I did well but not amazing 1st semester 3L (because I was motivated by the professor who was teaching one of my classes).

What I am concerned about is getting a mix of B/B+ this semester (I’ve not gotten below a B+ so far) and having my overall GPA fall by around .1 and whether that will have consequences. Not necessarily whether I’ll be totally screwed but whether some of my lateral options will be foreclosed by having a terrible last semester.

[Anonymous User]

currently a junior at a V10 in NYC and looking to lateral to a fairly competitive market (SF/LA/DC) once hiring picks up again. graduated top 30-40% (idk what cutoffs are, I think I had a 3.6, maybe 3.5?) from CCN. I heard V10-20 firms in these markets are pretty grade conscious for junior associates, so wanted to know where I should be targeting. I'm in corporate if that makes a difference. thanks in advance!

[trebekismyhero]

currently a junior at a V10 in NYC and looking to lateral to a fairly competitive market (SF/LA/DC) once hiring picks up again. graduated top 30-40% (idk what cutoffs are, I think I had a 3.6, maybe 3.5?) from CCN. I heard V10-20 firms in these markets are pretty grade conscious for junior associates, so wanted to know where I should be targeting. I'm in corporate if that makes a difference. thanks in advance!

Corporate is going to be less grade conscious in the first place. DC might be a little harder just because there are fewer corporate jobs and firms there do focus on grades more. But top 30/40% at CCN should still be fine for most corporate spots in DC as a lateral. The bigger issue is the state of the lateral market in each market right now. I'd talk to your friends at firms in those markets and reach out to recruiters to get a sense of play.