Are grades less important in 3L hiring? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Trying to switch a firm after 2L SA for combined reasons of practice areas and others, but my gpa is mediocre...3.2x at mid-T14. I have high grades in transaction-focused classes though and will be able to get strong references from the professors in those classes. My SA was at V30 in DC.

I am trying to first send out my resumes to the firms who posted on my school's simplicity, but some of those firms had a gpa cut-off during 2L OCI. Will I have a chance for them? Also, what kind of things I should address in a cover letter? Should I write about why I want to switch? Thanks in advance.

[Anonymous User]

As someone going through 3L OCI, I find that they matter. However, they only matter to the extent that you make a gpa cutoff if that makes sense. If a 3.2 doesn’t put you near their cutoff it will make a difference -especially because at a V30 I’m assuming you want a higher ranked firm, which tend to be more grade sensitive.

[Anonymous User]

I think they are less important with the caveat that you don't want general corporate or litigation, because there are just so many people that want those positions. I think if you have a demonstrated interest in a more niche area (e.g. real estate, tax, funds, derivatives, etc.), then it's just about being over a cutoff. I had a a 3.45 at a T13 after 2L (this is around the 50% mark based on my napkin math, so true median), and I got 2 interviews at V10s and one at a V5 and offers from all of them.

[Anonymous User]

I think they are less important with the caveat that you don't want general corporate or litigation, because there are just so many people that want those positions. I think if you have a demonstrated interest in a more niche area (e.g. real estate, tax, funds, derivatives, etc.), then it's just about being over a cutoff. I had a a 3.45 at a T13 after 2L (this is around the 50% mark based on my napkin math, so true median), and I got 2 interviews at V10s and one at a V5 and offers from all of them.

I think is broadly true, with a few exceptions. I had about a 3.3 and was interviewed for and hired for general corporate practice (non-specialty). I think my GPA was a consideration, but my work experience and leadership seemed much more important in the end. As another poster said, higher ranked firms will probably still care a little more than others about GPA for 3L recruiting. I think 3L recruiting is still a little more forgiving GPA-wise overall though, since it's a smaller process overall and they are usually hiring for foreseeable needs so I think they're a little less picky about GPA cutoffs.