How do employers view a (retroactive) Pass/Fail? - 2021 grad asking Forum

[Anonymous User]

So grades came in and now we have only a day or so to decide to use a retroactive P/NP. I'm considering using it on a B+. This would barely affect my cumulative gpa (it would result in a one-hundredth of a point bump), BUT it would bump my (higher) 2L/3L GPA from a 3.77 to a 3.81. The grade is in a serious 4 unit course, but one that is only tangentially related to my target practice area (but still related in that it is a business law course). I’m still on the hunt for a job, employers will still be looking at my transcript.

Curious how those of you who review/screen candidates would view something like this.

[Anonymous User]

So grades came in and now we have only a day or so to decide to use a retroactive P/NP. I'm considering using it on a B+. This would barely affect my cumulative gpa (it would result in a one-hundredth of a point bump), BUT it would bump my (higher) 2L/3L GPA from a 3.77 to a 3.81. The grade is in a serious 4 unit course, but one that is only tangentially related to my target practice area (but still related in that it is a business law course). I’m still on the hunt for a job, employers will still be looking at my transcript.

Curious how those of you who review/screen candidates would view something like this.

My gut tells me that you should not use the P/NP. B+ is not a terrible grade, and seeing a "P" in a blackletter law class will look pretty suspicious. When I look at transcripts and see a masked grade, I assume it's a B or lower. Also, if you are at Columbia (since I know they allow retro masking of one grade per semester now) it would not change your GPA.

[LBJ's Hair]

doesn't matter. P/NP in a black-letter course, to most people = hiding non-A-range grade

[whats an updog]

do recruiting committees/staff really care about this outside of gpa? i have never been on a recruiting committee or done OCI so maybe i just don't know what goes on, but ive done a bunch of callback interviews and informational interviews that functioned as screeners. can't imagine caring about grades on a per-class basis.

[Anonymous User]

do recruiting committees/staff really care about this outside of gpa? i have never been on a recruiting committee or done OCI so maybe i just don't know what goes on, but ive done a bunch of callback interviews and informational interviews that functioned as screeners. can't imagine caring about grades on a per-class basis.

OP here. I'm just concerned because I had multiple B-s in 1L, and I've really improved in 2L/3L, with nothing lower than B+. I'm concerned if the see a P in black letter class like that in my last semester of 3L, employers will think I've reverted. Plus, a lot of Ps on my transcript due to COVID. The key thing is whether being able to say I have 3.81 vs. 3.77 2L/3L GPA on my resume is really worth it. I have a much lower cum GPA, so I need that 2L/3L GPA to do some heavy lifting in order to not get my resume thrown in the trash. But I worry that once employers scrutinize the transcript, they'll discount the GPA improvement when they see all the Ps in black letter courses (due to covid + if I take the retroactive P/NP).

[nixy]

I'm confused. In what context are you ever going to reporting your 2L/3L GPA separately from your cumulative GPA?

[Anonymous User]

I'm confused. In what context are you ever going to reporting your 2L/3L GPA separately from your cumulative GPA?

I list both on my resume.

[nixy]

I'm confused. In what context are you ever going to be reporting your 2L/3L GPA separately from your cumulative GPA?

I list both on my resume.

I’ve never seen anyone do this before and I don’t understand what purpose it serves? I mean, I get that you want to highlight the improvement over time, but I’m not sure that it’s going to really have the effect you’re hoping. I think employers care most about overall GPA and can trace an upward trajectory on a transcript if that’s going to make a difference.

[whats an updog]

I'm confused. In what context are you ever going to be reporting your 2L/3L GPA separately from your cumulative GPA?

I list both on my resume.

I’ve never seen anyone do this before and I don’t understand what purpose it serves? I mean, I get that you want to highlight the improvement over time, but I’m not sure that it’s going to really have the effect you’re hoping. I think employers care most about overall GPA and can trace an upward trajectory on a transcript if that’s going to make a difference.

Agreed and again, never having been on a recruiting committee, I can't speak to how granular they get. So maybe this is bad advice, but as an interviewer I would never ever consider this much thought going into the process. Once you clear gpa minimum for my firm the main concern is that you are not a dick and seem competent/responsive.