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Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:18 pm
by urbancowboy
Okay; we've all seen a million posts in which people have expressed concern that they will fail to receive a return offer because they got a B- and a string of median grades. The sentiment is always 'don't worry; you'll be fine' (except at GDC). However, I actually bombed--like, big time.

Thus far, I've received a C and two B-s. So yes. Actual bombing (primarily in tax classes primarily despite no accounting background). I had received strong marks in my 1L doctrinals and received the best grades in both semesters of legal writing.

I will be working in the litigation department of a V100 NY firm next summer. I know that they review transcripts at the end of the summer, though I've heard from past summers that one has nothing to worry about so long as said person does not fail. Obviously, I'm on the cusp.

Will my *actually* poor grades cause me trouble if I perform well next summer?

(Not at a T14)

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 2:23 pm
by Anonymous User
Similar situation. V50 lit. Bump.

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:08 pm
by Anonymous User
urbancowboy wrote:
Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:18 pm
Okay; we've all seen a million posts in which people have expressed concern that they will fail to receive a return offer because they got a B- and a string of median grades. The sentiment is always 'don't worry; you'll be fine' (except at GDC). However, I actually bombed--like, big time.

Thus far, I've received a C and two B-s. So yes. Actual bombing (primarily in tax classes primarily despite no accounting background). I had received strong marks in my 1L doctrinals and received the best grades in both semesters of legal writing.

I will be working in the litigation department of a V100 NY firm next summer. I know that they review transcripts at the end of the summer, though I've heard from past summers that one has nothing to worry about so long as said person does not fail. Obviously, I'm on the cusp.

Will my *actually* poor grades cause me trouble if I perform well next summer?

(Not at a T14)
Your *actually* poor grades aren't going to matter one lick unless you are an *actual* moron during the summer.

Firms don't devalue their draft picks based on one poor semester.

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:34 pm
by Anonymous User
My career counselor once told me that several firms no-offered 2L SAs who dropped below the firm gpa cutoff pre-pandemic, and an example was Baker Botts. However, it could be groundless rumor, and I do not think I heard anything else besides this.

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:58 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:34 pm
My career counselor once told me that several firms no-offered 2L SAs who dropped below the firm gpa cutoff pre-pandemic, and an example was Baker Botts. However, it could be groundless rumor, and I do not think I heard anything else besides this.
Baker Botts has been known to no-offer people dating back to at least 2016. This is pretty unique to both Baker Botts and the Texas market (especially during the oil bust). I work at a T50 NY firm and have only seen this happen once and it was because a summer demonstrated every week that he had no ability to communicate respectfully or understand assignment guidelines.

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 9:26 pm
by stbyes
Anonymous User wrote:
Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:08 pm
urbancowboy wrote:
Mon Dec 27, 2021 4:18 pm
Okay; we've all seen a million posts in which people have expressed concern that they will fail to receive a return offer because they got a B- and a string of median grades. The sentiment is always 'don't worry; you'll be fine' (except at GDC). However, I actually bombed--like, big time.

Thus far, I've received a C and two B-s. So yes. Actual bombing (primarily in tax classes primarily despite no accounting background). I had received strong marks in my 1L doctrinals and received the best grades in both semesters of legal writing.

I will be working in the litigation department of a V100 NY firm next summer. I know that they review transcripts at the end of the summer, though I've heard from past summers that one has nothing to worry about so long as said person does not fail. Obviously, I'm on the cusp.

Will my *actually* poor grades cause me trouble if I perform well next summer?

(Not at a T14)
Your *actually* poor grades aren't going to matter one lick unless you are an *actual* moron during the summer.

Firms don't devalue their draft picks based on one poor semester.
This. Though my knowledge is limited to financially stable firms.

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:21 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:58 pm
Anonymous User wrote:
Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:34 pm
My career counselor once told me that several firms no-offered 2L SAs who dropped below the firm gpa cutoff pre-pandemic, and an example was Baker Botts. However, it could be groundless rumor, and I do not think I heard anything else besides this.
Baker Botts has been known to no-offer people dating back to at least 2016. This is pretty unique to both Baker Botts and the Texas market (especially during the oil bust). I work at a T50 NY firm and have only seen this happen once and it was because a summer demonstrated every week that he had no ability to communicate respectfully or understand assignment guidelines.
I'm not entirely sure about this one. Jackson Walker and Haynes & Boone have a history of this too

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:26 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:21 pm
Anonymous User wrote:
Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:58 pm
Anonymous User wrote:
Mon Feb 07, 2022 8:34 pm
My career counselor once told me that several firms no-offered 2L SAs who dropped below the firm gpa cutoff pre-pandemic, and an example was Baker Botts. However, it could be groundless rumor, and I do not think I heard anything else besides this.
Baker Botts has been known to no-offer people dating back to at least 2016. This is pretty unique to both Baker Botts and the Texas market (especially during the oil bust). I work at a T50 NY firm and have only seen this happen once and it was because a summer demonstrated every week that he had no ability to communicate respectfully or understand assignment guidelines.
I'm not entirely sure about this one. Jackson Walker and Haynes & Boone have a history of this too
Are those not TX firms?

Re: Impact on Return Offer When One *REALLY* Bombs During 2L

Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:57 pm
by Anonymous User
T30 school in lit at a V100 firm as well. Offered SA with a 3.5. Fall semester of 2L dropped down to about a 3.3-3.35, not the end of the world. Completely bombed spring semester. Sister passed away in February of that year and I was devastated to the point of dysfunction. I think my GPA at the end of 2L was a 3.0x. Firm did not bring it up to me nor did I take it upon myself to explain.

Just be eager to learn and friendly during the summer and you'll be good.