3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be? Forum
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3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
1L at Penn, got my grades back last week, two B+s and a B. That's definitely below median, any idea where in the class that places me? I still don't have anything lined up for 1L summer (and am pretty behind on applying). I have some unrelated WE, nothing special. Am paying near-sticker. Am I in a lot of trouble for OCI/pre-OCI?
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
You have another semester to go, so I wouldn't get to down yet. I know people who were below median first semester and pulled well above after second. Reevalutae how you studied first semester and look for improvement. If your first semester professors will review your exams with you, that could lead to valuable insights on how you could improve your exam writing skills.
There's no real point in worrying for the sake of worrying. In a decent hiring year, even sub-median people at Penn typically get a biglaw offer. I'd only be seriously worried if you were pulling multiple Cs.
There's no real point in worrying for the sake of worrying. In a decent hiring year, even sub-median people at Penn typically get a biglaw offer. I'd only be seriously worried if you were pulling multiple Cs.
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
if the goal is to get a big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightest
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
If you're talking about getting any big law job, you should not be worried at all. Find the career service spreadsheets, and you will see that there are several firms that hire their entire class from Penn at a B+ or lower average. It would help to know if you have more specific plans or goals, though.
Echo this response. Speak with your professors and get feedback on your exams. You are already a better law student by virtue of having gone through that tough first semester. Plus, half of your spring classes are on an easier curve than your fall classes. You have a lot of room to improve your grades, and a transcript that shows an upward trend line tells an appealing story.
That said, your first priority should probably be securing a summer job. I would speak to career services about this if you are having trouble navigating applications; it is what they are there for.
Good luck!
Echo this response. Speak with your professors and get feedback on your exams. You are already a better law student by virtue of having gone through that tough first semester. Plus, half of your spring classes are on an easier curve than your fall classes. You have a lot of room to improve your grades, and a transcript that shows an upward trend line tells an appealing story.
That said, your first priority should probably be securing a summer job. I would speak to career services about this if you are having trouble navigating applications; it is what they are there for.
Good luck!
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
if the goal is to get a transactional big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightestAnonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 12:37 pmif the goal is to get a big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightest
Litigation is a different story
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
Would not panic, you need to train yourself how to study for and take law school exams and go in with a mindset of crushing your second semester. You’ll probably be fine with a 3.2 regardless, if the goal is transactional work (i.e., plenty of Texas/NY firms will take a 3.2 from Penn).
I had a 3.2 after my first semester at Michigan, and bounced back with a 3.8 the second. Still remember being pretty devastated getting my grades (the first that came in was the B). I ended up with 3 offers pre-OCI and several more during. Just put your head down and work hard and you’ll be fine
I had a 3.2 after my first semester at Michigan, and bounced back with a 3.8 the second. Still remember being pretty devastated getting my grades (the first that came in was the B). I ended up with 3 offers pre-OCI and several more during. Just put your head down and work hard and you’ll be fine
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
OP here, thank you all for the really thoughtful replies! I am in the process of scheduling meetings with all of my professors. Hopefully, I will be able to glean some insights from those. In terms of my goals, I would be happy to accept anything that pays market or near-market, but my main interests are Restructuring and Tax. I tried to get the grade sheet, but unfortunately, Career Services gave me the runaround and told me that it would not be available until shortly before the end of the semester. I want to be proactive with scheduling coffee chats/Zoom calls with attorneys at firms I would have a good chance at; does anybody know what firms tend to be a little less grade-selective from Penn/take lots of Penn students? I am pretty sure that we now have to submit our bid lists before we get second-semester grades back, so no matter what happens I have to bid conservatively.
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
You are totally fine, I had those first semester 1L grades at Penn, did a little better 2nd semester and ended up with a good biglaw nyc opportunity after graduation. Don’t stress, just focus on improving 2nd semester grades and you will be good.
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
For the grade sheet, ask a 2L (maybe your Morris fellow)? Someone will have last years, which will be totally fine for networking targeting.
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
Don't rely on OCS for anything. They are useless and often give counterproductive advice. Find a 2L who will give you good advice (as well as that spreadsheet)
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
Anonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:03 pmif the goal is to get a transactional big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightestAnonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 12:37 pmif the goal is to get a big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightest
Litigation is a different story
I strongly disagree with these comments. While you're certainly on track to get a standard biglaw job. Having a 3.2 from Penn going into OCI could also very conceivably lead to striking out. Particularly so if you're a KJD or don't interview well.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 12:37 pmif the goal is to get a big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightest
TLDR its far from over for you, but take this as a time to really prep those interviews.
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Re: 3.2 at Penn, how worried should I be?
This is true, but it's also true with a 3.5+. Important to prep fully for interviews, and nowadays to really work the networking circuit for pre OCI.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Sat Feb 08, 2025 4:26 pmAnonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:03 pmif the goal is to get a transactional big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightestAnonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 12:37 pmif the goal is to get a big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightest
Litigation is a different storyI strongly disagree with these comments. While you're certainly on track to get a standard biglaw job. Having a 3.2 from Penn going into OCI could also very conceivably lead to striking out. Particularly so if you're a KJD or don't interview well.Anonymous User wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 12:37 pmif the goal is to get a big law job in nyc, you should not be worried in the slightest
TLDR its far from over for you, but take this as a time to really prep those interviews.
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