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LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 1:02 pm
by pasteurizedmilk
Does this look bad on a transcript, or do employers not really care?

TYIA

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:24 pm
by sethc
pasteurizedmilk wrote:Does this look bad on a transcript, or do employers not really care?

TYIA

What sort of class was/is it? I know my intro-to-law class during 1L was pass/fail and I think across the board most law schools have some kind of equivalent. Mine didn't count for any credits or anything, but I passed. I think most employers know about this and usually aren't concerned. But, if it was anything beyond that (i.e. a regular law class with credits) then I have no clue, but I'd be interested in finding out.

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:25 pm
by pasteurizedmilk
It's a regular class.

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:35 pm
by sethc
pasteurizedmilk wrote:It's a regular class.

Oh ok, mind if I ask what class? I can't speak much on the subject since I haven't had one of those, but how does a P/F compute into your school/semester's GPA?

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 3:54 pm
by KidA23
sethc wrote:
pasteurizedmilk wrote:It's a regular class.

Oh ok, mind if I ask what class? I can't speak much on the subject since I haven't had one of those, but how does a P/F compute into your school/semester's GPA?
It doesn't.

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:14 pm
by sethc
KidA23 wrote:
sethc wrote:
pasteurizedmilk wrote:It's a regular class.

Oh ok, mind if I ask what class? I can't speak much on the subject since I haven't had one of those, but how does a P/F compute into your school/semester's GPA?
It doesn't.

Oh ok, well then if you want my opinion then I'd say to just not sweat it. If the class sounds impressive & you passed, then I'd make some small mention of it.. otherwise fuck it.

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 10:15 pm
by kings84_wr
I've sort of been wondering this same question with Retroactive pass/fail. Since most employers familiar with the school will know that the P was substituted likely for a not very strong grade.

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:16 pm
by jenesaislaw
I had an interview with a very prominent firm and the interviewer asked me why there were so many P's on my transcript. I explained to her that each class was mandatory P/F, and she seemed satisfied enough even though I didn't answer why I took those classes (some were mandatory courses, others not really by choice like journal, and others were optional classes with mandatory P/F).

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 11:17 pm
by General Tso
jenesaislaw wrote:I had an interview with a very prominent firm and the interviewer asked me why there were so many P's on my transcript. I explained to her that I had no choice in any of the classes, and she seemed satisfied enough even though I didn't answer why I took those classes (some were not by choice, others not really by choice like journal, while others were optional classes with mandatory P/F).
large firms probably care (a little bit), but smaller firms probably do not

Re: LS classes pass fail

Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 2:18 am
by XxSpyKEx
Don't sweat it if it is just one class you are pass/failing. Just don't elect pass/fail on a ton of your classes where you wind up with a plethora of "P"s on your transcript. Also, don't pass/fail a lot of harder doctrinal courses and take a bunch of seminars graded. Employers will notice those types of things (particularly judges for clerkship hiring).

kings84_wr- retroactive pass/fail is a little tougher to justify because, like you mentioned, employers will know that you elected pass/fail because you got a shitty grade in the class. (Usually schools publicize their policies in their handbooks or on their websites, which sucks.) I guess it's better than having something like a "C" on your transcript and bringing your GPA down, but, personally, I'd avoid it unless it's a really bad grade (like a C).