T14, 3.0 Forum

[lawskyandhutch]

I'm at a T14 with a 3.0 after one semester of grades. How screwed am I? I have a pretty nice scholarship, but I still want to find a decent job when I graduate. I can probably improve, but I imagine I'll still have 3.2ish when I interview next fall.

[Pato_09]

A friend (low Top 14) also had a 3.0 first semester. A 3.3 second semester = 3.2ish cumulative and has a SA.

Keep working hard and try to look at past exams to see what you did wrong.

Good Luck!

[lawskyandhutch]

Thanks! What's an SA?

[IAFG]

Are you seriously contemplating dropping out? If not, just focus on doing better. Talk to your professors. Figure out why you shit the bed. Get good outlines. Do better. Don't worry about employment right now, worry about doing better.

[sparty99]

Summer Associate.

A 3.0 is median or slightly below...It is not the best place to be, but I would be happy....You are on the verge of being really competitive for OCI if you improve your gpa to 3.3

If you are top 1/3 at the end of 1L, I think you can have a decent shot depending on your background...Really try to find out how you can improve.

[lawskyandhutch]

Thanks all. I think median is something like 3.3 here. I'm worried 3.0 is bottom 20% or so. But I don't have my heart set on biglaw.

[lawskyandhutch]

And, yeah, I know I need to do better. I'm just trying to figure out how bad things are currently.

[sparty99]

I've seen firm jobs generally require Top 10 - 33%. Legal internships at Teach for America a 3.4 gpa.

Then I have seen some government positions that require a 2.8 or a 3.0 or above. Thus, I guess I would at least strive for a 3.0 or above...Don't worry too much, most 1L jobs are unpaid and your 1L Spring Semester can be redemption for OCI.

[Pato_09]

Another thing to work on (after 1L) is your interviewing skills. Being a good interviewee can help you stand out with a below median GPA.

Also, 1L internships do not matter; just get one.