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GPA needed for government honors programs?
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:48 pm
by linkx13
Just trying to set a "safe zone" goal for myself to stay competitive
DISCLAIMER: I do realize they care about a lot more than grades. I'm just trying to create a set GPA goal.
Re: GPA needed for government honors programs?
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:49 pm
by FSK
As high as you can. How the hell do you set a goal even?
Re: GPA needed for government honors programs?
Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 2:43 pm
by A. Nony Mouse
I've seen references ranging from top-third to top-quarter. (Occasionally you see actual GPAs given, but I don't think that's very helpful. Like, I think I've seen one agency want a 3.0, which equals a horrible class rank at grade inflaters like NU and a really high rank at TTTs with C medians. The TTT person may need to have that high a ranking, but I don't think below median at a T14 is really the right cutoff either.)
But it will vary by agency/component. Some agencies are less likely to care if you have excellent pertinent experience and people in the agency willing to vouch for you. Others (cough*DOJcivilrights*cough) will only take the very top of the class people (I LinkedIn stalked a civil rights honors attorney with Harvard/Yale BA/JD who clerked for SDNY and the 9th Circuit first).