Around median at T20 after 1L - options? Forum

[acr]

I just finished 1L at WUSTL with a 3.65 GPA. Our median is 3.55, but based on our historical cutoffs, I will be below the top third by .02 or .03 GPA points.

I'm not sure what went wrong for me this semester. I finished in the top 20% after the fall semester. I went in to talk to professors about my exams, spent as much time as I could studying, and largely utilized the same strategy on exams that I did during the Fall.

Overall, I ended up with A's in Criminal Law, Contracts, and Legal Writing (Fall), A-'s in Con Law, Civ Pro, and Legal Writing (Spring), and B+'s in Torts, Property, and Legal Research.

I'm pretty down about my performance this semester, but it is what it is. Maybe I just got lucky first semester and don't really have it. Anyway, I'm trying to evaluate the best course of action for me moving forward with my 1L GPA, and I would greatly appreciate any advice.

The options I'm considering are (1) Trying to get a firm job through OCI/mass mail in the fall; (2) Transferring to a higher ranked school; (3) applying to WUSTL's JD/MBA program; and (4) dropping out and looking for entry level positions in other careers.

I'm sorry if I just spat all this information out. But with where I finished 1L, I feel like I'm in total no mans land and have no idea what I should do. I want big law, but would be totally fine with mid law in a Midwestern market like any of the ones I mentioned. Do I have a chance of landing anything at OCI?

I sincerely appreciate ANY advice, thoughts, and experiences anyone is willing to share. If any other information would be helpful, I'm happy to provide it.

[Jmart082]

I just finished 1L at WUSTL with a 3.65 GPA. Our median is 3.55, but based on our historical cutoffs, I will be below the top third by .02 or .03 GPA points.

I'm not sure what went wrong for me this semester. I finished in the top 20% after the fall semester. I went in to talk to professors about my exams, spent as much time as I could studying, and largely utilized the same strategy on exams that I did during the Fall.

Overall, I ended up with A's in Criminal Law, Contracts, and Legal Writing (Fall), A-'s in Con Law, Civ Pro, and Legal Writing (Spring), and B+'s in Torts, Property, and Legal Research.

I'm pretty down about my performance this semester, but it is what it is. Maybe I just got lucky first semester and don't really have it. Anyway, I'm trying to evaluate the best course of action for me moving forward with my 1L GPA, and I would greatly appreciate any advice.

The options I'm considering are (1) Trying to get a firm job through OCI/mass mail in the fall; (2) Transferring to a higher ranked school; (3) applying to WUSTL's JD/MBA program; and (4) dropping out and looking for entry level positions in other careers.

I am a KJD with an economics degree and have some limited work experience in lobbying/government affairs. I'm on a full scholarship at WUSTL and have COL covered through savings, so I would graduate with $0 debt from WUSTL. I like the school, and I like St. Louis, but I don't want to waste two years there if I won't be able to land a real legal job. But the thought of being 150K in debt for NU, Michigan, or GULC (the only schools I have a realistic chance of transferring to) is equally unappealing. I'm from Des Moines originally and have strong ties to the city, and less significant ties to other Midwestern markets (KC, Minneapolis, etc.). I'm working public interest in Chicago this summer hustling my ass off to network and make connections.

I'm sorry if I just spat all this information out. But with where I finished 1L, I feel like I'm in total no mans land and have no idea what I should do. I want big law, but would be totally fine with mid law in a Midwestern market like any of the ones I mentioned. Do I have a chance of landing anything at OCI?

I sincerely appreciate ANY advice, thoughts, and experiences anyone is willing to share. If any other information would be helpful, I'm happy to provide it.

Honestly, you're still probably good to get Midlaw, and if you want a second shot at OCI, then definitely go for the JD/MBA. They give good scholarships to people who do well enough on the GRE/GMAT. As for transferring, that all depends on how you feel about zero debt v. 150 minimum (I wouldn't take that hit for anything less than T-8). If you are a URM, I'd suggest diversity hiring fairs. Much easier to get screeners through the fairs than through WUSTL's OCI.

[HonestAdvice]

Where you're from is relevant. Everyone thinks highly of WUSTL, but not so highly that you're likely to get hired by an east/west coast firm that doesn't have partners from WUSTL. You're overestimating the top third vs. top half distinction. It's not great but not terrible.

[RareExports]

3.65 is a decent bit above median -- it's much closer to top third. If you're fine with mid law in a midwestern market, would graduate with no debt, and like WUSTL/St. Louis, I don't see any reason to drop out. Unless you're a bad interviewer I can't imagine you wouldn't be able to get any legal job with a 3.65.

Do not pursue the JD/MBA. It's not a great MBA and will put you in debt.

[emkay625]

First, props to WUSTL. The ABA disclosures are at a big link at the very top of the home page (not even the admissions page), which is nice to see. It seems like so many schools bury them.

Second, looking at the ABA report, it looks like about 1/3 of the class gets Big Law + clerkships. I'd stick it out, at least through OCI.

Also no clue how WUSTL does write-on, but if there are any spots reserved for just the write-on candidates, make sure you do it. Landing LR would be a big boost for you.

[star fox]

Like a third of your class is going to transfer. You're still in a spot to land something. Can't worry about grades anywhere. Focus on preparing for interviews. Find what practice area you're interested in and which cities you'd like to live in and think of thoughtful answers to those questions that will inevitably be asked, and consider some thoughtful questions of your own.

[Joscellin]

You're in the ballpark for decent jobs, and you're from the area which is a huge advantage over some folks at Wash U. Hustle, mass mail, etc etc.

And don't drop out. Graduating debt free with a JD from WUSTL is a good outcome, regardless of what job you end up with.

[chingwoo]

I just finished 1L at WUSTL with a 3.65 GPA. Our median is 3.55, but based on our historical cutoffs, I will be below the top third by .02 or .03 GPA points.

I'm not sure what went wrong for me this semester. I finished in the top 20% after the fall semester. I went in to talk to professors about my exams, spent as much time as I could studying, and largely utilized the same strategy on exams that I did during the Fall.

Overall, I ended up with A's in Criminal Law, Contracts, and Legal Writing (Fall), A-'s in Con Law, Civ Pro, and Legal Writing (Spring), and B+'s in Torts, Property, and Legal Research.

I'm pretty down about my performance this semester, but it is what it is. Maybe I just got lucky first semester and don't really have it. Anyway, I'm trying to evaluate the best course of action for me moving forward with my 1L GPA, and I would greatly appreciate any advice.

The options I'm considering are (1) Trying to get a firm job through OCI/mass mail in the fall; (2) Transferring to a higher ranked school; (3) applying to WUSTL's JD/MBA program; and (4) dropping out and looking for entry level positions in other careers.

I am a KJD with an economics degree and have some limited work experience in lobbying/government affairs. I'm on a full scholarship at WUSTL and have COL covered through savings, so I would graduate with $0 debt from WUSTL. I like the school, and I like St. Louis, but I don't want to waste two years there if I won't be able to land a real legal job. But the thought of being 150K in debt for NU, Michigan, or GULC (the only schools I have a realistic chance of transferring to) is equally unappealing. I'm from Des Moines originally and have strong ties to the city, and less significant ties to other Midwestern markets (KC, Minneapolis, etc.). I'm working public interest in Chicago this summer hustling my ass off to network and make connections.

I'm sorry if I just spat all this information out. But with where I finished 1L, I feel like I'm in total no mans land and have no idea what I should do. I want big law, but would be totally fine with mid law in a Midwestern market like any of the ones I mentioned. Do I have a chance of landing anything at OCI?

I sincerely appreciate ANY advice, thoughts, and experiences anyone is willing to share. If any other information would be helpful, I'm happy to provide it.

Why not do full 2L recruiting and if you strike out take the GMAT and apply to the B-school later in the fall? Also a 3.65 is definitely enough to get you regional biglaw at WUSTL. Its all about how you network and interview from here on out. You can also use the MBA to trade up. For example, work at Husch for summer 1 and then at like K&E NY Summer 2 with JD/MBA if you want.

Also its super easy to identify you with how much info you have up right now.

[cron1834]

Also its super easy to identify you with how much info you have up right now.

So you felt the need to quote because... ?

[chingwoo]

Also its super easy to identify you with how much info you have up right now.

So you felt the need to quote because... ?

It's already been quoted at least once before hand. I was just warning him.