Chicago Tier 1 Academic Requirements Forum

[Anonymous User]

Context: Honor roll undergrad student, AMTA Mock Trial Team A outstanding attorney, scholarship award winner, multiple executive positions in undergrad, 2 years paralegal experience.
I am finishing up my 1L1 semester and my grades are looking rocky. Property and Contracts; I may come out with a B in both. This would put my GPA at only around 3.5ish. I am looking at Tier 1 firms to intern with based on my past experience. My grades may not make the cut, but my speaking skills and trial experience are there. I have won countless awards for Mock Trial and public speaking competitions, as well as holding Presidency in multiple organizations in undergrad. I say this only to stress that I feel my oral skills far outweigh the potential B on my GPA.
My question: will any of that matter? Are there any Tier 1 Chicago firms that may look past an average/low GPA if I exceed in all other categories? I am looking to get into "high-paying" big law. Any recommendations of firms to look into, or, does anyone know the average GPA/rank that these firms are even accepting as interns?
THANK YOU!

[Anonymous User]

Big law firms will not care about your undergrad oral advocacy skills. At the very best, it will be a small distinguishing factor between you and someone similarly situated with regard to school/grades who has no extracurriculars.

Also, you haven’t even had your exams yet. There is no real way you can be predicting your 1st semester 1L exam grades at this point.

Your shot at a paying 1L SA gig will also depend on where you’re attending law school (I’m assuming you’re not at U of Chicago if you’re giving yourself letter grades rather than their unique points system). Your career services office should have much more tailored information about this.