Try and get a job in a reputed T2 firm that hires through intentships. Use any contacts you can. Once you have a year of work experience, you can easily move to T1. A lot of T1 folks have average GPAs (including myself). Chill out, and stop feeling sorry for yourself. Just work upwards.

Thank you so much for this! I'm glad you made it!!! I'm starting a new internship today and will try to follow your tips on networking. Honestly, I don't have the best networking skills, but I need to get out of my introverted shell and be more confident; let's see how it goes.

My batch rank was in the bottom half of my batch, 0 publications, multiple competitions and wins, 0 family connections, tier 2 nlu.

I ended up getting offers from two tier 1 firms and one tier 2 firm in my 4th year.

Don't lose hope, try networking as much as possible, your placement cell is not the only place you can get internships from.

Also, these firms don't pay that much attention to your gpa once you get the internship, it's only a pre-requisite to get the internship (if applying via the cell or individually). try networking with people (ideally SA and above) and getting them to forward your CV to their company HRs. once you enter a firm, it's far easier as long as you can convince your team you deserve a place there.

Incoming 4th year at one of the top 3's. My gpa is around the batch average. My cv has a few comps, some wins, but no publications, I have done normal internships at no name chambers (enjoyed the experience and learnt law and life) , and 2 law firm internships.

The issue - I did not get a tier 1 internship through my RCC on the first cycle ( it was due to my gpa, a lot of people above me). If I don't get a Tier 1 internship in my 4th year, chances are that I won't get placed there either.

i obviously can't bring my gpa to top 30 right now. so should I even bother about getting a tier 1 placement on day zero ? Is it possible? I was thinking about doing internship at boutiques which specialize in gen corp transactions. ( would like recommendations) which would help me stenghten my CV.

If T1 isn't possible, then what is the best course for me to get a tier 1 job later on in the future through a lateral switch? how do I maximize by chances.

( To clarify, I'm not glamorizing T1 jobs or putting them on a pedestal in any way, its just that my very humble background + limited exposure - made me do law on the premise that there is a shit ton of money).

I don't care about work life balance, I cannot literally afford it due to loans.

Regarding my gpa - I always felt like academics wasn't really my thing. I unfortunately for my present self was never really passionate about it. Inspite of my mid gpa however , I have always performed better at corporate law gpa wise and prefer to pursue it. I am interested in general transactional work (M& A, bnf etc), and have experience in IP law and want to switch.

I never really realised how important my gpa was in placements until the start of my 3 rd year, because I really thought that the mere fact that i was in a T1 law school would give me pretty good opportunities. (silly me, I did not realise that even here it's only the cream and not the milk )

I have derived much more pleasure during my internships, and have gotten good feedback about my temperament and work. I do understand why firms select by GPA due to it being a common objective parameter, but I feel like I'm just getting filtered out in the system inspite of having a genuine interest. ( too many people - too few opportunities)

Currently I'm thinking of applying to firms who do transactional work and needed a few recommendations on those as well. additionally, what are some tier 1's/ well paying boutiques which aren't very strict on their gpa requirement?

I'm open to advice but give me the realistic possibilities.

Would greatly appreciate it, since I really don't feel like asking a senior or anyone i know.