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Basics of OCI and Hiring?

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 12:39 pm
by John Adams
Somewhat lost 0L here, hoping to understand the basics of OCI and summer/permanent hiring.

First of all, when does OCI occur? I thought it was just the beginning of fall, when everyone returns to campus, but I've also heard people mention spring.

Can anyone give me a brief timeline of how it works? For instance, what and when are bids, when are interviews, when are callbacks/offers made?

When are permanent offers of employment made? If you work as a SA at a firm during 2L summer, do you potentially receive an offer during early 3L year?

I've heard that if you strike out at 2L OCI, you're screwed. Do 3L's have a seperate OCI from 2L's, and why is it so difficult?

Lastly, how do 1L's find summer gigs, such as internships? Is it a much less structures process than OCI?

Thanks for answering these newbie questions. I hope the answers can benefit other future law students as well.

Re: Basics of OCI and Hiring?

Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2010 2:51 pm
by Georgetown51
Somewhat lost 0L here, hoping to understand the basics of OCI and summer/permanent hiring.

First of all, when does OCI occur? I thought it was just the beginning of fall, when everyone returns to campus, but I've also heard people mention spring.

OCI occurs at the end of 1L year, where you interview for a job during the summer of 2L year. This is what people refer to when they say OCI. Although there are usually other smaller batches of on-campus interviewing these are generally not for large firm positions.

Can anyone give me a brief timeline of how it works? For instance, what and when are bids, when are interviews, when are callbacks/offers made?

Every school is different. Generally, you bid in the summer, interview in August for the first round, and then get callback starting immediately. Usually, if you are going to have an offer, you will have it by the middle of September.

When are permanent offers of employment made? If you work as a SA at a firm during 2L summer, do you potentially receive an offer during early 3L year?

Again, every firm is differnt. Some make offers on the final day of your SA job. Others may inform you at some later point.

I've heard that if you strike out at 2L OCI, you're screwed. Do 3L's have a seperate OCI from 2L's, and why is it so difficult?

3L's don't have a "seperate" OCI, but instead participate in the general OCI along with everyone. The problem is that there are about 5% as many 3L SA gigs. Firms don't really see any reason to bring in 3L's probably because you have likely already been screened in the 2L process. If you were not good enough to get the job your for 2L summer, you can be assured you wont get it for 3L summer. The people who are most successful are those who simply didn't like the firm they summered with for whatever reason, but have great grades.

Lastly, how do 1L's find summer gigs, such as internships? Is it a much less structures process than OCI?

You get on the internet and find stuff to which you send your application. The school will help you some, but it is generally all you.

Thanks for answering these newbie questions. I hope the answers can benefit other future law students as well.