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If firms that extend a callback wish to schedule you for, say, a 10am-2pm visit, is it OK to ask them if you can do a 9-1 instead so that you can schedule a 2pm-5pm at another firm that day?

I know that conventional wisdom to to dedicate all of one's mental energy to a single callback firm on any given day. I disregard that at my own peril, and I think it'd be fine, actually. So I'd like to know if firms would be understanding about this (after all, it seems reasonable to want to meet 6 firms in DC in 3 days, if possible, as opposed to just 3. Everyone should see that, right?). Or, would firms scoff at this and consider it disrespectful (or just refuse to accommodate), in which case one might have to cancel his/her less preferred firm callbacks (or cancel higher preferred but riskier ones, depending on individual risk tolerance).

I know this is a great "problem" to have and I don't wish to offend or be insensitive in talking -- theoretically and anonymously -- about declining callback offers for scheduling reasons when not all on this board are so fortunate as to be in that position. Thanks for providing your take.

Anonymous User wrote:If firms that extend a callback wish to schedule you for, say, a 10am-2pm visit, is it OK to ask them if you can do a 9-1 instead so that you can schedule a 2pm-5pm at another firm that day?

I know that conventional wisdom to to dedicate all of one's mental energy to a single callback firm on any given day. I disregard that at my own peril, and I think it'd be fine, actually. So I'd like to know if firms would be understanding about this (after all, it seems reasonable to want to meet 6 firms in DC in 3 days, if possible, as opposed to just 3. Everyone should see that, right?). Or, would firms scoff at this and consider it disrespectful (or just refuse to accommodate), in which case one might have to cancel his/her less preferred firm callbacks (or cancel higher preferred but riskier ones, depending on individual risk tolerance).

I know this is a great "problem" to have and I don't wish to offend or be insensitive in talking -- theoretically and anonymously -- about declining callback offers for scheduling reasons when not all on this board are so fortunate as to be in that position. Thanks for providing your take.

First of all, it's worth noting that most attorneys or partners don't come into the office until 9:30-10 (and most administrative/recruiting people have no need to come in earlier than that) so I'd be surprised if you were able to schedule a callback before 10 or 10:30. I was unable to schedule any of my callbacks (V10, V50, and V100 firms) for earlier than 10.

Firms ask for the 10-2 timeslot because you'll typically be doing a lunch from 12:30 to 2 with first or second-year associates. This is largely so that people closer to your age group can get to know you in a more relaxed environment and see if you'd be a good "fit" for your class. If you decide to opt out of that lunch, it's probably to your disadvantage.

Anonymous User wrote:If firms that extend a callback wish to schedule you for, say, a 10am-2pm visit, is it OK to ask them if you can do a 9-1 instead so that you can schedule a 2pm-5pm at another firm that day?

I know that conventional wisdom to to dedicate all of one's mental energy to a single callback firm on any given day. I disregard that at my own peril, and I think it'd be fine, actually. So I'd like to know if firms would be understanding about this (after all, it seems reasonable to want to meet 6 firms in DC in 3 days, if possible, as opposed to just 3. Everyone should see that, right?). Or, would firms scoff at this and consider it disrespectful (or just refuse to accommodate), in which case one might have to cancel his/her less preferred firm callbacks (or cancel higher preferred but riskier ones, depending on individual risk tolerance).

I know this is a great "problem" to have and I don't wish to offend or be insensitive in talking -- theoretically and anonymously -- about declining callback offers for scheduling reasons when not all on this board are so fortunate as to be in that position. Thanks for providing your take.

I'm just impressed by 6 DC callbacks. FWIW, my 9:30 to 1:30 pm interview ended up going to 2:45. You don't want to have to cut off good conversation by saying, "nice to meet you, but I'm off to another firm."

i doubt that will work. they say 10am b/c most people dont get in until 9:15, and im sure they want to give them some time to settle in and answer emails.

i thinks scheduling 2 in one day is fine though, but i wouldn't push for earlier than 10

I also say don't do this, but only b/c of the time issue. I did some callback style interviewing pre-OCIP, and some of them went from 9am until 1pm, and others were supposed to go from 10am until 2pm, and ended up going much much later. I specifically didn't schedule two in one day b/c there's always a chance you're going to run late, and that would put you in a situation to look incredibly unprofessional with both firms.

Anonymous User wrote: If you decide to opt out of that lunch, it's probably to your disadvantage.

OP here. Thanks. Good insight about arrival times. I agree with your quotation above. However, keep in mind that the alternative is declining half of one's callbacks. And if those firms are still damn attractive to the candidate, he or she must essentially gamble based on current knowledge, unassisted by whatever is learned from the callback itself. If your top 3 choices in D.C., for instance, aren't leagues above your 4th-6th choices (e.g., hypothetically, it's conceivable that 4th choice WilmerHale could woo you over 1st choice Williams & Connolly if you were to make the cb visit), this is quite a large gamble.

So I guess the question isn't which option is to one's disadvantage; it's whether cramming 2 callbacks in per day is more or less disadvantageous than canceling half of them altogether.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote: If you decide to opt out of that lunch, it's probably to your disadvantage.

OP here. Thanks. Good insight about arrival times. I agree with your quotation above. However, keep in mind that the alternative is declining half of one's callbacks. And if those firms are still damn attractive to the candidate, he or she must essentially gamble based on current knowledge, unassisted by whatever is learned from the callback itself. If your top 3 choices in D.C., for instance, aren't leagues above your 4th-6th choices (e.g., hypothetically, it's conceivable that 4th choice WilmerHale could woo you over 1st choice Williams & Connolly if you were to make the cb visit), this is quite a large gamble.

So I guess the question isn't which option is to one's disadvantage; it's whether cramming 2 callbacks in per day is more or less disadvantageous than canceling half of them altogether.

Above responder here: Why do you have to decline callbacks? Why not schedule them for later?

In terms of potential conflicts, it's generally accepted at my LS that students will be attending callbacks into the first few weeks of the semester. I scheduled all of my callbacks consecutively over the next three weeks.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote: If you decide to opt out of that lunch, it's probably to your disadvantage.

OP here. Thanks. Good insight about arrival times. I agree with your quotation above. However, keep in mind that the alternative is declining half of one's callbacks. And if those firms are still damn attractive to the candidate, he or she must essentially gamble based on current knowledge, unassisted by whatever is learned from the callback itself. If your top 3 choices in D.C., for instance, aren't leagues above your 4th-6th choices (e.g., hypothetically, it's conceivable that 4th choice WilmerHale could woo you over 1st choice Williams & Connolly if you were to make the cb visit), this is quite a large gamble.

So I guess the question isn't which option is to one's disadvantage; it's whether cramming 2 callbacks in per day is more or less disadvantageous than canceling half of them altogether.

Is it not possible to schedule them for some additional days, and just miss 3 days of class and stay in DC longer?

Anonymous User wrote:
Above responder here: Why do you have to decline callbacks? Why not schedule them for later?

In terms of potential conflicts, it's generally accepted at my LS that students will be attending callbacks into the first few weeks of the semester. I scheduled all of my callbacks consecutively over the next three weeks.

OP. Good points re morning cbs going late - that'd be pretty bad...

I hadn't realized that folks still call back several weeks in. I was just told that "we aren't allowed" to miss school to travel, so I assumed CB season was nearly entirely pre-classes. But I'm sure some flexibility in that rule is possible.

I also think my school has a "2nd callback period" of 2 days in early October, which helps.

If I already scheduled two callbacks for one day, but am now worried about it, is it acceptable to call one and ask to reschedule?

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:
Above responder here: Why do you have to decline callbacks? Why not schedule them for later?

In terms of potential conflicts, it's generally accepted at my LS that students will be attending callbacks into the first few weeks of the semester. I scheduled all of my callbacks consecutively over the next three weeks.

OP. Good points re morning cbs going late - that'd be pretty bad...

I hadn't realized that folks still call back several weeks in. I was just told that "we aren't allowed" to miss school to travel, so I assumed CB season was nearly entirely pre-classes. But I'm sure some flexibility in that rule is possible.

I also think my school has a "2nd callback period" of 2 days in early October, which helps.

Nobody gives a shit about classes during OCI season, even if they say so on paper. Even school officials, who ITE are just worried about you finding a job and making the school look good.

Students I've talked to from back in the "go-go" days used to schedule 2 call backs a day, no problem. I think firms will understand if you have to get in all of your interviews within a specific time frame and can't miss class. I wouldn't worry about doing 6 in 3 days if you can handle it - certainly better than having to decline call backs if these are all firms you would want to work at.

I don't know if this helps, but I cut a few callbacks short last fall in DC so that I could make it to a 1:20 class without any problem. I had a persnickety professor (a DC Cir judge) who demanded attendance and firms were very understanding of my schedule. One firm stared the callback about 45 minutes early and another chose a closer restaurant for lunch to ensure that I could cab back to class in time. Not a single one held it against me.

Yet again TLS exists to screw up my confidence

I have a double callback day coming up, due to unavoidable scheduling issues. It's not my preferred situation, but it is what it is. People do it all the time. Personally, I made the call that it would be better to do it in the same trip as other callbacks rather than put it off. I still wouldn't do 6 in 3 days, because you'll totally burn out. Take longer, or take another trip. Ignore your school's policy and negotiate with professors directly. I wouldn't wait until October.

i scheduled 7 callbacks for the week i'm going to be in NYC, and for 2 days I have 2 callbacks each. i spoke to my career services counselor, and she said that it shouldn't be a problem, but I should definitely tell the HR person when I arrive. even when i scheduled the back to back interviews, the firms acknowledged that i could have more than one a day.

Full-time associate here. For what it's worth, scheduling 2 callbacks in a day is generally a bad idea. Your afternoon callbacks will seriously suffer because you're drained, and your morning callbacks will be tense and rushed. I bombed every single one of my afternoon callbacks back in the day. Space them out, do the ones you really want first.

I had a callback that was supposed to end at 2:00 end at 3:45. Not gonna fly. If you do schedule 2 in 1 day, it must be ABSOLUTELY CLEAR to the first firm, and they must agree to hustle you out. If that means coffee with associates, or no post-interview snacking at all, so be it.

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I have a callback/breakfast at 8am...am I being to paranoid to think this is unfavorable given that everyone is going to be cranky and super tired?

Anonymous User wrote:I have a callback/breakfast at 8am...am I being to paranoid to think this is unfavorable given that everyone is going to be cranky and super tired?

Does this imply that you think biglaw attorneys are so accustomed to sleeping in until 10:00 that the idea of an 8:00 meeting is going to make them cranky? Because.... yeah.....

I actually think a breakfast callback sounds good.