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One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:24 am
by Anonymous User
Here's the deal:

T10 school. Had a very strong first term (think top 5%), have been decidedly horrid since then (think bottom third). No particular reason, other than not being as excited about the classes I've been taking, the professors I have, etc.

At this point, I'm probably going to go into OCI around top 1/3 in my class. Trying for law review, but who knows. Pretty involved in school. 1L summer firm gig.

Basically, are firms that would normally be solid for a top 1/3 student now out-of-reach (due to lackluster performance after winter break), or will my cumulative record matter more than my individual terms? Could the fact I had a great term give me a slight boost from someone who was more consistent?

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:30 am
by flcath
Very little effect; any effect there is will be negative.

At least you'll be able to effectively prepare for your interviews.

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:31 am
by glewz
flcath wrote:Very little effect; any effect there is will be negative.
TCR

Disclaimer: 0L

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:40 am
by Anonymous User
OP here: Any advice on how to respond to the inevitable "what the hell happened after Christmas" question would be welcome.

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:49 am
by flcath
Anonymous User wrote:OP here: Any advice on how to respond to the inevitable "what the hell happened after Christmas" question would be welcome.
Lol. Like I said, at least you'll know exactly what you'll be talking about. I suggest:

"I was so stoked about my first term grades that I spent the entire spring blowing coke off of naked hookers down at La Puta Caliente." **Point in the general direction of the club.** "Figure I'm just prepping for what life's gonna be like when I start with you guyz, AMIRITE?!" **Stand and offer high-fives to the two gentlemen.**

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:53 am
by glewz
flcath wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:OP here: Any advice on how to respond to the inevitable "what the hell happened after Christmas" question would be welcome.
Lol. Like I said, at least you'll know exactly what you'll be talking about. I suggest:

"I was so stoked about my first term grades that I spent the entire spring blowing coke off of naked hookers down at La Puta Caliente." **Point in the general direction of the club.** "Figure I'm just prepping for what life's gonna be like when I start with you guyz, AMIRITE?!" **Stand and offer high-fives to the two gentlemen.**
TCR again, on a roll

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 2:07 am
by hmu2584
Relax. You will have the same prospects as anyone else in the bottom 1/3 of your class.

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 2:38 am
by 174
Anonymous User wrote:Relax. You will have the same prospects as anyone else in the bottom 1/3 of your class.
Why is this anonymous?

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 2:52 am
by Curry
174 wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:Relax. You will have the same prospects as anyone else in the bottom 1/3 of your class.
Why is this anonymous?
Because then he can be a douche without anyone knowing!

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 4:28 am
by flcath
Anonymous User wrote:Relax. You will have the same prospects as anyone else in the bottom 1/3 of your class.
I dunno if this was a joke or you misread, but OP is in the top 1/3 overall, bottom 1/3 this semester.

Ideally you'd have had your bad semester in fall and your great semester in spring (that'd probably be better than 2 consistent performances), but I still can't see it being a problem. Bottom third isn't horrendous. It's not like you were the #1 in fall and then cruised in with a 2.6 in spring.

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 12:16 pm
by Anonymous User
What about the firm that you're summering with? Will this affect their decision to give you an offer to come back for 2L summer?

This is my biggest fear. I was top 5% first semester, got a 1 SA gig, and now I'm deathly worried about my 2nd semester grades coming in as shit.

Anyone have any experience with this?

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 2:28 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:What about the firm that you're summering with? Will this affect their decision to give you an offer to come back for 2L summer?

This is my biggest fear. I was top 5% first semester, got a 1 SA gig, and now I'm deathly worried about my 2nd semester grades coming in as shit.

Anyone have any experience with this?
OP here.

I'm not sure how it'll affect getting a 2L summer offer. I'm just going to do good work and hope they don't care too much. If others have info on this, though, I'd love to hear it.

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 3:21 pm
by A'nold
flcath wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:OP here: Any advice on how to respond to the inevitable "what the hell happened after Christmas" question would be welcome.
Lol. Like I said, at least you'll know exactly what you'll be talking about. I suggest:

"I was so stoked about my first term grades that I spent the entire spring blowing coke off of naked hookers down at La Puta Caliente." **Point in the general direction of the club.** "Figure I'm just prepping for what life's gonna be like when I start with you guyz, AMIRITE?!" **Stand and offer high-fives to the two gentlemen.**
This part is definitely TCR.

Re: One great term, one shitty term: OCI impacts?

Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 4:30 am
by flcath
Anonymous User wrote:OP here: Any advice on how to respond to the inevitable "what the hell happened after Christmas" question would be welcome.
Just out of curiosity, what is the real answer to this (not that you should give it in the interview)?

A top 5% to bottom 30% switch doesn't happen for "no particular reason." Hell, it doesn't happen when you quit studying. The only possibility that comes to mind is severe head trauma over Christmas break.