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Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:40 am**

thesealocust wrote:(1) I'm going to be a huge spoil sport and throw this out there: There is very limited directed / unique advice to be given with respect to chances or individual bidding strategies. Each firm hires hires a small number of grads (I think we top out at 10 or so summers at any given firm, but we send people to firms up and down the rankings and coast to coast to abroad). Outside of broad useful information (DC is hard, NYC is relatively easy, ties are important, work experience helps people outperform those who went straight through, do your research, focus on firm size and historical class size when possible - a lot of people don't look and waste bids on tiny firms) lots of people should be looking at largely identical bid lists. With 50 bids somebody looking at NYC with a 4.0 is just not going to be bidding THAT much differently than somebody with a 3.4. The former will likely have more luck and a few more firms to look at, but at the bidding stage there's only so much strategy you can throw at a process that gives everyone 50 bids and lets firm pre-select many of their interview slots.

So ask, and listen, but don't expect much beyond generic advice about researching firms and traps for the unwary.

(2) With respect to grades, they're probably the most important factor right now, but they are not dispositive. Some great GPAs will get in trouble and some mediocre or downright bad GPAs will pull through. Do your research, prepare for interviews, and maximize whatever situation you happen to find yourself in.

(3) I think it makes sense to participate in OGI even if you're interested in public service. A summer at a firm, especially with no aspirations of getting an offer, is an incredible experience one should try to experience if only for the hilarious social phenomenon that it is. Also, the firm hiring time line is MASSIVELY faster than the public interest time line, and the NALP guidelines let you hold one firm offer open while looking for PI. You have literally nothing to lose, and plenty of firms will be happy to pay you 3 grand per week, take you on lavish outings, cover travel expenses, and then give you piles and piles of pro bono work to do. Seriously, there is never ending amount of pro bono for firm summers to. Help people and get paid! Or hell, do the interviews to make sure your decision NOT to work at the firm is an informed one. A bunch of your tuition dollars go towards Dean Donovan's OGI Extravaganza, I say take part!

(4) CSO has some good reasons to worry about what people would do with firm data if they have it, but it's still seriously obnoxious. Make sure you at least call in; they're happy to provide advice over the phone.

Thanks to you and to vamedic for all this advice. You guys have convinced me to do OGI. I'm a bit concerned because my resume is totally public-service-oriented, but I guess that can be fixed. It's insanely great that NALP will let you hold a firm offer open while you look for PI. Seriously, thanks.

(haha dammit although I was going to take a certain amount of pleasure in being one of the only ones not having to wear a suit in August...oh, well.)

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:21 am**

How screwed are those of us at mediab, particularly for intellectual property (passed the patent bar). Not sure if it will help at all, but I worked this summer at a firm with a respected IP practice in a major market.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 12:06 pm**

what firms are out of reach for top 15% in DC? Besides W&C, Cov, S&C office, I'm not sure where I should be focusing my bids. What are my sweet spot firms? Arent Fox?

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:28 pm**

Can I get some advice from people, here is what you need to know:

GPA - 3.08 (Yea, I fucked up second semester)
UG - Top UG B-school
Work Experience - Pretty Decent

I am looking exclusively at NYC with other secondary markets in the Northeast. I will be applying to all these secondary markets and NYC Firms not coming to OGI in July, hoping for a few interviews. I think I am a good interviewer and can meet people and be personable right away. The only thing that is holding me back is the fact that I totally fucked up second semester. Does any one have advice for me/been through similar circumstances that came out ok?

Thanks

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 4:33 pm**

Anonymous User wrote:Can I get some advice from people, here is what you need to know:

GPA - 3.08 (Yea, I fucked up second semester)
UG - Top UG B-school
Work Experience - Pretty Decent

I am looking exclusively at NYC with other secondary markets in the Northeast. I will be applying to all these secondary markets and NYC Firms not coming to OGI in July, hoping for a few interviews. I think I am a good interviewer and can meet people and be personable right away. The only thing that is holding me back is the fact that I totally fucked up second semester. Does any one have advice for me/been through similar circumstances that came out ok?

Thanks

Don't rely on OGIs. Bid wisely. Hit up NY.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 5:11 pm**

Anonymous User wrote:what firms are out of reach for top 15% in DC? Besides W&C, Cov, S&C office, I'm not sure where I should be focusing my bids. What are my sweet spot firms? Arent Fox?

Those firms are not completely out of reach, so feel free to use low bids on W&C, Cov, and/or S&C in the hopes of a preselect. Last year W&C and S&C DC both hired students not on Law Review. The odds are very much against you, but a 3% chance at landing at W&C may be worth a screener (depending on your interests). GDC and K&E will also be hard to land, but not completely out of reach either. Other than those firms, you're in the running for pretty much every DC firm--but remember that DC firms are extremely selective compared to their New York counterparts, given their significantly smaller class sizes. As far as bidding goes, go after the DC giants (Hogan, A&P, Wilmer, etc.) and also go after the DC firms with decent sized offices (and thus, summer class sizes). It's hard to pinpoint any "sweet spot" firms since DC hiring is unpredictable, but to maximize your chances, don't bid on firms with tiny DC offices.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:14 pm**

At 3.41, am I wasting bids on D.C. firms?

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:19 pm**

3.23 - NYC (exclusive)

Any advice / chance in general?

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:20 pm**

Anonymous User wrote:At 3.41, am I wasting bids on D.C. firms?

Depends. With real work experience and a desire to practice in DC buttressed by that experience, no. Straight from undergrad in California with a degree in poetry, quite possibly. It's not that NOBODY with a 3.41 gets a big firm in DC, because plenty do - it's that it's relatively uncommon and tilted towards those with thicker resumes.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:29 pm**

Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:30 pm**

A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?

Relax, kid. You'll get in everywhere you apply.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:32 pm**

A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?

I see you son, --LinkRemoved--

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:36 pm**

A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?

Whoever you are A swift, I hope we are friends in real life.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:55 pm**

A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?

interviewers may ask to blaze with you though, bring your best kush and be prepared to freestyle on the spot

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 7:58 pm**

Anonymous User wrote:
A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?
Whoever you are A swift, I hope we are friends in real life.

We are.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:09 pm**

2.88 URM. Not expecting to get a firm job but I might as well do OGI. Any suggestions for bidding?

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:11 pm**

A Swift wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?
Whoever you are A swift, I hope we are friends in real life.
We are.

Are we? Because I LOLed.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:15 pm**

I have a 3.22 and am interested in New York and Atlanta with no ties to either one. Should I scrap Atlanta completely and bid solely on New York or is Atlanta still a possibility? What about other secondary southern markets like Dallas or Charlotte with no ties? Thanks in advance for any insight.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:16 pm**

joeshmo39 wrote:
A Swift wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?
Whoever you are A swift, I hope we are friends in real life.
We are.
A Swift wrote:
Anonymous User wrote:
A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?
Whoever you are A swift, I hope we are friends in real life.
We are.
Are we? Because I LOLed.

no.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:35 pm**

But we are - hope your rap career is going well, my friend.

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:55 pm**

A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?

--ImageRemoved--

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 8:57 pm**

bertstare wrote:
A Swift wrote:Guys. Chances at OGI with a few withdraws/fails second semester but a banging rap record with 200 listens on Facebook?
--ImageRemoved--

you are my favorite

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:05 pm**

--ImageRemoved--

WordWah who? DJ AdRoc 4 Eva

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:08 pm**

Posted: **Thu Jun 16, 2011 9:09 pm**

Bertstare alt is the best thing ever to happen to TLS

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