Cornell 2015 AJF/BOJF/DCJF/OCI Forum

[BigRed7171]

Anyone know when we'll hear back from all the clinics? I got an offer from my #3 yesterday with a deadline early this week and need to figure out when I'll be hearing.

[Anonymous User]

Work-on applications are due Monday.

I didn't complete the writing competition due to personal circumstances that I can't really discuss in an interview. I'm getting worried as AJF approaches.

Someone mentioned earlier that secondary journal membership won't appreciably affect your AJF chances. I have a 3.75 and an A+ in lawyering. Do you think I'm better off with "I wanted to focus on moot court and clinics," or potentially dealing with "you have decent grades and are supposedly good at writing. Why didn't you make law review?" Will also ask career services, but don't know if they can get back to me in time.

Also:

"Students who become members of the Journal by the work-on method have two additional responsibilities in order to elevate to full membership status beyond what is required of regular Associates. First, Work-On Associates must successfully complete any emergency editing assignments that the Executive Editor provides them. And secondly, Work-On Associates must successfully edit twice as many footnotes and accompanying text as regular Associates, during the second Associate assignment."

Ugh.

Myself and the three friends of mine that I know weren't on journals all have firm jobs this summer. I think it definitely helps, but with your grades you should be fine. I like the spin of focusing on moot court and clinics.

[Yea All Right]

Anyone know when we'll hear back from all the clinics? I got an offer from my #3 yesterday with a deadline early this week and need to figure out when I'll be hearing.

Unless there is a specific deadline the clinics need to meet when it comes to decisions, I'd bet it depends on each clinic. Perhaps you could send an email to the clinic you're waiting for to politely inquire about the status of your application and let them know that they're your #1 preference, but you have a time-sensitive offer from another clinic.

[Yea All Right]

To the Anon concerned about no journal, I think you should be fine if you interview well and have an adequate answer for a "Why no journal" question in case it comes up. Aren't you in the top 10% or something? I know two people in the year above us who aren't on journals but have market-paying jobs.

[runinthefront]

To the Anon concerned about no journal, I think you should be fine if you interview well and have an adequate answer for a "Why no journal" question in case it comes up. Aren't you in the top 10% or something? I know two people in the year above us who aren't on journals but have market-paying jobs.

Top ten percent is 3.8131, but OP is still likely fine. If you're litigation focused, you probably want to write on, though.

[Sloth Hero]

Anyone know when we'll hear back from all the clinics? I got an offer from my #3 yesterday with a deadline early this week and need to figure out when I'll be hearing.

I was at SALSA's AJF panel and the panelists said neither they—nor anyone they know—were asked why they weren't on a journal. But I'm sure it would be valuable to have something to say in case the question comes up, or maybe have a way to pre-empt the question.

[Anonymous User]

It's unfathomable to me that they can actually reject work-on applications.

[Anonymous User]

feeling the exact same way right now

[Anonymous User]

Like my god, when does the cruelty end?

[runthetrap1990]

It's unfathomable to me that they can actually reject work-on applications.

When are work-ons supposed to hear back?

[spiritniffler189]

It's unfathomable to me that they can actually reject work-on applications.

When are work-ons supposed to hear back?

You should hear back before your resumes are due for AJF (so Friday? or around there)

[Anonymous User]

"Dear Students,

As a reminder, the resume upload deadline is Wednesday, July 22 at NOON."

I know things can't be rushed, especially something as important as journal decisions, but the deadline for resume uploads is actually Wednesday.

[Anonymous User]

hey lavitz, do you know which sections are the ones that you’ve heard have sent out honors fellow offers?

[Lavitz]

hey lavitz, do you know which sections are the ones that you’ve heard have sent out honors fellow offers?

I'm assuming they all went out at the same time though. Rejection e-mails didn't go out until August 6th last year.

[Yea All Right]

I saw something that implies A has gone out too.

[Anonymous User]

Are you basing your sections off what that prof taught last year or what the prof is teaching next year?

[Anonymous User]

Pardon my ignorance, but is it taboo to more or less email a recruiter and ask if they can fit you in during AJF? I only ask because some of the samples I have seen state that they want to learn more about the firm, etc.

[Lavitz]

Are you basing your sections off what that prof taught last year or what the prof is teaching next year?

Last year.

Pardon my ignorance, but is it taboo to more or less email a recruiter and ask if they can fit you in during AJF?

That is what you're supposed to do.

[Anonymous User]

Any past anecdotes on how bottom of the class (bottom 5% or 10%) students fare during AJF?

[Anonymous User]

I don't have any firm stats re: bottom 10, but I can count 11 people in my class (2015) who were in the bottom of my class (actually in the bottom 15 people in my class). 10 of us did AJF, 5 of us got at least 1 offer for NYC biglaw.

If you have above a 3.0, and are a great interviewer, you can get offers but you need to interview very well. The 5 people I know of who still got big law with rough grades in my class are charismatic and people you want to talk to. Also be prepared for awkward questions. In 1 interview I mentioned my interest in litigation and the partner replied, "Really? Because your grade in Civ Pro doesn't indicate that."

Hustle, and be positive. Best of luck!

[Anonymous User]

I don't have any firm stats re: bottom 10, but I can count 11 people in my class (2015) who were in the bottom of my class (actually in the bottom 15 people in my class). 10 of us did AJF, 5 of us got at least 1 offer for NYC biglaw.

If you have above a 3.0, and are a great interviewer, you can get offers but you need to interview very well. The 5 people I know of who still got big law with rough grades in my class are charismatic and people you want to talk to. Also be prepared for awkward questions. In 1 interview I mentioned my interest in litigation and the partner replied, "Really? Because your grade in Civ Pro doesn't indicate that."

Hustle, and be positive. Best of luck!

Thank you for sharing your experience. OCS apparently doesn't collect much data on those at the bottom. Were any of the 5 that got offered in sub-3.0 territory? And wow at that partner's reply. Tough crowd.

[Anonymous User]

I know two people in the class below me (2016) with sub 3.0's with NYC biglaw. They had around 2.9's going in.

[runinthefront]

Any past anecdotes on how bottom of the class (bottom 5% or 10%) students fare during AJF?

OP, anecdotes are definitely helpful/inspiring, but you should definitely mass mail firms in your hometown, any town you have ties to, plus NYC firms not coming to AJF...starting yesterday.

There are a ton of threads on this website that basically explain how to craft your emails and send them out, but it's basically simple.

Good luck, and see you at AJF! There really aren't even seven better schools to be in bottom of the class territory if your goal is biglaw, so remember that.

[mt2165]

I don't have any firm stats re: bottom 10, but I can count 11 people in my class (2015) who were in the bottom of my class (actually in the bottom 15 people in my class). 10 of us did AJF, 5 of us got at least 1 offer for NYC biglaw.

If you have above a 3.0, and are a great interviewer, you can get offers but you need to interview very well. The 5 people I know of who still got big law with rough grades in my class are charismatic and people you want to talk to. Also be prepared for awkward questions. In 1 interview I mentioned my interest in litigation and the partner replied, "Really? Because your grade in Civ Pro doesn't indicate that."

Hustle, and be positive. Best of luck!

Thank you for sharing your experience. OCS apparently doesn't collect much data on those at the bottom. Were any of the 5 that got offered in sub-3.0 territory? And wow at that partner's reply. Tough crowd.

This is really a testament to both Cornell and their interviewing ability, still had a 50/50 split getting BL.

[Anonymous User]

JLPP work on calls are going out.