Texas c/o 2017 Applicants (2013-2014 cycle) Forum

[rion91]

Houston=Cali>Austin>Chicago=NY=Boston>Dallas for me

[BigZuck]

Relevant?

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douche_and_Turd

J/K bros, all of Texas is awesome

It does seem like you have to pick one or the other when it comes to big law (from my extremely limited experience). Or maybe it's just that if you have more obvious ties to one, the other just auto-dings you.

Really? That's a bummer. I'm primarily IP but also interested in oil&gas. I have IP connections in DFW, but now O&G is Houston. I could survive Houston if needed for a job and be happy. Oh well, I'll totes get that Austin biglaw lol.

If I had a true preference:

Austin=Dallas>Cali>Seattle>Boston>Chicago>NYC>Houston

Full disclosure: my experience is only limited to 1L job search and 1L OCI so it's too narrow to even really be considered evidence of anything.

But, I had some interest from firms in the market I had ties to and the other ones all insta-dinged me. I wasn't the only one who had this experience. I have also heard that Dallas v Houston is a real thing even among hiring committees and the butthurt is very real on both sides. So, if you're Houston born and raised then Dallas firms might look at you with suspicion and vice versa.

However, I think I have heard of people splitting 2L summer between a Houston and a Dallas firm and I know of at least one person from Fort Worth who got Houston big law and that's more representative of anything than my own narrow experience, I'm sure.

[El Principe]

It does seem like you have to pick one or the other when it comes to big law (from my extremely limited experience). Or maybe it's just that if you have more obvious ties to one, the other just auto-dings you.

More obvious as in growing up in Dallas/Houston more or less precludes you from getting offers from Houston/Dallas firms respectively?

[Attax]

Any word from us small town folk? Granted, my small town is closer to Dallas, but it is 3 hours to DFW versus about 4 to Houston, so I think that is negligible.

[BigZuck]

It does seem like you have to pick one or the other when it comes to big law (from my extremely limited experience). Or maybe it's just that if you have more obvious ties to one, the other just auto-dings you.

More obvious as in growing up in Dallas/Houston more or less precludes you from getting offers from Houston/Dallas firms respectively?

Yeah, that's kind of the sense I got. It's hard to wash the Dallas stink off of you when interviewing with a Houston firm and vice versa.

Again though, I don't really have much experience with this so large heapings of salt are required.

I guess my main point is just don't go to UT thinking "Oh, I'll target Austin big law first, but that's hard to get so if I strike out I'll just do Houston big law. And on the off chance that doesn't work out I'm cool with Dallas big law." I don't think it really works like that, you have to be a bit more strategic. Just getting big law is hard enough.

Not saying anyone is looking at it that simplistically though, just trying to make a point.

[BigZuck]

Any word from us small town folk? Granted, my small town is closer to Dallas, but it is 3 hours to DFW versus about 4 to Houston, so I think that is negligible.

I know someone from a small town in south TX who successfully got job interviews with Dallas, Houston, and Austin firms. He just came up with a different speech for each.

Again, this is all 1L summer stuff

[ScottRiqui]

BigZuck, I know you've just done the 1L job thing so far, but do you know if it's possible to focus solely on Dallas for OCI? That's the only place I'll really want to work, but I don't know if there are enough Dallas offices represented at UT's OCI to attempt to "fill your dance card" with them.

[BigZuck]

BigZuck, I know you've just done the 1L job thing so far, but do you know if it's possible to focus solely on Dallas for OCI? That's the only place I'll really want to work, but I don't know if there are enough Dallas offices represented at UT's OCI to attempt to "fill your dance card" with them.

I think you might be right in terms of the number of firms. If you dig around a bit you can find a thread about a UT student trying to finalize his bid list (I believe it was last year's OCI and he/she might have been URM so maybe info in that thread won't apply to everyone). Anyway, you might be able to get a general sense of what the bidding process looks like at the very least.

Sorry I can't be of more help there, hit me up again in the fall once I actually (hopefully?) know what I'm talking about.

[meb1212]

In! Got the call today

Submitted: 2/12
Complete: 2/26

[rion91]

In! Got the call today

Submitted: 2/12
Complete: 2/26

Congrats!! SO jealous.

[harrisyw]

Has anyone who received a request for a "Why UT?" statement and turned one in, not been accepted? What is the typical timing for them responding after you turn in the statement?

[Attax]

Has anyone who received a request for a "Why UT?" statement and turned one in, not been accepted? What is the typical timing for them responding after you turn in the statement?

Yes, I think one person earlier, but he didn't put much effort IIRC.

[Kool-Aid]

Just got an email from financial aid and received my need-based award letter! Anybody else heard from them?

[Attax]

I haven't yet.


But I did just withdraw all my other acceptances. So I've got that going for me, which is nice.

[whitecherries]

Got a call this afternoon and I'm in!!

Applied 2/1, went complete about 2 weeks later and asked to send a Why UT in early march. Honestly thought I was out because it's been so long, so this changes a lot. So excited though, good luck to everyone else waiting!

[rion91]

Got a call this afternoon and I'm in!!

Applied 2/1, went complete about 2 weeks later and asked to send a Why UT in early march. Honestly thought I was out because it's been so long, so this changes a lot. So excited though, good luck to everyone else waiting!

Congrats!! Are you a TX resident?

[whitecherries]

Got a call this afternoon and I'm in!!

Applied 2/1, went complete about 2 weeks later and asked to send a Why UT in early march. Honestly thought I was out because it's been so long, so this changes a lot. So excited though, good luck to everyone else waiting!

Congrats!! Are you a TX resident?

Thank you! No, I'm a California resident

[meb1212]

I'm not a TX resident anymore. But I went to UT for undergrad.

[El Principe]

Just got an email from financial aid and received my need-based award letter! Anybody else heard from them?

WOW, that's fast.

Is it just loans, or does Texas do grants? I obviously don't want/need to know amounts if you're private about that, but I remember someone taking about Texas offering need based grants.

[Kool-Aid]

Just got an email from financial aid and received my need-based award letter! Anybody else heard from them?

WOW, that's fast.

Is it just loans, or does Texas do grants? I obviously don't want/need to know amounts if you're private about that, but I remember someone taking about Texas offering need based grants.

Grants and loans. I'm a resident and I've deposited, don't know if that had anything to do with the notification time though.

[El Principe]

Just got an email from financial aid and received my need-based award letter! Anybody else heard from them?

WOW, that's fast.

Is it just loans, or does Texas do grants? I obviously don't want/need to know amounts if you're private about that, but I remember someone taking about Texas offering need based grants.

Grants and loans. I'm a resident and I've deposited, don't know if that had anything to do with the notification time though.

Maybe the deposit. I'm a resident, haven't deposited yet. Still ruling out other options.

That's good that there are grants... anything to soften the COA blow helps. I got nothing of the likes from Vanderbilt, so I'm not feeling that at all, especially since UT gave me a better offer.

[rion91]

I'm not a TX resident anymore. But I went to UT for undergrad.

Did you ever go to the law school as an UG? Law school campus is so secluded from the rest of everywhere. I actually prefer it that way, especially since it's so close to my current apt in North Campus

[the_dude83]

Received my credentials today! That is a relief, besides the fact its a waiting game now

[meb1212]

I'm not a TX resident anymore. But I went to UT for undergrad.

Did you ever go to the law school as an UG? Law school campus is so secluded from the rest of everywhere. I actually prefer it that way, especially since it's so close to my current apt in North Campus

I was actually around that area quite a bit because of where my UG classes were. I didn't go wandering around the building or anything, but I ate lunch on the pavilion a lot. It is nice that it's not right in the middle of campus.

[uvandy]

Got a call this afternoon and I'm in!!

Applied 2/1, went complete about 2 weeks later and asked to send a Why UT in early march. Honestly thought I was out because it's been so long, so this changes a lot. So excited though, good luck to everyone else waiting!

Congrats! I'm so jealous. What do you mean by "thought I was out because it's been so long?" I applied in late Jan and haven't heard anything. Both my numbers are below median so an acceptance would be a miracle. Does UT take longer to send a ding?