2015 SEO Corporate Law Applicants Forum

[DJ JD]

I heard about it before going into law school. I made the mistake of assuming that the applicant pool was too big, because my LSAT score was pretty crappy and I honestly didn't think I'd get into a good enough school to warrant it (also another wrong assumption).

After jumping through enough hoops to experience the shit-show that is 1LSA interviewing, I really regret not at least trying the program. Knowing classmates that either returned to their firms SEO firms or apparently get preference for other diversity positions will do that to you.

I will say, median at a T25 will not guarantee you a big law job as a URM. The most favorable combination of diversity status will get you some interviews, but honestly, you should all go in thinking you have no advantage, because a blond hair/blue eyes at the top 1/3 will net more interviews than URM at median. URM + Median + T14= Big Law? Maybe. URM + Median + T25 = Big Law? Good look. A regular job, sure, but I wouldn't bank on getting big law from, let's say, Alabama with a 3.25 absent connections, IP, URM, ties, extreme charisma, and a dash of luck to get your resume read. Money's not everything, and BigLaw isn't something everyone wants, but I just want to make sure we're on the right page here.

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of insight that we as 0Ls need.

I can never tell if people are sarcastic on this site, because on one hand, I'm not sure I said anything that's particularly disagreeable and based it on school employment data + my knowledge of several markets, but at the same time, 0Ls (& as it turns out, people in general) are pretty averse to criticism and anything relating to being told "no," so I can imagine someone wanting to argue that anything short of T14 (& maybe UT/Vandy/UCLA) has a reasonably safe bet at getting big law from median.

And to think, before I went to law school, I'd take thank yous for thank yous, and not analyze both sides incessantly.

[Atmosphere]

I heard about it before going into law school. I made the mistake of assuming that the applicant pool was too big, because my LSAT score was pretty crappy and I honestly didn't think I'd get into a good enough school to warrant it (also another wrong assumption).

After jumping through enough hoops to experience the shit-show that is 1LSA interviewing, I really regret not at least trying the program. Knowing classmates that either returned to their firms SEO firms or apparently get preference for other diversity positions will do that to you.

I will say, median at a T25 will not guarantee you a big law job as a URM. The most favorable combination of diversity status will get you some interviews, but honestly, you should all go in thinking you have no advantage, because a blond hair/blue eyes at the top 1/3 will net more interviews than URM at median. URM + Median + T14= Big Law? Maybe. URM + Median + T25 = Big Law? Good look. A regular job, sure, but I wouldn't bank on getting big law from, let's say, Alabama with a 3.25 absent connections, IP, URM, ties, extreme charisma, and a dash of luck to get your resume read. Money's not everything, and BigLaw isn't something everyone wants, but I just want to make sure we're on the right page here.

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of insight that we as 0Ls need.

I can never tell if people are sarcastic on this site, because on one hand, I'm not sure I said anything that's particularly disagreeable and based it on school employment data + my knowledge of several markets, but at the same time, 0Ls (& as it turns out, people in general) are pretty averse to criticism and anything relating to being told "no," so I can imagine someone wanting to argue that anything short of T14 (& maybe UT/Vandy/UCLA) has a reasonably safe bet at getting big law from median.

And to think, before I went to law school, I'd take thank yous for thank yous, and not analyze both sides incessantly.

I think that's a genuine 'thank you'. The information you've provided is definitely something that's not discussed enough on the URM forum

[DiniMae]

I heard about it before going into law school. I made the mistake of assuming that the applicant pool was too big, because my LSAT score was pretty crappy and I honestly didn't think I'd get into a good enough school to warrant it (also another wrong assumption).

After jumping through enough hoops to experience the shit-show that is 1LSA interviewing, I really regret not at least trying the program. Knowing classmates that either returned to their firms SEO firms or apparently get preference for other diversity positions will do that to you.

I will say, median at a T25 will not guarantee you a big law job as a URM. The most favorable combination of diversity status will get you some interviews, but honestly, you should all go in thinking you have no advantage, because a blond hair/blue eyes at the top 1/3 will net more interviews than URM at median. URM + Median + T14= Big Law? Maybe. URM + Median + T25 = Big Law? Good look. A regular job, sure, but I wouldn't bank on getting big law from, let's say, Alabama with a 3.25 absent connections, IP, URM, ties, extreme charisma, and a dash of luck to get your resume read. Money's not everything, and BigLaw isn't something everyone wants, but I just want to make sure we're on the right page here.

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of insight that we as 0Ls need.

I can never tell if people are sarcastic on this site, because on one hand, I'm not sure I said anything that's particularly disagreeable and based it on school employment data + my knowledge of several markets, but at the same time, 0Ls (& as it turns out, people in general) are pretty averse to criticism and anything relating to being told "no," so I can imagine someone wanting to argue that anything short of T14 (& maybe UT/Vandy/UCLA) has a reasonably safe bet at getting big law from median.

And to think, before I went to law school, I'd take thank yous for thank yous, and not analyze both sides incessantly.

I think that's a genuine 'thank you'. The information you've provided is definitely something that's not discussed enough on the URM forum

Thanks, Atmosphere! You know me so well -- that was a genuine thank you. (I try to stay above the fray on TLS; I'm def not the passive-aggressive or sarcastic type).

[DJ JD]

I think that's a genuine 'thank you'. The information you've provided is definitely something that's not discussed enough on the URM forum

Thanks, Atmosphere! You know me so well -- that was a genuine thank you. (I try to stay above the fray on TLS; I'm def not the passive-aggressive or sarcastic type).

Haha, okay.

But yeah, anyways, definitely go through this, regardless of doubts. Besides the fact that it looks good on a resume, it pays pretty well, and really has given the alums a good perspective on what actual practice looks like. It's never a bad thing to know how to do legal research and write briefs before you ever set foot in a class. And the connections… oh the connections.

[rion91]

How long was it before you guys were contacted after submitting the app?

[DiniMae]

How long was it before you guys were contacted after submitting the app?

2-3 weeks for me, but I applied mid-round.

[FairchildFLT]

Applied back in August 14...interviewed a few weeks ago. I didn't get an interview request until I got my first T20 acceptance.

[FairchildFLT]

Emailed SEO this morning to make Dallas my number one and Houston my number two.

Thanks for the heads up Dini!

[Alhe5015]

Just got the interview request for SEO NYC! Submitted couple weeks ago!

[lokikoala]

Just got the interview request for SEO NYC! Submitted couple weeks ago!

Did they tell you specifically what city you were being considered for?

[Alhe5015]

.

Did they tell you specifically what city you were being considered for?

"We are excited to select you for an interview for the Law - NYC internship! Please read this entire email and all instructions before proceeding"

[DiniMae]

.

Did they tell you specifically what city you were being considered for?

"We are excited to select you for an interview for the Law - NYC internship! Please read this entire email and all instructions before proceeding"

Sorry but that's std language. They insert whatever your top choice is in the email.

[isaiah1992]

If any one has any questions, I am an SEO alum from this past summer. You can PM me.

[humph]

Just had interview, it was a killer.

[DiniMae]

Just had interview, it was a killer.

O no! Do you feel as if you did well? Care to share?

[Skool]

I'm a little confused about pay for this program. Are you paid like a Summer Associate for all ten weeks of the program? So 3k or so per week?

Or do they simply spread your four week Summer Associate pay over 10 weeks so 1000-1200 per week?

[isaiah1992]

I'm a little confused about pay for this program. Are you paid like a Summer Associate for all ten weeks of the program? So 3k or so per week?

Or do they simply spread your four week Summer Associate pay over 10 weeks so 1000-1200 per week?

you're paid anywhere from 1100-1500 per week depending on the firm. you're paid for 10 weeks.

[Skool]

Thanks for clarifying.

[madhatter2020]

I also emailed SEO about adding Dallas to my already submitted application. Havemt heard back yet. Has anybody gotten a reply yet to that specific request?

[DiniMae]

I also emailed SEO about adding Dallas to my already submitted application. Havemt heard back yet. Has anybody gotten a reply yet to that specific request?

I haven't gotten a reply about anything.

[FairchildFLT]

I also emailed SEO about adding Dallas to my already submitted application. Havemt heard back yet. Has anybody gotten a reply yet to that specific request?

I haven't gotten a reply about anything.

+1 I've never gotten a reply.

[Tr3]

I also emailed SEO about adding Dallas to my already submitted application. Havemt heard back yet. Has anybody gotten a reply yet to that specific request?

I haven't gotten a reply about anything.

+1 I've never gotten a reply.

A long long time ago I emailed regarding an update to part of my application. I never heard back, but then during an information session (before my actual interview) I asked about that part of my application and they said it had been updated. So perhaps they did make a note on your app and just didn't respond as they did with me.

Edit: I suck at spelling sometimes. (most times)

[FairchildFLT]

I also emailed SEO about adding Dallas to my already submitted application. Havemt heard back yet. Has anybody gotten a reply yet to that specific request?

I haven't gotten a reply about anything.

+1 I've never gotten a reply.

A long long time ago I email regarding an update to part of my application. I never heard back, but then during an information session (before my actual interview) I asked about that part of my application and they said it had been updated. So perhaps they did make a note on your app and just didn't respond as they did with me.

Yeah this is what I suspect.

[xerxes2018]

I applied in the 1st round and had my interview within 2 weeks of submitting my app. [T6 LS, Ivy undergrad] I think that it went well, but I haven't received a request for recommendations. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but is the lack of a recommendation request a bad sign?

[FairchildFLT]

I applied in the 1st round and had my interview within 2 weeks of submitting my app. [T6 LS, Ivy undergrad] I think that it went well, but I haven't received a request for recommendations. Maybe I'm reading too much into this but is the lack of a recommendation request a bad sign?

Edit: #wronginformation