URM 2013-2014 Cycle Thread Forum

[clouded.memory]

There should be 100% crossover between this thread and whatever SEO 13-14 applicants thread pops up. If you want BigLaw as a URM and don't apply, you're an idiot. It's pre 0L money, you meet incredible people, get exposure to the people who you want to know when looking for a job, and you almost always leave with either 1L SA, or an auto callback (i.e. guaranteed job) for 2L SA. Seriously, OP should add the SEO Law program site to the first post.

I didn't know about it until it was almost too late, which is why I'm dropping it here now. --LinkRemoved--

Thank you very much for posting this! I try to keep as up to date on URM stuff as possible, but I have only heard a little bit about SEO.

Do you mind sharing a little bit about how you got the internship, what it's like and anything else you think would be pertinent to know? I'm sure I'm not the only one here who would like to learn a bit more.

First of all, thank you again for posting this link, looks like a really great program. For someone who has a preference to try and work in the midwest (Either Chicago or a secondary market like Minneapolis), would you still recommend this program? It looks like their internships are all on the coasts and TX. While it would probably offer some great hands on experience, I am curious if that would really help in obtaining an SA in the midwest at all.

Yes, yes, yes! Where you intern doesn't matter as much as the experience you gain from interning. The program has explained it to us like this: just this experience puts you in a better place than your other 1L peers, because you have had exposure to theu inner workings of a law firm and have made valuable connections. Firms are going to want to take the person with experience over another inexperienced person. This puts you in a great position for applying to 1L SA positions and 2L SA positions all over. As long as you have a tie to the region or a legitimate reason why you want to be in a certain market, you should be fine. It definitely cannot hurt.

Tx, your thoughts?

ETA: Oops, didn't see that txdude already responded to this.

[AAJD2B]

Clouded and TXDude,

Can either of you speak on how many SEO members in your summer class had past legal experience specific to that of corporate law (ie corporate paralegals)? Does SEO tend to favor such applicants?

Also, is it best to apply as soon as the applications become available?

[t-14orbust]

When do apps for SEO go out? I'm looking to apply even though I'm not an urm.

[Peter Pan]

Clouded and TXDude,

Can either of you speak on how many SEO members in your summer class had past legal experience specific to that of corporate law (ie corporate paralegals)? Does SEO tend to favor such applicants?

Also, is it best to apply as soon as the applications become available?

I assume you don't have your heart set on Clouded and txdude answering, so as another current SEO intern, here goes: I've only met one person with past legal experience thus far. I've met many people straight out of law school and many people who worked in other industries.

To the person who asked about quitting his/her job three months early, I haven't met a single person who worked who has regretted quitting their job to take up the internship. It really has been an amazing experience for everyone as far as I can tell.

txdude, I have a question for you. Can you please clarify this? "you almost always leave with either 1L SA, or an auto callback (i.e. guaranteed job) for 2L SA." I have to say I haven't talked to anyone with guarantees as yet outside of those interning at the few firms that automatically invite their interns back.

[DaRascal]

Also checking in. Will ED to Cornell if I don't do a lot better on the LSAT.

[clouded.memory]

Clouded and TXDude,

Can either of you speak on how many SEO members in your summer class had past legal experience specific to that of corporate law (ie corporate paralegals)? Does SEO tend to favor such applicants?

Also, is it best to apply as soon as the applications become available?

I assume you don't have your heart set on Clouded and txdude answering, so as another current SEO intern, here goes: I've only met one person with past legal experience thus far. I've met many people straight out of law school and many people who worked in other industries.

To the person who asked about quitting his/her job three months early, I haven't met a single person who worked who has regretted quitting their job to take up the internship. It really has been an amazing experience for everyone as far as I can tell.

txdude, I have a question for you. Can you please clarify this? "you almost always leave with either 1L SA, or an auto callback (i.e. guaranteed job) for 2L SA." I have to say I haven't talked to anyone with guarantees as yet outside of those interning at the few firms that automatically invite their interns back.

I also haven't talked to anyone who has or had a guaranteed SA offer. When I talked to one of the staff from SEO, he or she said that around 30-40% of SEOs get 1L SA offers. I know that my firm certainly doesn't guarantee that I'll come back next year, but it sounds like I have a very good chance. And I haven't heard anything about 2L SAs at all. But then again, this is all what I haven't and have heard. Still, I'm not so sure that an offer is "guaranteed" so much as you have a very good chance of coming back if you do good work and would like to.

But someone can always correct me on this.

ETA: Because of the different deadlines for rounds, I would also encourage applying as soon as possible. However, that being said, I didn't apply until December or January. So there is hope for people who apply late!

[clouded.memory]

When do apps for SEO go out? I'm looking to apply even though I'm not an urm.

I believe you can start applying in October, but I'm not completely sure. Here's a link to the deadline rounds schedule: http://www.seocareer.org/applicant-reso ... -deadlines

There should be 100% crossover between this thread and whatever SEO 13-14 applicants thread pops up. If you want BigLaw as a URM and don't apply, you're an idiot. It's pre 0L money, you meet incredible people, get exposure to the people who you want to know when looking for a job, and you almost always leave with either 1L SA, or an auto callback (i.e. guaranteed job) for 2L SA. Seriously, OP should add the SEO Law program site to the first post.

I didn't know about it until it was almost too late, which is why I'm dropping it here now. --LinkRemoved--

Thank you very much for posting this! I try to keep as up to date on URM stuff as possible, but I have only heard a little bit about SEO.

Do you mind sharing a little bit about how you got the internship, what it's like and anything else you think would be pertinent to know? I'm sure I'm not the only one here who would like to learn a bit more.

Something else I think is pertinent is to let them know where you are going to school as soon as possible! Or at least update them on your decision-making process! I know I've said it before, but I just want to drill it into people, as I didn't get an offer to interview until I told them via email that I was putting my deposit down at current school, even though I reported that I had multiple T-14 acceptances at the time.

[txdude45]

I may have been overzealous in my description. When I said "guaranteed" that was aggressive. It will certainly vary by firm, but, for the most part, you're in a very good spot with that firm going forward. I wouldn't advise you to slack off in anticipation of a lower bar though.

[femmefatale]

When do apps for SEO go out? I'm looking to apply even though I'm not an urm.

I believe you can start applying in October, but I'm not completely sure. Here's a link to the deadline rounds schedule: http://www.seocareer.org/applicant-reso ... -deadlines

There should be 100% crossover between this thread and whatever SEO 13-14 applicants thread pops up. If you want BigLaw as a URM and don't apply, you're an idiot. It's pre 0L money, you meet incredible people, get exposure to the people who you want to know when looking for a job, and you almost always leave with either 1L SA, or an auto callback (i.e. guaranteed job) for 2L SA. Seriously, OP should add the SEO Law program site to the first post.

I didn't know about it until it was almost too late, which is why I'm dropping it here now. --LinkRemoved--

Thank you very much for posting this! I try to keep as up to date on URM stuff as possible, but I have only heard a little bit about SEO.

Do you mind sharing a little bit about how you got the internship, what it's like and anything else you think would be pertinent to know? I'm sure I'm not the only one here who would like to learn a bit more.

Something else I think is pertinent is to let them know where you are going to school as soon as possible! Or at least update them on your decision-making process! I know I've said it before, but I just want to drill it into people, as I didn't get an offer to interview until I told them via email that I was putting my deposit down at current school, even though I reported that I had multiple T-14 acceptances at the time.

So, if you put in your app for SEO months before hearing back about your law school acceptances, will that hurt you?

[clouded.memory]

So, if you put in your app for SEO months before hearing back about your law school acceptances, will that hurt you?

I don't think it should, especially because SEO interviews based on the round in which you apply. I applied late and was interviewed quite late in the game, as well - when the class was almost full - so me not telling them what school I had decided on was probably a concern for them. But I would think you'd be in a better position the earlier you apply, because you'll be earlier in line than others for an interview.

[jrsbaseball5]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! I just have a couple of quick questions about how the process works.

1) Considering how competitive the process is how did you determine what firms you placed as your number one choice? I would assume Cravath, Sullivan etc. would have even more competition than some of the other ones, but maybe I'm wrong. As a subset of this question did anyone miss their first choice, but still get offered with another firm? I guess I'm wondering if its smart to pick maybe a "safer" choice so that you get something.

2) Have you noticed numbers, or something else that makes someone a lock to get an internship? Like if someone is HYS bound, has a 3.8+ or 175+, fantastic work experience, or something like that are they almost certain to get an offer?

Thanks!

[clouded.memory]

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences! I just have a couple of quick questions about how the process works.

1) Considering how competitive the process is how did you determine what firms you placed as your number one choice? I would assume Cravath, Sullivan etc. would have even more competition than some of the other ones, but maybe I'm wrong. As a subset of this question did anyone miss their first choice, but still get offered with another firm? I guess I'm wondering if its smart to pick maybe a "safer" choice so that you get something.

2) Have you noticed numbers, or something else that makes someone a lock to get an internship? Like if someone is HYS bound, has a 3.8+ or 175+, fantastic work experience, or something like that are they almost certain to get an offer?

Thanks!

To answer your questions:

1) Unfortunately, you don't get to pick what firms you'd like to intern at. You do, however, get to rank what markets you are most interested in. SEO takes care of the placement and lets you know where you'll be placed sometime after you're accepted to the program. ETA: However, most people did get the market they chose. Additionally, SEO seems to place people close to where they'll be going to school.

2) I haven't noticed a correlation between numbers/softs/etc. and offers at all. But someone can (again) correct me if I'm wrong. ETA: However, certain schools are more represented than other. But I'm still not sure it impacts your offer. I think it just turned out that way.

[Peter Pan]

2) Have you noticed numbers, or something else that makes someone a lock to get an internship? Like if someone is HYS bound, has a 3.8+ or 175+, fantastic work experience, or something like that are they almost certain to get an offer?

Thanks!

There were people heading to Harvard who were not accepted into the program this year, and there are many people who have little or no work experience currently in the program, so I think not. The only common thread I've seen is that everyone I've met is pretty charismatic, so I'll state the obvious: being enthusiastic in your interview is very important.

[mojangles]

Per the SEO website, all applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, without exception, and if you are currently below a 3.0 you must wait until you have a transcript reflecting a 3.0+ prior to applying. Do you know if they use UGPA for their law internships, or if they use the LSDAS GPA? My LSDAS GPA is far far below my UGPA, so this is of interest to me.

[clouded.memory]

Per the SEO website, all applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, without exception, and if you are currently below a 3.0 you must wait until you have a transcript reflecting a 3.0+ prior to applying. Do you know if they use UGPA for their law internships, or if they use the LSDAS GPA? My LSDAS GPA is far far below my UGPA, so this is of interest to me.

UGPA. They look at your school transcripts.

[Tariffs]

Checking in. Mediocre 3.45 GPA, but hoping my October LSAT will go as well or better than my recent PTs (170-172).

[Yaaaas2013]

Per the SEO website, all applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, without exception, and if you are currently below a 3.0 you must wait until you have a transcript reflecting a 3.0+ prior to applying. Do you know if they use UGPA for their law internships, or if they use the LSDAS GPA? My LSDAS GPA is far far below my UGPA, so this is of interest to me.

UGPA. They look at your school transcripts.

I read the SEO website and it seems like those who have graduated are not eligible for the law internship. They have 'graduated' on the chart but its a bit unclear. Anyone know anything about those who have been out of undergrad and their eligibility for the SEO law program?

[John_rizzy_rawls]

Checking in. Mediocre 3.45 GPA, but hoping my October LSAT will go as well or better than my recent PTs (170-172).

Can you raise that to 3.5 before you apply or while your apps are still in?

[MoMettaMonk]

Per the SEO website, all applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, without exception, and if you are currently below a 3.0 you must wait until you have a transcript reflecting a 3.0+ prior to applying. Do you know if they use UGPA for their law internships, or if they use the LSDAS GPA? My LSDAS GPA is far far below my UGPA, so this is of interest to me.

UGPA. They look at your school transcripts.

I read the SEO website and it seems like those who have graduated are not eligible for the law internship. They have 'graduated' on the chart but its a bit unclear. Anyone know anything about those who have been out of undergrad and their eligibility for the SEO law program?

Graduates are eligible for the law internship (as long as they're applying to law schools). I think what confused you is that they've got a bunch of other programs (engineering, etc.) that graduates are NOT eligible for.

[mojangles]

Just want to say I read through the URM final results thread for last cycle and where people ended up - even though most people's LSDAS gpas were far above where I am, that thread was an excellent read and gave me a lot of motivation.

Also, good luck again to all of us this cycle, hoping to read more positive results posted in whatever thread is made to post after the cycle is completed!

[ThePiedPiper]

Checking in ...May we all get into the Law Schools of our dreams. Hope I get into Berkeley. Which happens to be my first choice.

[Tariffs]

Can you raise that to 3.5 before you apply or while your apps are still in?

If I keep up the improvement I've seen in my grades since freshman year I should get just over it after the fall semester.

[John_rizzy_rawls]

Can you raise that to 3.5 before you apply or while your apps are still in?

If I keep up the improvement I've seen in my grades since freshman year I should get just over it after the fall semester.

That would help a lot. Just apply in late December, soon as Fall grades come in.

[Tariffs]

That would help a lot. Just apply in late December, soon as Fall grades come in.

Would I not be able to apply earlier (say November after Oct. LSAT scores come in) and then send in more recent transcripts when they become available? Isn't December pushing it a bit in terms of applying for this cycle?

[John_rizzy_rawls]

That would help a lot. Just apply in late December, soon as Fall grades come in.

Would I not be able to apply earlier (say November after Oct. LSAT scores come in) and then send in more recent transcripts when they become available? Isn't December pushing it a bit in terms of applying for this cycle?

Nah, URM's don't hear back until late anyway. Anytime before January is fine. Besides, the difference between early November and mid-December is basically nothing. Put your best numbers forward once you apply.