Duke Law OCI 2019 Forum

[Anonymous User]

So far 2/21 on CB/screeners, median with excellent WE, still haven't heard from 11 firms. Curious what everyone's rates are generally.

Similar stats & background. Had 2 CBs before OCI, only netted 3 from OCI (24 screeners). Still no word from 7 firms.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone received a callback from Mayer Brown or Winston & Strawn in Charlotte? Charlotte market in general?

[Anonymous User]

PLEASE TAKE THIS ADVICE

Even if you have super high grades.. I'm talking even if you have a 3.7+, apply to at least a few middle-of-the-road NYC firms. I know a # of ppl who struck out completely of CHI/DC/CA with great grades. Also fill your entire bid list.

Seconded. I was 3.7+, straight through, average interviewer, no DC ties (probably the median "good grade interviewee"). I took every DC screener I could get - filled my bid list and picked up the open extras - got a few callbacks, and ended up with 2 offers that were actually worthwhile. That's teetering on a knife's edge of striking out. (Now I'm an associate in DC at one of those 2 firms who offered me)

If you have good grades and want DC, look at NY firms and pick a couple (not Cravath but you also don't have to go way down the list) that you think would be the most bearable, especially those with good DC presences. These are your safety school - your application to UNC Law. Worst case, they are your only offer, you spend a summer in NY and can at least work with recruiting to try to get a transfer to DC in firm.

Fun update... I took this advice, bid 25% of my slots at big NYC firms and struck out at all of them. I have a Chicago offer and a DC offer, though. The world is a weird place.

[Anonymous User]

PLEASE TAKE THIS ADVICE

Even if you have super high grades.. I'm talking even if you have a 3.7+, apply to at least a few middle-of-the-road NYC firms. I know a # of ppl who struck out completely of CHI/DC/CA with great grades. Also fill your entire bid list.

Seconded. I was 3.7+, straight through, average interviewer, no DC ties (probably the median "good grade interviewee"). I took every DC screener I could get - filled my bid list and picked up the open extras - got a few callbacks, and ended up with 2 offers that were actually worthwhile. That's teetering on a knife's edge of striking out. (Now I'm an associate in DC at one of those 2 firms who offered me)

If you have good grades and want DC, look at NY firms and pick a couple (not Cravath but you also don't have to go way down the list) that you think would be the most bearable, especially those with good DC presences. These are your safety school - your application to UNC Law. Worst case, they are your only offer, you spend a summer in NY and can at least work with recruiting to try to get a transfer to DC in firm.

Fun update... I took this advice, bid 25% of my slots at big NYC firms and struck out at all of them. I have a Chicago offer and a DC offer, though. The world is a weird place.

Had similar results, above median but nothing too special, bid 90% NY with only a couple DC firms (plus some pre-OCI). So far have no NY offers and am 0-5 so far on CBs there, but got an offer on my only DC CB. So much for the "You better have at least a 3.5 to have a serious shot at DC" line that career services told me every chance they got.

[Anonymous User]

PLEASE TAKE THIS ADVICE

Even if you have super high grades.. I'm talking even if you have a 3.7+, apply to at least a few middle-of-the-road NYC firms. I know a # of ppl who struck out completely of CHI/DC/CA with great grades. Also fill your entire bid list.

Seconded. I was 3.7+, straight through, average interviewer, no DC ties (probably the median "good grade interviewee"). I took every DC screener I could get - filled my bid list and picked up the open extras - got a few callbacks, and ended up with 2 offers that were actually worthwhile. That's teetering on a knife's edge of striking out. (Now I'm an associate in DC at one of those 2 firms who offered me)

If you have good grades and want DC, look at NY firms and pick a couple (not Cravath but you also don't have to go way down the list) that you think would be the most bearable, especially those with good DC presences. These are your safety school - your application to UNC Law. Worst case, they are your only offer, you spend a summer in NY and can at least work with recruiting to try to get a transfer to DC in firm.

Fun update... I took this advice, bid 25% of my slots at big NYC firms and struck out at all of them. I have a Chicago offer and a DC offer, though. The world is a weird place.

Had similar results, above median but nothing too special, bid 90% NY with only a couple DC firms (plus some pre-OCI). So far have no NY offers and am 0-5 so far on CBs there, but got an offer on my only DC CB. So much for the "You better have at least a 3.5 to have a serious shot at DC" line that career services told me every chance they got.

It's almost like if you tell everyone to bid NYC, it gets more competitive! I wish I hadn't wasted those bids, but every time I screwed myself first year it was from following other people's advice, so I dunno what I expected.

[Anonymous User]

Not at Duke but looking at the NC market. Trying to figure out what the timeline is post-cb at MVA and if anyone has gotten dings or offers there so far. Anyone have any info? Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

People who questioned the recommended bidding strategies for DC firms: ever heard of a thing called stats? sample? outlier? Jesus christ Im surprised how you managed to stay above median with that level of logic.

[Anonymous User]

Heard through the grapevine someone got a Wachtell offer....