V15 Partner/OCI Interviewer Answering Questions... Forum

[Anonymous User]

Should someone write their undergrad GPA if it's high enough or just write their latin honors?

[itbdvorm]

Should someone write their undergrad GPA if it's high enough or just write their latin honors?

Most people just do latin honors, but I don't think it hurts too much if it's impressive. But if it's too impressive and you're not at a great school it implies you bombed the LSATs, so be careful.

[Anonymous User]

Should someone write their undergrad GPA if it's high enough or just write their latin honors?

Most people just do latin honors, but I don't think it hurts too much if it's impressive. But if it's too impressive and you're not at a great school it implies you bombed the LSATs, so be careful.

What do you consider a great school? Would any t14 count?

[itbdvorm]

Should someone write their undergrad GPA if it's high enough or just write their latin honors?

Most people just do latin honors, but I don't think it hurts too much if it's impressive. But if it's too impressive and you're not at a great school it implies you bombed the LSATs, so be careful.

What do you consider a great school? Would any t14 count?

I guess I'd ask whether someone with your GPA from your undergraduate institution would be expected to get into someplace better.

[Anonymous User]

thanks OP for this thread.

2L from cls, conflicted about how to bid. came straight through from a top 25 UG, studied finance in college, worked at a big bank as a summer. Very poor first semester grades, but much better second semester pulling me in the high 3.2 range. Almost sure I want to go corporate, but could only get a prosecutor's office 1L summer job.

1. with my grades and no true w/e should I just be focused on not striking out (in other words, bid very conservatively)
2. should i be concerned about a having a litigation oriented 1L job if I'd like to do corporate. Or for purposes of just landing a job, should I say at interviews that I'm not exactly sure whether I want to do litigation or corporate.

[Anonymous User]

Should someone write their undergrad GPA if it's high enough or just write their latin honors?

Most people just do latin honors, but I don't think it hurts too much if it's impressive. But if it's too impressive and you're not at a great school it implies you bombed the LSATs, so be careful.

What do you consider a great school? Would any t14 count?

I guess I'd ask whether someone with your GPA from your undergraduate institution would be expected to get into someplace better.

What about the reverse of this scenario? If my undergrad GPA is nowhere near high enough to get into my law school, would putting it on show that I have other redeeming qualities or just that I was bad at undergrad?

[itbdvorm]

thanks OP for this thread.

2L from cls, conflicted about how to bid. came straight through from a top 25 UG, studied finance in college, worked at a big bank as a summer. Very poor first semester grades, but much better second semester pulling me in the high 3.2 range. Almost sure I want to go corporate, but could only get a prosecutor's office 1L summer job.

1. with my grades and no true w/e should I just be focused on not striking out (in other words, bid very conservatively)
2. should i be concerned about a having a litigation oriented 1L job if I'd like to do corporate. Or for purposes of just landing a job, should I say at interviews that I'm not exactly sure whether I want to do litigation or corporate.

Not positive. I'd throw in a couple of reaches but on the whole would be fairly conservative. Big bank as a summer's not terrible (especially if you made friends there, those folks are future clients one day). You can maybe say you were trying it out to confirm your interest in corp?

[itbdvorm]

What about the reverse of this scenario? If my undergrad GPA is nowhere near high enough to get into my law school, would putting it on show that I have other redeeming qualities or just that I was bad at undergrad?

Not recommended.

[yabuddy]

I'm a rising 2L:

So I have a pre-OCI interview with one of the bigger firms in the secondary market where I go to school. However, I plan on transferring to a T10 which is out of state. Do you think they will look at my transferring as a negative thing?

For the record I would be happy to take the job if offered, it would be nice to not have to worry about all the OCI pressure of getting an offer. Also, the firm's 2 current SA's go to schools outside of the state.


Thanks!

[itbdvorm]

I'm a rising 2L:

So I have a pre-OCI interview with one of the bigger firms in the secondary market where I go to school. However, I plan on transferring to a T10 which is out of state. Do you think they will look at my transferring as a negative thing?

For the record I would be happy to take the job if offered, it would be nice to not have to worry about all the OCI pressure of getting an offer. Also, the firm's 2 current SA's go to schools outside of the state.


Thanks!

No idea, but good luck.

[Anonymous User]

Is working at the EPA or the Department of Interior a big red flag for you?

[Anonymous User]

I don't think so, but is it worth putting a small op-ed (short paragraph) I had published in the Wall Street Journal in the publications section of my resume? The opinion was published during the summer before my 1L year. Thanks again for your time and advice.

[itbdvorm]

Is working at the EPA or the Department of Interior a big red flag for you?

nah

[itbdvorm]

I don't think so, but is it worth putting a small op-ed (short paragraph) I had published in the Wall Street Journal in the publications section of my resume? The opinion was published during the summer before my 1L year. Thanks again for your time and advice.

Is it an op-ed or a letter to the editor. Op-ed, sure, so long as it's not offensive. Letter to the editor, come on.

[Anonymous User]

Welp, better to look dumb here than during an interview. Thanks, again.

[Anonymous User]

How do your cutoffs work at UT compared to the lower T14? Equivalent, or do you see UT as more like Minnesota or schools in the 20's?

You said in earlier comments that median at a T14 = top 5% everywhere else. Is this really the case even for schools just outside the T14?

[Anonymous User]

How do you view UCLA in relation to the T14? Do you know how it's generally viewed?

[Anonymous User]

How do you feel about listing a semester gpa along with the cumulative if your spring was a substantial jump over your fall? Would you even care? Would it look bad? And does something like age matter at all (i.e., would it be more appropriate for someone with several years of w/e who was "adjusting" to school vs. a K-JD) in deciding this?

Ex: 3.3 cumulative; 3.5 spring

Thanks for all the great advice here!

[Flips88]

How do you feel about listing a semester gpa along with the cumulative if your spring was a substantial jump over your fall? Would you even care? Would it look bad? And does something like age matter at all (i.e., would it be more appropriate for someone with several years of w/e who was "adjusting" to school vs. a K-JD) in deciding this?

Ex: 3.3 cumulative; 3.5 spring

Thanks for all the great advice here!

Presumably your transcript would show semester GPAs. Ours do at least.

[Anonymous User]

How do you view UCLA in relation to the T14? Do you know how it's generally viewed?

Considered in high regard on the west coast, but doesn't travel as well (esp. on the eastern seaboard).

[TheZoid]

What's the story with vacation time. 3-4 weeks theoretically that you're strongly encouraged not to take? Or is it just a matter of being flexible and willing to reschedule if something pops up?

[Anonymous User]

Hi!

What are your thoughts on writing samples? Do you just care about how the person writes, or do you consider the strength of the underlying substantive legal arguments? What are typical failings of a writing sample?

Thanks!!

[itbdvorm]

How do you view UCLA in relation to the T14? Do you know how it's generally viewed?

I think of UT and UCLA both as fairly similar, right around Georgetown or a little below I guess

[itbdvorm]

How do you feel about listing a semester gpa along with the cumulative if your spring was a substantial jump over your fall? Would you even care? Would it look bad? And does something like age matter at all (i.e., would it be more appropriate for someone with several years of w/e who was "adjusting" to school vs. a K-JD) in deciding this?

Ex: 3.3 cumulative; 3.5 spring

Thanks for all the great advice here!

We wouldn't care. It's a waste.

[itbdvorm]

What's the story with vacation time. 3-4 weeks theoretically that you're strongly encouraged not to take? Or is it just a matter of being flexible and willing to reschedule if something pops up?

Depends on the firm and the practice group. Also level of seniority and partnership goals.

Easier to get away with when you're junior and fungible. Much harder if you're integral to a deal.