Northwestern OCI 2015 Forum

[Anonymous User]

In the past few years, I've known transfers going to:
Kirkland (Chi & NY)
Sidley
Skadden (Chi & NY)
Jones Day (Chi)
Latham (Chi)
Proskauer (NY)
Ropes (Boston)

And that's just among those I know, and I definitely don't know them all.So there are plenty of transfers who do well.

[wojo98]

Over 3.59 cumulative - practicing for Skadden NY or chicago, is this doable with the GPA?

Definitely, though it will be driven by factors exogenous to law school (e.g. WE strength and/or interviewing ability - like AU above mentioned). PM me if have specific q's.

[Anonymous User]

Transfer here and I have no idea what to do with my bid list. Does anyone have any advice? I heard transfers do well at OCI but I'm not sure if I should still be bidding on the top firms.

Don't have a huge preference of litigation or transactional, but am leaning more towards transactional right now.

I know some transfers who didn't do so well. I also know a couple others who went 1/1 on callbacks. I would hesitate to bid too aggressively. Possible others can speak to other variation. My experience only crosses about 7-8 people.

Wow, really? Part of the reason why I am transferring is to open up my options for big law. Does anyone else have any insight on this?

Transfer here. Got 11 CBs. Accepted 3rd offer I got because it was my first choice; canceled the rest of CBs. Didn't feel a transfer stigma. I bid pretty aggressively. I personally would not bid any less aggressively than you would if you were a homegrown NU just because you are a transfer. If you have good grades from your former school (within ballpark to qualify to do OCI there), you are a good interviewer, and have decent work experience, then you have a good shot at doing well in OCI...

Do you mind telling us your 1L school rank and class rank? I'm wondering if the success stories have more to do with that than with transferring to NU

[Anonymous User]

Do you mind telling us your 1L school rank and class rank? I'm wondering if the success stories have more to do with that than with transferring to NU

T2. Definitely NOT the tippy top of the class, but obviously good enough to transfer. So I think I'm pretty average for the transfer class, from what I gathered. My background isn't mind-blowing, either. I do think I'm a decent interviewer, though.

[champloo]

Do you mind telling us your 1L school rank and class rank? I'm wondering if the success stories have more to do with that than with transferring to NU

T2. Definitely NOT the tippy top of the class, but obviously good enough to transfer. So I think I'm pretty average for the transfer class, from what I gathered. My background isn't mind-blowing, either. I do think I'm a decent interviewer, though.

I would love to pick your brain about this. Do you mind pm'ing me? Thanks in advance

[tstudent2015]

Do you mind telling us your 1L school rank and class rank? I'm wondering if the success stories have more to do with that than with transferring to NU

T2. Definitely NOT the tippy top of the class, but obviously good enough to transfer. So I think I'm pretty average for the transfer class, from what I gathered. My background isn't mind-blowing, either. I do think I'm a decent interviewer, though.

I would also love to hear more about your OCI process if you wouldn't mind PMing me as well.

[Anonymous User]

Do you mind telling us your 1L school rank and class rank? I'm wondering if the success stories have more to do with that than with transferring to NU

T2. Definitely NOT the tippy top of the class, but obviously good enough to transfer. So I think I'm pretty average for the transfer class, from what I gathered. My background isn't mind-blowing, either. I do think I'm a decent interviewer, though.

adding to this. T1 top 1/3. K-JD. aggressive bidding Chi DC. Plenty of offers but the lit focus killed me. Transfers do fine. I only know of 2 transfers who struck out in my class.

[Anonymous User]

What are considered the top 5 DC firms? Do they all come to NU?

[moneyball026]

What are considered the top 5 DC firms? Do they all come to NU?

http://www.vault.com/company-rankings/l ... sRankID=15
a&p doesnt, skadden @ 6 doesnt either for their DC office but mass mail them both.

you best be having a 3.9 (LR helpful) if you be talkin bout these firms though and that may not even be enough for the top 5 DCs.

when you bid the district of columbia, you win or you die.
-cersei lannister

[Anonymous User]

I have a 3.9 and LR but do you think that may still not do it?

[moneyball026]

I have a 3.9 and LR but do you think that may still not do it?

this looks like a job for private messaging

[Anonymous User]

What can a 3.48 expect at OCI if they're targeting Chicago? Should they bid real conservatively? What is definitely off the table?

[BaberhamLincoln]

What can a 3.48 expect at OCI if they're targeting Chicago? Should they bid real conservatively? What is definitely off the table?

How about a transfer at this GPA?


I know; I'm screwed. But my work experience and interviewing skills...

[cookiejar1]

delete

[Anonymous User]

I have a 3.9 and LR but do you think that may still not do it?

What are your ties and how good are you at interviewing? In my experience, W&C will be the toughest to grab. You might need to network a little bit to get A&P to give you a nod. They don't come to OCI but I pulled the classic "hey I'm really interested and I'll be in town" trick on them successfully so maybe you can try that too. Covington, GDC, and WH are all attainable you just need to interview well and demonstrate a commitment to DC. I'd take a hard look at Sidley too.

[Anonymous User]

Plz help i dont know how to do this

gpa: over 4.0
ties: all chicago
practice area: transactional

1. Baker & McKenzie: Chicago
2. Sidley Austin: Chicago
3. Kirkland & Ellis: Chicago
4. Mayer Brown: Chicago
5. DLA Piper: Chicago
6. Jones Day: Chicago
7. Latham & Watkins: Chicago
8. Skadden: Chicago
9. Winston & Strawn: Chicago
10. McDermott Will & Emery: Chicago
11. Proskauer: Chicago
12. Katten Muchin Rosemann: Chicago
13. Dykema Gossett PLLC: Chicago
14. Jenner & Block: Chicago
15. Foley & Lardner: Chicago
16. K&L Gates: Chicago
17. Schiff Hardin
19. Simpson & Thatcher: New York
20. Sullivan & Cromwell: New York
21. Cravath: New York
22. Paul Weiss: New York
23. Proskauer: New York
24. Wilkie Farr: New York
25. Barrack Ferrazono: Chicago
26. Ropes & Gray: New York
27. Shearman & Sterling: New York
28. Baker Botts LLP
29. Dentons: Chicago
30. Dechert LLP: Chicago
31. Greenberg Traurig: Chicago
32. McGuire Woods: Chicago
33. Chapman & Cutler: Chicago
34. Miller Shakman & Beem: Chicago
35. Paul Hastings: Chicago
36. Perkins Coie: Chicago
37. Seyfarth Shaw: Chicago
38. Sidley Austin: New York
39. Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren: Milwaukee
40. Michael Best & Friedrich: Milwaukee
41 (extra). Michael Best & Friedrich: Chicago

UPDATED (looks like no LR), more advice appreciated on where I'm wasting bids and how to move things around.

1. Kirkland & Ellis - Chicago
2. Sidley Austin - Chicago
3. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom - Chicago
4. Latham & Watkins - Chicago
5. Mayer Brown - Chicago
6. Winston & Strawn - Chicago
7. McDermott Will & Emery - Chicago
8. Jenner & Block - Chicago
9. Schiff Hardin - (Chicago ranked first)
10. Sullivan & Cromwell - New York
11. Cravath Swaine & Moore - New York
12. Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett - New York
13. Baker & McKenzie - Chicago
14. Jones Day - Chicago
15. Proskauer - Chicago
16. Dykema Gossett - Chicago
17. Foley & Lardner - Chicago
18. K&L Gates - Chicago
19. Weil Gotshal & Manges - New York
20. Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison - New York
21. Proskauer - New York
22. Wilkie Farr & Gallagher - New York
23. Davis Polk & Wardwell - New York
24. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton - New York
25. Barack Ferrazano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg - Chicago
26. Ropes & Gray - (New York ranked first)
27. Shearman & Sterling - New York
28. Baker Botts - (New York ranked first)
29. Dentons - Chicago
30. Dechert - Chicago
31. Greenberg Traurig - Chicago
32. McGuire Woods - Chicago
33. Chapman & Cutler - Chicago
34. Miller Shakman & Beem - Chicago
35. Paul Hastings - Chicago
36. Perkins Coie - Chicago
37. Seyfarth Shaw - Chicago
38. Reinhart Boerner Van Deursen - Milwaukee
39. Sidley Austin - New York
40. Michael Best & Friedrich - Chicago
41. Michael Best & Friedrich - Milwaulee (extra)

Chicago more important than Vault Ranking for me. Can I move S&C, CSM, and STB down a few spots and if so what Chi firms would I have a shot getting an interview with in those spots?

[BaberhamLincoln]

Forgive my ignorance, I'm trying to comb through NU documents and this thread and a couple others. General consensus is not to bid on firms I'll interview with at PLIP, and I only want Chicago

This really narrows down my options right? And then just rank them according to who I'm most interested in from that subset?

So Im in Simplicity for the first time (first time for NU) and see there are 45 IL firms. 13 of which I am interviewing with at PLIP plus possibly 6 more alternates. But it would be dumb to just use 26-32 of my bids...

I guess I'm at a loss because I know you shouldn't bid a firm you're already interviewing at elsewhere and I'm not interested in firms outside Chicago. Is the common practice to bid Ny no matter what?

[Cobretti]

gpa: over 4.0
ties: all chicago
practice area: transactional

UPDATED (looks like no LR), more advice appreciated on where I'm wasting bids and how to move things around.

1. Kirkland & Ellis - Chicago
2. Sidley Austin - Chicago
3. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom - Chicago
4. Latham & Watkins - Chicago
5. Mayer Brown - Chicago
6. Winston & Strawn - Chicago
7. McDermott Will & Emery - Chicago
8. Jenner & Block - Chicago
9. Schiff Hardin - (Chicago ranked first)
10. Sullivan & Cromwell - New York
11. Cravath Swaine & Moore - New York
12. Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett - New York
13. Baker & McKenzie - Chicago
14. Jones Day - Chicago
15. Proskauer - Chicago
16. Dykema Gossett - Chicago
17. Foley & Lardner - Chicago
18. K&L Gates - Chicago
19. Weil Gotshal & Manges - New York
20. Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison - New York
21. Proskauer - New York
22. Wilkie Farr & Gallagher - New York
23. Davis Polk & Wardwell - New York
24. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton - New York
25. Barack Ferrazano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg - Chicago
26. Ropes & Gray - (New York ranked first)
27. Shearman & Sterling - New York
28. Baker Botts - (New York ranked first)
29. Dentons - Chicago
30. Dechert - Chicago
31. Greenberg Traurig - Chicago
32. McGuire Woods - Chicago
33. Chapman & Cutler - Chicago
34. Miller Shakman & Beem - Chicago
35. Paul Hastings - Chicago
36. Perkins Coie - Chicago
37. Seyfarth Shaw - Chicago
38. Reinhart Boerner Van Deursen - Milwaukee
39. Sidley Austin - New York
40. Michael Best & Friedrich - Chicago
41. Michael Best & Friedrich - Milwaulee (extra)

Chicago more important than Vault Ranking for me. Can I move S&C, CSM, and STB down a few spots and if so what Chi firms would I have a shot getting an interview with in those spots?

I think this looks pretty solid. Its really hard to get any Chicago firms outside your top 10 and you probably hit all the ones you need to hit as is, so I don't know that I'd bother trying to get anything else in those slots. I think you're at risk of not getting Schiff, but its up to you if you really think you need it or not. If you're serious about getting a Schiff screener it should probably be in your top 5 since its very popular among median ppl looking to stay in Chicago.

[Fitz51]

gpa: over 4.0
ties: all chicago
practice area: transactional

UPDATED (looks like no LR), more advice appreciated on where I'm wasting bids and how to move things around.

1. Kirkland & Ellis - Chicago
2. Sidley Austin - Chicago
3. Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom - Chicago
4. Latham & Watkins - Chicago
5. Mayer Brown - Chicago
6. Winston & Strawn - Chicago
7. McDermott Will & Emery - Chicago
8. Jenner & Block - Chicago
9. Schiff Hardin - (Chicago ranked first)
10. Sullivan & Cromwell - New York
11. Cravath Swaine & Moore - New York
12. Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett - New York
13. Baker & McKenzie - Chicago
14. Jones Day - Chicago
15. Proskauer - Chicago
16. Dykema Gossett - Chicago
17. Foley & Lardner - Chicago
18. K&L Gates - Chicago
19. Weil Gotshal & Manges - New York
20. Paul Weiss Rifkind Wharton & Garrison - New York
21. Proskauer - New York
22. Wilkie Farr & Gallagher - New York
23. Davis Polk & Wardwell - New York
24. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton - New York
25. Barack Ferrazano Kirschbaum & Nagelberg - Chicago
26. Ropes & Gray - (New York ranked first)
27. Shearman & Sterling - New York
28. Baker Botts - (New York ranked first)
29. Dentons - Chicago
30. Dechert - Chicago
31. Greenberg Traurig - Chicago
32. McGuire Woods - Chicago
33. Chapman & Cutler - Chicago
34. Miller Shakman & Beem - Chicago
35. Paul Hastings - Chicago
36. Perkins Coie - Chicago
37. Seyfarth Shaw - Chicago
38. Reinhart Boerner Van Deursen - Milwaukee
39. Sidley Austin - New York
40. Michael Best & Friedrich - Chicago
41. Michael Best & Friedrich - Milwaulee (extra)

Chicago more important than Vault Ranking for me. Can I move S&C, CSM, and STB down a few spots and if so what Chi firms would I have a shot getting an interview with in those spots?

I think this looks pretty solid. Its really hard to get any Chicago firms outside your top 10 and you probably hit all the ones you need to hit as is, so I don't know that I'd bother trying to get anything else in those slots. I think you're at risk of not getting Schiff, but its up to you if you really think you need it or not. If you're serious about getting a Schiff screener it should probably be in your top 5 since its very popular among median ppl looking to stay in Chicago.

Probably shouldn't bother with Jenner, and Schiff will not be available that low. Maybe should get Katten on there, but not a necessity as you'll get screeners, CBs, and offers from your top 5 as long as you're not bizarre.

[Anonymous User]

whoops didnt know numbers shouldnt have been posted! Edited to exclude sensitive info:

NUM FIRM SLOTS
1 Baker & Mckenzie 20
2 Katten 40
3 White & Case 20
4 Proskauer 20
5 Chapman 20
6 Jones Day 40
7 Vedder Price 20
8 Winston 60
9 Kirkland 80
10 Drinker Biddle 31
11 Milbank Tweed 40
12 Fried Frank 40
13 Shearman 40
14 Weil 60
15 Schiff Hardin 80
16 Paul Hastings 20
17 Kaye Scholer 20
18 Vinson & Elkins 20
19 Paul Weiss 40
20
21
22
23
24 Foley 20
25 Thompson Coburn 20
26 Seward & Kissel 20

Transfer here from T1. Most Chicago firms come to our old school's oci so assuming no transfer bias for Chicago firms. Want transactional. Chi > NYC but open to both. Ties to Chicago and LA. Help a poor soul out. Much appreciation

[BaberhamLincoln]

Anon above, what are those numbers next to the firms?

Pm me at some point. I'm also a transfer and unsure about some things

[Anonymous User]

what are those numbers next to the firms?

If we want those "numbers" available in future years, probably should take that original post down.

[Anonymous User]

Do you mind telling us your 1L school rank and class rank? I'm wondering if the success stories have more to do with that than with transferring to NU

T2. Definitely NOT the tippy top of the class, but obviously good enough to transfer. So I think I'm pretty average for the transfer class, from what I gathered. My background isn't mind-blowing, either. I do think I'm a decent interviewer, though.

adding to this. T1 top 1/3. K-JD. aggressive bidding Chi DC. Plenty of offers but the lit focus killed me. Transfers do fine. I only know of 2 transfers who struck out in my class.

Transfer alum checking in. Top 5% at old school. Didn't hold back at OCI, got my top choice. Most transfers I know nabbed biglaw either as a 2L or 3L (the latter is, predictably, much more difficult). My only advice would be to tailor your bids based on your GPA at your old school. For example, the earlier transfer-poster with a 3.48 GPA should probably not be bidding on V5's in any market. Instead, he/she should be bidding heavily or mass mailing firms in secondary markets, in addition to larger firms with lower GPA thresholds in primary markets. BTW I know this isn't particularly groundbreaking advice, but you'd be surprised how many people -- transfers and homegrown kids -- strike out at OCI because of a mix of poor bid choices (excessive reaching and few safeties), lack of mass mailing, and poor interviewing skills.

EDIT: Good luck to everyone at OCI! It's an incredibly stressful and emotionally draining process for most, but you'll make it out alive!

[jbagelboy]

What are considered the top 5 DC firms? Do they all come to NU?

http://www.vault.com/company-rankings/l ... sRankID=15
a&p doesnt, skadden @ 6 doesnt either for their DC office but mass mail them both.

you best be having a 3.9 (LR helpful) if you be talkin bout these firms though and that may not even be enough for the top 5 DCs.

when you bid the district of columbia, you win or you die.
-cersei lannister

The vault survey does not represent the best of anything

[furrrman]

How fast do the NY offices of Kirkland and Sidley go? They have so many interview slots in Chicago + other cities that it seems like the NY offices will still be available a bit later.

Also, for firms that have a set number of interview slots for multiple offices (e.g. Gibson Dunn has 20 slots for 8 offices), do these tend to be more popular because they appeal to students looking at multiple cities?