Northwestern 2019 OCI Forum

[anonny_1234]

Fox Rothschild Seattle CB

Did you direct apply? I thought Fox Rothschild was only interviewing for LA/Chi/NY.

[Anonymous User]

Foley ding. GPA 3.5x.

Yikes.

[Anonymous User]

Which Latin American country is best to escape one’s creditors?

[Anonymous User]

Foley ding. GPA 3.5x.

Yikes.

Same, 3.6x here....

[Anonymous User]

This has been the most frustrating and demoralizing experience in my entire life. I did my research, and from all the available information I could find, thought that if I go to a T13, get good grades, network, buy an interviewing wardrobe, and practice interviewing, that I would be able to get a job. I have done all those things, and I'm struggling. And from the above comments, it's not just me. 20+ screeners and only one CB. We were sold a bill of goods. I see zero benefit to the brand name of a good school or to OCI. And I worked hard to get here, worked hard to get my grades.

If my single cb turns into a job, I'll be listed as a success story in the employment stats. If it doesn't, I'll probably drop out. I can't justify two more years of my life if this was mistake. If any prospective students read this thread, listen to everyone telling you not to go to law school.

[Anonymous User]

This has been the most frustrating and demoralizing experience in my entire life. I did my research, and from all the available information I could find, thought that if I go to a T13, get good grades, network, buy an interviewing wardrobe, and practice interviewing, that I would be able to get a job. I have done all those things, and I'm struggling. And from the above comments, it's not just me. 20+ screeners and only one CB. We were sold a bill of goods. I see zero benefit to the brand name of a good school or to OCI. And I worked hard to get here, worked hard to get my grades.

If my single cb turns into a job, I'll be listed as a success story in the employment stats. If it doesn't, I'll probably drop out. I can't justify two more years of my life if this was mistake. If any prospective students read this thread, listen to everyone telling you not to go to law school.

Cheers mate, glad I'm not the only one

One more piece of TLS advice I should've taken - ignore every single thing career services says. I ignored half of it and if I get a job out of this that'll be the reason why.

[Anonymous User]

This has been the most frustrating and demoralizing experience in my entire life. I did my research, and from all the available information I could find, thought that if I go to a T13, get good grades, network, buy an interviewing wardrobe, and practice interviewing, that I would be able to get a job. I have done all those things, and I'm struggling. And from the above comments, it's not just me. 20+ screeners and only one CB. We were sold a bill of goods. I see zero benefit to the brand name of a good school or to OCI. And I worked hard to get here, worked hard to get my grades.

If my single cb turns into a job, I'll be listed as a success story in the employment stats. If it doesn't, I'll probably drop out. I can't justify two more years of my life if this was mistake. If any prospective students read this thread, listen to everyone telling you not to go to law school.

Cheers mate, glad I'm not the only one

One more piece of TLS advice I should've taken - ignore every single thing career services says. I ignored half of it and if I get a job out of this that'll be the reason why.

Not dropping out but another person in a similar situation.

[Anonymous User]

This has been the most frustrating and demoralizing experience in my entire life. I did my research, and from all the available information I could find, thought that if I go to a T13, get good grades, network, buy an interviewing wardrobe, and practice interviewing, that I would be able to get a job. I have done all those things, and I'm struggling. And from the above comments, it's not just me. 20+ screeners and only one CB. We were sold a bill of goods. I see zero benefit to the brand name of a good school or to OCI. And I worked hard to get here, worked hard to get my grades.

If my single cb turns into a job, I'll be listed as a success story in the employment stats. If it doesn't, I'll probably drop out. I can't justify two more years of my life if this was mistake. If any prospective students read this thread, listen to everyone telling you not to go to law school.

Cheers mate, glad I'm not the only one

One more piece of TLS advice I should've taken - ignore every single thing career services says. I ignored half of it and if I get a job out of this that'll be the reason why.

Not dropping out but another person in a similar situation.

Oh I'm not dropping out, I want to be a lawyer. This just blows.

[Anonymous User]

Oh and for anyone reading in future years - apply everywhere the day applications open. Forget that bullshit about waiting for OCI. They just tell you to do that in order to boost the attractiveness of the school's OCI.

For how they managed it, I hope every single student gets a pre OCI job next year and career services gets flooded with angry firms because nobody showed up.

[Anonymous User]

edit: accidental double post

[Anonymous User]

Foley ding. GPA 3.5x.

Yikes.

Same, 3.6x here....

Yep same. 3.5x. Pretty sure I'm striking out.

[Anonymous User]

Going to Timmy O'Toole's for a liquid lobotomy ASAP

[Anonymous User]

I'm not trying to be patronizing, I'm in the same situation, but I want to share some info on mental health resources:

CAPS - You can schedule an initial appointment here or call (847) 491-2151 to request a crisis/same-day appointment.

LAP (Lawyers Assistance Program) if you don't want to deal w/ the school, LAP can be helpful too.

If you're just sitting around today, it sounds weird but try out a guided meditation app like Breathe or headspace

[Anonymous User]

Anon who posted the rant above - I can't honestly say that I'm glad I'm not alone. I wish we all were doing better. But I'm glad we know we're not alone, and that my post enabled ppl to vent.

To the anon who posted the mental health resources - it's not patronizing at all! It's helpful and useful. Thank you. Sometimes you need a drink, sometimes you need a shrink.

And it goes without saying that all of us should be direct applying like crazy the next few weeks. Not what we want to hear but that's life.

[mishpt1]

Foley ding. GPA 3.5x.

Yikes.

Same, 3.6x here....

Yep same. 3.5x. Pretty sure I'm striking out.

I'm not at Northwestern but at GULC. 3.8x and only one CB . . . I am totally demoralized

[Anonymous User]

This has been the most frustrating and demoralizing experience in my entire life. I did my research, and from all the available information I could find, thought that if I go to a T13, get good grades, network, buy an interviewing wardrobe, and practice interviewing, that I would be able to get a job. I have done all those things, and I'm struggling. And from the above comments, it's not just me. 20+ screeners and only one CB. We were sold a bill of goods. I see zero benefit to the brand name of a good school or to OCI. And I worked hard to get here, worked hard to get my grades.

If my single cb turns into a job, I'll be listed as a success story in the employment stats. If it doesn't, I'll probably drop out. I can't justify two more years of my life if this was mistake. If any prospective students read this thread, listen to everyone telling you not to go to law school.

Cheers mate, glad I'm not the only one

One more piece of TLS advice I should've taken - ignore every single thing career services says. I ignored half of it and if I get a job out of this that'll be the reason why.

Not dropping out but another person in a similar situation.

Biglaw attorney here. Please don't be discouraged. Easier said than done, I know. I completely struck out at OCI, and had a lower GPA than you guys and did not attend a T13. I was devastated and also felt like I had been riding a lemon car the entire time only to have it explode in my face with no other options. I felt really desperate and no one shared any OCI "failure" stories with me, so I definitely thought I was an absolute loser, a dud among all my friends who were selecting among multiple offers. Remember, not getting a job through OCI is NOT FAILURE. Not everyone gets a job through OCI, and there are absolutely folks who deserve to get jobs through OCI who don't (and, conversely, there are lots of people who get jobs through OCI are not always deserving).

This is NOT the end of the line, this does not define you as a student, as a person, or as a future lawyer. The more embittered and pessimistic you get, the more you will ease your foot off the pedal. You need to be putting your foot on the gas (network, take leadership positions, apply to all openings right now and through 2L, etc.). I put my foot on the gas and I scored biglaw through 3L recruiting after doing some JD-preferred 2L summer work. The difference between me and my peers who did not get biglaw was, I think, the fact that they did not have the same network I did in the community and in the firms, I had more leadership and work experience on my resume, and I was optimistic. I mentored 3Ls who were in a similar position, and I'll tell you that the bitterness absolutely shows through even if you don't mean it to. You really can't let it get to you because it will affect not only how you remedy the situation but also how you interact with the people who can help you.

TL;DR: stay positive, this is not the end, keep hustling. Don't choose to drop out just because of this--try to assess that decision with as much clarity as possible.

[Anonymous User]

I know you mean well, Biglaw Attorney, and I appreciated you chiming in. I do. Really. But I think is a case of survivorship bias. You succeeded despite having the numbers against you. That's not a model to follow. Many of us do have leadership positions, did plenty of networking, and have good work experience. It's not helping.

[Anonymous User]

I know you mean well, Biglaw Attorney, and I appreciated you chiming in. I do. Really. But I think is a case of survivorship bias. You succeeded despite having the numbers against you. That's not a model to follow. Many of us do have leadership positions, did plenty of networking, and have good work experience. It's not helping.

Well let's be real. Your two options are 1) give up 2) fight. You could always choose 1 but then why did you come all this way? The midwest blows

[Anonymous User]

I know you mean well, Biglaw Attorney, and I appreciated you chiming in. I do. Really. But I think is a case of survivorship bias. You succeeded despite having the numbers against you. That's not a model to follow. Many of us do have leadership positions, did plenty of networking, and have good work experience. It's not helping.

Biglaw Attorney here.

I understand the sentiment, but why does my story of success hold less meaning for people struggling through OCI as I did? Would you rather hear from people who did not get any biglaw jobs after OCI and 3L recruiting? How does that help people in your position? If you are in a tough OCI spot not getting CBs despite having leadership positions, having done networking, and having good work experience, then why am I not a helpful example of what hope may lie ahead?

[Anonymous User]

arnold porter ding

[Anonymous User]

Goodwin ding

[Anonymous User]

gibson dunn DC ding (did screener before OCI)

[Anonymous User]

V&E ding

[Anonymous User]

McDermott Chi ding

[Anonymous User]

McDermott Chi ding

Post screener or CB? I've got nothing since my screener