Anonymous User wrote:I've got a 3.38 and really only have strong ties to DC. Any advice on what markets to target? Should I try to bid predominately in NYC?
I would still try some of the least grade conscious DC/Northern VA firms, especially if you can make a connection before OGI and/or get a interview pre-OGI. I think it would be a bad idea to avoid your home market entirely (though the top DC firms should be avoided). Also, try to figure out what ties you might have to places like Baltimore, Philly, Wilmington DE (want to settle down with family + corporate focus may be enough here), or other smaller markets in VA or Maryland should probably be contacted if you can come up with any reason for wanting to be there.
And yes, you should probably try some NYC firms. But (*this is a point for everyone bidding NYC), it can be really hard to get preselects for NYC firms because most of the class is bidding them at least as backups (so, without having much else to go on, the firms just preselect the top GPAs that bid them). Thus, 3.4-3.5 and down get few of the preselects but may get some lottery and trickle down. But, just because you didn't get a preselect doesn't mean that you should go to their information room and ask for an interview or to drop off a resume, or try to special request them. Do whatever it takes and don't take no for an answer as long as they haven't already interviewed and dinged you.
(Also, as a side note, NYC firms don't seem very receptive to pre-OGI interviewing, probably because they get to interview so many students at OCIs and OGI with much less effort and prefer to work through that pipeline; you likely will have more success pre-OGI in smaller markets).
Also, ties are not something that you either have or do not have. They can be sold, even when minor. I interviewed and got offers in a number of cities that I had minimal ties you. Try to convince them that you want to be there for any logical reason. (Ex, for Wilmington DE as noted above, "I would really love to settle down in a smaller city while being able to work on complex corporate matters (and I have family in the area)" -- for all DE firms but Skadden.) Its harder for places like Philly or Baltimore that don't have something unique that really sticks out about the legal practice or the city, but you can still try to find some family connection or something. These ties are more believable if you mail them and show interest early in the process (pre-OGI); if you actually believe that you want to be there yourself (don't try some place that you are really disingenuous about); and, of course, the better your grades and resume the more likely that they will want to believe you.
Lastly, to all you high GPAs out there, don't assume that your GPA means that your interviewers are impressed with you already. Firms, especially top firms, grades are merely a prerequisite, you still got to earn it by showing excellence in other ways as well. Firms don't have to hire anyone from UVA, so you have not earned anything by being a 3.6+. You just have shot to get in the club. Firms are talking to top student from all the T14 schools, so you need to remember the competition. If you are truly a standout (3.85+), then yes, the firm probably is somewhat impressed already, but still, show excellence and don't let them down.
Whatever it takes. Good luck everyone.
) are good enough for all but a small handful of firms such as W&C and Covington. Plenty of students get offers from Hogan, Latham, etc. without VLR grades. Keep in mind that these firms are super competitive because most of the top students bid on them, so regardless of your grades, you'll have to stand out based on interview performance, experience, etc. Among my VLR friends who ranged from below average to poor interviewers, most did not get offers at the "elite" DC firms and had to settle for NYC or lower-ranked DC firms.
