Struck out at OCI. Lost all motivation. Forum

[Anonymous User]

Also while this isn't always encouraged - if you got along particularly well with a partner you interviewed with you can email them in a professional manner for feedback. I have done this a couple times and some partners are willing.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have insight on joining a journal during 2L to boost the chance? Will that look more favorable to future employers if the student got struck out?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have insight on joining a journal during 2L to boost the chance? Will that look more favorable to future employers if the student got struck out?

It used to but I feel like it's lost its luster of late. With that said, if you send out more apps and hear nothing, it always helps to break the silence with good news. "I remain interested and write to inform you that I recently joined X journal and hope to take a leadership position next year" sounds a lot better than "so any word on my app?"

[WSY]

Does anyone have insight on joining a journal during 2L to boost the chance? Will that look more favorable to future employers if the student got struck out?

It used to but I feel like it's lost its luster of late. With that said, if you send out more apps and hear nothing, it always helps to break the silence with good news. "I remain interested and write to inform you that I recently joined X journal and hope to take a leadership position next year" sounds a lot better than "so any word on my app?"

Why has it lost its luster?

[JHP]

Does anyone have insight on joining a journal during 2L to boost the chance? Will that look more favorable to future employers if the student got struck out?

It used to but I feel like it's lost its luster of late. With that said, if you send out more apps and hear nothing, it always helps to break the silence with good news. "I remain interested and write to inform you that I recently joined X journal and hope to take a leadership position next year" sounds a lot better than "so any word on my app?"

Why has it lost its luster?

My perspective is that maybe it's because almost everyone does a journal now, so it's more expected than actually an outstanding achievement? But I won't put words in that user's mouth. That being said, I do think that if you aren't on journal, there will almost always be someone who asks about it or notices it and it gets brought up in hiring discussions, especially if the grades are iffy.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have insight on joining a journal during 2L to boost the chance? Will that look more favorable to future employers if the student got struck out?

It used to but I feel like it's lost its luster of late. With that said, if you send out more apps and hear nothing, it always helps to break the silence with good news. "I remain interested and write to inform you that I recently joined X journal and hope to take a leadership position next year" sounds a lot better than "so any word on my app?"

Why has it lost its luster?

Having been in the selections process as a 3L on my T14 law review I can tell you that selections is like a complete and utter crap shoot with zero standardization—wouldn't fault anyone for not taking us seriously; I mean what a mess it was.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone have insight on joining a journal during 2L to boost the chance? Will that look more favorable to future employers if the student got struck out?

It used to but I feel like it's lost its luster of late. With that said, if you send out more apps and hear nothing, it always helps to break the silence with good news. "I remain interested and write to inform you that I recently joined X journal and hope to take a leadership position next year" sounds a lot better than "so any word on my app?"

Why has it lost its luster?

My perspective is that maybe it's because almost everyone does a journal now, so it's more expected than actually an outstanding achievement? But I won't put words in that user's mouth. That being said, I do think that if you aren't on journal, there will almost always be someone who asks about it or notices it and it gets brought up in hiring discussions, especially if the grades are iffy.

This is a good point. I was the original "lost its luster" anon, and I said that because I know some people with great grades who didn't do a journal and were no worse for the wear. But it may be more important at the lower end of the grade spectrum.

[Anonymous User]

Also an international non-native speaker at T6. I personally know a ton of other international students at my school from previous years who struck out at OCI but managed to land a big law job later either as a 2L or a 3L. I understand it must be very hard for you cause most international students do need to rely upon biglaws to sponsor their visa, but don't lose hope! As a lot of other people have mentioned in this post, reach out to the career office. Another thing to do is to reach out to other international students and try to connect with people who struck out in the past few years. They might be able to offer some helpful advice specific to your situation but not commonly known to a US citizen (e.g. which firms don't hire international/ which firms have better visa policy).