2012 UVA OGI Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

VLR calls are currently going out.

You beat me to it. Good luck, everyone.

[Anonymous User]

I just wrote onto VLR and I have a 3.52 GPA. Can I assume that VLR makes me competitive with people in the low 3.6's or does this assume too much?

[StanleyF]

I just wrote onto VLR and I have a 3.52 GPA. Can I assume that VLR makes me competitive with people in the low 3.6's or does this assume too much?

I would think the short answer to this question is yes. Except for those few firms that are legit GPA snobs, I think you are probably competitive for any firm coming to OGI. So that should get you into the interview room, where other factors will take over: Are you a good interview? Do you have work experience they value? Are you the kind of person they want to work with?

Edited to add: If they bring you in on a callback, will the others at their firm think you are a good candidate? If they make you an offer, do they think you will accept it? Firms practice a fair amount of yield protection -- they don't want to leave offers open to people because it means they can't offer other candidates while you keep interviewing.

[Anonymous User]

I just wrote onto VLR and I have a 3.52 GPA. Can I assume that VLR makes me competitive with people in the low 3.6's or does this assume too much?

A 3.5 even without law review is usually good enough for all but a handful of firms (Cravath, S&C, Cov, W&C). After that it really comes down to personality, work experience, fit, etc.

[Anonymous User]

I just wrote onto VLR and I have a 3.52 GPA. Can I assume that VLR makes me competitive with people in the low 3.6's or does this assume too much?

The general consensus from years past is no, that's assuming too much. VLR is certainly a leg up, but it's not going to boost top 20-25% to top 10-15%. That said, it is certainly a plus, but I wouldn't let it effect your bidding too much (i.e., don't waste bids on S&C, etc.).

But, more importantly, congrats! Keep your grades up and you'll have a good shot at district court clerkships. VLR has a good group of people and the work isn't all that bad.

-'12 Grad

[Anonymous User]

VLR calls are currently going out.

Guess mine got lost in the mail!

[Anonymous User]

How bad does it look if you aren't on a journal, but have good grades (aa male, somewhere between top 10-15%, k-jd)?

[Anonymous User]

VLR calls are currently going out.

Guess mine got lost in the mail!

They might not be done yet. I missed my call, called back 10 minute later, and he said he was heading out the door. Obviously no idea where I fell in the list of calls, but it's entirely possible they did some last night and will do more tonight.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea what the cut-off GPA was? My friend with a 3.83 made the cut.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea what the cut-off GPA was? My friend with a 3.83 made the cut.

Well I would hope so. From what I've heard from VLR alumni (and in this thread), it's usually in the low 3.7s. I know someone with a mid 3.7x who made it.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea what the cut-off GPA was? My friend with a 3.83 made the cut.

The cut-off is typically not announced until the Fall. The cut-off is typically between a 3.71-3.73.

And, of course your friend made the cut. A 3.83 at the end of 1L should put him solidly between #13 and #9 or so in the class. A 3.83 at the end of 3L would be solidly within the top 10 students and would likely be between #7 and #4 or #5 in the class.

-'12 Grad

[Anonymous User]

VLR calls are currently going out.

Guess mine got lost in the mail!

They might not be done yet. I missed my call, called back 10 minute later, and he said he was heading out the door. Obviously no idea where I fell in the list of calls, but it's entirely possible they did some last night and will do more tonight.

It usually takes 1-2 days to make all the announcements. Some people can be harder to reach than others. And, it's not over until all the announcements are made -- sometimes an additional slot will open because someone is transferring or defers because of being a JD/MBA.

-'12 Grad

[Anonymous User]

How bad does it look if you aren't on a journal, but have good grades (aa male, somewhere between top 10-15%, k-jd)?

You should be pretty good to go. I would recommend signing up for Moot Court so that you have some sort of academic activity. Why no journal, most of the secondaries are pretty light work?

-'12 Grad

[Anonymous User]

How bad does it look if you aren't on a journal, but have good grades (aa male, somewhere between top 10-15%, k-jd)?

Not bad at all with those grades. Enjoy your future big law job and be thankful you'll never do a cite check.

[Anonymous User]

Any idea what the cut-off GPA was? My friend with a 3.83 made the cut.

Well I would hope so. From what I've heard from VLR alumni (and in this thread), it's usually in the low 3.7s. I know someone with a mid 3.7x who made it.

3.74, and I got in. (That assumes that I didn't write on.)

[Anonymous User]

For those who wrote onto VLR, here's general thoughts (some of which has already been said) given to me last year by a recently graduated VLR member who was in my same position. Based on my experience, I found it to be accurate (VLR member who wrote on):

As far as OGI goes, VLR is more or less a rubber stamp. VLR members consistently go to Williams & Connolly or other top firms each year because they have a 3.7+, not because they are on VLR. However, many employers do put a separate value on law review assuming you meet their basic GPA requirements. For example, a DC firm with a 3.45 cutoff might call back a VLR member with a 3.45 over a non-VLR member with a 3.53. Of course, that firm would also probably take a 3.65 over the VLR member with a 3.45.

I believe in conservative bidding strategies, especially since I'm sure you're targeting the DC/NOVA area. Almost everyone bids that market and the class sizes are small. If you agree, then VLR probably shouldn't change your bidding strategy that much, although you might go for a few more reaches that are still within your zone of realistic success. In my case, as a write-on last year, I had pretty good success at OGI, but I didn't outperform my GPA except for three instances.

[turkeysub]

For firms that aren't coming to OGI have you guys been using the symplicity transcript or the SIS transcript? Does it matter?

[pertristis]

For firms that aren't coming to OGI have you guys been using the symplicity transcript or the SIS transcript? Does it matter?

I used the Symplicity transcript for jobs for this summer, and am using it for non-OGI firms for next summer. Haven't had any problems yet. Does it matter? Beats me.

[turkeysub]

For firms that aren't coming to OGI have you guys been using the symplicity transcript or the SIS transcript? Does it matter?

I used the Symplicity transcript for jobs for this summer, and am using it for non-OGI firms for next summer. Haven't had any problems yet. Does it matter? Beats me.

Good, that's what I've been doing too. Just had an irrational "oh shit" moment and wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something wrong...

[Gecko of Doom]

Only thing I could see mattering is that the Symplicity transcript gives the median and top quarter GPAs. Which could be good or bad depending on your grades.

[Anonymous User]

For firms that aren't coming to OGI have you guys been using the symplicity transcript or the SIS transcript? Does it matter?

I used the Symplicity transcript for jobs for this summer, and am using it for non-OGI firms for next summer. Haven't had any problems yet. Does it matter? Beats me.

I've always used my Symplicity transcript for OGI, mass-mailing, and clerkship apps. Beyond the giving of the median and top 25% cutoffs, it's very useful because it actually lists the professors for the classes. Alumni and judges often know these professors and it can be a good starting point for conversations.

-'12 Grad

[Anonymous User]

When does VLR info go public? Must ogle the list ASAP

[Anonymous User]

When does VLR info go public? Must ogle the list ASAP

Whenever they feel like updating the website.

[Anonymous User]

When does VLR info go public? Must ogle the list ASAP

Whenever they feel like updating the website.

Once everyone has been contacted, and everyone contacted has either accepted, deferred, or declined (i.e., they're transferring). And, whenever the managing board member in charge of the website has time to update the website (though, to be fair, they're usually doing a SA + applying for clerkships).

-'12 Grad

[Anonymous User]

does vlr ever call privately? and no voicemail?

and if no call we can expect a ding by now right?