Penn OCI 2015 (C/O 2017) Forum

[Anonymous User]

Jones Day NY ding finally. Interviewer CB. Expected.

[Anonymous User]

I feel like there are still some NY firms we haven't heard from at all. Am I wrong?

If we interviewed with NY and haven't heard from some of those firms (and haven't even heard of others getting CBs from that firm) should we just assume that that's a ding at this point?

[Anonymous User]

I mean. You can assume ding if you want.

I got a callback from Cadwalader ~2 weeks after my screener last year. I wouldn't assume ding until I was told ding.

[Anonymous User]

I feel like there are still some NY firms we haven't heard from at all. Am I wrong?

If we interviewed with NY and haven't heard from some of those firms (and haven't even heard of others getting CBs from that firm) should we just assume that that's a ding at this point?

I agree. Haven't seen any mention of Kirkland on here for example. Did anyone hear from them for NY?

But, like 1:59pm said, I wouldn't assume ding until I hear officially. It's like rolling admissions. If you've just heard nothing, it probably means you're maybe still in play for a later round, depending on how many people accept callbacks and/or offers.

[Anonymous User]

This is from the CP&P site.

How long after my screening interview does it take to hear about a callback?

There is no rule of thumb here; the length of time it will take you to hear about a callback varies from city to city and firm to firm. Some of the interviewers who come to OCI have the authority to extend callback invitations on the spot or to make calls that evening. Others must first meet with members of the hiring committee and discuss all candidates from Penn and even from other schools before making invitations. If you haven’t heard either way, you are still in the mix – be patient. It is appropriate to follow up with a firm’s recruiting department two weeks after your screening interview to express your continued interest and inquire about the status of your candidacy.

[Anonymous User]

Also, other T14s are still in the thick of OCI. Maybe they are still comparing candidates at some places.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from Baker Botts or Freshfields?

[Anonymous User]

Yes, fresh fields same day, sorry

[BlueRuin]

3L here. I didn't hear back from two large NYC firms I interviewed with at OCI until mid-September (at which point they both reached out to me for callbacks). You can assume you are on the back-burner, but don't assume you have been dinged. Callbacks will happen much, much later than right now for a significant portion of the class. The inclination is to assume that it's either you hear by the end of August or bust, but that's not the case.

[Anonymous User]

^ thanks for the input!

[Anonymous User]

To the 3L's and alums quelling the anxiety ITT, thanks. I'm not one to normally shit on CPP, but that panel they put on before OCI really made it seem like you got a callback within a day or you're already dinged.

[Anonymous User]

It ain't over till the fat lady dings

[PennBull]

That being said, don't just sit back and read tea leaves.

[Anonymous User]

Speaking of dings, I got my Freshfields ding about an hour ago.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone gone on CBs? Heard anything back? How long do offers/rejections typically take in that stage?

[karich]

Has anyone gone on CBs? Heard anything back? How long do offers/rejections typically take in that stage?

Results vary from firm to firm. SC tends to give same day offers. Cravath used to do same day offers but that seems to be not the case this year. When I did call backs (last year) at several popular v50 firms, I heard back within 2 weeks generally. The longest time span was an offer and I got a rejection 4 business days later, so I don't think you can read time into any of it. Tea leaves might make you feel better, but the callback stage is very person/firm specific.

[Anonymous User]

Went on a CB in NYC. They said that their hiring committee meets once a week and they usually make decisions in that meeting. The expectation seems to be if I am a shoe in, they'll make the offer after the meeting. If I sucked, they'll ding me. If I am middle of the road, I assume they will hold off to compare me with more candidates who come down the line.

This process is not hard to imagine. Firms want what schools want. That is, the most qualified people they can get. That said, they also don't want people they feel might reject an offer. Whether it be time for callbacks invites or offers, their purpose is to get the best they can without over or under offering. Remember, we are super expensive to recruit. I think I heard someone say for each summer roughly 30 - 40k was expended outright or lost in the form of billables. That's on top of the redicilous 31K that firms pay over the summer.

My point is, they put a ton of thought into this. Trust the process. If you are worried sick because of a low number of callbacks, you MUST talk to CP&P. As much trash is talked about them, they will help.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone know how long it takes Cleary to extend an offer after a CB?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone gone on CBs? Heard anything back? How long do offers/rejections typically take in that stage?

Results vary from firm to firm. SC tends to give same day offers. Cravath used to do same day offers but that seems to be not the case this year. When I did call backs (last year) at several popular v50 firms, I heard back within 2 weeks generally. The longest time span was an offer and I got a rejection 4 business days later, so I don't think you can read time into any of it. Tea leaves might make you feel better, but the callback stage is very person/firm specific.

Just so nobody gets worried regarding S&C, I talked to an junior associate who warned me that they are no longer giving on-the-spot offers like years past. That doesn't necessarily mean no same day offers, but the associate did say it was a conscious change on the part of the hiring committee.

[Anonymous User]

Below median with no callbacks. I'm completely deflated. I've been told by multiple sources I'm a great interviewer, so I don't really know what's going wrong. I have a 3.1 (with 3 B-s) and it looks like no one wants to touch me with a bargepole. I didn't bid super strategically but I'm not even getting bites from the firms that aren't grade selective. I know people with my grades who have 2-5 callbacks...the whole process is really taking its toll.

[BlueRuin]

^To the poster above, I was in the same position last recruiting season. I had 3 B-'s, and I was in the bottom third of the class (none of my other grades were stellar). I was also universally told I was a great interviewer (and this is my second career so, I did dozens and dozens of interviews before law school and also was the interviewer for new candidates at two places I worked before LS, so interviewing isn't intimidating in the slightest to me). That isn't to say I didn't have HUGE anxiety this time of year last season given a large debt load and feeling it was biglaw or bust because of that.

Not sure if you have work experience or what your background is like, but even if you have zero, I know other people with my grades and were K-JD that also eventually got offers. However, we were all "back-burner" candidates and heard only dings or radio silence until September rolled around. So, I wouldn't worry too much about it. I was down to my last two large NYC firms in mid September and got CBs and eventually offers at both. Until you have exhausted all your options, it's far from over.

Also to echo what PennBull said, keep mass mailing until you've hit all the firms in your target market(s). In addition to this being a way to potentially create more options, it keeps you busy and your mind off of OCI callbacks.

One last bit of advice is I generally avoided talking to any of my friends about legal employment, who weren't in a similar position to me, until the process was long over.

The number of callbacks you get compared to others is not important. All you need is 1 offer.

[Anonymous User]

Below median with no callbacks. I'm completely deflated. I've been told by multiple sources I'm a great interviewer, so I don't really know what's going wrong. I have a 3.1 (with 3 B-s) and it looks like no one wants to touch me with a bargepole. I didn't bid super strategically but I'm not even getting bites from the firms that aren't grade selective. I know people with my grades who have 2-5 callbacks...the whole process is really taking its toll.

Please don't allow yourself to feel deflated. That will not help at this point. I'm in a somewhat similar position as you gradewise, but massmailing and visiting hospitality suites during OCI has been paying off. Now is the time to step up your massmail game. Literally send your information to every firm in any region that you have some ties to, no matter how remote. If you have some relevant experience in your practice area, send your information to every firm that specializes in that area. Also, have you heard back from all of the firms you interviewed with during OCI? Penn's OCI is early compared to a lot of t14s, so don't lose heart until you receive that final ding.

But whatever you do, don't allow yourself to feel deflated. We can't change our grades at this point. All we can do is hustle and use every tactic we can to find a job. Despite all the shit we talk about CP&P (and I say my fair share), they have been really helpful during this process. It may be wise to schedule an appointment to think through some next steps with them. Use their regional spreadsheets as a starting point for your massmailing. Every year, as evidenced in this thread, there are those who strike out at OCI, but they eventually get a job that they're happy with. We are no different; we will find something as well. Just don't lose heart.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from Cooley?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from Cooley?

Dinged 2 days ago.

[Anonymous User]

Latham and Ballard Spahr dings today via mail. Anyone heard from Akin Gump DC?