DC is tough because it is DC, but if that is your choice market, bid those firms toward the top of your list and you should get at least some interviews in that market. Remember, the class isnt all that big, so there is not likely to be a ton of people bidding the same market first (NYC excepted, and maybe Nashville but its hard to say). I know several people who got offers in DC and at least one who had an offer before OCI even happened last year. If you know a market you really want to work in, I would bid that high and then hit NYC later, or a second market you would not mind working in.Anonymous User wrote:How about DC? For example, Hogan only has 19 slots. Any idea how high those firms should be bid? Also, how do we find out about what the grade cutoffs really are. Hogan says 3.3 required, but they probably want much higher for a callback, I would assume. Does CSO release any data like that if you ask them?BearLaw wrote:Full Disclosure: I did not bid Nashville at all last year. That being said, plenty of people got jobs there this summer. I would guess that bidding your top choices in Nashville toward the top of your bid list is never a bad idea. Keep in mind though that there are not a ton of people (usually) looking to stay in Nashville, and quite a few people will bid the Nashville firms as a fallback, so I would assume that 19 slots should be enough for those people really interested in Nashville biglaw if you bid them high.Anonymous User wrote:Thanks!BearLaw wrote: Also, Im a rising 3L and Vandy, did the OCI thing last year. Please ask any questions you have, I will try to answer them as best I can.
How high do people normally have to bid the nashville firms to get a lottery slot? Obviously it depends on how many slots the firm has, but for example, Bass Berry has 19 slots. Since they are really popular, is bidding them #1 basically required?
Sorry I cannot be super helpful with Nashville. Also, if your second choice is ATL or Birmingham, dont bury those bids too far down. There always seems to be a lot of people wanting those two places as well.
There is also the chance that people will cancel interviews and you will get one after the initial list goes out. If there is a firm you might want to interview with, bid them and stay on the list if you dont get an interview initially. I got one additional screener last year this way.
I knew what city I wanted to be in and bid that city exclusively. In retrospect, I was probably stupid not to bid at least some in NYC as a hedge, but I got screeners with every firm from that city at OCI, multiple callbacks and offers. It worked out for me, but like I said, I would not advise putting all your eggs in one basket.
Also, the resume drops that CSO does are actually pretty helpful, I got several phone screeners and two callbacks from those.
Im not sure what the actual grade cuts are at a lot of firms and I dont think CSO will be more specific than what is on Symplicity (either because they dont know or just arent telling). I would say at least be above what is online when you bid, but I cant say for certain how far. I got call backs from some places that I was barely over their posted cut, and missed places where I was well over it. I think that comes down to interviewing and luck.
