2012 UVA OGI Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

Anything ever come of the resume collections?

They were just sent to firms on Monday. I wouldn't expect to hear back this quickly.

Right, yea I was more asking if rising 3Ls had any thoughts on whether people ever get interviews at those firms.

[Anonymous User]

Ouch, just got rejected from a home secondary market firm I actually met an alum partner from/sent my resume and writing sample to/etc. Median grades, plenty of OGI preselects so no glaring resume errors. This one hurts. Firm does not go to OGI but they are huge in this market

[thesealocust]

Ouch, just got rejected from a home secondary market firm I actually met an alum partner from/sent my resume and writing sample to/etc. Median grades, plenty of OGI preselects so no glaring resume errors. This one hurts. Firm does not go to OGI but they are huge in this market

Everybody gets rejected -- it's definitely hard, but you can't take each one personally.

For everybody - you'll never find a 'reason' for any given ding. Firms basically never look at a pool of applicants and make 'rejections' - they're swamped with applicants, they'll do their best to make a rough cut of the ones they want, and everybody else gets not-hired. It sucks, but it's almost never because you did something wrong or because the firm doesn't like you, it's just a numbers game and a tough market.

Sometimes you're in one pile and sometimes you're in the other. It isn't random either - grades, personality, etc. definitely helps your odds. But not getting a CB or an offer doesn't automatically imply that you screwed anything up.

On the flip side, if you do have an unexpected string of rejections you can talk to KD and CSO -- if things are going more poorly than you expect, sometimes they can actually contact firms that dinged you and make sure there's nothing glaring wrong with your interviewing or application package.

[Anonymous User]

Ouch, just got rejected from a home secondary market firm I actually met an alum partner from/sent my resume and writing sample to/etc. Median grades, plenty of OGI preselects so no glaring resume errors. This one hurts. Firm does not go to OGI but they are huge in this market

A lot of secondary market firms, especially if they're a market outside of UVA's home base, will auto reject applicants who don't have latin honors, law review, or are listed as being outside the top of the class. Firms like that often don't regularly hire from top schools outside their region so they aren't really that familiar with the school and don't give it a prestige boost. The only schools that are uniformly respected (i.e in every market) to the point where their grads are always given grade leeway are HYS.

[thesealocust]

Ouch, just got rejected from a home secondary market firm I actually met an alum partner from/sent my resume and writing sample to/etc. Median grades, plenty of OGI preselects so no glaring resume errors. This one hurts. Firm does not go to OGI but they are huge in this market

A lot of secondary market firms, especially if they're a market outside of UVA's home base, will auto reject applicants who don't have latin honors, law review, or are listed as being outside the top of the class. Firms like that often don't regularly hire from top schools outside their region so they aren't really that familiar with the school and don't give it a prestige boost. The only schools that are uniformly respected (i.e in every market) to the point where their grads are always given grade leeway are HYS.

This is, to be polite, total bullshit and false.

UVA has a sterling reputation in the legal community. Every firm and hiring partner has their own preferences (and prejudices) - but every year students at UVA get jobs with secondary market firms they have ties to with median (or worse) grades. Targeting those firms is actually one of the best strategies for somebody with grades that makes OGI an uncertainty.

[RVP11]

Ouch, just got rejected from a home secondary market firm I actually met an alum partner from/sent my resume and writing sample to/etc. Median grades, plenty of OGI preselects so no glaring resume errors. This one hurts. Firm does not go to OGI but they are huge in this market

A lot of secondary market firms, especially if they're a market outside of UVA's home base, will auto reject applicants who don't have latin honors, law review, or are listed as being outside the top of the class. Firms like that often don't regularly hire from top schools outside their region so they aren't really that familiar with the school and don't give it a prestige boost. The only schools that are uniformly respected (i.e in every market) to the point where their grads are always given grade leeway are HYS.

This is true of only a very few secondary market firms. Most secondary market firms prefer to see top quarter or top third at UVA (assuming you have real ties) over top 10% at local schools.

I was top ~20% two years ago, mass mailed several secondary markets, and I received interviews or callbacks from at least 75% of the firms in cities where I had real ties. Most of the other firms weren't having summer classes that year. Only from a few firms did I get the feeling that I was auto-rejected because top 20% from UVA wasn't good enough.

OTOH, I had a friend who mass-mailed most of the same firms, with similar ties, but below-median grades, and he got a big stack of rejections. Going to UVA gives you some leeway, but being below-median is always difficult.

[Anonymous User]

Original Anon here. It's hard to hear that even a 3.31 at this school might not get me a job in my own home market since it's just median. The biggest schools around here all offered me full rides and I turned them down. Not saying I'd be top quarter or 10% there but at least I wouldn't have any debt. This whole process is very frustrating and scary.

[alirod12]

Original Anon here. It's hard to hear that even a 3.31 at this school might not get me a job in my own home market since it's just median. The biggest schools around here all offered me full rides and I turned them down. Not saying I'd be top quarter or 10% there but at least I wouldn't have any debt. This whole process is very frustrating and scary.

I can see how it would be frustrating and scary, but unless you were living under a rock whilst applying, this potentiality and the resulting emotions shouldn't be surprising.

[crossingforHYS]

Original Anon here. It's hard to hear that even a 3.31 at this school might not get me a job in my own home market since it's just median. The biggest schools around here all offered me full rides and I turned them down. Not saying I'd be top quarter or 10% there but at least I wouldn't have any debt. This whole process is very frustrating and scary.

I can see how it would be frustrating and scary, but unless you were living under a rock whilst applying, this potentiality and the resulting emotions shouldn't be surprising.

Just as an fyi, this is not typical but I know someone who just got an offer with below median grades. It is all about mass mailing, working your tail off, and running around like a chicken with your head cut off. It happens, not all the time--but it does happen.

So all is not lost. Plus, If I was in the same position I am now, at some of the schools I got a full ride from I would be a very unhappy camper.

[Anonymous User]

Original Anon here. It's hard to hear that even a 3.31 at this school might not get me a job in my own home market since it's just median. The biggest schools around here all offered me full rides and I turned them down. Not saying I'd be top quarter or 10% there but at least I wouldn't have any debt. This whole process is very frustrating and scary.

I can see how it would be frustrating and scary, but unless you were living under a rock whilst applying, this potentiality and the resulting emotions shouldn't be surprising.

It's not surprising. Haven't gone through OGI yet but very unsure I would make the same decision to come here if I could choose over again, especially since I didn't really like my job this summer. It might be shocking but legal theory is much different than legal practice. Teeter-tottering between mailing out apps to more firms and planning my escape into the mountains of Switzerland, von Trapp-style. I am in a pretty uncomfortable rut right now.

[albanach]

It's not surprising. Haven't gone through OGI yet but very unsure I would make the same decision to come here if I could choose over again, especially since I didn't really like my job this summer. It might be shocking but legal theory is much different than legal practice. Teeter-tottering between mailing out apps to more firms and planning my escape into the mountains of Switzerland, von Trapp-style. I am in a pretty uncomfortable rut right now.

Was your summer with a firm or public interest? There's a huge variety of legal careers out there. Consider it a good thing if you didn't enjoy your 1L summer - you're now in a much better position to shape your next two years and find something you'll enjoy.

[Anonymous User]

It's not surprising. Haven't gone through OGI yet but very unsure I would make the same decision to come here if I could choose over again, especially since I didn't really like my job this summer. It might be shocking but legal theory is much different than legal practice. Teeter-tottering between mailing out apps to more firms and planning my escape into the mountains of Switzerland, von Trapp-style. I am in a pretty uncomfortable rut right now.

Was your summer with a firm or public interest? There's a huge variety of legal careers out there. Consider it a good thing if you didn't enjoy your 1L summer - you're now in a much better position to shape your next two years and find something you'll enjoy.

judge

[albanach]

Was your summer with a firm or public interest? There's a huge variety of legal careers out there. Consider it a good thing if you didn't enjoy your 1L summer - you're now in a much better position to shape your next two years and find something you'll enjoy.

judge

Interesting. I'm curious as to whether there was anything in particular you disliked? I guess by definition, working for a judge would mean little to no client contact. I can say one of the best things of my 1L summer has been the constant client contact.

Working with people, taking cases from the initial client letter through to closing the case has been immensely satisfying for me. Perhaps even if the legal research part is similar, having that personal contact with the client might have made it more fulfilling?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from any resume collection firms?

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard from any resume collection firms?

No.

[5ky]

Hope the lottery/alternates turned out well for you 2Ls. (I believe both should be done now?)

[Anonymous User]

Interview schedules are up. The maximum number of interviews went from 23 through 24. I'm thrilled with my selections

-Slightly Mistaken

[Anonymous User]

Six interviews on the first day. Absolutely doable or total hell?

- Don Draper

[Anonymous User]

K-Don is a miracle worker.

[desertlaw]

Six interviews on the first day. Absolutely doable or total hell?

- Don Draper

Do you have a choice? If you already have an offer, then maybe you want to choose 4-5 and skip 1 firm that you might not be interested. (Skip = get permission from KDon first)

But honestly, it's not bad to have 6 in one day. I'd just stay on grounds the entire time because going outside is super hot and sweating is not enjoyable. During a callback, you'll be meeting with 8-12 people during 4-5 hours, so you need to be prepared to talk a bunch with people.

[joeshmo39]

Six interviews on the first day. Absolutely doable or total hell?

- Don Draper

6 is pushing it, but it's not too bad. I think I had 8 and that was tiring but possible. If 6 ends up being the highest number you have in one day, I'd call it good luck.

[thesealocust]

6 in one day is cake. A lot of other schools do all of OCI in 2-3 days, meaning many people have that many or more, per day, back to back.

[pertristis]

6 in one day is cake. A lot of other schools do all of OCI in 2-3 days, meaning many people have that many or more, per day, back to back.

Chocolate cake, vanilla cake, or awesome cake?

[Anonymous User]

I have seven in one day and then four days off. OGI is weird.

[Anonymous User]

I have one 30 min interview scheduled. Is this normal?