Cornell 2015 AJF/BOJF/DCJF/OCI Forum

[runthetrap1990]

In case anyone was wondering about the firms with no historical callback data, I spoke with CSO and got the following info:

- Pillsbury is moderately selective(3.5 something average callback GPA)
- Winston & Strawn is at the upper end of flexible(around 3.4 average)
- K&L Gates is flexible
- Every firm on Wednesday with no data is flexible(except for Ropes Boston, which is apparently super grade-sensitive). Of course, the Wednesday firms probably aren't going to be handing out callbacks like candy given their generally small summer class sizes, but who knows.

Thanks for the GPA info. Almost a full third of the firms coming to AJF don't have any.

I like a little mystery in my interview process. It's not stressful enough

[hephaestus]

Can I get some feedback on this bid list. CSO told me my Day 2 was too conservative so I changed it up a little bit. GPA 3.51. All NYC unless noted.

It would be helpful to know corporate or lit when giving detailed feedback. I'll assume either, but just FYI for followup.

Day 1:
1. Proskauer Rose (20) (3.38-3.55.367)
2. Shearman & Sterling (60) (3.02-3.48-3.77)
3. Kasowtiz Benson Torres (20) (3.31-3.59-3.88)
4. Cahill Gordon (60) (3.19-3.44-3.65)
5. Stroock & Stroock (20) (3.15-3.28-3.39)
6. Fried Frank (40) (3.35-3.58-3.78)
7. Jones Day (40) (3.24-3.55-3.88)
8. Seward & Kissel (20) (3.05-3.49-3.97)
9. MoFo (20) (3.28-3.58-3.71)
10. Reed Smith (20) (3.05-3.29-3.59)
11. Schulte Roth & Zabel (40) (3.29-3.46-3.75)
12. Greenberg Taurig (20) (3.12-3.32-3.59)
13. Milbank (20) (3.43-3.6-3.88)
14. Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle (20) (3.10-3.20-3.29)
15. Winston & Strawn (40) (no data)
16. Chadbourne and Parke (20) (3.48-3.55-3.76)
17. Pillsbury (20) (no data)
18. Carter, Ledyard & Milburn (20) (3.21-3.23-3.25)

As far as your day 1 goes, strike Kasowitz entirely if you want corporate. Generally, I disagree with it being so high on your list. They have had a lot of associate/recruiting bad behavior recently, so I would be hesitant to take an offer there over nearly any other firm on your day one list. I would drop it, move Cahill up, and instead put Fried Frank and Jones Day at your 4/5. They are both solid firms with big classes that are right in your grade range (maybe slight reaches). You are unlikely to get 20 slot firms at 7/8 and below, especially median friendly ones like Seward or Mofo. I would instead put the 40 slot firms in that position (Schulte and Winston). After that I would probably put Milbank because the slightly higher GPA makes you more likely to grab a screener putting it low.

Day 2:
1. Foley (20) (NYC – 3.29-3.37-3.48) (midwestern office. MKE or CHI)
2. Hogan Lovells (40) (3.38-3.45-3.65)
3. Linklaters (40) (3.24-3.49-3.88)
4. Orrick Herrington (20) (3.25-3.35-3.45)
5. Weil, Gotshal & Manges (40) (3.24-3.57-3.91)
6. Dechert (60) (3.16-3.54-3.90)
7. Caldwalader (80) (3.21-3.51-3.81)
8. Paul Weiss (40) (3.24-3.68-4.01)
9. Herbert Smith (20) (3.10-3.43-3.64)
10. Kaye Scholer (20) (3.25-3.35-348)
11. Paul Hastings (80) (3.29-3.61-4.01)
12. White & Case (40) (3.35-3.57-3.81)
13. Goodwin Proctor (20) (3.17-3.37-3.49)
14. Wilkie Farr (40) (3.37-3.56-3.91)
15. Epstein Becker (20) (3.21-3.29-3.34)
16. Sidley Austin (3.43-3.62-3.91)
17. Duval & Stachenfled (3.16-3.31-3.54)

Is the foley bid for all their offices, or all non-NYC? If it doesnt include NYC you can likely put it at 2 or 3 and still get it. That being said, if its really important to you for ties reasons, you can keep it where it is. Again, I would drop all the 20 slot ones from Herbert smith down and push up the 40 slot firms. White & Case and Willkie should be substantially higher on your list (especially if you want corporate): they have large summer classes and are both strong in NY. For the same reason, the presence of Hogan and Linklaters so high is puzzling, I would instead put White & Case and Willkie at your 2/3, followed by Weil, then Linklaters, then Hogan.

Day 3:
1. Bryan Cave (20) (3.06-3.25-3.43)
2. Clifford Chance (80) (3.24-3.56-3.92)
3. Ropes & Gray (20) (no data)
4. Cooley (20) (3.28-3.40-3.48)
5. Hunton & Williams (20) (no data)
6. Crowell & Moring (20) (no data)
7. Dentons (20) (no data)
8. Pepper Hamilton (20) (no data)
9. Haynes And Boone (no data)
10. Fox Rothschild (20) (3.05-3.13-3.21)

I would drop Ropes because I don't think its going to happen GPA wise. These are mostly firms with small classes and not a lot of slots, so dont expect a ton of screeners this day, but thats normal for day 3. Besides dropping Ropes its completely your choice how to arrange these firms, so I think your list is good to go. Putting clifford chance at 2 is pretty conservative, but I think its a good idea because theyre in your sweet spot and they have a big summer class.

Feel free to PM etc if you have specific followup questions.

[Lavitz]

3.64, solid work experience in financial sector (summers and during senior year undergrad), looking to do corporate/M&A in NYC

Advice??

Monday

1. Latham & Watkins 3.45 - 3.63 - 3.88 (18)
2. Shearman & Sterling 3.02 - 3.48 - 3.77 (60)
3. Cahill, Gordon & Reindel 3.19 - 3.44 - 3.65 (60)
4. Davis Polk & Wardell 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
6. Morrison & Foerster 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
7. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (60)
8. Proskauer Rose 3.38 - 3.55 - 3.67 (20)
9. Schulte Roth & Zabel 3.29 - 3.46 - 3.75 (40)
10. Seward & Kissel 3.05 - 3.49 - 3.97 (20)
11. Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson 3.35 - 3.58 - 3.78 (40)
12. Stroock Stroock & Lavan 3.15 - 3.28 - 3.39 (20)
13. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman 3.34 - 3.58 - 3.85 (20)

Tuesday

1. Kirkland & Ellis 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2. Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
3. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
4. Weil, Gotshal & Manges 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
5. Cadawalader Wickersham & Taft 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
6. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 3.25 - 3.53 - 3.81 (40)
7. Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
8. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
9. White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
10. Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
11. Willkie Farr & Gallagher 3.37 - 3.56 - 3.91 (40)
12. Dechert 3.16 - 3.54 - 3.90 (60)
13. K&L Gates 3.43 - 3.57 - 3.67 (20)
14. Kaye Scholer 3.24 - 3.35 - 3.48 (20)

Wednesday

1. Clifford Chance 3.24 - 3.56 - 3.92 (80)
2. Cooley 3.28 - 3.40 - 3.48 (20)
3. Ropes & Gray 3.60 - 3.80 - 4.03 (20)

Looks like you're guaranteeing you get the top 4 on Monday, but risking striking out on everything else. I think I've heard Shearman's fairly popular, so I guess it makes sense that that's a top 3 even though it has 60 slots. But DPW at least can be moved down to make room for others. I got it at #6 last year.

Not sure why MoFo is getting priority over Fried Frank if you want corporate in NYC. Vault rankings? MoFo is better known for lit, its NYC office is a satellite office, its summer class size is much smaller, and it has half the interview slots, so you might not even get it there. Also not sure why you've got firms like Stroock with 20 slots but you're leaving off firms like Jones Day with 40 slots.

On Tuesday, again, not sure why STB is a competitive firm, so only top students will use top bids on it, so you can get it at #4 and maybe #5. Cadwalader could also probably be lower since I got it at #7. Then you can push up Linklaters or Wilson or whatever else you like. Just know that you're not getting PW or W&C that low. Might as well toss Paul Hastings at #8 to see if you can take advantage of its 80 slots and get something at that level. Personally, I never got any firm below #8.

Might be able to put Clifford at #2 and toss the dice on getting one of the 20 slot firms at #1, but if you just want to guarantee a screener on Wednesday, it's fine to keep it #1. I didn't get a single screener that day.

Also, thank god Scar is here because he's better at this than I am.

[hephaestus]

3.64, solid work experience in financial sector (summers and during senior year undergrad), looking to do corporate/M&A in NYC

Advice??

Monday

1. Latham & Watkins 3.45 - 3.63 - 3.88 (18)
2. Shearman & Sterling 3.02 - 3.48 - 3.77 (60)
3. Cahill, Gordon & Reindel 3.19 - 3.44 - 3.65 (60)
4. Davis Polk & Wardell 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
6. Morrison & Foerster 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
7. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (60)
8. Proskauer Rose 3.38 - 3.55 - 3.67 (20)
9. Schulte Roth & Zabel 3.29 - 3.46 - 3.75 (40)
10. Seward & Kissel 3.05 - 3.49 - 3.97 (20)
11. Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson 3.35 - 3.58 - 3.78 (40)
12. Stroock Stroock & Lavan 3.15 - 3.28 - 3.39 (20)
13. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman 3.34 - 3.58 - 3.85 (20)

Fried Frank should be far higher on your list. They have a good M&A practice and one of the best real estate practices in NY as well as some other good corporate practice groups. I would probably put them 2 or 3 to make sure you get a screener. I think you should still get Cahill and Shearman at 4/5. You also do not need DPW that high because of their high GPA median, and they are a reach for you. I would probably move MoFo down because I don't think you will get it that low after the other adjustments, and move Schulte up. General FYI, Cahill is an excellent Corporate firm but they are not M&A heavy. Instead, they mostly do cap markets (especially high yield) and banking and finance (especially leveraged finance). I think they still belong high on your bidlist since you want NY corporate, but just something to be aware of.

Tuesday

1. Kirkland & Ellis 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2. Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
3. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
4. Weil, Gotshal & Manges 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
5. Cadawalader Wickersham & Taft 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
6. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 3.25 - 3.53 - 3.81 (40)
7. Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
8. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
9. White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
10. Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
11. Willkie Farr & Gallagher 3.37 - 3.56 - 3.91 (40)
12. Dechert 3.16 - 3.54 - 3.90 (60)
13. K&L Gates 3.43 - 3.57 - 3.67 (20)
14. Kaye Scholer 3.24 - 3.35 - 3.48 (20)

Simpson is a reach and with such a high GPA median I think you can safely get them at 5 or lower. I would move Weil and Cadwalader up. Kirkland at #1 is the right call here. I would put Paul Weiss, Willkie, and White & Case above WSGR and Linklaters, and consider moving them up past Simpson to maximize your screeners. All three have very good corporate departments in NY (whereas, for example, WSGR is much stronger in CA). They also all have big classes and are in your GPA range. I would consider dropping Sidley and Simpson, moving up Weil and Cadwalader, and then putting WIllkie, White & Case, and Paul Weiss below that (probably in that order due to the GPA cutoffs to maximize screeners, but Paul Weiss can definitely go third). Your call based on the specific firms, but it strikes me as the right idea for NY corporate work.

Wednesday

1. Clifford Chance 3.24 - 3.56 - 3.92 (80)
2. Cooley 3.28 - 3.40 - 3.48 (20)
3. Ropes & Gray 3.60 - 3.80 - 4.03 (20)

Yeah this looks good. Feel free to PM or followup with any questions/comments.

[hephaestus]

Looks like you're guaranteeing you get the top 4 on Monday, but risking striking out on everything else. I think I've heard Shearman's fairly popular, so I guess it makes sense that that's a top 3 even though it has 60 slots. But DPW at least can be moved down to make room for others. I got it at #6 last year.

Not sure why MoFo is getting priority over Fried Frank if you want corporate in NYC. Vault rankings? MoFo is better known for lit, its NYC office is a satellite office, its summer class size is much smaller, and it has half the interview slots, so you might not even get it there. Also not sure why you've got firms like Stroock with 20 slots but you're leaving off firms like Jones Day with 40 slots.

On Tuesday, again, not sure why STB is a competitive firm, so only top students will use top bids on it, so you can get it at #4 and maybe #5. Cadwalader could also probably be lower since I got it at #7. Then you can push up Linklaters or Wilson or whatever else you like. Just know that you're not getting PW or W&C that low. Might as well toss Paul Hastings at #8 to see if you can take advantage of its 80 slots and get something at that level. Personally, I never got any firm below #8.

Might be able to put Clifford at #2 and toss the dice on getting one of the 20 slot firms at #1, but if you just want to guarantee a screener on Wednesday, it's fine to keep it #1. I didn't get a single screener that day.

Also, thank god Scar is here because he's better at this than I am.

I typed out what I had written before I saw this post, but I just want to say I endorse this thinking. And yeah, I just looked at my bidlist and I had PW at #3 and did not get a screener, so its probably not going to happen, so I just wanted to correct what I was saying as far as that (class of 2015, so YMMV). I agree that W&C needs to be higher, I would definitely still encourage you to move both W&C and WIllkie up.

ETA: I appreciate the shoutout, Lavitz.

[Anonymous User]

In a very similar position to another poster: 3.50, interested in NYC corporate, more specifically M&A/transactional.

Day 1
1) Proskauer(20)
2) Schulte Roth & Zabel (40)
3) Fried Frank(40)
4) Shearman & Sterling (60)
5) Seward & Kissel(20)
6) Jones Day (40)
7) Cahill (60)
Pillsbury (20)
9) Reed Smith (20)
10) Greenberg Traurig (20)
11) Winston & Strawn (40)
12) Stroock & Stroock (20)
13) Chadbourne & Park (20)
14) Milbank Tweed(20)

Day 2
1) Linklaters (40)
2) Goodwin Procter (20)
3) Hogan Lovells (40)
4) Dechert (60)
5) Cadwalader (80)
6) Wilkie Farr (40)
7) White & Case (40)
Paul Hastings (80)
9) Weil Gotshal (40)
10) K&L Gates (20)
11) Herbert Smith (20)
12) Kaye Scholer (20)
13) Orrick Herrington (20)
14) Foley & Lardner (20)

Day 3
1) Clifford Chance (80)
2) Cooley (20)
3) Haynes & Boone (20)
4) Bryan Cave (20)
5) Pepper Hamilton (20)
6) Fox Rothschild (20)
7) Crowell & Moring (20)
Dentons (20)

[Anonymous User]

Hi everyone. I spoke with a career services advisor and I'm still a bit confused, so any help with my bid list would be greatly appreciated. I'm a K-JD and am interested in NYC, Washington DC, and Chicago, but assume I'm only bidding NY unless noted otherwise. I'm more interested in litigation right now, but I'm still keeping my options open. My GPA is a 3.76.

Monday:
1. Latham NY and Chicago--18 slots--avg. 3.63
2. Cravath--36 slots--avg. 3.78
3. Davis Polk--60 slots--avg 3.73
4. Jones Day (NY and Chicago)--40--avg 3.55
5. WilmerHale NY--40--avg. 3.62
6. Akin Gump--40--avg 3.64
7. Freshfields--20--avg 3.64
8. Gibson Dunn--20--avg 3.8
9. Fried Frank--40--avg 3.58
10. Cahill--60--avg 3.44
11. WilmerHale DC--20--avg 3.82
12. Sullivan and Cromwell--40--avg. 3.86

Tuesday:
1. Kirkland and Ellis--20--3.67
2. Skadden--20--3.74
3. Weil--40--3.57
4. Simpson Thatcher--60--3.73
5. Sidley Austin--20--3.62
6. Paul Weiss--40--3.68
7. Debevoise--60--3.69
8. Paul Hastings--80--3.61
9. White and Case--40--3.57
10. Wilkie Farr--40--3.56
11. Williams and Connolly DC--20--3.85
12. Dechert NY and Chicago--60--3.53
13. Cadwalader--80--3.51

Wednesday:
1. Ropes and Gray NY and Chicago--20--?
2. Clifford Chance--80--3.56
3. Crowell and Moring--20--?

Also, if you guys could answer a couple of questions, I would be extremely thankful.
1. So, if I want to mass mail firms in Chicago, I should start doing that in early July, right? Should I mass mail firms that are going to be at AJF, but only are giving one interview for all officers? Like, Latham for example says only one interview and to express interest in other offices.

2. How does the whole hospitality suite thing work? The career services person brought it up quite a bit but I'm still unsure as to how it works.

Again, thanks so much for your time.

[Anonymous User]

Hi everyone,

K-JD targeting NYC. Interested in corporate work in general. GPA at 10%. Please shed some light on my bidding list.

Thanks!

All bids are for NY except noted.

Day 1
1.MoFo 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
2.Milbank 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
3.Freshfields 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (20)
4.Davis Polk 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5.Jones Day 3.24 - 3.55 - 3.88 (40)
6.Shearman Sterling 3.02-3.48-3.77 (60)
7.WilmerHale 3.24-3.62-3.92 (40)
8.Akin Gump 3.57-3.64-3.73 (40)
9.Sullivan Cromwell 3.76-3.86-4.01 (40)
10.Cravath 3.62-3.78-4.01 (36)
11.Cleary 3.77-3.86-3.92 (40)
12.Gibson Dunn 3.65-3.80-4.01 (20)
13.Proskauer 3.38-3.55-3.67 (20)
14.Cahill 3.19-3.44-3.65 (60)
15.Jones Day (SF)


Day 2
1.Kirkland 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2.White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
3.Skadden 3.43-3.74-4.01 (20)
4.Simpson 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5.Weil 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
6.Debevoise 3.24-3.69-3.92 (60)
7.Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
8.Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
9.Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
10.Paul Weiss 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
11.Cadwalader 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
12.Allen & Overy 3.56-3.70-3.92 (20)
13.Hogan Lovells 3.38-3.45-3.65 (40)
14.Arnold & Porter
15.Orrick 3.25-3.35-3.45 (20)


Day 3
1.Clifford Chance 3.24-3.56-3.92 (80)
2.Ropes & Gray (20)
3.Cooley 3.28-3.40-3.48 (20)

[Roger Sterling]

3.64, solid work experience in financial sector (summers and during senior year undergrad), looking to do corporate/M&A in NYC

Advice??

Monday

1. Latham & Watkins 3.45 - 3.63 - 3.88 (18)
2. Shearman & Sterling 3.02 - 3.48 - 3.77 (60)
3. Cahill, Gordon & Reindel 3.19 - 3.44 - 3.65 (60)
4. Davis Polk & Wardell 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
6. Morrison & Foerster 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
7. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (60)
8. Proskauer Rose 3.38 - 3.55 - 3.67 (20)
9. Schulte Roth & Zabel 3.29 - 3.46 - 3.75 (40)
10. Seward & Kissel 3.05 - 3.49 - 3.97 (20)
11. Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson 3.35 - 3.58 - 3.78 (40)
12. Stroock Stroock & Lavan 3.15 - 3.28 - 3.39 (20)
13. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman 3.34 - 3.58 - 3.85 (20)

Tuesday

1. Kirkland & Ellis 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2. Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
3. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
4. Weil, Gotshal & Manges 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
5. Cadawalader Wickersham & Taft 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
6. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 3.25 - 3.53 - 3.81 (40)
7. Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
8. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
9. White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
10. Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
11. Willkie Farr & Gallagher 3.37 - 3.56 - 3.91 (40)
12. Dechert 3.16 - 3.54 - 3.90 (60)
13. K&L Gates 3.43 - 3.57 - 3.67 (20)
14. Kaye Scholer 3.24 - 3.35 - 3.48 (20)

Wednesday

1. Clifford Chance 3.24 - 3.56 - 3.92 (80)
2. Cooley 3.28 - 3.40 - 3.48 (20)
3. Ropes & Gray 3.60 - 3.80 - 4.03 (20)

Looks like you're guaranteeing you get the top 4 on Monday, but risking striking out on everything else. I think I've heard Shearman's fairly popular, so I guess it makes sense that that's a top 3 even though it has 60 slots. But DPW at least can be moved down to make room for others. I got it at #6 last year.

Not sure why MoFo is getting priority over Fried Frank if you want corporate in NYC. Vault rankings? MoFo is better known for lit, its NYC office is a satellite office, its summer class size is much smaller, and it has half the interview slots, so you might not even get it there. Also not sure why you've got firms like Stroock with 20 slots but you're leaving off firms like Jones Day with 40 slots.

On Tuesday, again, not sure why STB is a competitive firm, so only top students will use top bids on it, so you can get it at #4 and maybe #5. Cadwalader could also probably be lower since I got it at #7. Then you can push up Linklaters or Wilson or whatever else you like. Just know that you're not getting PW or W&C that low. Might as well toss Paul Hastings at #8 to see if you can take advantage of its 80 slots and get something at that level. Personally, I never got any firm below #8.

Might be able to put Clifford at #2 and toss the dice on getting one of the 20 slot firms at #1, but if you just want to guarantee a screener on Wednesday, it's fine to keep it #1. I didn't get a single screener that day.

Also, thank god Scar is here because he's better at this than I am.

Thanks a lot for the feedback...I had been scouring TLS during breaks all day and changing my bidlist as I went, making many of the changes you've suggested actually. The help is much appreciated!

[Roger Sterling]

3.64, solid work experience in financial sector (summers and during senior year undergrad), looking to do corporate/M&A in NYC

Advice??

Monday

1. Latham & Watkins 3.45 - 3.63 - 3.88 (18)
2. Shearman & Sterling 3.02 - 3.48 - 3.77 (60)
3. Cahill, Gordon & Reindel 3.19 - 3.44 - 3.65 (60)
4. Davis Polk & Wardell 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
6. Morrison & Foerster 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
7. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (60)
8. Proskauer Rose 3.38 - 3.55 - 3.67 (20)
9. Schulte Roth & Zabel 3.29 - 3.46 - 3.75 (40)
10. Seward & Kissel 3.05 - 3.49 - 3.97 (20)
11. Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson 3.35 - 3.58 - 3.78 (40)
12. Stroock Stroock & Lavan 3.15 - 3.28 - 3.39 (20)
13. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman 3.34 - 3.58 - 3.85 (20)

Fried Frank should be far higher on your list. They have a good M&A practice and one of the best real estate practices in NY as well as some other good corporate practice groups. I would probably put them 2 or 3 to make sure you get a screener. I think you should still get Cahill and Shearman at 4/5. You also do not need DPW that high because of their high GPA median, and they are a reach for you. I would probably move MoFo down because I don't think you will get it that low after the other adjustments, and move Schulte up. General FYI, Cahill is an excellent Corporate firm but they are not M&A heavy. Instead, they mostly do cap markets (especially high yield) and banking and finance (especially leveraged finance). I think they still belong high on your bidlist since you want NY corporate, but just something to be aware of.

Tuesday

1. Kirkland & Ellis 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2. Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
3. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
4. Weil, Gotshal & Manges 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
5. Cadawalader Wickersham & Taft 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
6. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 3.25 - 3.53 - 3.81 (40)
7. Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
8. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
9. White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
10. Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
11. Willkie Farr & Gallagher 3.37 - 3.56 - 3.91 (40)
12. Dechert 3.16 - 3.54 - 3.90 (60)
13. K&L Gates 3.43 - 3.57 - 3.67 (20)
14. Kaye Scholer 3.24 - 3.35 - 3.48 (20)

Simpson is a reach and with such a high GPA median I think you can safely get them at 5 or lower. I would move Weil and Cadwalader up. Kirkland at #1 is the right call here. I would put Paul Weiss, Willkie, and White & Case above WSGR and Linklaters, and consider moving them up past Simpson to maximize your screeners. All three have very good corporate departments in NY (whereas, for example, WSGR is much stronger in CA). They also all have big classes and are in your GPA range. I would consider dropping Sidley and Simpson, moving up Weil and Cadwalader, and then putting WIllkie, White & Case, and Paul Weiss below that (probably in that order due to the GPA cutoffs to maximize screeners, but Paul Weiss can definitely go third). Your call based on the specific firms, but it strikes me as the right idea for NY corporate work.

Wednesday

1. Clifford Chance 3.24 - 3.56 - 3.92 (80)
2. Cooley 3.28 - 3.40 - 3.48 (20)
3. Ropes & Gray 3.60 - 3.80 - 4.03 (20)

Yeah this looks good. Feel free to PM or followup with any questions/comments.

This commentary is very helpful, so thank you. PW, WFG, and WC movement makes a lot of sense. I guess I had kept STB so high because if I was going to throw in about 2 reaches a day for Monday and Tuesday, I wanted to make sure I got the interview; but with 60 slots and a high median, I should still be good keeping them at 6 or 7.

Thanks again for the insight!

[jasonredranger]

3.63, shooting for NY corporate (with an interest in cap markets). Essentially in the same boat as Sterling.

Monday

1. Latham & Watkins (London) 3.41 - 3.64 - 3.86 (19)
2. Cahill, Gordon & Reindel 3.19 - 3.44 - 3.65 (60)
3. Shearman & Sterling 3.02 - 3.48 - 3.77 (60)
4. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
5. Jones Day 3.24 - 3.55 - 3.88 (40)
6. freshfields bruckhaus deringer 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (60)
7. Schulte Roth & Zabel 3.29 - 3.46 - 3.75 (40)
8. Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson 3.35 - 3.58 - 3.78 (40)
9. Seward & Kissel 3.05 - 3.49 - 3.97 (20)
10. Davis Polk & Wardell 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
11. Morrison & Foerster 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
12. Akin Gump 3.57 - 3.64 - 3.73 (40)
13. Proskauer Rose 3.38 - 3.55 - 3.67 (20)
14. Stroock Stroock & Lavan 3.15 - 3.28 - 3.39 (20)
15. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman 3.34 - 3.58 - 3.85 (20)

Tuesday

1. Kirkland & Ellis 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2. Weil, Gotshal & Manges 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
3. White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
4. Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
5. Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
6. Hogan Lovells 3.38 - 3.45 - 3.65 (40)
7. Cadawalader Wickersham & Taft 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
8. Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
9. Dechert 3.16 - 3.54 - 3.90 (60)
10. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
11. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 3.25 - 3.53 - 3.81 (40)
12. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
13. Willkie Farr & Gallagher 3.37 - 3.56 - 3.91 (40)
14. K&L Gates 3.43 - 3.57 - 3.67 (20)
15. Kaye Scholer 3.24 - 3.35 - 3.48 (20)

Wednesday

1. Clifford Chance 3.24 - 3.56 - 3.92 (80)
2. Cooley 3.28 - 3.40 - 3.48 (20)
3. Perkins Coie (LA) - (20)
4. Ropes & Gray 3.60 - 3.80 - 4.03 (20)

[Anonymous User]

Hey everyone! Interested in corporate work (work history and undergrad majors related to it as well, though work history is not that long).
GPA: 3.89 (top 5%, but only narrowly made that cut).

The column headings are GPA Low, Average, and High, and then the number of interview slots. ALl NYC.

Thanks for your input!

Day 1:
1 Sullivan and Cromwell 3.76 3.86 4.01 40
2 Cleary Gottlieb 3.77 3.86 3.92 40
3 Latham & Watkins 3.45 3.63 3.88 26
4 Cravath, Swaine & Moore 3.62 3.78 4.01 36
5 Gibson Dunn 3.65 3.8 4.01 20
6 DPW 3.24 3.73 4.01 60
7 Jones Day 3.24 3.55 3.88 40
8 Morrison & Foerster 3.28 3.58 3.71 20
9 Akin Gump 3.57 3.64 3.73 40
10 WilmareHale 3.24 3.62 3.92 40
11 Shearman & Sterling 3.02 3.48 3.77 60
12 Milbank Tweed 3.43 3.6 3.88 20
13 Proskauer 3.38 3.55 3.67 20
14 Fried Frank 3.35 3.58 3.78 40
15 Cahill Gordon 3.19 3.44 3.65 60

Day 2:
1 Skadden 3.43 3.74 4.01 20
2 Simpsons Thatcher 3.05 3.73 4.01 60
3 Weil 3.24 3.57 3.91 40
4 Kirkland & Ellis 3.42 3.67 3.91 20
5 Paul Weiss 3.24 3.68 4.01 40
6 Sidley Austin 3.43 3.62 3.91 20
7 White & Case 3.35 3.57 3.81 40
8 Arnold & Porter -- -- -- 20
9 O'Melveny & Myers -- -- -- 20
10 Debevoise & Plimpton 3.24 3.69 3.92 60
11 Paul Hastings 3.29 3.61 4.01 80
12 Orrick 3.25 3.35 3.45 20
13 Linklaters 3.24 3.49 3.88 40
14 Hogan Lovells 3.38 3.45 3.65 40
15 Cadwadlader 3.21 3.51 3.81 80

Day 3:
1 Ropes & Gray 20
2 Clifford Chance 3.24 3.56 3.92 80
3 Cooley 3.28 3.4 3.48 20
4 Crowell & Moring 20
5 Bryan Cave 3.06 3.25 3.43 20
6 Hunton & Williams 20
7 Dentons 20
8 Pepper Hamilton 20
9 Haynes & Boon 20
10 Fox Rothschild 3.05 3.13 3.21 20

[Anonymous User]

Interesting how many of the lists that have been submitted are from people with high GPAs

[Anonymous User]

3.75. Didn't do writing competition, and not great at interviewing. Not sure if that changes how I should bid.

1 Latham, NYC, 18, (3.88-3.63-3.45)
2 Proskauer Rose, NYC, 20, (3.67-3.55-3.38)
3 Milbank, NYC, 20, (3.88-3.6-3.43)
4 Cahill, 60, (3.65-3.44-3.19)
5 Fried Frank, NYC, 40, (3.78-3.58-3.35)
6 Davis Polk, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.24)
7 Jones Day, DC, 20, No Data
8 Schulte Roth, NYC, 40, (3.75-3.46-3.29)
9 Shearman & Sterling, NYC, 60, (3.77-3.48-3.02)
10 WilmerHale, NYC, 40, (3.92-3.62-3.24)
11 Akin Gump, NYC, 40, (3.73-3.64-3.57)
12 Freshfields , NYC, 20, (3.92-3.64-3.43)

1 Sidley Austin, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.62-3.43)
2 Willkie Farr, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.56-3.37)
3 Paul, Weiss, …, NYC, 40, (4.01-3.68-3.24)
4 Kirkland & Ellis, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.67-3.42)
5 Weil, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.57-3.24)
6 Simpson Thacher, NYC, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.05)
7 White & Case, NYC, 40, (3.81-3.57-3.35)
8 Debevoise, NYC, 60, (3.92-3.69-3.24)
9 O’Melveny, NYC, 20, No Data
10 Cadwalader, NYC, 80, (3.81-3.51-3.21)
11 Paul Hastings, NYC, 80, (4.01-3.61-3.29)
12 Dechert, NYC, 60, (3.9-3.54-3.16)

1 Ropes & Gray, NYC, 20, No Data
2 Hunton & Williams, Richmond, VA, 20, No Data
3 Clifford Chance, NYC, 80, (3.92-3.56-3.24)
4 Cooley, NYC, 20, (3.48-3.4-3.28)
5 Dentons, NYC, 20, No Data
6 Perkins Coie, DC, 20, No Data

Thanks!

[runinthefront]

Interesting how many of the lists that have been submitted are from people with high GPAs

meh, it's TLS

there's a slight over-representation of people with high LSAT scores on this site (although that doesn't mean much) + if you lurked TLS as an 0L, there's a lot of helpful guides on how to take exams

I'd imagine the average grades from people who visit this site are slightly higher than the norm but it's all insignificant anyway

[Anonymous User]

3.75. Didn't do writing competition, and not great at interviewing. Not sure if that changes how I should bid.

1 Latham, NYC, 18, (3.88-3.63-3.45)
2 Proskauer Rose, NYC, 20, (3.67-3.55-3.38)
3 Milbank, NYC, 20, (3.88-3.6-3.43)
4 Cahill, 60, (3.65-3.44-3.19)
5 Fried Frank, NYC, 40, (3.78-3.58-3.35)
6 Davis Polk, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.24)
7 Jones Day, DC, 20, No Data
8 Schulte Roth, NYC, 40, (3.75-3.46-3.29)
9 Shearman & Sterling, NYC, 60, (3.77-3.48-3.02)
10 WilmerHale, NYC, 40, (3.92-3.62-3.24)
11 Akin Gump, NYC, 40, (3.73-3.64-3.57)
12 Freshfields , NYC, 20, (3.92-3.64-3.43)

1 Sidley Austin, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.62-3.43)
2 Willkie Farr, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.56-3.37)
3 Paul, Weiss, …, NYC, 40, (4.01-3.68-3.24)
4 Kirkland & Ellis, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.67-3.42)
5 Weil, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.57-3.24)
6 Simpson Thacher, NYC, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.05)
7 White & Case, NYC, 40, (3.81-3.57-3.35)
8 Debevoise, NYC, 60, (3.92-3.69-3.24)
9 O’Melveny, NYC, 20, No Data
10 Cadwalader, NYC, 80, (3.81-3.51-3.21)
11 Paul Hastings, NYC, 80, (4.01-3.61-3.29)
12 Dechert, NYC, 60, (3.9-3.54-3.16)

1 Ropes & Gray, NYC, 20, No Data
2 Hunton & Williams, Richmond, VA, 20, No Data
3 Clifford Chance, NYC, 80, (3.92-3.56-3.24)
4 Cooley, NYC, 20, (3.48-3.4-3.28)
5 Dentons, NYC, 20, No Data
6 Perkins Coie, DC, 20, No Data

Thanks!

Disclaimer: 1L here.

For Monday, I think you should switch Jones Day and Shearman. For one thing, Jones Day DC is at least as selective and likely more selective than S&S NYC, and Jones Day takes half as many summers. Even with 60 slots, I think you won't get Shearman at #9, and there's a good chance you miss out on Jones Day DC too. So I'd say it's better to switch but idk

[tyrant_flycatcher]

Interesting how many of the lists that have been submitted are from people with high GPAs

meh, it's TLS

there's a slight over-representation of people with high LSAT scores on this site (although that doesn't mean much) + if you lurked TLS as an 0L, there's a lot of helpful guides on how to take exams

I'd imagine the average grades from people who visit this site are slightly higher than the norm but it's all insignificant anyway

wait, did you read the guides on exams, and if so, what advice did you think helped? i always assumed those guides were false shortcuts to good grades

also there's probably a correlation between good grades and being excited about / putting srs effort into making your bid list

[runinthefront]

Interesting how many of the lists that have been submitted are from people with high GPAs

meh, it's TLS

there's a slight over-representation of people with high LSAT scores on this site (although that doesn't mean much) + if you lurked TLS as an 0L, there's a lot of helpful guides on how to take exams

I'd imagine the average grades from people who visit this site are slightly higher than the norm but it's all insignificant anyway

wait, did you read the guides on exams, and if so, what advice did you think helped? i always assumed those guides were false shortcuts to good grades

also there's probably a correlation between good grades and being excited about / putting srs effort into making your bid list

i never said my grades were higher than the norm, but i did read alot of those super long-winded guides and basically took out of them "study hard, type fast, answer the question" srsly

at the very least, the Vale of Tears thread made me come into school with the fear of God in my soul

[Lavitz]

3.75. Didn't do writing competition, and not great at interviewing. Not sure if that changes how I should bid.

1 Latham, NYC, 18, (3.88-3.63-3.45)
2 Proskauer Rose, NYC, 20, (3.67-3.55-3.38)
3 Milbank, NYC, 20, (3.88-3.6-3.43)
4 Cahill, 60, (3.65-3.44-3.19)
5 Fried Frank, NYC, 40, (3.78-3.58-3.35)
6 Davis Polk, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.24)
7 Jones Day, DC, 20, No Data
8 Schulte Roth, NYC, 40, (3.75-3.46-3.29)
9 Shearman & Sterling, NYC, 60, (3.77-3.48-3.02)
10 WilmerHale, NYC, 40, (3.92-3.62-3.24)
11 Akin Gump, NYC, 40, (3.73-3.64-3.57)
12 Freshfields , NYC, 20, (3.92-3.64-3.43)

1 Sidley Austin, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.62-3.43)
2 Willkie Farr, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.56-3.37)
3 Paul, Weiss, …, NYC, 40, (4.01-3.68-3.24)
4 Kirkland & Ellis, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.67-3.42)
5 Weil, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.57-3.24)
6 Simpson Thacher, NYC, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.05)
7 White & Case, NYC, 40, (3.81-3.57-3.35)
8 Debevoise, NYC, 60, (3.92-3.69-3.24)
9 O’Melveny, NYC, 20, No Data
10 Cadwalader, NYC, 80, (3.81-3.51-3.21)
11 Paul Hastings, NYC, 80, (4.01-3.61-3.29)
12 Dechert, NYC, 60, (3.9-3.54-3.16)

1 Ropes & Gray, NYC, 20, No Data
2 Hunton & Williams, Richmond, VA, 20, No Data
3 Clifford Chance, NYC, 80, (3.92-3.56-3.24)
4 Cooley, NYC, 20, (3.48-3.4-3.28)
5 Dentons, NYC, 20, No Data
6 Perkins Coie, DC, 20, No Data

Thanks!

Disclaimer: 1L here.

For Monday, I think you should switch Jones Day and Shearman. For one thing, Jones Day DC is at least as selective and likely more selective than S&S NYC, and Jones Day takes half as many summers. Even with 60 slots, I think you won't get Shearman at #9, and there's a good chance you miss out on Jones Day DC too. So I'd say it's better to switch but idk

Except it's likely that nobody's getting Shearman at #7 either. I didn't get them at #6.

[runthetrap1990]

at the very least, the Vale of Tears thread made me come into school with the fear of God in my soul

that thread has kept me up many a nights.

3.75. Didn't do writing competition, and not great at interviewing. Not sure if that changes how I should bid.

1 Latham, NYC, 18, (3.88-3.63-3.45)
2 Proskauer Rose, NYC, 20, (3.67-3.55-3.38)
3 Milbank, NYC, 20, (3.88-3.6-3.43)
4 Cahill, 60, (3.65-3.44-3.19)
5 Fried Frank, NYC, 40, (3.78-3.58-3.35)
6 Davis Polk, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.24)
7 Jones Day, DC, 20, No Data
8 Schulte Roth, NYC, 40, (3.75-3.46-3.29)
9 Shearman & Sterling, NYC, 60, (3.77-3.48-3.02)
10 WilmerHale, NYC, 40, (3.92-3.62-3.24)
11 Akin Gump, NYC, 40, (3.73-3.64-3.57)
12 Freshfields , NYC, 20, (3.92-3.64-3.43)

1 Sidley Austin, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.62-3.43)
2 Willkie Farr, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.56-3.37)
3 Paul, Weiss, …, NYC, 40, (4.01-3.68-3.24)
4 Kirkland & Ellis, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.67-3.42)
5 Weil, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.57-3.24)
6 Simpson Thacher, NYC, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.05)
7 White & Case, NYC, 40, (3.81-3.57-3.35)
8 Debevoise, NYC, 60, (3.92-3.69-3.24)
9 O’Melveny, NYC, 20, No Data
10 Cadwalader, NYC, 80, (3.81-3.51-3.21)
11 Paul Hastings, NYC, 80, (4.01-3.61-3.29)
12 Dechert, NYC, 60, (3.9-3.54-3.16)

1 Ropes & Gray, NYC, 20, No Data
2 Hunton & Williams, Richmond, VA, 20, No Data
3 Clifford Chance, NYC, 80, (3.92-3.56-3.24)
4 Cooley, NYC, 20, (3.48-3.4-3.28)
5 Dentons, NYC, 20, No Data
6 Perkins Coie, DC, 20, No Data

Thanks!

Disclaimer: 1L here.

For Monday, I think you should switch Jones Day and Shearman. For one thing, Jones Day DC is at least as selective and likely more selective than S&S NYC, and Jones Day takes half as many summers. Even with 60 slots, I think you won't get Shearman at #9, and there's a good chance you miss out on Jones Day DC too. So I'd say it's better to switch but idk

Except it's likely that nobody's getting Shearman at #7 either. I didn't get them at #6.

How popular does Shearman tend to be year to year? I.e. what is about the lowest I could bid them and reasonably expect to get an interview?

[hephaestus]

at the very least, the Vale of Tears thread made me come into school with the fear of God in my soul

that thread has kept me up many a nights.

3.75. Didn't do writing competition, and not great at interviewing. Not sure if that changes how I should bid.

1 Latham, NYC, 18, (3.88-3.63-3.45)
2 Proskauer Rose, NYC, 20, (3.67-3.55-3.38)
3 Milbank, NYC, 20, (3.88-3.6-3.43)
4 Cahill, 60, (3.65-3.44-3.19)
5 Fried Frank, NYC, 40, (3.78-3.58-3.35)
6 Davis Polk, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.24)
7 Jones Day, DC, 20, No Data
8 Schulte Roth, NYC, 40, (3.75-3.46-3.29)
9 Shearman & Sterling, NYC, 60, (3.77-3.48-3.02)
10 WilmerHale, NYC, 40, (3.92-3.62-3.24)
11 Akin Gump, NYC, 40, (3.73-3.64-3.57)
12 Freshfields , NYC, 20, (3.92-3.64-3.43)

1 Sidley Austin, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.62-3.43)
2 Willkie Farr, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.56-3.37)
3 Paul, Weiss, …, NYC, 40, (4.01-3.68-3.24)
4 Kirkland & Ellis, NYC, 20, (3.91-3.67-3.42)
5 Weil, NYC, 40, (3.91-3.57-3.24)
6 Simpson Thacher, NYC, 60, (4.01-3.73-3.05)
7 White & Case, NYC, 40, (3.81-3.57-3.35)
8 Debevoise, NYC, 60, (3.92-3.69-3.24)
9 O’Melveny, NYC, 20, No Data
10 Cadwalader, NYC, 80, (3.81-3.51-3.21)
11 Paul Hastings, NYC, 80, (4.01-3.61-3.29)
12 Dechert, NYC, 60, (3.9-3.54-3.16)

1 Ropes & Gray, NYC, 20, No Data
2 Hunton & Williams, Richmond, VA, 20, No Data
3 Clifford Chance, NYC, 80, (3.92-3.56-3.24)
4 Cooley, NYC, 20, (3.48-3.4-3.28)
5 Dentons, NYC, 20, No Data
6 Perkins Coie, DC, 20, No Data

Thanks!

Disclaimer: 1L here.

For Monday, I think you should switch Jones Day and Shearman. For one thing, Jones Day DC is at least as selective and likely more selective than S&S NYC, and Jones Day takes half as many summers. Even with 60 slots, I think you won't get Shearman at #9, and there's a good chance you miss out on Jones Day DC too. So I'd say it's better to switch but idk

Except it's likely that nobody's getting Shearman at #7 either. I didn't get them at #6.

How popular does Shearman tend to be year to year? I.e. what is about the lowest I could bid them and reasonably expect to get an interview?

I would probably try to bid them four or higher. They are very popular year to year, for a few reasons. First, they have a big summer class and get a few people each year to accept their offers, so they are a good choice of a target firm for probability reasons. Second, they are one of the more prestigious firms for their grade range (especially in corporate). They also do a fairly broad array of work so they aren't super specialized (unlike, say, Cahill). That makes them attractive to people who don't know exactly what they want to do (which is most people unless you have prior experience or know for some other reason). Third, they are strongest in New York, so you aren't bidding on a satellite office (though obviously, this is the case for a lot of firms in NY).

[hephaestus]

In a very similar position to another poster: 3.50, interested in NYC corporate, more specifically M&A/transactional.

Day 1
1) Proskauer(20)
2) Schulte Roth & Zabel (40)
3) Fried Frank(40)
4) Shearman & Sterling (60)
5) Seward & Kissel(20)
6) Jones Day (40)
7) Cahill (60)
Pillsbury (20)
9) Reed Smith (20)
10) Greenberg Traurig (20)
11) Winston & Strawn (40)
12) Stroock & Stroock (20)
13) Chadbourne & Park (20)
14) Milbank Tweed(20)

For corporate, Cahill should be higher. I would probably put them 5th here, then move Jones Day up and drop Seward because it won't happen that low. After JD I would put Winston because its probably the next best shot due to 40 slots. I like FF being that high. I would potentially think of putting FF, Shearman, Cahill, and JD above Schulte, but thats your call. While they are a solid corporate firm, they are best known for hedge funds, which is pretty niche, moreso than the rest of these firms. If that's your jam, that's totally fine, just something to note.

Day 2
1) Linklaters (40)
2) Goodwin Procter (20)
3) Hogan Lovells (40)
4) Dechert (60)
5) Cadwalader (80)
6) Wilkie Farr (40)
7) White & Case (40)
Paul Hastings (80)
9) Weil Gotshal (40)
10) K&L Gates (20)
11) Herbert Smith (20)
12) Kaye Scholer (20)
13) Orrick Herrington (20)
14) Foley & Lardner (20)

I would prioritize Willkie, White and Case, Weil, and Dechert over Linklaters. For some reason people at Cornell seem to really like magic circle firms when it comes to bidding, but I think your bids are better allocated to the above firms that are strong in NY corporate. Here's why: the magic circle firms have relatively small summer classes, and while strong globally, are not necessarily powerhouses in NY (and they are very cap markets heavy, as opposed to more corporate generalists, which is neither good than bad but important to note). I would take being a corporate associate at a New York centric firm like Willkie or Weil 10 times out of 10 compares with a magic circle, but this is the sort of thing that comes down to a combination of personal preference and risk aversion.I would probably slot in Cadwalader and Paul Hastings after W&C, Willkie, Weil, Dechert, and Linklaters, since they both have so many slots.

Day 3
1) Clifford Chance (80)
2) Cooley (20)
3) Haynes & Boone (20)
4) Bryan Cave (20)
5) Pepper Hamilton (20)
6) Fox Rothschild (20)
7) Crowell & Moring (20)
Dentons (20)

I like clifford chance at number one here. Realistic firm for you and big summer class (especially for a magic circle).

[hephaestus]

Hi everyone. I spoke with a career services advisor and I'm still a bit confused, so any help with my bid list would be greatly appreciated. I'm a K-JD and am interested in NYC, Washington DC, and Chicago, but assume I'm only bidding NY unless noted otherwise. I'm more interested in litigation right now, but I'm still keeping my options open. My GPA is a 3.76.

Monday:
1. Latham NY and Chicago--18 slots--avg. 3.63
2. Cravath--36 slots--avg. 3.78
3. Davis Polk--60 slots--avg 3.73
4. Jones Day (NY and Chicago)--40--avg 3.55
5. WilmerHale NY--40--avg. 3.62
6. Akin Gump--40--avg 3.64
7. Freshfields--20--avg 3.64
8. Gibson Dunn--20--avg 3.8
9. Fried Frank--40--avg 3.58
10. Cahill--60--avg 3.44
11. WilmerHale DC--20--avg 3.82
12. Sullivan and Cromwell--40--avg. 3.86

GDC, WilmerHale DC, and S&C are going to be questionable that low since most people in the top 10% are going to bid on them. Your choice to elevate them will depend almost entirely on your personal risk aversion. You are in the GPA range where you should have no trouble whatsoever, but I also totally understand playing it safe. I think you can afford to move S&C and GDC up, and I think you should also put Cleary on. My year the GPA median was a 3.77, so you are well within the respected variance. For context, Cravath was a 3.84, and S&C was a 3.85, so the numbers shift more for the most grade selective firms. I think you should especially move GDC up, because they are one of the top firms for litigation (keep in mind that what Vault is really useful for is comparing NYC corporate practices, so not always the best measuring tool). I would have my list be something like: Latham, Cravath, GDC, S&C, Cleary, DPW, WilmerHale DC. Again, this would be to maximize screeners for top firms, which is a less risk averse strategy, but consider implementing it to some extent.

Tuesday:
1. Kirkland and Ellis--20--3.67
2. Skadden--20--3.74
3. Weil--40--3.57
4. Simpson Thatcher--60--3.73
5. Sidley Austin--20--3.62
6. Paul Weiss--40--3.68
7. Debevoise--60--3.69
8. Paul Hastings--80--3.61
9. White and Case--40--3.57
10. Wilkie Farr--40--3.56
11. Williams and Connolly DC--20--3.85
12. Dechert NY and Chicago--60--3.53
13. Cadwalader--80--3.51

Since you want to litigate I think that Paul Weiss should be number one here, maybe #2. Then K&E, Skadden, Weil (though that probably won't happen that low), Debevoise, STB, Williams & Connolly. Then the 60 and 80 slot firms. This day the litigation/corp divide really matters, so how much you change it depends on how sure you are on litigation. For example, STB has one of the absolute best corporate practices, but lit is weaker there than at some of its peer firms (hence where I have it on my hypothetical list). Just something to keep in mind.

Wednesday:
1. Ropes and Gray NY and Chicago--20--?
2. Clifford Chance--80--3.56
3. Crowell and Moring--20--?

Also, if you guys could answer a couple of questions, I would be extremely thankful.
1. So, if I want to mass mail firms in Chicago, I should start doing that in early July, right? Should I mass mail firms that are going to be at AJF, but only are giving one interview for all officers? Like, Latham for example says only one interview and to express interest in other offices.

2. How does the whole hospitality suite thing work? The career services person brought it up quite a bit but I'm still unsure as to how it works.

Again, thanks so much for your time.

Ropes is the best choice at number 1, but keep in mind that they are mostly known for Boston. And yes, early July is the sweet spot for mass mailing. Its firm by firm for applying for multiple offices, so it'll depend on the firm. If Latham says you can, then by all means. By comparison, JD does not let you do that. So only mass mail firms you are bidding on if you know that they let you interview for multiple offices (for example, Kirkland does, which should be important for you since you could screen with Chicago and mass mail NY, or vice versa). My year you could screen with both for them, but I'm not sure how it works.

Re: hospitality suites, you basically just go in and talk to people at recruiting, some junior associates, and usually 2Ls that just spent their summer at the firm. You give them your resume and depending on how competitive you are they may schedule you in for an interview. That works generally by them calling you a few hours later to set up a screener, usually tacked on at the end of the schedule. You don't have to be suave, and its a great idea to go. Everyone in hospitality suites is friendly and excited when students come in.

[hephaestus]

Hi everyone,

K-JD targeting NYC. Interested in corporate work in general. GPA at 10%. Please shed some light on my bidding list.

Thanks!

All bids are for NY except noted.

Day 1
1.MoFo 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
2.Milbank 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
3.Freshfields 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (20)
4.Davis Polk 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5.Jones Day 3.24 - 3.55 - 3.88 (40)
6.Shearman Sterling 3.02-3.48-3.77 (60)
7.WilmerHale 3.24-3.62-3.92 (40)
8.Akin Gump 3.57-3.64-3.73 (40)
9.Sullivan Cromwell 3.76-3.86-4.01 (40)
10.Cravath 3.62-3.78-4.01 (36)
11.Cleary 3.77-3.86-3.92 (40)
12.Gibson Dunn 3.65-3.80-4.01 (20)
13.Proskauer 3.38-3.55-3.67 (20)
14.Cahill 3.19-3.44-3.65 (60)
15.Jones Day (SF)

Overall, this bid list is too conservative. I get wanting to be risk averse, but at the 10% cutoff you should focus more on maximizing screeners with elite firms. This is not only for self-aggrandizing reasons: elite firms have the biggest classes (75+ for firms in the V10). This brings along with it a generally higher CB to offer ratio (though not universal, e.g. DPW), which will end up being more helpful for you. Also, I think that since you are interested in corporate you owe it to yourself to focus on elite firms. S&C, Cleary, Cravath, GDC should all be higher. You can keep Milbank, Freshfields, or MoFo as #1, but I would put those firms, along with DPW, immediately after. Keep in mind that with your GPA you will be able to go into hospitality suites, give them your resume, and tell them you bid on them but did not get them. They will likely schedule you in. Its better for you to make sure that you have a metaphorical seat at the table with the elite firms. Again, feel free to ignore/adjust based on your degree of risk aversion, but just my opinion.

Day 2
1.Kirkland 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2.White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
3.Skadden 3.43-3.74-4.01 (20)
4.Simpson 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
5.Weil 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
6.Debevoise 3.24-3.69-3.92 (60)
7.Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
8.Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
9.Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
10.Paul Weiss 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
11.Cadwalader 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
12.Allen & Overy 3.56-3.70-3.92 (20)
13.Hogan Lovells 3.38-3.45-3.65 (40)
14.Arnold & Porter
15.Orrick 3.25-3.35-3.45 (20)

I would put Skadden at 2 because I would want to make sure you get them. Put Weil and Debevoise after them, followed by STB (60 slots + high GPA means you will def get them at 5). after that, entirely your call. You may very well get A&P that low, but it wouldnt hurt to bring them up because you definitely arent getting firms like A&O or Linklaters that low. My year they had a 3.81 GPA median.

Day 3
1.Clifford Chance 3.24-3.56-3.92 (80)
2.Ropes & Gray (20)
3.Cooley 3.28-3.40-3.48 (20)

Ropes should be number one here. Boston if you have conceivable ties, because its the epicenter of their corporate work (including their top flight PE practice).

[hephaestus]

3.63, shooting for NY corporate (with an interest in cap markets). Essentially in the same boat as Sterling.

Monday

1. Latham & Watkins (London) 3.41 - 3.64 - 3.86 (19)
2. Cahill, Gordon & Reindel 3.19 - 3.44 - 3.65 (60)
3. Shearman & Sterling 3.02 - 3.48 - 3.77 (60)
4. Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy 3.43 - 3.60 - 3.88 (20)
5. Jones Day 3.24 - 3.55 - 3.88 (40)
6. Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer 3.43 - 3.64 - 3.92 (60)
7. Schulte Roth & Zabel 3.29 - 3.46 - 3.75 (40)
8. Fried Frank Harris Shriver & Jacobson 3.35 - 3.58 - 3.78 (40)
9. Seward & Kissel 3.05 - 3.49 - 3.97 (20)
10. Davis Polk & Wardell 3.24 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
11. Morrison & Foerster 3.28 - 3.58 - 3.71 (20)
12. Akin Gump 3.57 - 3.64 - 3.73 (40)
13. Proskauer Rose 3.38 - 3.55 - 3.67 (20)
14. Stroock Stroock & Lavan 3.15 - 3.28 - 3.39 (20)
15. Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman 3.34 - 3.58 - 3.85 (20)

I assume theres a good reason for Latham London there, so keep it (also makes sense with the cap markets interest). I think FF should be higher. Otherwise, this is a really solid day one (nice work!). I would consider maybe raising Freshfields above JD depending on how strong the cap markets interest is, because its a big part of Freshfield's practice, whereas JD's corporate practice is primarily focused on private M&A. I think DPW should be above Seward because you arent getting Seward that low, and DPW is a good high reach firm at 9.

Tuesday

1. Kirkland & Ellis 3.42 - 3.67 - 3.91 (20)
2. Weil, Gotshal & Manges 3.24 - 3.57 - 3.91 (40)
3. White & Case 3.35 - 3.57 - 3.81 (40)
4. Sidley Austin 3.43 - 3.62 - 3.91 (20)
5. Paul Hastings 3.29 - 3.61 - 4.01 (80)
6. Hogan Lovells 3.38 - 3.45 - 3.65 (40)
7. Cadawalader Wickersham & Taft 3.21 - 3.51 - 3.81 (80)
8. Linklaters 3.24 - 3.49 - 3.88 (40)
9. Dechert 3.16 - 3.54 - 3.90 (60)
10. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett 3.05 - 3.73 - 4.01 (60)
11. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati 3.25 - 3.53 - 3.81 (40)
12. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison 3.24 - 3.67 - 4.01 (40)
13. Willkie Farr & Gallagher 3.37 - 3.56 - 3.91 (40)
14. K&L Gates 3.43 - 3.57 - 3.67 (20)
15. Kaye Scholer 3.24 - 3.35 - 3.48 (20)

The first three make sense to me. Willkie, Cadwalader, Dechert, Linklaters, should be higher, in that order. I would move Willkie right below W&C, and put the remainder below Sidley. PW has a 0% chance of happening that low, so just keep in mind you will have to put them at 2 or 3 if you want a shot. For corporate its purely personal choice, so I think you are ok as you are. I would probably put STB below the last entry in my earlier enumerated list, but you will probably get them lower. I just would want a chance with them, because while they are a reach, they have an outstanding corporate practice.

Wednesday

1. Clifford Chance 3.24 - 3.56 - 3.92 (80)
2. Cooley 3.28 - 3.40 - 3.48 (20)
3. Perkins Coie (LA) - (20)
4. Ropes & Gray 3.60 - 3.80 - 4.03 (20)

CC is the right call here.