1L OCI pre-screen results: should I be disappointed? Forum

[Anonymous User]

My school is at the bottom end of the T30, but does well in the local market (which I have tons of ties to). We had 8 or 9 firms come to interview 1Ls. I bid on most of them, but I was only pre-selected to interview at one.

I have a 3.9, and I assume I am in the top 5%, but we won't be officially ranked until after spring semester.

Each firm is interviewing 1Ls all day in 20 minute slots, so they could theoretically go way deeper than the top 5%. I assume they are only interviewing 1Ls, however, they may also be interviewing 2Ls or 3Ls during these times. It's hard to tell, but it seems like simplicity states they are only interviewing 1Ls.

I'm wondering if this (getting only 1 pre-select out of 8 bids) is just par for the course with the economy and all, or if I should take this as evidence that something in my background is going to hurt my chances for getting a firm job next year? I do have a somewhat public-interest background (worked in a mental health agency), and I'm not entirely happy with how I wrote my cover letters and resumes, though I don't think they are horrible.

I realize this is probably not enough information for people to provide specific advice, so unsubstantiated guesses are welcome

Also, anyone who has had experience with OCI that can offer suggestions would be much appreciated.

[edcrane]

My school is at the bottom end of the T30, but does well in the local market (which I have tons of ties to). We had 8 or 9 firms come to interview 1Ls. I bid on most of them, but I was only pre-selected to interview at one.

I have a 3.9, and I assume I am in the top 5%, but we won't be officially ranked until after spring semester.

Each firm is interviewing 1Ls all day in 20 minute slots, so they could theoretically go way deeper than the top 5%. I assume they are only interviewing 1Ls, however, they may also be interviewing 2Ls or 3Ls during these times. It's hard to tell, but it seems like simplicity states they are only interviewing 1Ls.

I'm wondering if this (getting only 1 pre-select out of 8 bids) is just par for the course with the economy and all, or if I should take this as evidence that something in my background is going to hurt my chances for getting a firm job next year? I do have a somewhat public-interest background (worked in a mental health agency), and I'm not entirely happy with how I wrote my cover letters and resumes, though I don't think they are horrible.

I realize this is probably not enough information for people to provide specific advice, so unsubstantiated guesses are welcome

Also, anyone who has had experience with OCI that can offer suggestions would be much appreciated.

You should not infer anything from the results of 1L job hunts of any sort. 1L firm jobs are notoriously difficult to get, even in great economies. ITE, the odds are worse.

Unsolicited advice: start looking for a public interest and/or RA position as soon as you can. The competition for 1L summer jobs--even unpaid--will be fierce this year.

[Anonymous User]

Edcrane, thanks a lot for the reassurance. I really appreciate it. I also appreciate the advice about 1L summer. I didn't go in thinking I was going get callbacks at any of the interviews, but I figured I would at least get more than 1 interview with my grades. I've got a backup plan for the summer. Thanks again.

[thesealocust]

edit: never mind

[Anonymous User]

I'll agree with the above . . . but, also, some firms maybe looking for something in particular -> URM's, certain undergrads, or strong ties to certain geographic areas . . . I'm a 1L at a T10 with 4.0 gpa from first semester with prior work experience, and I got 6/10 for preselects . . . the places I didn't get preselected for were places where I didn't have any geographic ties to . . .

[Anonymous User]

OP here. Thanks again for all the replies. I think it's probably a combination of the two posts above. I think the firms might be going for URM's or IP folks primarily, so hopefully that is part of the issue. Also, 2 of firms were kind of smaller and may not think I would stick around if they did hire me for the 1L summer. At the same time, 1 interview definitely suggests something might be wrong with my work experience or cover letters/resumes. I will talk with career services, but I think I'll wait until OCI runs down. There's nothing I can do about this spring OCI, and if there are problems with the cover letters/resumes I should be able to correct them before August bidding. I have an option that I am interested in pursuing, but of course it doesn't pay and I have no idea how I am going to survive this summer (but that's another thread). Thanks for all the help. Any other suggestions are much appreciated as well.