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OCI's looming at my school and of the internet searches I've run, it seems like Vault is the place to go to get any indepth meaniful data on law firms. However a subsription fee is required. Any suggestings as to free sites that offer good data. I've looked at NALP and Martindale but not seen what I'm looking for: Salary data, info on SA programs such as number of no-offers, type of working environment etc. etc.

Also what should I interpret from BIGLAW firms that have strict interview requirements versus other large firms with much less stringent or no interview requirements? Does this generally mean that the latter is just not as good as the former, or do some firms neglect to intially publicize their standards for interviewing but still have equally high standards. I'm kinda freaked out as to what it might mean, like its a trick or something (think Admiral Ackbar/Star Wars pic), when one large firm seems to have much easier requirements than a similarly large firm for OCI.

Advice? Answers?

Your career office should have some form of Vault membership (for you to register through your school's master account... or something like that). Did you check with them?

I've heard Chambers is also good for doing some firm research.

Talk to biglaw partners. Seriously.

See if career services can arrange a chat with an alum who is a biglaw partner. Most of them are familiar with a pretty wide range of firms and can give you a lot of insight. Chambers is also good, as well as the American lawyer. Your school probably has back issues of the American Lawyer in the library- the rankings issue has some great insights.

As far as competitiveness is concerned, a rule of thumb:
High PPP + Low Levereage (partner/associate ratio): Insanely Competitive (Irell, Wachtell)
High PPP (profits per partner) + High Leverage: Moderatly Competitive- more competitive if very high PPP (Skadden, etc.)
Lower PPP + Low Leverage: Moderately Competitive
Lower PPP + High Leverage: Comparatively Uncompetitive (DLA Piper)

IMO, it's better to be at a low leverage firm from a QOL standpoint. But that's just my opinion.