School Ranked 60s, BigLaw Chances? Forum

[ClarDarr]

3.84 GPA at a midwestern school in the 60s. Rank will be ~5/240. I would like to get into the New York or Philadelphia markets. Given my school will be interviewing very few large firms from these areas, what do y'all think my chances are of landing a v100 SA position in these markets is. I can demonstrate ties to either one (family in NYC and SO in Philly). Any advice on strategies? Am I being ridiculous?

[blsingindisguise]

I'd apply up and down the V100. You have a decent shot at something.

[Big Shrimpin]

Spam every firm in both markets. If you've got a great cover letter/resume, then you might have a shot. I'm assuming transfer deadlines are passed, but if not, then consider applying to transfer to CLS, NYU, and penn.

[ClarDarr]

Spam every firm in both markets. If you've got a great cover letter/resume, then you might have a shot. I'm assuming transfer deadlines are passed, but if not, then consider applying to transfer to CLS, NYU, and penn.

That is exactly where I am applying to transfer. I am just in the pickle of particularly liking where I go to law school, so I am trying to determine whether I want to transfer.

[blsingindisguise]

Do you have money at current school? If not there is no reason NOT to transfer. If you have a full ride or significant money it's a tougher call.

As far as firms -- I'd also check every V100 firm for attorneys from your school. I'm guessing you won't find tons in NYC/Phila but at least a few should have someone. Try contacting them -- just say you're interested in the firm and you saw that the person is an alum and ask them questions about working there (obviously don't come out and ask for help getting the job -- treat it more as information gathering). I'd guess that anyone from your school who DID land an NYC biglaw job would be happy to help out other alums since they know how tough it is to get where they got.

[ClarDarr]

Do you have money at current school? If not there is no reason NOT to transfer. If you have a full ride or significant money it's a tougher call.

As far as firms -- I'd also check every V100 firm for attorneys from your school. I'm guessing you won't find tons in NYC/Phila but at least a few should have someone. Try contacting them -- just say you're interested in the firm and you saw that the person is an alum and ask them questions about working there (obviously don't come out and ask for help getting the job -- treat it more as information gathering). I'd guess that anyone from your school who DID land an NYC biglaw job would be happy to help out other alums since they know how tough it is to get where they got.

Some money, not close to a full ride, in the process of negotiating for additional $$$. I'm being a touch sentimental I know, but I am going to wait until I hear back from CLS, NYU and Penn (I am anticipating get one at least) to decide. I really enjoy my current school, and if they make me an offer I can't refuse...well...then I won't refuse. Part of that decision, given I am happy about where I am, is whether I can get a v100 job from here. Hence the thread. I obviously know I'll have a strong shot at any v100 firm in those markets from the new school.

[GeePee]

This is definitely a situation where you want to transfer. A Midwestern school will have practically no reach to NY or Philly, and that may be true regardless of law review. Median students at the schools you're targeting do quite well in those markets.

[ClarDarr]

This is definitely a situation where you want to transfer. A Midwestern school will have practically no reach to NY or Philly, and that may be true regardless of law review. Median students at the schools you're targeting do quite well in those markets.

Assuming, for the second, that there was no way I could transfer, what would my odds be at landing something in the new market from my current school?

[GeePee]

This is definitely a situation where you want to transfer. A Midwestern school will have practically no reach to NY or Philly, and that may be true regardless of law review. Median students at the schools you're targeting do quite well in those markets.

Assuming, for the second, that there was no way I could transfer, what would my odds be at landing something in the new market from my current school?

Its hard to say for sure. Do you have market ties, especially for Philly? Your luck will be firm specific -- you probably should look at lawyer profiles at firms you want to target and browse for attorneys at your school or similar midwest schools. Some firms might have some connection but they will be few and far between.

[ClarDarr]

This is definitely a situation where you want to transfer. A Midwestern school will have practically no reach to NY or Philly, and that may be true regardless of law review. Median students at the schools you're targeting do quite well in those markets.

Assuming, for the second, that there was no way I could transfer, what would my odds be at landing something in the new market from my current school?

Its hard to say for sure. Do you have market ties, especially for Philly? Your luck will be firm specific -- you probably should look at lawyer profiles at firms you want to target and browse for attorneys at your school or similar midwest schools. Some firms might have some connection but they will be few and far between.

I have moderate market ties; one lawyer friend at one NYC firm and one Philly firm. Appears that there are alums at many of the firms i'm looking at in both markets; I don't know how willing to chat me up they will be.

[GeePee]

This is definitely a situation where you want to transfer. A Midwestern school will have practically no reach to NY or Philly, and that may be true regardless of law review. Median students at the schools you're targeting do quite well in those markets.

Assuming, for the second, that there was no way I could transfer, what would my odds be at landing something in the new market from my current school?

Its hard to say for sure. Do you have market ties, especially for Philly? Your luck will be firm specific -- you probably should look at lawyer profiles at firms you want to target and browse for attorneys at your school or similar midwest schools. Some firms might have some connection but they will be few and far between.

I have moderate market ties; one lawyer friend at one NYC firm and one Philly firm. Appears that there are alums at many of the firms i'm looking at in both markets; I don't know how willing to chat me up they will be.

Well that will be your best shot. Might as well try sending out some letters. Alums are usually good about this kind of stuff.

[20160810]

DO NOT JUST RELY ON OCI. You have the grades for biglaw, and if you're on LR, then things look even better. But you can't rely on the few firms which decide to interview at mediocre law schools. Especially since given that it's a "midwestern" firm, I'm guessing most of them will be Chicago, not NYC. Apply all over the V100, interview with everyone at OCI, and good luck. You'll get something.

[ClarDarr]

DO NOT JUST RELY ON OCI. You have the grades for biglaw, and if you're on LR, then things look even better. But you can't rely on the few firms which decide to interview at mediocre law schools. Especially since given that it's a "midwestern" firm, I'm guessing most of them will be Chicago, not NYC. Apply all over the V100, interview with everyone at OCI, and good luck. You'll get something.

I won't. Although my law school places better than average in NYC and interviews a few, I figure to get at most of the good v100s I'm going to need to launch my own campaign.

[billbrasky]

your best shot at landing biglaw is in ny--focus your efforts there (that probably goes for anyone who wants biglaw, tho)

[keg411]

This is a situation where a transfer is TCR pretty much as long as OP gets into NYU/CLS/Penn. Even with more money, OP is going to have a tough time breaking into markets where her(?) current school doesn't recruit.

My personal advice (also, what I plan to do): in July, starting mass mailing all of the firms in NYC/Philadelphia that have attorneys from your school. Also, ask your lawyer friends for all of the information you can about the firms you're applying to (and suggestions about which firms you should really target). They should be a very valuable resource. Use their information to write kick ass cover letters. Get a job and win at life.

[20160810]

This is a situation where a transfer is TCR pretty much as long as OP gets into NYU/CLS/Penn. Even with more money, OP is going to have a tough time breaking into markets where her(?) current school doesn't recruit.

My personal advice (also, what I plan to do): in July, starting mass mailing all of the firms in NYC/Philadelphia that have attorneys from your school. Also, ask your lawyer friends for all of the information you can about the firms you're applying to (and suggestions about which firms you should really target). They should be a very valuable resource. Use their information to write kick ass cover letters. Get a job and win at life.

NYU/CLS/Penn isn't happening outside of the top-10% from a T2.

[keg411]

This is a situation where a transfer is TCR pretty much as long as OP gets into NYU/CLS/Penn. Even with more money, OP is going to have a tough time breaking into markets where her(?) current school doesn't recruit.

My personal advice (also, what I plan to do): in July, starting mass mailing all of the firms in NYC/Philadelphia that have attorneys from your school. Also, ask your lawyer friends for all of the information you can about the firms you're applying to (and suggestions about which firms you should really target). They should be a very valuable resource. Use their information to write kick ass cover letters. Get a job and win at life.

NYU/CLS/Penn isn't happening outside of the top-10% from a T2.

OP is 5/240. Which is top 2-3%, not outside the top 10%.

[20160810]

This is a situation where a transfer is TCR pretty much as long as OP gets into NYU/CLS/Penn. Even with more money, OP is going to have a tough time breaking into markets where her(?) current school doesn't recruit.

My personal advice (also, what I plan to do): in July, starting mass mailing all of the firms in NYC/Philadelphia that have attorneys from your school. Also, ask your lawyer friends for all of the information you can about the firms you're applying to (and suggestions about which firms you should really target). They should be a very valuable resource. Use their information to write kick ass cover letters. Get a job and win at life.

NYU/CLS/Penn isn't happening outside of the top-10% from a T2.

OP is 5/240. Which is top 2-3%, not outside the top 10%.

Huge RC fail on my part. My bad.

[ClarDarr]

This is a situation where a transfer is TCR pretty much as long as OP gets into NYU/CLS/Penn. Even with more money, OP is going to have a tough time breaking into markets where her(?) current school doesn't recruit.

My personal advice (also, what I plan to do): in July, starting mass mailing all of the firms in NYC/Philadelphia that have attorneys from your school. Also, ask your lawyer friends for all of the information you can about the firms you're applying to (and suggestions about which firms you should really target). They should be a very valuable resource. Use their information to write kick ass cover letters. Get a job and win at life.

NYU/CLS/Penn isn't happening outside of the top-10% from a T2.

Yes, barring calamity, I plan on being in the top 5% (hopefully top 5 students; prior years have bore this out). I plan on spamming v100 froms focusing 10% or so on v10, 40% on v50 and the remaining 50% on the remaining v100, including probably all philly firms I am interested in after learning about them. As far as transferring, I am like 50-50 on it. At the risk of sounding like the lamest TLSer ever, I like my school, I like the professors here, my school places pretty well in NY and I have done well here. That makes it hard to leave; I obviously know I have lots to gain by going.

[Anonymous User]

I don't want to out you but I have a very strong idea of what school you're at, and with your ranking I'd encourage you to at least contact some people in the alumni network IF your current school offers you additional money - and I'd go straight to the Dean for that, NOT to the admissions office. And if I'm mistaken, I apologize.

If you get a T6 offer, I'd probably go for that, though. Congrats on doing so well and good luck!

[ClarDarr]

I don't want to out you but I have a very strong idea of what school you're at, and with your ranking I'd encourage you to at least contact some people in the alumni network IF your current school offers you additional money - and I'd go straight to the Dean for that, NOT to the admissions office. And if I'm mistaken, I apologize.

If you get a T6 offer, I'd probably go for that, though. Congrats on doing so well and good luck!

I did go straight to the dean. Feel free to PM me if you'd like. I'm not that averse to outing myself...personally, I'd love to see if you guessed right.

[glewz]

I don't want to out you but I have a very strong idea of what school you're at, and with your ranking I'd encourage you to at least contact some people in the alumni network IF your current school offers you additional money - and I'd go straight to the Dean for that, NOT to the admissions office. And if I'm mistaken, I apologize.

If you get a T6 offer, I'd probably go for that, though. Congrats on doing so well and good luck!

I did go straight to the dean. Feel free to PM me if you'd like. I'm not that averse to outing myself...personally, I'd love to see if you guessed right.

There are only like...2 schools midwest & in the 60s right?

[ClarDarr]

I don't want to out you but I have a very strong idea of what school you're at, and with your ranking I'd encourage you to at least contact some people in the alumni network IF your current school offers you additional money - and I'd go straight to the Dean for that, NOT to the admissions office. And if I'm mistaken, I apologize.

If you get a T6 offer, I'd probably go for that, though. Congrats on doing so well and good luck!

I did go straight to the dean. Feel free to PM me if you'd like. I'm not that averse to outing myself...personally, I'd love to see if you guessed right.

There are only like...2 schools midwest & in the 60s right?

haha arguably 3.

[glewz]

I don't want to out you but I have a very strong idea of what school you're at, and with your ranking I'd encourage you to at least contact some people in the alumni network IF your current school offers you additional money - and I'd go straight to the Dean for that, NOT to the admissions office. And if I'm mistaken, I apologize.

If you get a T6 offer, I'd probably go for that, though. Congrats on doing so well and good luck!

I did go straight to the dean. Feel free to PM me if you'd like. I'm not that averse to outing myself...personally, I'd love to see if you guessed right.

There are only like...2 schools midwest & in the 60s right?

haha arguably 3.

Oh oops, just looked

Congrats on your year & GL transferring!