No Journal - How to handle at OCI Forum

[Anonymous User]

First: this is anonymous because if I like one of the answers here I am going to use it and don't want it to be connected with my TLS name.

Second: I know this thread probably exists but searching for anything with the word "journal" in it nets too many useless results - if you can point me to one I'd appreciate it.

If not, how are yuou going to handle this? I did the write-on but struck out at all of my school's 3 journals. I am doing moot court but the whole "I realy wanted moot court so I didnt even try for journal" shtick seems weak. How do my fellow journal-fails plan on dealing with the inevitable question?

[Cavalier]

Is it an inevitable question? I mean it's not like you go to UVA where there are ten million journals and only a handful of students don't get one. If anyone asks just say you wanted to do moot court instead.

[Helmholtz]

I don't really have any advice on specifically how to approach it (nor should I be giving any from my position as a rising 2L without firsthand OCI experience), but I do know people who got offers from V5 firms, and they weren't a journal member. Obviously not a deal-killer for them.

[Cupidity]

"I don't think that writing competition was the best showcase of my abilities, however, I've used this as an opportunity to practice my legal skills throughout the year by participating in the X clinic, Y internship, and moot court."

[Anonymous User]

"I don't think that writing competition was the best showcase of my abilities, however, I've used this as an opportunity to practice my legal skills throughout the year by participating in the X clinic, Y internship, and moot court."

Meh. I'm about to go on a V10 CB from a non-T14 and I have good but not killer grades w/ no journal. Haven't been asked about it in an interview yet and I've had a bunch. Just fly casual, Chewie.

[bigdipper]

If you really don't feel comfortable going with the "I chose moot court," you could go with something like "I explored both options but ultimately I'm excited about moot court because [insert reasons for why moot court will make you a better lawyer]."

That way you focus on the positive but don't have to give the straight up "I chose moot court speech."

But I agree with the above posters - it probably won't be an issue. I highly doubt they'll ask that, and you shouldn't feel the need to compensate for your lack of journal.

[Anonymous User]

"I don't think that writing competition was the best showcase of my abilities, however, I've used this as an opportunity to practice my legal skills throughout the year by participating in the X clinic, Y internship, and moot court."

Meh. I'm about to go on a V10 CB from a non-T14 and I have good but not killer grades w/ no journal. Haven't been asked about it in an interview yet and I've had a bunch. Just fly casual, Chewie.

V10 firm = Weil?

[Anonymous User]

"I don't think that writing competition was the best showcase of my abilities, however, I've used this as an opportunity to practice my legal skills throughout the year by participating in the X clinic, Y internship, and moot court."

Meh. I'm about to go on a V10 CB from a non-T14 and I have good but not killer grades w/ no journal. Haven't been asked about it in an interview yet and I've had a bunch. Just fly casual, Chewie.

V10 firm = Weil?

Negative.

[Anonymous User]

"I don't think that writing competition was the best showcase of my abilities, however, I've used this as an opportunity to practice my legal skills throughout the year by participating in the X clinic, Y internship, and moot court."

Meh. I'm about to go on a V10 CB from a non-T14 and I have good but not killer grades w/ no journal. Haven't been asked about it in an interview yet and I've had a bunch. Just fly casual, Chewie.

V10 firm = Weil?

Negative.

Damn. That works 90% of the time.

[Anonymous User]

Meh. I'm about to go on a V10 CB from a non-T14 and I have good but not killer grades w/ no journal. Haven't been asked about it in an interview yet and I've had a bunch. Just fly casual, Chewie.

V10 firm = Weil?

Negative.

Damn. That works 90% of the time.

Lolololol tyft

[Anonymous User]

Skadden?

[Anonymous User]

Skadden?

Protip: you can start at Wachtell and go through Shearman and I'm not gonna say yes. Momma didn't raise no fool

[Anonymous User]

i went through oci last summer - i am at a t3 but not any journals. i was never asked why i wasn't on a journal. show your strengths and you will be fine.