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SMU has a pretty interesting program designed to entice smaller firms into hiring summer associates. The firm pays a smaller amount to the summer and the school matches it in the form of tuition reimbursement. The positions are not designed to lead to permanent employment, though historically they have for several people.

What about the potential consequences if it doesn't? Does it look like a no-offer on your resume, or do potential employers only see it that way with larger firms that have fixed SA programs?

kalvano wrote:SMU has a pretty interesting program designed to entice smaller firms into hiring summer associates. The firm pays a smaller amount to the summer and the school matches it in the form of tuition reimbursement. The positions are not designed to lead to permanent employment, though historically they have for several people.

What about the potential consequences if it doesn't? Does it look like a no-offer on your resume, or do potential employers only see it that way with larger firms that have fixed SA programs?

ITE, no offers have been kind of prevalent with firms, especially smaller ones, and don't carry the stigma you think it would. In any case, you can just explain to potential interviews the underlying circumstances.