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SHANbangs wrote:Hey guys,

Have a question about OCI and callbacks. I am going to do the AJF on August 6-8. However, my fam has a cruise scheduled for August 9-17. Before I knew more about OCI, I had confirmed with my fam about the cruise. I believe it's a non-refundable ticket. However, the more I hear the career office talk about OCI, the more I get the impression that going on a cruise during that time will not be a good idea. For one, I hear that callbacks can come at any time after the screening interview, and it is recommended that you schedule callbacks ASAP. If this is the case, I am wondering if I should call off the cruise, even if that means forfeiting a couple of grand. I am unlikely to have anything better than a middle of the pack GPA, so I feel I might need any advantage possible to secure a big law job. Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.

From googling I assume AJF means Cornell's OCI? Then yes, you need to cancel your cruise. First of all, you are going to be stressed the fuck out. Second you will probably schedule CBs before Aug 17th.

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Absolutely cancel the cruise. Callbacks start coming right away and you want to schedule them as soon as possible.

If you can't be by a working phone or a computer with email access during the cruise, then yes call it off. Otherwise, its not that hard to set up callbacks via email or phone.

Must cancel. There was a story I was told about someone in a similar situation and they had to end up flying back in the middle of it all for a callback. The firm was impressed by the commitment but what if you're not in a position where you can do that at the drop of a dime and then you're S.O.L. and without a job? It's better not to risk it.

Also, sometimes even though it says non-refundable they'll give you a voucher you can use at a later time for a portion of the ticket price. Especially, if you make it sound like you'd be doing business with another cruise company going forward should they refuse. It's worth a try.

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What does AJF mean? Like what does each letter stand for?

desertlaw wrote:What does AJF mean? Like what does each letter stand for?

August Job Fair

SHANbangs wrote:Hey guys,

Have a question about OCI and callbacks. I am going to do the AJF on August 6-8. However, my fam has a cruise scheduled for August 9-17. Before I knew more about OCI, I had confirmed with my fam about the cruise. I believe it's a non-refundable ticket. However, the more I hear the career office talk about OCI, the more I get the impression that going on a cruise during that time will not be a good idea. For one, I hear that callbacks can come at any time after the screening interview, and it is recommended that you schedule callbacks ASAP. If this is the case, I am wondering if I should call off the cruise, even if that means forfeiting a couple of grand. Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks.

Take this to heart: starting July, OCI IS YOUR LIFE. You don't have friends, you don't have family. You spend your time managing callbacks and doing mass mailings. Literally the most retarded way to get pwned by law school is not treating this August as the most important month of your entire career. And trust me, people do it every year. Don't be that person.

I actually disagree with the advice in this thread. Cornell's interview process is very early. Many firms don't even do callbacks until after the 15th or so. (I know, I was the very first callback at two different biglaw firms last year, on the 16th and the 17th of August.) True, you want to schedule callbacks as early as possible, but early does not mean immediately if you're at a very early school for OCI--you'll be one of the first interviewees to schedule interviews, so you'll be able to schedule most of them for the week of the 20th, which is plenty early enough. The real risk is having to schedule interviews in September, especially towards mid-September. But scheduling the week of August 20th vs. the week of the 13th is hardly a big deal.

I don't think you have anything to worry about going on the cruise.

How early does one need to schedule CB interviews in order to not be at a disadvantage?

bdubs wrote:How early does one need to schedule CB interviews in order to not be at a disadvantage?

It wasn't until late September when I started hearing about firms really filling up spots and not having many left. Some firms I interviewed with in October said they are still going. Its always smart to get them in early as possible, but don't think that late August or early September is late.

kaiser wrote:

bdubs wrote:How early does one need to schedule CB interviews in order to not be at a disadvantage?

It wasn't until late September when I started hearing about firms really filling up spots and not having many left. Some firms I interviewed with in October said they are still going. Its always smart to get them in early as possible, but don't think that late August or early September is late.

It wildly varies by market and by firm. NYC firms give callbacks the next day or so, then give offers the day or two after the call back. At least a lot of them do.

Does OP really want to look back after striking out and think, "maybe if I didn't go on that cruise with my mommy I wouldn't be in doc review right now."

It might not conflict, but why take the goddamn chance. This is the most important part of law school if you want a firm job, dammit.

Going on the criuse is a bad idea. The fact that Cornell does screening interviews early is irrelevant. You want to maximize your chances. This means missing the trip. Like others have said, it probably won't hurt you, but this is no time to be taking chances.

Cornell 2L here. I had a CB the day after the last day of AJF, and had another two the following week. Then I didn't have any more until three weeks after that, when I had another batch. With the exception of a few firms I don't think scheduling CBs after your trip is a big deal. The problems, as I see them, are three-fold:
(1) On a cruise you likely won't be able to have access to phone and email to make travel arrangements (which are a pain and take longer than you think);
(2) You'll have to schedule all your CBs for after school starts. If you are doing well (and/or you are lucky) that could be quite a few, and will take a lot of time out of school. I can't tell you what a relief if was to start school with an offer in the bag, knowing anything else was just gravy.
(3) I you do get a CB with one of the firms that insists on doing them soon after AJF, you don't want to have to tell them they have to wait 10 days or whatever. Being last puts you at a disadvantage.

None of this is a deal-breaker, but in aggregate, I'll just go ahead and say that, in my opinion, a cruise with the family is NOT worth it.

just cancel and then take your entire family on a cruise when ur making the monies : )

Cancel cruise. Earlier callbacks are advantageous.