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I'm a 1L at Northwestern. I have ~3.4, with a very large increase between fall and spring GPAs. I also have a master's degree and solid 1L summer employment. I'll be on a journal, but not law review.

What kinds of Chicago firms should I be bidding on for OCI? I'm interested in white collar criminal and antitrust, but other areas are fine as well.

Should have a shot at everywhere in Chicago coming to OCI except Kirkland and Sidley.

Make sure to bid on V20-V100 New York firms with large classes too as a backup, you can always come back to Chicago in the future and New York is sometimes easier to get because of the larger offices.

Kirkland may be a stretch, but they've hired close to that low recently. I'd still throw them a bid, but not one of your highest bids.

Thanks all. What about firms in CA (especially SF and Silicon Valley)? Would they approximately as competitive to get into as the Chicago offices?

I can't speak to SF or SV. I do know someone that had roughly a 3.5 and got Kirkland SF. That person turned them down though.

Likely SF/SV are harder to get than Chicago or NYC since they are generally smaller and NU does not have as many alumni there. However lots of people still end up out there so feel free to bid if you like it and can demonstrate ties to the region. More important to have ties to SF/SV than Chicago (or as important this is debateable) and New York ties matter much less.

Some of the bigger offices would be relatively easier to get (WSGR).