3.27 at UCLA - OCI? (yes I'm making one of these threads) Forum

[NeedAJobRealGood]

Despite the criticism some of these threads have gotten, I would still like to know my prospects.

Info:

3.08 first semester, 3.4 second semester - 3.27 overall
UCLA median is around 3.2, so im slightly above median
Lots of clubs/orgs in and out of law school, but not law review
No impressive work experience, but not a blank resume either
Not an URM

Thoughts for OCI?

[Bildungsroman]

Anywhere from an elite law firm to bitter unemployment.

But the key is that you'll be bitter either way.

[NeedAJobRealGood]

Oh bitterness is expected. Any other wisdom?

[lawyerwannabe]

Not a UCLA student but considering general UCLA placement, OCI is not looking good since you are pretty much a median student. Good luck though! Nail those interviews and hope for the best!

[Anonymous User]

I'll be honest. I went to a similarly tiered school, and most of the law firms have a 3.3 cut-off. I had around the same GPA as you did and got only 1 callback. It'll be tough. Go in, have a good attitude, and just hope for the best.

[de5igual]

I'll be honest. I went to a similarly tiered school, and most of the law firms have a 3.3 cut-off. I had around the same GPA as you did and got only 1 callback. It'll be tough. Go in, have a good attitude, and just hope for the best.

GPAs mean different things at different schools. what matters is rank. a 3.27 at UT would put you well below median, for example.

[Anonymous User]

I'll be honest. I went to a similarly tiered school, and most of the law firms have a 3.3 cut-off. I had around the same GPA as you did and got only 1 callback. It'll be tough. Go in, have a good attitude, and just hope for the best.

GPAs mean different things at different schools. what matters is rank. a 3.27 at UT would put you well below median, for example.

Well, I actually go to the same school . . .

[Aberzombie1892]

I'll be honest. I went to a similarly tiered school, and most of the law firms have a 3.3 cut-off. I had around the same GPA as you did and got only 1 callback. It'll be tough. Go in, have a good attitude, and just hope for the best.

GPAs mean different things at different schools. what matters is rank. a 3.27 at UT would put you well below median, for example.

While that's true, it's unlikely that any of the T18 curve below 3.3 for 1L.

[fingersxd]

While that's true, it's unlikely that any of the T18 curve below 3.3 for 1L.

Not sure what schools you're thinking of, but I know Vandy and UCLA are both below 3.3 at the median.

[Anonymous User]

I have a 3.7 at UCLA and am also wondering what I should do at OCI (don't mean to hijack thread, just seems better than creating a new one).

Not a URM
Non-technical undergrad degree
Do have ties to Norcal but am open to all of CA

[Anonymous User]

Guess I'll chime in as a fellow UCLA rising 2L. I'm pretty much in the OP's position and would love to hear any advice anyone has. Also looking for CA.

[Dman]

I am a recent 2012 UCLA grad. I also was a transfer student. That being said, I am very familiar with firm cutoffs and the overall OCI circus. I did OCI both as a 2L and a 3L. I also never shied away from talking about OCI with people and have plenty of anecdotal stories on what people have done over the past couple years. Some pointers:

use your bids on the V100 firms and the local firms with good reputations such as Loeb and Loeb. The mega firms will have multiple days of interviews with much higher GPA cutoffs. Many people will be conservative in their bidding and these firms will all have open spots after the lottery that you can self add. Even if there is no spots for the large firms, since they have so many people coming on multiple days, it is easy for them to add you in if you stop by their suite in the morning. Or better yet, e-mail the coordinator proactively and have them fit you in before OCi starts. Also spots for non Ca offices tend to fill up much slower as well. It is relatively easy to get a spot for NY, for example.

As for GPA. 3.3 is the minimum cut off for most big law jobs, but that is the bottom of the barrel and it goes up from there. I think Paul Hastings is a 3.4, Maeyer Brown and Latham are a 3.5 and firms such as Simpson Thatcher and Irell are a min of 3.7.

Also, DO NOT WAIT FOR OCI. Start applying now, even to OCI firms. Hell you might even get a callback style interview even before OCI starts. The worst that will happen is they tell you to wait for OCI, you have everything to gain.

Lastly, if you want help on a specific bidding strategy, feel free to PM me. I am willing to give an opinion based on my observations.

[Anonymous User]

I'm not sure why everyone thinks UCLA's median is a 3.2. You can't figure out the median by taking the mean of the "suggested" curve. From what I've seen, teachers give way more B+ than B, more A than A-, and they go crazy with the A+'s. One of my 1L teachers gave 30 B+'s and 8 Bs. The discretion in the curve can push the mean grade in individual classes up to and above a 3.3, and I get the feeling that's what actually happens. Plus, as far as I know, UCLA does not for any purpose release any ranks or grade cutoffs after 1L, including a median, so everyone is just guessing.

At any rate, OP you're going to have a really tough time at OCI, and I suggest you start applying right now. Be very aggressive at OCI too, I knew a couple people that got offers with your grades.

To the kid with the 3.7, you're going to have several offers. Just gather some basic knowledge about OCI, make sure you end up with at least 10 screeners, primarily from firms with large summer classes, and you'll be fine. EDIT: Reread and thought this is just a little too optimistic. You do need to take OCI very seriously, sign up for as many interviews as you can get and go on all of them, clean up and dress well, and be generally friendly and nonoffensive. I don't know any current 3Ls who had 3.7s and didn't get a few offers, but I'm sure they exist. Plus who knows, Spain might default by September and hiring might go down the shitter.

[zomginternets]

Also, DO NOT WAIT FOR OCI. Start applying now, even to OCI firms. Hell you might even get a callback style interview even before OCI starts. The worst that will happen is they tell you to wait for OCI, you have everything to gain.

This cannot be emphasized enough.

[Dman]

I don't know any current 3Ls who had 3.7s and didn't get a few offers, but I'm sure they exist. Plus who knows, Spain might default by September and hiring might go down the shitter.

I know one rising 3L who had over a 3.7 who got nothing at OCI, he eventually landed something as an alternate but he got in due to some very fortunate circumstances. I also know of a few folks with 3.5+ and law review who got squat. OCI is not the be all end all, but as the above poster mentioned. Be aggressive.

Also something else I wish someone told me, pad the GPA. Take uncurved classes and clinics during 2L fall. In the event OCI does not work out, you want to look as strong as possible heading into December.

[Anonymous User]

What kinds of firms should median (or slightly above) at USC/UCLA bid on or mass mail? Any insight would be appreciated.

[Anonymous User]

anything?

[Anonymous User]

TLS East coast bias strikes again!