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So, I'm top 10% at MVP and am looking pretty heavily at California, the Bay Area in particular. The problem is, I have only minimal ties (dad grew up in San Diego and my grandmother + Aunt still life there). Is the Bay Area sufficiently parochial/small such that I stand no chance, or will my grades be sufficient for me to push for something there?

SV will care more about interest in the kind of work they do. SF will care more about ties. I think you will be at least somewhat grilled on ties in SF, I think grades plus your CA ties will help if you have a good reason for SF.

I had slightly worse grades at a slightly worse school and ended up with multiple offers in both markets (SV and SF). Ties were pretty weak. I explained my interest in the work and in the lifestyle as juxtaposed against NYC and that seemed to work fine. I suspect you'll have a similar outcome if you're relatively personable.

Don't worry. Ties matter less than you think. So many people here have minimal ties to the Bay Area. I actually think it makes no difference whether you apply to SF or SV when it comes to ties. Pedigree counts for a lot more.

Awesome! Thanks all of you! I'm mostly looking at Wilson Sonsini (among other firms) for their start up practice (I've worked for 4 so far in non-technical capacities and want to continue doing stuff like that).

Anonymous User wrote:Awesome! Thanks all of you! I'm mostly looking at Wilson Sonsini (among other firms) for their start up practice (I've worked for 4 so far in non-technical capacities and want to continue doing stuff like that).

I'm sure you know this, but I would keep an open perspective given how tough the market is (and you never know whether you will really like a firm). If you like corporate work, think broader, like Fenwick, Cooley, Goodwin, Covington, etc.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:Awesome! Thanks all of you! I'm mostly looking at Wilson Sonsini (among other firms) for their start up practice (I've worked for 4 so far in non-technical capacities and want to continue doing stuff like that).

I'm sure you know this, but I would keep an open perspective given how tough the market is (and you never know whether you will really like a firm). If you like corporate work, think broader, like Fenwick, Cooley, Goodwin, Covington, etc.

These threads may be helpful:

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... &view=next

http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=194362

OP here, thanks again, this is going to be super helpful! Good luck to everyone else with OCI stuff!