Transfer-Unfriendly Firms? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm a T10 transfer coming in from a T40 where I'm top 10% with law review. OCIs are fast approaching, and I'm a little unsure about where to bid.

I looked at this thread about firms that tend to like transfers: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 3&t=159813 and found it useful. One thing I do want to know, however, is where NOT to bid.

I know there are some firms that don't seem to want to take transfers. Which firms are these? I definitely don't want to be wasting my bids on any firms that aren't going to give me a serious shot.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone? Which firms are best for transfers to bid low / not bid at all?

[tww909]

Don't bid W&C. They don't hire transfers unless they do OCI at your 1L school.

Aside from that I know people in my transfer class (granted at SLS) who had offers everywhere from Cravath down. There may be other firms here or there that have antitransfer hiring policies, but the only one I'm aware of is W&C.

[Anonymous User]

I'm assuming W&C is Williams & Connolly?

How will firms look at me? Should I just assume for the purposes of OCI that I'm median at my new school? Or is that too conservative?

[Anonymous User]

Don't bid W&C. They don't hire transfers unless they do OCI at your 1L school.

Aside from that I know people in my transfer class (granted at SLS) who had offers everywhere from Cravath down. There may be other firms here or there that have antitransfer hiring policies, but the only one I'm aware of is W&C.

This is not true.

[Anonymous User]

Don't bid W&C. They don't hire transfers unless they do OCI at your 1L school.

Aside from that I know people in my transfer class (granted at SLS) who had offers everywhere from Cravath down. There may be other firms here or there that have antitransfer hiring policies, but the only one I'm aware of is W&C.

This is not true.

Yeah I also know a transfer who summered/started there from a lower t1

[Jay2716]

I'm assuming W&C is Williams & Connolly?

How will firms look at me? Should I just assume for the purposes of OCI that I'm median at my new school? Or is that too conservative?

Most people I've talked to say they use your old school/rank.

[PublicInterest]

I was a former transfer with similar stats. I found literally every single firm to be receptive in the nyc market. I cant think of a single one that wasnt.

[shock259]

Your OCS should have some data on this. When I transferred to CLS, I was given a spreadsheet with information on which firms gave callbacks/offers to transfer students. But basically, the gist was that almost all firms are open to transfers.

The more important thing is whether your 1L grades/school combo are good enough to qualify for a certain firm. For instance, if you're top 5% from a T2 and transfer into CLS or NYU, you'll be in great shape for ~V50s that are slightly less selective grade selective. But you probably won't be competitive at V5 firms that are more grade-selective. It's not because those firms don't like transfers generally, but because your grades just aren't good enough for their cutoffs.

[tww909]

Don't bid W&C. They don't hire transfers unless they do OCI at your 1L school.

Aside from that I know people in my transfer class (granted at SLS) who had offers everywhere from Cravath down. There may be other firms here or there that have antitransfer hiring policies, but the only one I'm aware of is W&C.

This is not true.

Yeah I also know a transfer who summered/started there from a lower t1

I stand corrected. I wonder if policies have changed or if it was a one off interviewer who told that to a friend of mine.

[SLS_AMG]

Your OCS should have some data on this. When I transferred to CLS, I was given a spreadsheet with information on which firms gave callbacks/offers to transfer students. But basically, the gist was that almost all firms are open to transfers.

The more important thing is whether your 1L grades/school combo are good enough to qualify for a certain firm. For instance, if you're top 5% from a T2 and transfer into CLS or NYU, you'll be in great shape for ~V50s that are slightly less selective grade selective. But you probably won't be competitive at V5 firms that are more grade-selective. It's not because those firms don't like transfers generally, but because your grades just aren't good enough for their cutoffs.

This seems accurate. Someone at the very top of their class from a T1 may be able to get just about any firm barring perhaps Wachtell and W&C. (I've also heard some firms like Munger, Keker, and a few others don't look at transfers). But it really depends on your old school and rank. I would think OP can get some of the V20s if s/he interviews well, but S&C and Cravath would almost certainly seem out of reach since they expect OP-like grades (perhaps slightly below) from students who actually got those grades at the top-ten school.