Possible PSA: Strategy for Strikeouts Forum

[Anonymous User]

Find a reason to take a leave of absence for 2L year, and then re-do 2L OCI because you don't have enough credits to be considered a 3L.

Multiple people at my school have done this (though all had good reasons) and they all had multiple offers when they went through a second time and corrected their mistakes.

Given the success rates I've seen, I can't believe this isn't part of TLS wisdom yet. Perhaps because if everyone did it employers would start to catch on?

Anyway, let's discuss.

(anon because my username connects me to my school which would effectively out those who have done this)

[Anonymous User]

What happens to outstanding loan balances in the interim?

What qualifies as a good reason?

Isn't this something you'd have to explain to employers?

[Anonymous User]

What happens to outstanding loan balances in the interim?

Not sure.

What qualifies as a good reason?

This will vary by school, so there probably isn't a universal guide for what a "good reason" is.

Isn't this something you'd have to explain to employers?

Maybe if they notice/ask/care. But, judging from the results I've seen, it seems like it can be overcome. These people generally interviewed with different firms the second time around (which works if the reason you struck out was aggressively bidding a selective market)

[Anonymous User]

this sounds like an awful idea. and im gonna be a strikeout.

[Anonymous User]

Find a reason to take a leave of absence for 2L year, and then re-do 2L OCI because you don't have enough credits to be considered a 3L.

Or, do what I did and enroll in a dual degree JD/XXX program that takes longer than three years. You'll have an extra summer after 3L, and if your career development office cares about you at all, they'll let you bid on 2L OCI again for that summer. Dual degree students have done this at my school with a very high success rate. Problem with this plan might be that by the time you realize you struck out at 2L OCI, it's probably already too late to enroll in another degree program.

[Anonymous User]

this sounds like an awful idea. and im gonna be a strikeout.

Why is it awful? Seems like it gives you a second bite at the apple. Which can be huge for someone with tons of debt and weak job prospects otherwise.

[Anonymous User]

Find a reason to take a leave of absence for 2L year, and then re-do 2L OCI because you don't have enough credits to be considered a 3L.

Or, do what I did and enroll in a dual degree JD/XXX program that takes longer than three years. You'll have an extra summer after 3L, and if your career development office cares about you at all, they'll let you bid on 2L OCI again for that summer. Dual degree students have done this at my school with a very high success rate. Problem with this plan might be that by the time you realize you struck out at 2L OCI, it's probably already too late to enroll in another degree program.

This is probably the most credited (especially if you get an MBA and you go to a firm which pays a bonus for it), but it's another year of tuition to add on and you likely can't work while completing it.

[mr.hands]

In pretty sure that your loans would become due 6 months after you leave school. That's a crazy plan if you don't have a really really good reason. I can't imagine doing my second OCI knowing that loans were due and my entire year came to a few interviews in the fall. Talk about pressure

[FSK]

If you do get an MBA in doing this, you loose the opportunity to get an MBA at a top institution later on (assuming that doesn't already line up for you). Not opining on the value of MBA after JD, but certainly a consideration.

[Jchance]

Find a reason to take a leave of absence for 2L year, and then re-do 2L OCI because you don't have enough credits to be considered a 3L.

Or, do what I did and enroll in a dual degree JD/XXX program that takes longer than three years. You'll have an extra summer after 3L, and if your career development office cares about you at all, they'll let you bid on 2L OCI again for that summer. Dual degree students have done this at my school with a very high success rate. Problem with this plan might be that by the time you realize you struck out at 2L OCI, it's probably already too late to enroll in another degree program.

This is TCR. Some grad degree pays for your tuition + gives u stipend (think Science). Even if its past the deadline, go talk to the admission of the grad program--its easier to get admitted as a current student at that school.

[Anonymous User]

I tacked on the MBA after striking out and got an offer this year in my target market. Giving up the option to do it at a better school was tough though, especially since I crushed the GMAT.

[Anonymous User]

I tacked on the MBA after striking out and got an offer this year in my target market. Giving up the option to do it at a better school was tough though, especially since I crushed the GMAT.

Yeah, adding on the MBA is my plan if I strike out and while my schools program is solid I would prefer not to have to do it there. I had a decent but not great amount of callbacks so I think it will be ok but you never know until you have something in hand. I'm glad it ended up working out for you, nice job on the offer