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So i just started 3L year and have been mass mailing the big regional firms and reaching out to alumni partners at those firms for informational interviews.

I just got a call yesterday inviting me in for a screener at one of the city's best firms (think V50). Im obviously really happy about it, just a little uncertain about what it means and what my chances are relative to having a regular OCI screener.

I'm thinking that the firm must have had one or two SA's that didn't accept their offers. That, or they no-offered a couple. Either way, I figure that that must bode well for me. I am in a pretty unique situation: I am in the top 5% of my class at a strong regional school that usually places top 10% in big law, on the LR and the Moot court team. I just fucked up OCI last year and was left offer-less

does anyone have any insight regarding 3L screener interviews? Is it a better sign than getting one through OCI, the same, or case-by case?

I'd just say case-by-case. Maybe your resume landed at the very moment that firm realized it had a need for another first year attorney to start in 2015, and needed to square that shit away right now. It's as good as any interview - an opportunity. They liked you enough to consider you for an interview, so like any interview, be confident. Maybe get yourself a mock-interview, just because you say you struck out last OCI and maybe a refresher / objective assessment of how you interview would help. Good luck - this is a good development.

Speculation can't help you. It really can't. Even if someone had a real answer for you, it wouldn't tell you anything useful. You have an opportunity to sit down a and convince someone that you want the job and would be good at it. That's all you need to know.

Good luck.