Below Median at UCLA/USC - OCI Bid List Forum

[Anonymous User]

I'm currently compiling my bid list for 2L OCI, and had a couple of questions for everyone.

My class rank is solidly at/slightly below median, 1 year WE but basically K-JD, UCLA/USC with strong ties to both Nor-Cal and SoCal (Fiancee, Parents). I have no debt, so definitely not dropping out. I don't mind what I do as long as I have a semi-decent job. Not IP. Decent interviewer.

First question, are lottery interviews with firms that are significantly out of my GPA range worthwhile to pursue? For example, firm average GPA callback is at 3.4 and I'm at a 3.2? While a chance may be a chance, I would rather spend my energy for something more production then impossible odds.

Second, should I even include my GPA on my resume for OCI or mass mailing? OCI is part lottery (70%), and part pre-select. Leaving the GPA off seems weird to me, but I've heard advice that says I should leave it off if it's under 3.3.

In addition to bidding on every firm at OCI that has a 0.1+/- GPA callback range near my GPA, I was wondering if anyone had any advice on which firms I should mass mail to in California. Also if I should try mass mailing NY even with no ties and such mediocre grades.

General target/reach firms: (Not in bidding order) Comments and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

Best, Best & Krieger
Dykema
Hahn and Hahn
Hooper, Lundy & Bookman
Nixon Peabody
Ropes and Gray
Stardling, Yocca
Allen Matkins
DLA Piper
Dechert
Haynes & Boone
Hogan Lovells
K&L Gates
Mayer BRown
Milbank, Tweed
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius

Lastly, my student mentor last year was an attractive Asian girl with similar background/grades and I know she did very well at OCI. Is this an indication that maybe firms are loosening up their standards or pure anomaly? As I am neither attractive or Asian or a girl, I would sincerely hope so.

Thanks everyone.

[Anonymous User]

Lastly, my student mentor last year was an attractive Asian girl with similar background/grades and I know she did very well at OCI. Is this an indication that maybe firms are loosening up their standards or pure anomaly? As I am neither attractive or Asian or a girl, I would sincerely hope so.

Thanks everyone.

Might explain the lack of help you're getting. She could just be an excellent interviewer.

[Anonymous User]

Where did you get the % callback with corresponding gpa figures?

[NYC2012]

.

[PvblivsScipio]

3.2 is almost certainly too low for Milbank. They usually take 3 total from UCLA & USC and a 3.2 won't cut it.

[wholahoop]

Lastly, my student mentor last year was an attractive Asian girl with similar background/grades and I know she did very well at OCI. Is this an indication that maybe firms are loosening up their standards or pure anomaly? As I am neither attractive or Asian or a girl, I would sincerely hope so.

Thanks everyone.

Might explain the lack of help you're getting. She could just be an excellent interviewer.

I don't think he meant it in a mean way, I just think he was more surprised because her grades were at/below median and she still did well.

OP here. Yeah, that's probably bad word choice on my part, but I definitely did not mean it in a negative way. NYC2012 has it exactly right, I was just curious about the impact of ethnicity/looks/gender on OCI results. Her results are just completely contrary to what I've read on the forum so far for people in my GPA range. Granted she is very personable and charming, so her interviews probably all went well.

I was hoping that someone might say that there's a trend of lower requirements... but that's just wishful thinking.

3.2 is almost certainly too low for Milbank. They usually take 3 total from UCLA & USC and a 3.2 won't cut it.

Thanks! I'll adjust the bidding list accordingly.

[LazyLASA]

Honestly, it's going to be hard to get LA biglaw below median from either of those schools because of how small all of the LA summer classes are. It's definitely possible, just unlikely. You should certainly try, it might happen, I just want to prepare you and urge you to also consider New York if you're willing.

3.2 is almost certainly too low for Milbank. They usually take 3 total from UCLA & USC and a 3.2 won't cut it.

From what I know, I have to agree with this statement.

[goden]

Throw in Locke lord if they're gonna be there

[goden]

Probably add:
Ballard Spahr
Blank Rome
Drinker Biddle
Fox Rothschild
Greenberg Glusker
Greenberg Traurig
Holland & Knight
Katten Muchin
Perkins Coie
Pillsbury
Polsinelli
Snell & Wilmer
Venable

Since you seem to be fine with Orange County (during interviews you really have to give a compelling reason for wanting to remain in Orange County > LA/SF/SV):
Brown Rudnick
Fisher & Phillips
Michelman & Robinson
Troutman Sanders

If you have room for even more long shots:
Alston & Bird
Cox Castle & Nicholson
Foley & Lardner
Goodwin Proctor
Hunton & Williams
Littler
Manatt
Norton Rose
Orrick
Reed Smith
Sheppard Mullin
White & Case

Know that your chances of getting an offer from OCI are low. Don't let your attractive Asian girl mentor mislead you and give you false hope. You're gonna have to knock it out of the park in your interviews. Reach out to as many people you know in these firms and talk to them. Then bring up your conversations with these people during the interviews. Good luck.

[Anonymous User]

For those of you targeting LA but also considering NY as a backup - are you mass mailing only the NY firms that aren't coming to OCI, or all the NY offices of firms? Does it look sketchy if I'm interviewing with firms at OCI for their LA offices and they find out I'm also applying (separately) to their NY offices? Esp. if we are only allowed to bid one office of the firm on Symplicity.

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

I'm UCLA with a 3.1. Wondering how OCI went for you and (if it was like mine) what your plan is now?

[Anonymous User]

I'm also in the same boat from USC, do you mind sharing how OCI and your eventual job hunt went?

[Anonymous User]

I was around median at USC. Struck out at all my big firm callbacks received through OCI. I'm somewhat awkward but nothing outrageous, so you may fare better with a great personality. If you don't have one of those, don't waste your time with reaches or large firm receptions. A better use of your time would be to target midsized firms in LA and secondary markets. That's how I got my SA.

Some firms I've heard of that will dip: blank rome, best best, cox castle.

There are countless CA firms with 25-100 attorneys that recruit SAs without OCI. Check symplicity. Someone will want you if you're persistent. You go to a respected school. Don't give up if August and September roll by without an offer. Your goal should be to get a job by Christmas.

[Anonymous User]

Are your ties to cities smaller than LA and SF? I think your best bet is going to be to target out of the way markets where the UCLA cachet will hopefully do more to drown out the rank. BB&K is a great bet for inland empire. Up north I might consider the likes of Downey Brand, Winetraub Tobin, McCormick Barstow, etc. Seems like kind of an obvious point but less people are gunning for less desirable cities.