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So I was fortunate enough to receive a pre-oci offer from a firm I like, but this offer is about to expire (in a little less than a week. There are 2 or 3 other firms that I would possibly prefer, but I haven't heard back from any of them (had cbs, but still waiting). What is the right way to approach this scenario? I know that I should call/email the recruiters at these firms, but what should I say? Is it ok to press these firms for a decision even if I end up not accepting their offer (if I get one)?

Press recruiting for decisions and/or ask for an extension, don't let it expire. The way this cycle is going, you don't wanna be stuck outside in the rain thinking the key is under the mat when you could've parked in the garage.

Dr. Nefario wrote:The way this cycle is going, you don't wanna be stuck outside in the rain thinking the key is under the mat when you could've parked in the garage.

i dont get this 100% but its awesome

Anonymous User wrote:

Dr. Nefario wrote:The way this cycle is going, you don't wanna be stuck outside in the rain thinking the key is under the mat when you could've parked in the garage.

OP here. Yeah there's no way I would let the existing offer expire. I guess my question is more about whether I can press one of my preferred firms for an offer by saying that I would rather work at their firm, and then end up not accepting it (if one of my other preferred firms gave me an offer as well).

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Dr. Nefario wrote:The way this cycle is going, you don't wanna be stuck outside in the rain thinking the key is under the mat when you could've parked in the garage.

OP here. Yeah there's no way I would let the existing offer expire. I guess my question is more about whether I can press one of my preferred firms for an offer by saying that I would rather work at their firm, and then end up not accepting it (if one of my other preferred firms gave me an offer as well).

IMO during OCI every firm probably expects to hear they're your "top" firm, so yeah press away.

Anonymous User wrote:So I was fortunate enough to receive a pre-oci offer from a firm I like, but this offer is about to expire (in a little less than a week. There are 2 or 3 other firms that I would possibly prefer, but I haven't heard back from any of them (had cbs, but still waiting). What is the right way to approach this scenario? I know that I should call/email the recruiters at these firms, but what should I say? Is it ok to press these firms for a decision even if I end up not accepting their offer (if I get one)?

Don't press, but definitely inform (in fact, most firms will ask you to tell them if you have deadlines from other firms). Just call and say that you have an offer expiring on x date (tell them the exact date it expires) and ask if they could tell you when you can expect to hear from their firm. Don't say their firm is your top choice if it's not true. Fine to say you would prefer their firm to the firm where you have the expiring offer, but they'll assume that by virtue of the fact that you're calling them (if that weren't true, presumably you wouldn't be calling them). If they know you have a deadline, they will try to get you a decision before your deadline if they can.

You can also ask the firm where you have an offer for an extension of the deadline (though, of course, it's better to hear from the other firm before your deadline if that's possible). Some firms will give extensions as a matter of course, but some won't. Also, under NALP rules, a firm giving a pre-OCI offer is supposed to hold the offer open for at least 28 days from the first day of your school's OCI. Unless your school started OCI in July, your offer shouldn't be expiring in less than a week. If the firm is violating the NALP rule, it may be worth letting your career services office know.

enibs wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:So I was fortunate enough to receive a pre-oci offer from a firm I like, but this offer is about to expire (in a little less than a week. There are 2 or 3 other firms that I would possibly prefer, but I haven't heard back from any of them (had cbs, but still waiting). What is the right way to approach this scenario? I know that I should call/email the recruiters at these firms, but what should I say? Is it ok to press these firms for a decision even if I end up not accepting their offer (if I get one)?

Don't press, but definitely inform (in fact, most firms will ask you to tell them if you have deadlines from other firms). Just call and say that you have an offer expiring on x date (tell them the exact date it expires) and ask if they could tell you when you can expect to hear from their firm. Don't say their firm is your top choice if it's not true. Fine to say you would prefer their firm to the firm where you have the expiring offer, but they'll assume that by virtue of the fact that you're calling them (if that weren't true, presumably you wouldn't be calling them). If they know you have a deadline, they will try to get you a decision before your deadline if they can.

You can also ask the firm where you have an offer for an extension of the deadline (though, of course, it's better to hear from the other firm before your deadline if that's possible). Some firms will give extensions as a matter of course, but some won't. Also, under NALP rules, a firm giving a pre-OCI offer is supposed to hold the offer open for at least 28 days from the first day of your school's OCI. Unless your school started OCI in July, your offer shouldn't be expiring in less than a week. If the firm is violating the NALP rule, it may be worth letting your career services office know.

Ya... don't do this. Do not report the firm that has given you an offer to your Career services.

RaceJudicata wrote:Ya... don't do this. Do not report the firm that has given you an offer to your Career services.

Okay, after I posted I figured someone might object to this, and I agree it's best not to do this while the offer is pending or if OP accepts the offer. But if OP ultimately rejects the offer - and if the deadline the firm set is in fact a violation of NALP rules - OP would be doing everyone a favor to report it. The whole system is screwed up enough as it is without firms undermining the minimal protections that the NALP rules provide. The only way the schools can keep firms from doing this is if they know about violations.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:

Dr. Nefario wrote:The way this cycle is going, you don't wanna be stuck outside in the rain thinking the key is under the mat when you could've parked in the garage.

OP here. Yeah there's no way I would let the existing offer expire. I guess my question is more about whether I can press one of my preferred firms for an offer by saying that I would rather work at their firm, and then end up not accepting it (if one of my other preferred firms gave me an offer as well).

Even if this happened, who really cares. It's your life; the firm wouldn't do anything about it.

When did your OCI start? If I'm not mistaken, the 28 days doesn't start, regardless of when the offer was given, until the first day of your school's OCI.