Question about biglaw callback dates

[donoghue]

I have callbacks at several firms in Vault's top 10. How much does it matter when I schedule my callbacks? I remember hearing somewhere that it's better to schedule them as early as possible, as many firms hire associates as soon as they can, so taking a late callback slot lowers your chances of being hired. Is this true? And if so, how late is too late? If the only date that works for me and a firm (say, Cravath) is fairly late (say, Sept. 1), should I be worried?

[Anonymous User]

I think it matters a lot, and you're at a significant disadvantage if you're doing your CBs later in their process. As an anecdote, I went 4/5 to start my CBs, but 0/7 to finish them.

[dixiecupdrinking]

It matters. Firms don't distribute offers evenly over interview season. They'll give offers to the first people in the door who they like. That means if they want to make X offers to get around Y summers, and it's September 1 and they have already given (X-10) offers, then they only have 10 offers to make to everyone else. That might mean someone who interviews in September has to be more impressive than someone who interviews in August to get one of those remaining slots.

It's not an exact science like this, and firms with bigger classes will probably have less variance over time as to who gets an offer and who doesn't, but it's always best to get in sooner than later.

TLDR cancel your plans and schedule your top choices first.

[sparkytrainer]

Yeah you can't be doing callbacks in September and hoping to get an offer. You need to cancel everything and do callbacks ASAP. Offers are already out at a lot of places.

[donoghue]

Got it-- Thanks everyone! Was not aware of how dire callback scheduling is and I'm working on rescheduling my stuff now.

Just out of curiosity, do we think that even more selective firms like S&C or Cravath would approach hiring in the same way, such that someone who does a callback on Aug. 15 is at a marked advantage over someone who does a callback on Aug. 30?

[sparkytrainer]

Got it-- Thanks everyone! Was not aware of how dire callback scheduling is and I'm working on rescheduling my stuff now.

Just out of curiosity, do we think that even more selective firms like S&C or Cravath would approach hiring in the same way, such that someone who does a callback on Aug. 15 is at a marked advantage over someone who does a callback on Aug. 30?

Yes, even more so because more kids will probably accept as soon as they have an offer. If anything, it's more dire.

[Anonymous User]

When is officially too late? If EIP was the first week of August. August 22nd is my last CB interview. Is it worth calling back to reschedule. Also, I scheduled a firm I really like for August 17th. Worth rescheduling?

[sparkytrainer]

When is officially too late? If EIP was the first week of August. August 22nd is my last CB interview. Is it worth calling back to reschedule. Also, I scheduled a firm I really like for August 17th. Worth rescheduling?

If it can be sooner, the better. Always the sooner the better.

[Anonymous User]

What if the firm told me the earliest date available is August 17th? Do you think that shows a lack of interest on their part?

[sparkytrainer]

What if the firm told me the earliest date available is August 17th? Do you think that shows a lack of interest on their part?

No idea, maybe people just scheduled before you. Nothing you can do then, just be ready.

[dixiecupdrinking]

Don't overthink this. If firms have no earlier times, they have no earlier times. There is no good way to know how or whether any particular interview date will affect your odds at any particular firm. Just get in as soon as you can, all else equal.