3L OCI worth it? [Want different market] Forum

[T20Hero]

Is OCI even worth it as a 3L?

I am at a 18-23 law school, just inside top 10% summering at a large firm in a location I hate. Do I have a shot as an incomming 3L trying to enter either NY/DC/ Chicago?

[QContinuum]

Is OCI even worth it as a 3L?

I am at a 18-23 law school, just inside top 10% summering at a large firm in a location I hate. Do I have a shot as an incomming 3L trying to enter either NY/DC/ Chicago?

Sure, 3L OCI is a crapshoot even at the T6, but what's the alternative - not trying?

Well, I guess there's one alternative. Does your firm have other large offices in "better" locations, and would they be open to you starting there instead? It may be difficult to be approved to start in a small satellite office, but if your firm has a large NY/etc. office, they may very well be willing to have you start there next year. I have a number of friends who were granted such requests.

(I also split this off into its own thread - the question wasn't appropriate for the Vale thread, which is for those who struck out of landing a 2L SA/BigFed gig.)

[icansortofmath]

I know a lot of people with 2L SA experience that did well during 3L OCI and recruiting during 3L in general.

[Anonymous User]

I know a lot of people with 2L SA experience that did well during 3L OCI and recruiting during 3L in general.

Hi sorry to hijack the thread -- can you please provide more details on this? I am particularly curious as to the grades they have and the range of their prior firms. I am at a NY V50 now and targeting higher-ranked NY firms for 3L OCI. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

I know a lot of people with 2L SA experience that did well during 3L OCI and recruiting during 3L in general.

Hi sorry to hijack the thread -- can you please provide more details on this? I am particularly curious as to the grades they have and the range of their prior firms. I am at a NY V50 now and targeting higher-ranked NY firms for 3L OCI. Thanks!

Anecdotally, 4 folks I have known who did 3L OCI as follows.

2 people who struck out at OCI: 1 worked at a bank over the summer and hustled networking with a 3.2 from a T20 school and ended up in biglaw (V50) in the fall of 3L. 1 did something I can't remember over the summer (I think also a bank?), had something like a 3.2 also at a T20 and ended up in biglaw (V50) right after graduation.

2 people who got some firm job at OCI: 1 did a SA at a V50 firm, and a pretty good GPA (maybe like 3.5?), didn't like the market, and got a job at a V10 in a different market fall of 3L. 1 did a SA at a midsize regional firm with a 3.1 or 3.2 from a T20, didn't like the market, and got a job at a regionally well-known firm sometime spring of 3L.

[Anonymous User]

I know a lot of people with 2L SA experience that did well during 3L OCI and recruiting during 3L in general.

Hi sorry to hijack the thread -- can you please provide more details on this? I am particularly curious as to the grades they have and the range of their prior firms. I am at a NY V50 now and targeting higher-ranked NY firms for 3L OCI. Thanks!

Anecdotally, 4 folks I have known who did 3L OCI as follows.

2 people who struck out at OCI: 1 worked at a bank over the summer and hustled networking with a 3.2 from a T20 school and ended up in biglaw (V50) in the fall of 3L. 1 did something I can't remember over the summer (I think also a bank?), had something like a 3.2 also at a T20 and ended up in biglaw (V50) right after graduation.

2 people who got some firm job at OCI: 1 did a SA at a V50 firm, and a pretty good GPA (maybe like 3.5?), didn't like the market, and got a job at a V10 in a different market fall of 3L. 1 did a SA at a midsize regional firm with a 3.1 or 3.2 from a T20, didn't like the market, and got a job at a regionally well-known firm sometime spring of 3L.

Thanks so much, this is extremely helpful.

[icansortofmath]

Some firms (looking at you Quinn) other firms’ 2L summers too.

[oblig.lawl.ref]

yes

[shock259]

Why would you not even try? Don't get your hopes up, but it's obviously worth at least trying if you want to move to a different market.

[UnfrozenCaveman]

As an alternative to 3L OCI crapshoot, start getting your application materials ready and develop a good story for why you want to leave (location, practice area or both). Then start applying, probably later this month, early July.

[Anonymous User]

Different poster here. Also interested in 3L hiring.

Is it okay to send out letters for 3L hiring while at a 2L SA? I anticipate receiving an offer from my firm (V10 with 100% offer rate), but offers won't be handed out until the last week of the summer program.

Or is it better to wait until I receive the offer? I don't want to come off as too sharky, but I also don't want to be late the party.

[icansortofmath]

I didn’t wait for the offer but most interviews came early spring semester anyway. My suspicion is firm’s wait for offers to see how many spots they have.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks. Since firms are slower with 3L hiring, is it best to accept the offer with the summer firm, then renege upon receipt of a superior offer? Ideally I’d like to avoid reneging all together, but it appears unavoidable if 3L offers come in after the NALP offer period expires (beginning of October I think).

[icansortofmath]

All I will say is I know a lot of people reneged.

[Anonymous User]

I switched from LA to NYC to a V10 3L summer. Not sure about 3L OCI, but just emailed a few firms I was interested in and got an offer.