is targeting NY OCI the right course here? Forum

[lilsnh]

Hi, I am poised to start applying for OCI and wanted to ask whether targeting NY offices was wise. I attend a T-25 near a popular and insular market where I have no personal ties. While the CSO stresses our network in this market, my grades are not that great. They are probably slightly above median, and I have no journals or moot court to speak of. Most importantly, I am an international student. I believe only biglaw firms will bother to sponsor my visa, hence I need to bid wisely for this to be even feasible. Is targeting exclusively NY firms the best recourse here, or should I stick to the market close to my school? Thanks in advance.

[cfcm]

There is no reason you need to choose one or the other.

[YA_Tittle]

You should definitely be doing both. Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Just make sure you can make a good case that you want to be in the market near your school.

[floatie]

Hi, I am poised to start applying for OCI and wanted to ask whether targeting NY offices was wise. I attend a T-25 near a popular and insular market where I have no personal ties. While the CSO stresses our network in this market, my grades are not that great. They are probably slightly above median, and I have no journals or moot court to speak of. Most importantly, I am an international student. I believe only biglaw firms will bother to sponsor my visa, hence I need to bid wisely for this to be even feasible. Is targeting exclusively NY firms the best recourse here, or should I stick to the market close to my school? Thanks in advance.

Based on your description, I think I graduated from the same law school you're talking about. PM me if you want to talk more.

But basically, don't limit yourself. If your grades are median, you'll need to apply VERY broadly. If you're in an insular market without ties (particularly in the South), it'll be difficult to get an offer. NY firms are a little more flexible with grades and they have much bigger summer class sizes, so you should be applying very broadly to NY firms. But look into other big markets as well (DC, SF, Chi, etc).

[wldecisions]

But basically, don't limit yourself. If your grades are median, you'll need to apply VERY broadly. If you're in an insular market without ties (particularly in the South), it'll be difficult to get an offer. NY firms are a little more flexible with grades and they have much bigger summer class sizes, so you should be applying very broadly to NY firms. But look into other big markets as well (DC, SF, Chi, etc).

+1, with the caveat that DC is significantly more competitive than NY & SF/Chi can also be fairly insular.