Pre-OCI 2021 Forum

[feminist.supporter]

so my GPA second semester shot up -- 3.78 -> 3.98 and I jumped from top 15% to ~6% in class rank and (presumably - based on past cutoffs that have held steady for 4 years) graded onto law review. Official GPA/class rank is not released until Friday. Should I hit firms up now for pre-OCI or wait until the official information is out.

T20 school (if that matters at all)

Apply RIGHT NOW. RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

[Anonymous User]

so my GPA second semester shot up -- 3.78 -> 3.98 and I jumped from top 15% to ~6% in class rank and (presumably - based on past cutoffs that have held steady for 4 years) graded onto law review. Official GPA/class rank is not released until Friday. Should I hit firms up now for pre-OCI or wait until the official information is out.

T20 school (if that matters at all)

Apply RIGHT NOW. RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

Well I'm at work on a remote desktop - I can't do it now now haha but I will tonight. How should I handle those numbers on resume? Since they aren't set in stone.

[Anonymous User]

Would a mid 3.5 at a t-6 be competitive?

[Anonymous User]

Video screeners from White & Case and Sheppard Mullin--is this meaningful or do they go out to all applicants?

[Anonymous User]

Video screeners from White & Case and Sheppard Mullin--is this meaningful or do they go out to all applicants?

I also got a video screener invitation from W&C. I did not think I'd be very competitive (around top 25% from a t20). Either I was wrong on that or they go out to everyone/almost everyone. I'm going to choose to believe the former and be excited about it.

[Anonymous User]

Would a mid 3.5 at a t-6 be competitive?

Almost certainly but somewhat curve dependent? I have no idea where you sit in your class from that

[Anonymous User]

Any sense what the cover letters are for in pre-OCI? I'm a bit of a career changer and trying to work out if I need to address that on the cover letter, or if these are simply a way for firms to see that you can write and know what practice area/office you're interested in. I have solid grades and don't want to have someone look at my resume and be like "why are they changing careers..nope not interested". (FWIW it's not a particularly weird career change or anything).

[Anonymous User]

Would a mid 3.5 at a t-6 be competitive?

Almost certainly but somewhat curve dependent? I have no idea where you sit in your class from that

We aren’t given rank or anything but I believe median is around a 3.3. I’m definitely in top 33% and very likely around top 25%.

[Anonymous User]

Would a mid 3.5 at a t-6 be competitive?

Almost certainly but somewhat curve dependent? I have no idea where you sit in your class from that

We aren’t given rank or anything but I believe median is around a 3.3. I’m definitely in top 33% and very likely around top 25%.

very competitive, you should apply asap.

[feminist.supporter]

so my GPA second semester shot up -- 3.78 -> 3.98 and I jumped from top 15% to ~6% in class rank and (presumably - based on past cutoffs that have held steady for 4 years) graded onto law review. Official GPA/class rank is not released until Friday. Should I hit firms up now for pre-OCI or wait until the official information is out.

T20 school (if that matters at all)

Apply RIGHT NOW. RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

Well I'm at work on a remote desktop - I can't do it now now haha but I will tonight. How should I handle those numbers on resume? Since they aren't set in stone.

Just put 6% given the past cutoffs have been steady for the last 4 years and no reason how this year would be different. 3.98+ main law review will not make anyone question the "6%" number (as opposed to someone with a 3.6 and trying to claim he's top 6%). When the actual class rank is released, then adjust accordingly.

[Anonymous User]

so my GPA second semester shot up -- 3.78 -> 3.98 and I jumped from top 15% to ~6% in class rank and (presumably - based on past cutoffs that have held steady for 4 years) graded onto law review. Official GPA/class rank is not released until Friday. Should I hit firms up now for pre-OCI or wait until the official information is out.

T20 school (if that matters at all)

Apply RIGHT NOW. RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

Well I'm at work on a remote desktop - I can't do it now now haha but I will tonight. How should I handle those numbers on resume? Since they aren't set in stone.

Just put 6% given the past cutoffs have been steady for the last 4 years and no reason how this year would be different. 3.98+ main law review will not make anyone question the "6%" number (as opposed to someone with a 3.6 and trying to claim he's top 6%). When the actual class rank is released, then adjust accordingly.

Taking a wild guess that you go to WUSTL, just considering timing of things, but correct me if I'm wrong. You can't put law review or top whatever % until those go out, the school is pretty strict on that. We also don't have 6% so you would have to say top 10% but you could provide the cutoff for top 5%. Your GPA alone though should be good, and then when those come out it gives you a reason to provide an update. If you've been networking with alums though, now is the time to let those folks know about how you did and remind them of your interest in the firm

[Anonymous User]

so my GPA second semester shot up -- 3.78 -> 3.98 and I jumped from top 15% to ~6% in class rank and (presumably - based on past cutoffs that have held steady for 4 years) graded onto law review. Official GPA/class rank is not released until Friday. Should I hit firms up now for pre-OCI or wait until the official information is out.

T20 school (if that matters at all)

Apply RIGHT NOW. RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

Well I'm at work on a remote desktop - I can't do it now now haha but I will tonight. How should I handle those numbers on resume? Since they aren't set in stone.

Just put 6% given the past cutoffs have been steady for the last 4 years and no reason how this year would be different. 3.98+ main law review will not make anyone question the "6%" number (as opposed to someone with a 3.6 and trying to claim he's top 6%). When the actual class rank is released, then adjust accordingly.

Taking a wild guess that you go to WUSTL, just considering timing of things, but correct me if I'm wrong. You can't put law review or top whatever % until those go out, the school is pretty strict on that. We also don't have 6% so you would have to say top 10% but you could provide the cutoff for top 5%. Your GPA alone though should be good, and then when those come out it gives you a reason to provide an update. If you've been networking with alums though, now is the time to let those folks know about how you did and remind them of your interest in the firm

3.98 at any T20 is an incredible GPA. Start applying -- the entire V10 should be in play so don't waste the GPA. Gets apps in front of recruiting departments ASAP. Putting aside WLRK and lit boutiques, 3.98 at a T20 should be able to open just about any door you would want so focus on your interviewing prep.

[Gene_Either]

Weil NY is interviewing.

[Anonymous User]

do Chicago firms do pre-OCI?

[Anonymous User]

Movement is insanely fast. Got two CBs in less than 24hrs, V10 and V15, NYC.

GPA slightly north of a 3.7 at a T6.

[Anonymous User]

I'm below median at a lower T13 and targeting NY. Is it worth sending in apps now for firms that I'd be in range for at OCI or should I not bother?

[Anonymous User]

I'm below median at a lower T13 and targeting NY. Is it worth sending in apps now for firms that I'd be in range for at OCI or should I not bother?

There's literally no downside.

[Anonymous User]

Not school-sensitive, but largely still grade-sensitive. I mean, you should be at a T50 or so to have a shot at this and be higher up in the class at a non-T-14 (top 5-15% was the range I saw with others). But I’m sure this can be equally fruitful for very well-credentialed candidates at T14s who bother to utilize this process.

can confirm: similar school/GPA, with DCC/SDNY/DEL CH summer and have gotten 3 CB all within 48 hours of applying. 2 V10, 1 V20 in NYC.

[Anonymous User]

so my GPA second semester shot up -- 3.78 -> 3.98 and I jumped from top 15% to ~6% in class rank and (presumably - based on past cutoffs that have held steady for 4 years) graded onto law review. Official GPA/class rank is not released until Friday. Should I hit firms up now for pre-OCI or wait until the official information is out.

T20 school (if that matters at all)

Apply RIGHT NOW. RIGHT FUCKING NOW.

Well I'm at work on a remote desktop - I can't do it now now haha but I will tonight. How should I handle those numbers on resume? Since they aren't set in stone.

Just put 6% given the past cutoffs have been steady for the last 4 years and no reason how this year would be different. 3.98+ main law review will not make anyone question the "6%" number (as opposed to someone with a 3.6 and trying to claim he's top 6%). When the actual class rank is released, then adjust accordingly.

Taking a wild guess that you go to WUSTL, just considering timing of things, but correct me if I'm wrong. You can't put law review or top whatever % until those go out, the school is pretty strict on that. We also don't have 6% so you would have to say top 10% but you could provide the cutoff for top 5%. Your GPA alone though should be good, and then when those come out it gives you a reason to provide an update. If you've been networking with alums though, now is the time to let those folks know about how you did and remind them of your interest in the firm

Yes, WashU. I'm absolutely planning on waiting for actual class rank to come out so I will do that! Don't want to jump the gun or make anyone upset. 6% was based on the top 5% cutoff from fall semester but used the "~" to highlight that it was not a specific cut off and more guess work - not trying to misrepresent my class rank in anyway or make up a cut off!! I've been networking a lot and will be reaching back out to people!

[puhcauliflower]

Video screeners from White & Case and Sheppard Mullin--is this meaningful or do they go out to all applicants?

I also got a video screener invitation from W&C. I did not think I'd be very competitive (around top 25% from a t20). Either I was wrong on that or they go out to everyone/almost everyone. I'm going to choose to believe the former and be excited about it.

I have yet to receive a video screener from W&C and applied on Monday. If they do go out to everyone (which is what I initially thought happened), should I assume my application didn't go through and re-apply?

[Laserguy213]

I am top third at H. Should I be doing some pre-OCI to snag an offer or two before the real deal or am I reaching with grades? Nothing diverse about me except being poor.

[namefromplace]

Everyone should be doing pre-OCI. Even if you don't think you would be competitive, there isn't any harm in sending out applications.

[Anonymous User]

do Chicago firms do pre-OCI?

also wondering the same thing....anyone know?

[Anonymous User]

Video screeners from White & Case and Sheppard Mullin--is this meaningful or do they go out to all applicants?

I also got a video screener invitation from W&C. I did not think I'd be very competitive (around top 25% from a t20). Either I was wrong on that or they go out to everyone/almost everyone. I'm going to choose to believe the former and be excited about it.

I have yet to receive a video screener from W&C and applied on Monday. If they do go out to everyone (which is what I initially thought happened), should I assume my application didn't go through and re-apply?

They send the screeners to everyone according to an email they sent. You should reach out to the recruiting contact if you didn't get one.

[Anonymous User]

Video screeners from White & Case and Sheppard Mullin--is this meaningful or do they go out to all applicants?

I also got a video screener invitation from W&C. I did not think I'd be very competitive (around top 25% from a t20). Either I was wrong on that or they go out to everyone/almost everyone. I'm going to choose to believe the former and be excited about it.

I have yet to receive a video screener from W&C and applied on Monday. If they do go out to everyone (which is what I initially thought happened), should I assume my application didn't go through and re-apply?

They send the screeners to everyone according to an email they sent. You should reach out to the recruiting contact if you didn't get one.

I didn't get one and I reached out to recruiting yesterday and they said they got my application and they would be in touch. I did the virtual interview in january because I applied for 1L position and got a callback... so I'm thinking maybe they don't want me to do it again? who knows...