Biglaw chances @ USC? Forum

[Anonymous User]

I am in the dark about employment stats because different people say different things and the data isn't clear.
(1) Is it possible to get biglaw from USC with a below median GPA? Is it easier to get biglaw outside LA if your target market is NY and you have ties there?
(2) Would an upward trend in GPA from first semester to second semester of 1L be considered? Say you get below median first semester GPA and above median second semester and it balances out to be at median cumulative

[Baron7]

When I was applying to law school, I looked into whether or not biglaw would be feasible from USC. I didn't go there, though, so I can only answer your questions in part. Yes, working at a national or multinational law firms, dealing with substantive matters, and being highly compensated for your efforts is possible at median. The employment data that's available supports this. The firms you get hired at would not necessarily be "biglaw" in the way many attorneys define that word, however. They might pay close to market or between 100-200k, but not top of the pay scale. Their names may be recognizable, but not as renowned as some of the commonly discussed firms on this site. You're likely to be able to work at more "prestigious" firms if you can get top third in your class year or luck out during the interview process. Some do. And of course, you'll be well-positioned to lateral from any respected firm that recruits at USC.

To be clear—when I say being hired is possible, I'm using it as a middle ground between likely and unlikely. Also, I'm not claiming that the majority of students who get biglaw don't get market. My point is that many Gould students around median can rely on good quality employment, just not at extremely selective firms.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the reply! @baron7 I'm not too worried about the prestige of the firm as long as I get paid on the Cravath scale. Also are BigLaw chances mostly determined solely by 1L grades? Or do 2L grades also play a role? Let's say someone were to strike out of OCI - would they still have a chance of biglaw if they improved their 2L grades?

[Baron7]

No problem. I think in general 1L grades are by far the most significant.

I don't know much about post-OCI/3L recruiting at USC, unfortunately. If you improve your grades your chances will be better, for sure.

[Anonymous User]

I graduated from USC a few years ago. Below median to get biglaw is not impossible, but very difficult. I know a few people at median who made it, but biglaw mostly feeds into top 30% from there.

I would only go to USC if you really want to be a lawyer and there are no better options for schools. That was my situation, but it's not for everyone.

[Anonymous User]

Let's say someone were to strike out of OCI - would they still have a chance of biglaw if they improved their 2L grades?

Very unlikely

[Anonymous User]

Let's say someone were to strike out of OCI - would they still have a chance of biglaw if they improved their 2L grades?

Very unlikely

Idk, I pulled several 3L OCI offers. It exists

[Anonymous User]

As someone in LA biglaw, I think a lot of these posters are being fairly negative (which may not be a bad thing), but getting paid market out of USC is not some impossible feat. It’s still on the table for you but you need to 1. Network your ass off (right now, don’t wait for OCI) and 2. improve grades as much as you can.

It’s disappointing the economy isn’t where it had been these past few years, when firms were broadening their range for making offers. This may be little solace to you, but I think as more schools pull out of the US news rankings, schools like USC will benefit because hiring will become more regional and less rank-dependent.

[Anonymous User]

Let's say someone were to strike out of OCI - would they still have a chance of biglaw if they improved their 2L grades?

Very unlikely

Idk, I pulled several 3L OCI offers. It exists

Yeah it exists. Never said it didn't. Speaking of which, (1) what was your class rank by the end of 2L, (2) were you transactional, and (3) was this 2020/2021?

[Anonymous User]

This may be little solace to you, but I think as more schools pull out of the US news rankings, schools like USC will benefit because hiring will become more regional and less rank-dependent.

Schools are still getting ranked and firms have decades of hiring data. Big doubt anything changes from the usnwr drama.

[Anonymous User]

Solid chance of ending up at a reputable firm in LA or elsewhere in California. Virtually no chance of a V100 unless URM in a 1L diversity program or major connections.

[kook]

Being at or above median gives you a decent chance at most v100 firms, but there’s always a chance of striking out since USC’s big law placement is normally around 45%. Nothing much that goes into it besides 1L gpa and interviewing. Also don’t wait for OCI, start applying/networking way before

[Anonymous User]

Let's say someone were to strike out of OCI - would they still have a chance of biglaw if they improved their 2L grades?

Very unlikely

Idk, I pulled several 3L OCI offers. It exists

Yeah it exists. Never said it didn't. Speaking of which, (1) what was your class rank by the end of 2L, (2) were you transactional, and (3) was this 2020/2021?

Not corporate and was in 2022, but top ~15% + LR at T6

[mardash]

Let's say someone were to strike out of OCI - would they still have a chance of biglaw if they improved their 2L grades?

Very unlikely

Idk, I pulled several 3L OCI offers. It exists

Yeah it exists. Never said it didn't. Speaking of which, (1) what was your class rank by the end of 2L, (2) were you transactional, and (3) was this 2020/2021?

Not corporate and was in 2022, but top ~15% + LR at T6

USC is T6?

[existentialcrisis]

People need to be really careful about making decisions based on these employment stats/anecdotal outcomes coming from a boom economy.

[Sackboy]

People need to be really careful about making decisions based on these employment stats/anecdotal outcomes coming from a boom economy.

Yep. You had median students at a lot of schools end up at V20 firms when they'd be lucky to get regional biglaw in more normal times.