SEO Corporate Law Forum

[KP429]

Stardust: I'm in the exact same boat as you. Honestly, your biggest concern should be getting into a T-14 (well, a T6 to be confident) school rather than worrying about your physical appearance. I highly doubt you'll be turned away because you don't look the part. And if you do, would you really want to still work for SEO anyway?

[legends159]

I won't be attending law school for a another year or so, but I've looked into the SEO Corporate Law program and I'm very interested in applying eventually.

My concern is with the application is that they require a picture. I am half white, half Puerto Rican, and have self-identified as Hispanic for as long as I can remember (high school/SAT/undergrad apps/LSDAS all have Hispanic/Puerto Rican marked down as ethnicity). Because of my mixed heritage, however, I don't necessarily "look Hispanic" (and it's also a misconception that everyone of Latino heritage is of darker skin).

From what I've gathered, SEO is very concerned with their image. Does it seem likely that they would reject me/not give me an interview because I don't "look enough like a minority" to them? I think it's ridiculous that if I look a picture in dark lighting or went to a tanning salon or something that I would be "more of a minority" and be better fit for their program.


(Please don't yell at me for this post, this isn't a flame, it's a genuine concern of mine -- and I sure hope that SEO isn't going to discriminate based on skin color! How ironic would that be....)

Shouldn't be a problem. No one is going to say you're not Hispanic enough. Furthermore, if I remember correctly, alex (the first post on this page) also felt he had the same issue as you but he got the internship.

[Kohinoor]

I won't be attending law school for a another year or so, but I've looked into the SEO Corporate Law program and I'm very interested in applying eventually.

My concern is with the application is that they require a picture. I am half white, half Puerto Rican, and have self-identified as Hispanic for as long as I can remember (high school/SAT/undergrad apps/LSDAS all have Hispanic/Puerto Rican marked down as ethnicity). Because of my mixed heritage, however, I don't necessarily "look Hispanic" (and it's also a misconception that everyone of Latino heritage is of darker skin).

From what I've gathered, SEO is very concerned with their image. Does it seem likely that they would reject me/not give me an interview because I don't "look enough like a minority" to them? I think it's ridiculous that if I look a picture in dark lighting or went to a tanning salon or something that I would be "more of a minority" and be better fit for their program.


(Please don't yell at me for this post, this isn't a flame, it's a genuine concern of mine -- and I sure hope that SEO isn't going to discriminate based on skin color! How ironic would that be....)

I wouldn't worry too much. I'd assume that anyone who makes a business of interacting with minorities frequently would be fully aware that people of Latino heritage have varied skin tones.

[meesawoosa]

So how do people think they did on their interviews? I got wrecked.

elaborate?

[Kohinoor]

So how do people think they did on their interviews? I got wrecked.

elaborate?

lol. Can't say much at all without risking outing myself. Suffice it to say that I left unhappy. The bad times began when the bus to my interview city was delayed by two hours. I switched into crisis management mode and ended up visiting an old job in the area (imagine walking into a lobby full of suits and doormen while you're in jeans and a sweatshirt with a duffel bag). I talked my way past the guards, then headed up to my floor and changed into my suit in a bathroom stall.

:edit: For clarification suit was in duffel bag. Looked so different walking out that the doormen didn't bat an eyelid.

[crazy_zoologist]

i guess i could offer a little advice regarding the interview.

seo employs the stress interview techniques so it is normal if interviewers come across as constantly underwhelmed by your responses. it also means that they will actively attack your weakness, either based on your resume or your responses to their questions. the key here is to remain calm, slow down and deliver what you have in mind with a confident tone.

the interview consists of two "modes". it starts with regular questions like "why seo" and "what makes you a fit" etc. resume questions will also come up, so be prepared. The second part is a case study in which you will be given a news paper article. take your time!! make sure you have completely digested the article before signaling that you are ready!!

like someone else has mentioned, your mission here is not to sabotage the interview. that's it. what gets you into the program is a T10 offer. Good luck.

[ambiguous applicant]

Did you guys dress up for the picture?

[meesawoosa]

dress up?? i just cropped a random photo i had where i didn't look too shiny/atrocious...

[gahhhhhhhhhh]

I'm extremely curious to know why they need a picture in the first place. The SEO program sounds like a great opportunity, but I'm dubious of the application process.

[Skadden Stairs]

So I didn't bother to read this thread, as it seems to have digressed for quite some time and is now rounding back on to topic. But, I've written a bit about SEO (I was a corporate law intern this past summer) in the past, so I'm happy to offer any advice/information that I can. I wrote about my experience most recently in the "YLS 1L taking some questions" thread (you should be able to search for it), but have also previously written on my interview experience (and I may have one or two other posts discussing my general experience as well).

The next couple of weeks are extremely busy for me (we're beginning our finals period tomorrow), but I'll try and get to questions when I can. Good luck to all those who applied!

Lol couldn't stay away.

[meesawoosa]

i just had my interview in sf, and i'd be happy to answer any questions by pm

[Carnival1860]

Also just had my interview. I found Alex's summary about the SEO process pretty helpful (see above posts). You can also PM me if you want more details and good luck to all!

[summertimechi]

Hey guys, just posted it in another SEO thread and thought it might be informative. Here is the break down of the SEO Facebook groups as far as the law schools they attended:

Summer 08 (28 out of 50+ participants)

Harvard - 6
George Washington - 1
Northwestern - 3
Duke - 2
Columbia - 6
Goergetown - 2
NYU - 2
Penn - 1
Berkeley - 1
UVA - 1
Stanford - 1
Yale - 1
Michigan - 1

Summer 07 (33 of 50+ participants)

Columbia - 5
Northwestern - 1
Georgetown - 2
NYU - 5
Harvard - 5
USC - 1
Berkeley - 1
Yale - 3
Duke - 3
Chicago - 3
UVA - 1
Michigan - 2
Vanderbilt - 1


Probably not a truly representative sample, but informative nonetheless. Best of luck!

[Kohinoor]

i just had my interview in sf, and i'd be happy to answer any questions by pm

Do they place people in SF? I'd love to work there if that's an option.

[summertimechi]

i just had my interview in sf, and i'd be happy to answer any questions by pm

Do they place people in SF? I'd love to work there if that's an option.

No, placements are in NY and DC only, with only a precious few being in DC.

[Kohinoor]

i just had my interview in sf, and i'd be happy to answer any questions by pm

Do they place people in SF? I'd love to work there if that's an option.

No, placements are in NY and DC only, with only a precious few being in DC.

Bunch of teases. They'll interview you in SF then ship you off to NY

[summertimechi]

i just had my interview in sf, and i'd be happy to answer any questions by pm

Do they place people in SF? I'd love to work there if that's an option.

No, placements are in NY and DC only, with only a precious few being in DC.

Bunch of teases. They'll interview you in SF then ship you off to NY

Ha, well I'm sure it'd be even more frustrating if they only interviewed people in NY. It's a NEW YORK corporate law program, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

[Kohinoor]

Ha, well I'm sure it'd be even more frustrating if they only interviewed people in NY. It's a NEW YORK corporate law program, that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Yeah, I know. I just had a spark of hope when I saw SF mentioned.

[KP429]

I would love to participate but am worried that the 10k summer is going to slaughter any potential need-based financial aid package I might receive at HYS. Can anyone speak to this problem?

[n8sun1]

What did you guys write for the application essay? I am having trouble figuring out what to say...

[treple]

Jibberish. I wrote about jibberish. I don't think they actually even evaluate that. But who knows, I probably won't get it.

[0L09]

Hi Everyone,

For those of you that have already had your SEO interviews, do you know what the next steps are? Will SEO be reaching out to us for another round of interviews (if we passed the first one), or are we just waiting on their answers now?

Basically, is there only one round of interviews or 2 rounds for each candidate?

Thanks!! ^_~

[0L09]

Question 2...

Would anyone know how the firm placement decisions made? Are they made at the SEO level, or do firms pick their interns from the SEO accepted pool? Wonder how they match interests, since SEO never really asked me who my top preferences are.

[meesawoosa]

i believe that there is only the one round of interviews, and the next step would be to wait to hear back from SEO re: your decision. they don't give out decisions, however, until after they've received your transcript, letter of rec, and proof of enrollment at the school you choose, so for many it ends up being a rather long wait.

as for firm placement, one of my friends asked about this at her interview, and they told her that they try to match up interns with firms based on intern's preference (if they have any) as well as their academic backgrounds/interests and the firm's criteria for who they're willing/able to take on. it sounds like it's mainly at the SEO level, though the firms do get input as to what type of intern they may be looking for.

[masterpinky0509]

Hi Everyone,

For those of you that have already had your SEO interviews, do you know what the next steps are? Will SEO be reaching out to us for another round of interviews (if we passed the first one), or are we just waiting on their answers now?

Basically, is there only one round of interviews or 2 rounds for each candidate?

Thanks!! ^_~

There isn't another round of interviews. Basically, you have to keep updating their page to let them know what schools you get into--getting a T14 place is pretty much a prereq for getting an offer. You must also send in an official transcript and a letter of recommendation. Once they have all the info in place, including seeing that you have a T14 acceptance (higher the better), then they take 2-3 weeks to let you know.

At least, that's how they described it to me when I asked about their timetable during the interview.