The George Washington University 2012 Transfer Thread Forum

[ben2587]

I dont know about anyone else on here, but the OCI meeting/presentation at my old school was a bit of a joke. The entire discussion was prefaced by explaining that we students are "special" and our feelings shouldnt be hurt because firm abc and xyz wont even come to our school. It was even more pathetic to watch about half the kids in the room soak up that up and smile.

Despite the unfavorable trend in OCI numbers for transfers students at GW, I am so grateful to escape my current school. We all got here by making many sacrifices during 1L and we are now being rewarded with a new wealth of opportunities!

[IsTheFatLadySinging]

Are any of the GW transfers holding out for georgetown? Does anyone prefer GW over Gtown?

[JLima2]

I dont know about anyone else on here, but the OCI meeting/presentation at my old school was a bit of a joke. The entire discussion was prefaced by explaining that we students are "special" and our feelings shouldnt be hurt because firm abc and xyz wont even come to our school. It was even more pathetic to watch about half the kids in the room soak up that up and smile.

Despite the unfavorable trend in OCI numbers for transfers students at GW, I am so grateful to escape my current school. We all got here by making many sacrifices during 1L and we are now being rewarded with a new wealth of opportunities!

At my school, I've heard OCI was basically three and a half firms that drove to the wrong school by accident, but felt too bad to leave and just sat with students.

So yes, I completely agree - even if OCI is a bust, between mass mailings and networking as a GW student, it's infinitely better than the alternative (going to a school where people ask "Oh...where is that?").

[GodFavor2010]

I concur whole-heartedly with Ben and JLima!

[Lawst]

Are any of the GW transfers holding out for georgetown? Does anyone prefer GW over Gtown?

Ever since GULC outright dinged me, I have to say that I do prefer GW quite a bit.

[opX]

*sigh*

[crossarmant]

*sigh*

Why so blue, panda bear?

[opX]

my GW CDO convo got me worried. I knew it was bad, but i was disappointed with their CDO. Reminded me of my old schools CDO.

[crossarmant]

my GW CDO convo got me worried. I knew it was bad, but i was disappointed with their CDO. Reminded me of my old schools CDO.

I've heard as much. I'm going through the OCI firms and it seems like a lot of them are taking only (1) IP or (2) High Honors. I think making conservative bids with firms who have alum from your previous school is the best bet. That and resume dropping at all the firm listed since there's no limit. Then mass-mailing every mid- to large-firm in your desired markets.

I can understand having a bad time with the CDO, with 500+ students scrambling to them over the next month it's got to be a hassle. I feel like while the GW degree helps a lot, it's one of those things where the jobs don't come to you, you have to hunt them down. I think realistically, the key is to get resume and cover letter advice from the CDO but then use other avenues to track down SA positions; be it mass-mailing, Symplicity job postings, mailing judges, or other avenues. I don't think that good opportunities are absent from GW and all hope is lost, I think that we just still have to do the hunting but at least now with GW & good grades from 1L we've at least got our foot in the door rather than having it slammed in our faces.

[crossarmant]

Then again, I could just be full of naive optimism.

[ben2587]

but at least now with GW & good grades from 1L we've at least got our foot in the door rather than having it slammed in our faces.

This is beautiful.

[Lawst]

Also, keep in mind that CDOs at law schools around the country are staffed with JDs who aren't working as attorneys, so I think most CDOs are depressing. I always found that to be an interesting flaw. Hey, JD who couldn't get a legal job, could you please give me some tips on finding a legal job?

[opX]

Also, keep in mind that CDOs at law schools around the country are staffed with JDs who aren't working as attorneys, so I think most CDOs are depressing. I always found that to be an interesting flaw. Hey, JD who couldn't get a legal job, could you please give me some tips on finding a legal job?

ha true - i was more disappointed with the person's antiquated and generic advice.

[crossarmant]

Also, keep in mind that CDOs at law schools around the country are staffed with JDs who aren't working as attorneys, so I think most CDOs are depressing. I always found that to be an interesting flaw. Hey, JD who couldn't get a legal job, could you please give me some tips on finding a legal job?

ha true - i was more disappointed with the person's antiquated and generic advice.

Pre-ITE advice?

[opX]

ITE?

[crossarmant]

ITE?

In This Economy. Before Society collapsed in 2008, GW was throwing like half of their class into BigLaw. Was the advice generic "Apply to places you would like to practice, y'all."?

[tink1]

Based on my scanning through the "practice area" break down, there seems to be only one employer doing OCI that I'm actually interested in... Am I crazy / missing something? I really only want public interest / civil rights / human rights, etc experience and it seems there's minimal options for that kinda stuff.

[dudders]

Based on my scanning through the "practice area" break down, there seems to be only one employer doing OCI that I'm actually interested in... Am I crazy / missing something? I really only want public interest / civil rights / human rights, etc experience and it seems there's minimal options for that kinda stuff.

You're not missing anything. The Public Sector Recruitment Program is in January every year (shared with GTown). I only participated as a 1L and 2L, but it seems pretty internship-focused rather than career-focused like OCI is. And look out for Equal Justice Works in October.

*edited for my own lazy typing.

[thelawguy]

Class of '12 grad and former transfer here.

I don't know which CDO officer is giving out this information, but in my experience transfers did as well if not better than the class at large-- granted my sample size is small.

From my limited knowledge of fellow transfers.

-4 at v-50 firms in non IP
-3 at valut firms but for IP
-1 at federal clerk in major city
-1 at non article III federal clerk
-2 unemployed

My advice is to work on getting an internship and finding a research position right away. The more connections you can build early on the better you will be if you are still looking for a position as a 3L or if you end up wanting to clerk.

Also make sure you get set-up for mass mailing via NALP and immediately start sending out letters.

[opX]

Class of '12 grad and former transfer here.

I don't know which CDO officer is giving out this information, but in my experience transfers did as well if not better than the class at large-- granted my sample size is small.

From my limited knowledge of fellow transfers.

-4 at v-50 firms in non IP
-3 at valut firms but for IP
-1 at federal clerk in major city
-1 at non article III federal clerk
-2 unemployed

My advice is to work on getting an internship and finding a research position right away. The more connections you can build early on the better you will be if you are still looking for a position as a 3L or if you end up wanting to clerk.

Also make sure you get set-up for mass mailing via NALP and immediately start sending out letters.

thanks

[Cachinggggg]

Accept

[ran12]

So did people have a problem registering for the admissions portal right after getting accepted? How long did it take for that to work.

[TNFSkier16]

I'd start hitting the bricks on networking in conjunction to OCI. I've sent out about 500+ emails to DC alumns and received about 50 responses back and spoke on the phone to at least 20 of them (I'm not in DC this summer).

They've gave me great advice on how to steer my job search to both what I want/what I can get. Good mix of a reality dose/hope.

The jobs are out there - you just gotta dig hard, interview well, and have some luck.

[crossarmant]

I'd start hitting the bricks on networking in conjunction to OCI. I've sent out about 500+ emails to DC alumns and received about 50 responses back and spoke on the phone to at least 20 of them (I'm not in DC this summer).

They've gave me great advice on how to steer my job search to both what I want/what I can get. Good mix of a reality dose/hope.

The jobs are out there - you just gotta dig hard, interview well, and have some luck.

And that advice is?

[anonymouse2828]

I know transfers fare pretty well at OCI, but what about the firms who prefer something like "top 15%" or similar? How about "preferred GPA: 3.5," when past school had a much lower median, and thus lover GPA.

Any info/tips?