How to avoid double-dipping OCI? Forum

[weiweilt]

I understand that it is unethical to do more than one OCIs, and I certainly want to avoid that. But the fact is I am in at GULC via EA and am applying to other schools. I think it is highly likely that I won't hear back from these schools before GULC's bidding deadline, July 7th. Thoughts?

[ymmv]

I understand that it is unethical to do more than one OCIs, and I certainly want to avoid that. But the fact is I am in at GULC via EA and am applying to other schools. I think it is highly likely that I won't hear back from these schools before GULC's bidding deadline, July 7th. Thoughts?

That is nowhere near a universally accepted principle. I can't imagine transferring and not taking advantage of both OCIs.

[toothbrush]

I understand that it is unethical to do more than one OCIs, and I certainly want to avoid that. But the fact is I am in at GULC via EA and am applying to other schools. I think it is highly likely that I won't hear back from these schools before GULC's bidding deadline, July 7th. Thoughts?

That is nowhere near a universally accepted principle. I can't imagine transferring and not taking advantage of both OCIs.

What.

OP - I don't think it's bad to bid at GULC. However, double dipping would be bidding at GULC, getting an interview list, then transferring, bidding at school 2, getting an interview list. AND THEN GOING TO BOTH OCI'S.

That is fucked, imo.

[ymmv]

I understand that it is unethical to do more than one OCIs, and I certainly want to avoid that. But the fact is I am in at GULC via EA and am applying to other schools. I think it is highly likely that I won't hear back from these schools before GULC's bidding deadline, July 7th. Thoughts?

That is nowhere near a universally accepted principle. I can't imagine transferring and not taking advantage of both OCIs.

What.

OP - I don't think it's bad to bid at GULC. However, double dipping would be bidding at GULC, getting an interview list, then transferring, bidding at school 2, getting an interview list. AND THEN GOING TO BOTH OCI'S.

That is fucked, imo.

This has been discussed a thousand times and I guarantee no one ITT is going to have anything new to say.

For starters, see e.g. TFS: http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 27&t=82937

oing 2 OCI’s and Double Dipping

This is definitely unfair. Since you are a transfer, you are in a unique position where it is possible for you to participate both in your old school’s OCI and your new school’s OCI. However, I did learn about this from a few long talks with a couple of very intelligent and clever individuals.

How does this work? Well, most non-top schools do OCI very early (like mid-August) in order to get an edge on the top schools. Most top schools can do OCI a bit later (like in September) because they are good schools and can do so. The problem is that sometimes, students do not get their acceptances until after they have started doing OCI at their old school. Therefore, if the new school also allows them to do OCI, they are not able to interview again (aka twice). The one rule in doing this is that you do not bid on or interview with the same firm at the same office twice.

So, to recap, this is possible and it does happen. I have met two people personally who have done it and heard of 3 people online who have done it. Only one person somewhere has admitted that they planned to transfer with the intent of doing OCI twice and planned it out so that he could do more interviews. My guess is that this happens a lot more often, but is kept on the down-low.

The Pros (of double dipping and doing OCI at your old school):
-Because you get more interviews (duh) and probably a wider range of interviews, in addition, you might be able to choose the location of your interview (at the new school or the old school)
-You can overcome bid/interview limits (some schools limit the number of bids or interviews you can have)
-Because this is an unusual economy and it is better to be a bit aggressive. In fact, most people think that being aggressive in the job hunt is okay. In this economy though, you take every interview you get.
-Because you have no choice. Most people who do two OCI’s are reasonable in doing so. If you have not received an acceptance yet, you MUST do OCI at your old school since it would be silly to not interview simply because you applied to transfer and you are waiting on an answer. If you do not get in, then you just screwed yourself. In addition, when you have not received an acceptance from a new school, you are still a student at your old school.
-Because sometimes, you might not be able to do OCI at your new school. Some acceptances come late and OCI bidding might be over at your new school (rare, but it happens)
-Because who would want to turn down an interview with a firm they want to work for?
-Because you paid for a year’s worth of tuition and OCI (which starts before 2L year) is “arguably” part of the 1st year since it is based on 1st year grades
-Because you are past the interview cancelation deadline and you received your acceptance like 48 hours before the interview
-Because employers often pre-select at your old school’s OCI but not your new school’s
-Because doing OCI at your old school allows for a better comparison of your grades
-Because you HAVE to do interviews somewhere right? If you are transfer, then you probably know that the people at your old school do not want you to interview there. At the same time, the people at the new school do not want you to interview there either since you are not the typical student who did their 1L year
-If you are doing OCI at your old school, you get to interview earlier and before the spots are taken up. If you end up getting an offer before your new school’s OCI, you may not have to do 2 OCI’s
-Because it is in YOUR best interest. I have never heard of doing 2 OCI’s as illegal or against school policy. In fact, most schools know about it and realize that it is a consequence that occurs when they move their OCI up early and before people get their transfer acceptances.

Cons
-This is obviously unfair since most people can only do OCI once
-Arguments have made that there is often some lying involved and borders on being unethical or immoral
-This is actually hard to do and many times you may not have the opportunity to do so
-You may have to tell your employers suddenly (if you get a callback) that they have to pay travel fees for callbacks
-This topic almost always reinforces transfer stigma
-This is not recommended as something you should do by the general population. Most people would probably think that this should be illegal

Like many people, I was super jealous when I heard about this opportunity since my two schools do OCI in pretty much the same week. Basically the advantages of doing two OCIs are SO great that people frown upon it equally greatly. It might not be so bad to get a late acceptance (or get off a waitlist) after all.

[Nebby]

Double dipping is when you actually partake in the OCI, not when bidding. Place your bids, and if come any date after July 7th you're accepted at another school you'd choose over GULC, then contact career services and request a cancelation of all your interviews because you won't be matriculating.

That's what I plan on doing if any of the schools I've applied to admit me. (Also accepted in at GULC via EA)