UT Transfer, Missed Fall OCI Deadline Forum

[leingdownthelaw]

I recently transferred, but missed the deadline for the Fall OCI's. How difficult is it going to be to break into the Big Law, or In-house positions?? I've been mailing employers that are part of the UT OCI, but it's a struggle.

[habeas2210]

Very....You're fighting an uphill battle, and should probably reconsider your decision to transfer (depending on where you're coming from).

[BVest]

Based on your post history (i.e. guessing your school), you're probably still better off transferring, IMO, but yeah it's going to be hard to get biglaw. (Disclosure, I have no idea what your 1L school's OCI firm list looks like). That said, there are other ways to biglaw other than OCI or even 2L SA.

First, contact all the OCI firms, let them know that you've transferred to UT and would like to meet with them during OCI if they have a cancellation or otherwise if they do not. You can also hang out on campus during OCI and, for firms that have hiring assistants there, check in with them on the day of to see if they have any late cancellations.

Next, mass-mail beyond just OCI firms. If you're looking to stay in Texas, here's a good list to start with: Texas 100 (you may have to create an ALM login, but the first 5 stories/month are free, so unless you've been reading Texas Lawyer pretty hard already this week, you can access this.

Next, schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser and talk to them. I don't know what your credentials are like, but it seems like every year there's one or two firms that doesn't get what they wanted out of OCI (because their offers all accepted elsewhere) who let the dean know they're still looking. Having made this relationship with an adviser doesn't guarantee that they'll forward your information, but it does put you in mind.

Hammer those grades, perhaps even more than you did at your previous school. If you get the grades at UT (and I can attest it is possible to do as a transfer), you'll have a good shot at a clerkship (AIII or SSC) that really re-opens the landscape for job applications better than any opportunity other than OCI.

Continue to look for firm jobs at larger established firms throughout your LS career, but also try to do some good internships such as SSC or AG's (General Lit, Financial Lit, Tax, Environmental Protection) office.

[unlicensedpotato]

Based on your post history (i.e. guessing your school), you're probably still better off transferring, IMO, but yeah it's going to be hard to get biglaw. (Disclosure, I have no idea what your 1L school's OCI firm list looks like). That said, there are other ways to biglaw other than OCI or even 2L SA.

First, contact all the OCI firms, let them know that you've transferred to UT and would like to meet with them during OCI if they have a cancellation or otherwise if they do not. You can also hang out on campus during OCI and, for firms that have hiring assistants there, check in with them on the day of to see if they have any late cancellations.

Next, mass-mail beyond just OCI firms. If you're looking to stay in Texas, here's a good list to start with: Texas 100 (you may have to create an ALM login, but the first 5 stories/month are free, so unless you've been reading Texas Lawyer pretty hard already this week, you can access this.

Next, schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser and talk to them. I don't know what your credentials are like, but it seems like every year there's one or two firms that doesn't get what they wanted out of OCI (because their offers all accepted elsewhere) who let the dean know they're still looking. Having made this relationship with an adviser doesn't guarantee that they'll forward your information, but it does put you in mind.

Hammer those grades, perhaps even more than you did at your previous school. If you get the grades at UT (and I can attest it is possible to do as a transfer), you'll have a good shot at a clerkship (AIII or SSC) that really re-opens the landscape for job applications better than any opportunity other than OCI.

Continue to look for firm jobs at larger established firms throughout your LS career, but also try to do some good internships such as SSC or AG's (General Lit, Financial Lit, Tax, Environmental Protection) office.

This all seems really solid. Definitely focus hard on your grades and plan a smart schedule that will enable you to perform well. There's no reason to do some 18 hour semester with fed courts or something. Make it as easy as possible on yourself.