GULC Students Taking Questions Forum

[TLSModBot]

In the meantime: with regards to GULC's employment #'s, do you guys think there's any merit to this poster's "findings?"
http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 1&t=262951

The overall point that GULC's Biglaw hiring #'s are lower than the rest of the T13, and by a pretty decent margin, is far and away well established. It's a fact.

If you do well at Georgetown (above median), you will likely get BigLaw absent any crippling character defects on your part. If you do very, very well you have a shot at prestigious clerkships and the like. You have NO WAY of knowing whether you will be above median or better. At Michigan, you don't need to do quite as well to be able to achieve the same outcomes (but not as significant a margin as, say, Columbia or Harvard).

That's the risk calculus you need to do. There's no secret answer - is the extra scholly money worth the extra risk in hiring outcomes for you?

[Glasseyes]

I think the question you really have to ask yourself: do you want to attend a LAW CENTER? If so, there is only one worthy path.

[buckiguy_sucks]

Can someone explain how getting pre-OCI interviews works? Do I just email recruiting coordinators and be like hey plz interview me before OCI

[TLSModBot]

Can someone explain how getting pre-OCI interviews works? Do I just email recruiting coordinators and be like hey plz interview me before OCI

Pretty much.

One alternative tactic that worked well for me was (and this is obv paraphrasing somewhat): "Look I want to work for your firm. I hope I can get to interview with you at OCI, but if our system doesn't match us up then I'd really like the opportunity to interview with you if at all possible. Here's my resume n shit."

This is how I got an interview with the firm I'll be working for. Only tried this tactic on 3 firms and got interviews with both through this manner when OCI failed to match us up, but ymmv.

[LSATasaurusRex]

Trying to fill out the Blue Form. Does anyone know how many credits a 1L takes in the fall and spring semesters? I can't find that anywhere (why would I, 1Ls just take the classes they're told to). And the registrar and financial aid offices are closed today - go figure.

Thanks!

[buckiguy_sucks]

Trying to fill out the Blue Form. Does anyone know how many credits a 1L takes in the fall and spring semesters? I can't find that anywhere (why would I, 1Ls just take the classes they're told to). And the registrar and financial aid offices are closed today - go figure.

Thanks!

It varies but it's either 14, 16 or 13, 17 depending on when you have con law. I don't know what it is for section 3.

E: also whether you do a week one course

[buckiguy_sucks]

Can someone explain how getting pre-OCI interviews works? Do I just email recruiting coordinators and be like hey plz interview me before OCI

Pretty much.

One alternative tactic that worked well for me was (and this is obv paraphrasing somewhat): "Look I want to work for your firm. I hope I can get to interview with you at OCI, but if our system doesn't match us up then I'd really like the opportunity to interview with you if at all possible. Here's my resume n shit."

This is how I got an interview with the firm I'll be working for. Only tried this tactic on 3 firms and got interviews with both through this manner when OCI failed to match us up, but ymmv.

So did you write like detailed cover letters then?

[TLSModBot]

Can someone explain how getting pre-OCI interviews works? Do I just email recruiting coordinators and be like hey plz interview me before OCI

Pretty much.

One alternative tactic that worked well for me was (and this is obv paraphrasing somewhat): "Look I want to work for your firm. I hope I can get to interview with you at OCI, but if our system doesn't match us up then I'd really like the opportunity to interview with you if at all possible. Here's my resume n shit."

This is how I got an interview with the firm I'll be working for. Only tried this tactic on 3 firms and got interviews with both through this manner when OCI failed to match us up, but ymmv.

So did you write like detailed cover letters then?

Yeah I just reread my first email to my (soon-to-be) firm; I did a small two paragraph dealie expressing interest, briefly noting what I like about their firm, and what I bring to the table/my interests. Relatively short and sweet but pretty much a targeted mini cover letter.

[buckiguy_sucks]

Yeah I just reread my first email to my (soon-to-be) firm; I did a small two paragraph dealie expressing interest, briefly noting what I like about their firm, and what I bring to the table/my interests. Relatively short and sweet but pretty much a targeted mini cover letter.

So should I only be doing this at firms where I've been ~~~netorking~~~ with attorneys? Is there any reason not do it at literally every firm?

[TLSModBot]

Yeah I just reread my first email to my (soon-to-be) firm; I did a small two paragraph dealie expressing interest, briefly noting what I like about their firm, and what I bring to the table/my interests. Relatively short and sweet but pretty much a targeted mini cover letter.

So should I only be doing this at firms where I've been ~~~netorking~~~ with attorneys? Is there any reason not do it at literally every firm?

I hadn't really been networking with the firms I targeted beforehand (though it isn't a bad idea). I'd personally limit it to firms you actually want to work for / know someone at / know literally anything about just so A. you can focus your efforts and not craft custom little cover letters for every firm under the sun and B. you don't come off as disingenuous/too vague which I think is a worry if you're spreading yourself too thin.

These are just my thoughts / my approach, so take with the appropriate sized grain of salt.

[buckiguy_sucks]

Yeah I just reread my first email to my (soon-to-be) firm; I did a small two paragraph dealie expressing interest, briefly noting what I like about their firm, and what I bring to the table/my interests. Relatively short and sweet but pretty much a targeted mini cover letter.

So should I only be doing this at firms where I've been ~~~netorking~~~ with attorneys? Is there any reason not do it at literally every firm?

I hadn't really been networking with the firms I targeted beforehand (though it isn't a bad idea). I'd personally limit it to firms you actually want to work for / know someone at / know literally anything about just so A. you can focus your efforts and not craft custom little cover letters for every firm under the sun and B. you don't come off as disingenuous/too vague which I think is a worry if you're spreading yourself too thin.

These are just my thoughts / my approach, so take with the appropriate sized grain of salt.

I have a specific practice area in mind that most firms don't have so I think I'll stick to targeting those pre-OCI and suppose I'll just flounder my way into whatever rando corp practice will take me at OCI

[Gray]

.

[testusername555]

How tough is it to get into big gov JD positions (focusing, if possible, on three specific institutions: DoJ, DoS, GAO)? I noticed that GULC, perhaps unsurprisingly, has a high proportion of students (71 out of graduating 2015 class of ~600) placed in the federal government. It seems like the location factor is a big deal here, allowing GULC to beat out many more highly ranked T14 schools. However, is this due to the nature of self-selection? As in, would a Columbia law graduate with a big gov focus have a better chance of getting big gov? And are more highly ranked T14 schools placing fewer big gov attorneys only because GULC students have the greatest interest in big gov, not because GULC students are necessarily at an advantage?
Also, do part-time students with full-time jobs struggle placing at or above the median for post-grad big law/big gov opportunities?

[TLSModBot]

Also, do part-time students with full-time jobs struggle placing at or above the median for post-grad big law/big gov opportunities?

Depends on the job. "Full-time" jobs that are really 50+ hours plus evening/weekend work? Yeah law school is pretty fucking rough on top of that and grades can reflect that. "Full time" jobs that are just 40 hours and/or have work from home options? Nah, evening students tend to do pretty well in those cases.

And their biglaw/whatever hiring prospects are not significantly affected beyond their grades.

[buckiguy_sucks]

High prestige agencies like DOJ/ state are hard to get hired into no matter where you go and its no better at GULC. You may have an advantage for the alphabet soup agencies (idk if GAO is alphabet soup or prestigious) just because being local/networking/doing externships

[testusername555]

And their biglaw/whatever hiring prospects are not significantly affected beyond their grades.

What if because of my full-time job, I'm unable to take on a full time summer associate position at a fed agency or in big law?

[TLSModBot]

And their biglaw/whatever hiring prospects are not significantly affected beyond their grades.

What if because of my full-time job, I'm unable to take on a full time summer associate position at a fed agency or in big law?

Oh then you're not getting big law/big fed, period.

[Londonbear]

Trying to fill out the Blue Form. Does anyone know how many credits a 1L takes in the fall and spring semesters? I can't find that anywhere (why would I, 1Ls just take the classes they're told to). And the registrar and financial aid offices are closed today - go figure.

Thanks!

12 fall semester (LRW doesn't count fully until spring semester), 19 (includes LRW and 3 credit elective and week one) spring semester

[buckiguy_sucks]

Trying to fill out the Blue Form. Does anyone know how many credits a 1L takes in the fall and spring semesters? I can't find that anywhere (why would I, 1Ls just take the classes they're told to). And the registrar and financial aid offices are closed today - go figure.

Thanks!

12 fall semester (LRW doesn't count fully until spring semester), 19 (includes LRW and 3 credit elective and week one) spring semester

That's how it works for grades but not registrar purposes which is what you need for the blue form

[genericlawstudent]

Anybody know when we (just finished 1L) can expect to receive spring grades?

Grading deadline for non-graduating people was last Friday (June 3), and registrar said grades would post daily at 5 PM. I've only received my elective grade so far which was released last Friday, but there was nothing yesterday.

[buckiguy_sucks]

Anybody know when we (just finished 1L) can expect to receive spring grades?

Grading deadline for non-graduating people was last Friday (June 3), and registrar said grades would post daily at 5 PM. I've only received my elective grade so far which was released last Friday, but there was nothing yesterday.

It's cute you think deadlines really matter to profs

[TLSModBot]

Anybody know when we (just finished 1L) can expect to receive spring grades?

Grading deadline for non-graduating people was last Friday (June 3), and registrar said grades would post daily at 5 PM. I've only received my elective grade so far which was released last Friday, but there was nothing yesterday.

It's cute you think deadlines really matter to profs

If they fail to meet the deadline and then also fail to get grades in after the 3-day grace period, the associate dean sends a savage light rebuke by email. And God help the professor that doesn't get grades in after that - I hear after that it's a brusque yet pleading phone call and who wants to deal with that.

[EzraFitz]

Expect Wednesday evening.

[BmoreOrLess]

Expect Wednesday evening.

Assuming they don't fuck up LRW again and send it like a week later.

[buckiguy_sucks]

Expect Wednesday evening.

Assuming they don't fuck up LRW again and send it like a week later.

how could they possibly not have LRW yet if they sent out law fellow notices two weeks ago which required them to have graded all the briefs