UVA Law Students Taking Questions Forum

[thesealocust]

Any idea what percentage of grads go for biglaw in the first place?

90%+ have to at least give OGI a passing shot. Probably more like 80% are trying hard to get a big firm job.

[Kohinoor]

46% class of 2010 got jobs paying six figures and they did oci at a time the dow hit 6000, to me thats pretty ridiculous.

The class of 2010 did OGI in August/September of 2008. The Dow was between 11,000 and 12,000.

Class of 2010 got hit with a lot of no-offers, but it's a widely held opinion that class of 2011 had it harder overall, and their placement numbers will be even lower than 2010's.

yupyup. 2011 was where firms just stopped having summer classes.

[vamedic03]

This may not be the right place for these questions, but I wanted to ask people at UVA about this specifically so I hope that's alright.

I've been looking at the Go To Law schools thread and noticed that there isn't much activity from folks here. What are people's thoughts here about UVA's placement numbers? Am I right in assuming that since it didn't include clerks that over half the class could likely place in to big law still? What's the difference in the OGI placement and the NLJ numbers? Did a higher percentage of the class get 2L SA's and then a substantial number got no offered? I'm just trying to get context for the data in the case of UVA because it seems like there are pieces that are missing and that, by itself, the number doesn't tell me some things about the placement of the class as a whole.

FWIW - 32 2010 grads went on to clerk for AIII judges.

As far as the overall numbers - it's tough to interpret isolated numbers. Classes of 2010 and '11 have had a rough time. 2010 had it rough because there were a number of no offers. Likewise, '11 had it rough because all firms dramatically cut their summer classes.

Preliminary anecdotal information suggests that NY firms are expanding their classes. To the extent that DC firms cut down on their classes they're increasing their size, but many never cut their class size. Other markets are still hurting (e.g. Chicago).

All that said, I think many people in the class of '12 are happy. It's still a rough market, but many people do have summer jobs lined up. And, I think that very few people are worried at all about no offers.

[whoknows12]

Most kids I know around median did well, some did extremely well if they can interview, and those that didnt get a job with median numbers did not do a good job of playing the market (i.e. applying to ny)

Do you mean they screwed up by applying to NY?

[vamedic03]

Most kids I know around median did well, some did extremely well if they can interview, and those that didnt get a job with median numbers did not do a good job of playing the market (i.e. applying to ny)

Do you mean they screwed up by applying to NY?

At least with regards to '12, they arguably screwed up by not applying to NY.

[Kohinoor]

Most kids I know around median did well, some did extremely well if they can interview, and those that didnt get a job with median numbers did not do a good job of playing the market (i.e. applying to ny)

Do you mean they screwed up by applying to NY?

At least with regards to '12, they arguably screwed up by not applying to NY.

cr. Though with decreasing class sizes and more and more people going all in on NY, who knows whether NY is still a front runner.

[sherpaorlawschool]

Thanks for the responses everybody, that was helpful.

[RVP11]

I doubt there will be more people going for NY. The 2011s had a similar experience and yet the 2012s didn't learn. I don't expect the 2013s to figure it out either.

A huge percentage of UVA is from VA, MD, DC, or is from elsewhere and came to UVA because they assumed (or read on TLS) that the school had great DC placement. Not many people will do a 180 and bid all in NY. Those who do will continue to profit.

[R.R. Raskolnikov]

I doubt there will be more people going for NY. The 2011s had a similar experience and yet the 2012s didn't learn. I don't expect the 2013s to figure it out either.

A huge percentage of UVA is from VA, MD, DC, or is from elsewhere and came to UVA because they assumed (or read on TLS) that the school had great DC placement. Not many people will do a 180 and bid all in NY. Those who do will continue to profit.

Would you say the recent struggles to get good work in DC are purely due to this economy (which makes it tough for anyone to get good work in DC), or is it also that the assumption that UVA does very well in DC (relative to other schools) is somewhat misplaced?

[pjo]

I doubt there will be more people going for NY. The 2011s had a similar experience and yet the 2012s didn't learn. I don't expect the 2013s to figure it out either.

A huge percentage of UVA is from VA, MD, DC, or is from elsewhere and came to UVA because they assumed (or read on TLS) that the school had great DC placement. Not many people will do a 180 and bid all in NY. Those who do will continue to profit.

How well does UVA really place into NY though? I rarely hear it mentioned as a feeder school, as opposed to say Penn (but maybe it's self-selection like you said). If one wasn't looking for a V10 NY firm, but just a biglaw/V100 NY firm, how low do firms dip down to take students?

[vamedic03]

I doubt there will be more people going for NY. The 2011s had a similar experience and yet the 2012s didn't learn. I don't expect the 2013s to figure it out either.

A huge percentage of UVA is from VA, MD, DC, or is from elsewhere and came to UVA because they assumed (or read on TLS) that the school had great DC placement. Not many people will do a 180 and bid all in NY. Those who do will continue to profit.

Would you say the recent struggles to get good work in DC are purely due to this economy (which makes it tough for anyone to get good work in DC), or is it also that the assumption that UVA does very well in DC (relative to other schools) is somewhat misplaced?

I think that UVA does place well in DC, but you have to be realistic about DC. A lot of people from all of the T14 want to go to DC. Perhaps it's partially just ITE, but I think there is a perception that DC firms/offices are more secure. Also, for people who aren't as interested in finance, it's possibly a better fit. Anyways, for whatever reason, a lot of people want to go to DC and that allows DC to be very selective. Further, the largest DC class is also one of the most selective — Covington at ~ 50 SA's per NALP.

So, my basic point is this - if you're top 1/4 or higher - you probably have a good shot at DC. All the DC shops have strong UVA alumni bases, but, if you're not competitive grades wise, you're not going to get DC.

[aspire2more]

Does that selectivity include NOVA? I'm assuming it does, but just want to clarify. I am really looking to move closer to family and friends after graduation, which means I'm hoping to relocate to DC, but NOVA would be just as good.

[JG Hall]

So... will the South rise again?

[BruceWayne]

[quote="RVP11"]I doubt there will be more people going for NY. The 2011s had a similar experience and yet the 2012s didn't learn. I don't expect the 2013s to figure it out either.

A huge percentage of UVA is from VA, MD, DC, or is from elsewhere and came to UVA because they assumed (or read on TLS) that the school had great DC placement. Not many people will do a 180 and bid all in NY. Those who do will continue to profit.[/quote]

You're being harsh on people but you have to remember that everyone doesn't think like the TLS majority: i.e. they don't solely decide where to live/work based on highest chance at a firm job. For a lot of people QOL, family, friends, and COL determine where they want to live/work. A lot of people aren't happy living somewhere where they can't have any of those 4. To a lot of people NYC isn't really a great place to live if you don't have friends/family there and aren't loaded with funds.

[quakeroats]

What's your favorite Feb Club party?

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[LLB2JD]

What's your favorite Feb Club party?

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Ooooooookay!

[r6_philly]

So... will the South rise again?

Again?

[RVP11]

You're being harsh on people but you have to remember that everyone doesn't think like the TLS majority: i.e. they don't solely decide where to live/work based on highest chance at a firm job. For a lot of people QOL, family, friends, and COL determine where they want to live/work. A lot of people aren't happy living somewhere where they can't have any of those 4. To a lot of people NYC isn't really a great place to live if you don't have friends/family there and aren't loaded with funds.

I agree with you, but how exactly was I being "harsh?"

[WVUCelticFan]

Any one currently at UVA or who has been looking at places to live have a suggestion for a one person place? I don't care about style (studio/efficiency/1 bedroom/whatever) and don't mind having to drive in a little ways My commute for work was generally 20-30 minutes and I thought it was a nice break between work at work and work at home. Preferably ≤750/month, but I realize college towns are expensive. I'm coming down for a few days around the March open house and would love to be able to get housing taken care of then. Thanks in advance.

[vamedic03]

What's your favorite Feb Club party?


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You're a sad troll. I don't know why you have such animosity towards UVA?

[showNprove]

What's your favorite Feb Club party?

You're a sad troll. I don't know why you have such animosity towards UVA?

quakeroats has a serious inferiority complex. He spends his time trying to convince people that Duke is better than MVPB. He once compiled a chart and concluded that Duke is practically as good as Columbia for NYC biglaw.

[Cavalier]

UVA is not only a better law school; we also have much better parties.

[plum]

does anyone know if you are allowed to submit the same note to law review as you use to fulfill the VJIL note requirement? thanks.

[quakeroats]

What's your favorite Feb Club party?


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You're a sad troll. I don't know why you have such animosity towards UVA?

It's all in good fun?

[Cavalier]

does anyone know if you are allowed to submit the same note to law review as you use to fulfill the VJIL note requirement? thanks.

Shouldn't be a problem.