T14 Below Median OCI Tips Forum

[Enchanted19]

Hello everyone. I am a JD/MBA at a lower T14 (9-11). I am just finishing my first MBA year and will now be participating in OCI and trying to land a corporate biglaw gig. My GPA is below median, I am rocking a 3.19. The OCI process will begin in the next month or so (networking mostly), and I am trying to strategize where I should focus. Ideally, I'd like to be in the Texas (I have decent ties) market. I have been doing some reading though and it seems the usual recommendation is to focus mostly on NY biglaw because it tends to be less grade sensitive. I have little to no interest in going to NY so I was wondering what tips anyone had to break into regional biglaw firms with a less than stellar GPA? Are TX biglaw firms worth applying to for me, or should I start targeting midlaw? Thanks in advance! If it's helpful, I am not URM but I am a veteran.

[crazywafflez]

You'll be fine. Just make sure to apply broadly, but I'd talk to CDO at your school- they may tell you to go all in on Texas, or split it 50/50- but you should also be cold emailing folks at the firms you are interested in, especially in Texas. Look for alum of your school(s).

[Enchanted19]

I will definitely reach out to the career office. Thank you for the reply!

[crazywafflez]

Join the Texas club at your school as well if you've got one.

[Anonymous User]

You're a JDMBA, you'll be fine. Network and don't wait for or rely on OCI.

[Enchanted19]

You're a JDMBA, you'll be fine. Network and don't wait for or rely on OCI.

Thank you for the reply. I had hoped the MBA would help. I also like to think that I interview well. My concern was getting auto rejected because of arbitrary GPA cutoffs.

[Anonymous User]

You're a JDMBA, you'll be fine. Network and don't wait for or rely on OCI.

Thank you for the reply. I had hoped the MBA would help. I also like to think that I interview well. My concern was getting auto rejected because of arbitrary GPA cutoffs.

You might, but that's just reason to cast a wider net. Network so you're on their radar before they see stats.

[Anonymous User]

You're a JDMBA, you'll be fine. Network and don't wait for or rely on OCI.

Thank you for the reply. I had hoped the MBA would help. I also like to think that I interview well. My concern was getting auto rejected because of arbitrary GPA cutoffs.

you may/will get auto-rejected because of GPA cutoffs, depending on the firm. that's why networking and not waiting for OCI is important.

[Enchanted19]

You're a JDMBA, you'll be fine. Network and don't wait for or rely on OCI.

Thank you for the reply. I had hoped the MBA would help. I also like to think that I interview well. My concern was getting auto rejected because of arbitrary GPA cutoffs.

you may/will get auto-rejected because of GPA cutoffs, depending on the firm. that's why networking and not waiting for OCI is important.

To clarify, does not waiting for or relying on OCI mean that I should apply to those specific firms in advance of OCI on my own? Or does that mean I should apply to non-OCI firms in advance?

[toile]

You're a JDMBA, you'll be fine. Network and don't wait for or rely on OCI.

Thank you for the reply. I had hoped the MBA would help. I also like to think that I interview well. My concern was getting auto rejected because of arbitrary GPA cutoffs.

you may/will get auto-rejected because of GPA cutoffs, depending on the firm. that's why networking and not waiting for OCI is important.

To clarify, does not waiting for or relying on OCI mean that I should apply to those specific firms in advance of OCI on my own? Or does that mean I should apply to non-OCI firms in advance?

Apply to specific firms pre-OCI, if possible. There's generally no harm in reaching out, unless the firm specifically instructs you not to preemptively apply if they attend OCI at your school (in which case, listen). Other firms may defer your application to be considered with the bigger pile, but it can be positive to get an earlier application in as an indication of interest.

You should know, though, that for some firms the pre-OCI process can be more competitive than general OCI (they're tryna snap up the high GPAs / diversity early).