OCI: On-Campus Interviews – Earlier than Ever

What is OCI?

On-Campus Interviews or OCI is a long-established term used to describe the structured process for hiring law students into primarily Big Law firms each year. OCI is a very competitive process, as law firms aim to recruit the highest-achieving students from law schools across the country. Law students who interview through the OCI process hope to secure positions as summer associates at law firms for the summer following their second (2L) year of study. Firms utilize OCI and resulting summer programs to determine which students will receive full-time offers of employment following graduation. Students interested in post-graduation Big Law positions will find those positions largely through the OCI process, which begins well before their final year (3L) of law school.

Shifting Timelines for OCI

Traditionally, the OCI process took place in late summer and into the fall semester of the 2L year. In recent eras, that timeframe moved slightly earlier to mid-summer July/August continuing into the fall semester.

The traditional OCI timing meant law students had navigated their first full year of academic study, engaged in a legal internship opportunity during their 1L summer, and completed the law journal writing competition (selection process) at their individual school. Completion of these important first-year milestones provided critical credentials and experiences that assisted students in preparation and successful navigation of OCI.

While law firm recruiting and OCI timing have evolved over the years, recent trends have shifted the timing of OCI into a significantly earlier timeframe during the 1L (first) year, preceding some of those traditional 1L milestones and placing increased emphasis on first semester academic performance. In response, some schools have also adjusted the timing and process for first-year student engagement with career services, moved journal writing competitions to the winter of the 1L year, and made other adjustments that reflect this new OCI timing.

While every school is making unique adjustments regarding its OCI and law firm recruitment programs, generally speaking, any student entering law school right now with an interest in Big Law should anticipate going through the OCI process earlier than previous generations of law students.

What does an earlier OCI timeline mean for pre-law students?

Maybe – not much. First foremost, it is very important to keep in mind that OCI is very specific to law firm hiring, and specifically, Big Law. Business, government, public interest, and even smaller to moderately sized law firms typically hire through separate processes and on different timelines. If your interest lies in other professional settings, changes to traditional OCI may have little impact on your recruitment/job search experience as a law student. However, it is hard to know fully what the future may hold or how your interests may evolve; therefore, it is important to know about all future options and to keep your mind open to many possible future paths.

Top Tips for Pre-Law Students:

Here are a few tips for pre-law students thinking ahead to success in the OCI process. Keep in mind that these tips are generally recommended regardless of OCI, but may be more critical given newer OCI timelines.

  • Seek out substantive, professional opportunities: Strive to engage in meaningful professional opportunities during your undergraduate studies or in post-graduation work. You will want to be able to speak about your professional experience as a 1L, potentially prior to your 1L summer internships. These professional opportunities do NOT need to be law-related but should include substantive work. Look for opportunities that provide you the chance to meaningfully contribute to work projects and activities, to take the lead on tasks, receive feedback, work in teams and independently, develop skills, learn and adapt from supervision, overcome uncertainty or challenge, and provide you tangible example of success in the workplace.
  • Prioritize your academic skills and development: You will want to position yourself for the greatest possible academic success as a first-year student. All law students face new learning challenges in their first semester/year; however, successful law students have the ability to assess, adapt, and navigate through those challenges. Focus on developing critical academic skills – challenge yourself academically as an undergraduate student – and become comfortable seeking resources and help. Also, focus on skills that assist in all aspects of life, such as time-management, wellness habits, and stress management.
  • Get practice interviewing and developing interpersonal skills: Interviews and fit are very important aspects of legal hiring, as are relationships. Get practice in the interviewing process, including seeking out intentional ways to develop your interviewing skills through resources and programs on campus. As a law student, intern, and young attorney, you will also be working with many different types of people, from different generations, perspectives, roles, experiences, and backgrounds. Focus on the development of your interpersonal skillset – be intentional in developing listening, communication, critical thinking, leadership, and conflict management skill sets!
  • Foster your interests and passions: Knowing what is important to you and brings fulfillment is critical to arriving at the right life goals, including professional goals. Pursuing interests and passions helps you develop as a holistic individual, whether those passions and interests directly relate to your career or not. Don’t lose sight of things that help you maintain balance, bring you satisfaction, and foster fulfillment. Utilize those passions and interests to help inform other life choices and connect with those around you.

Final Thoughts

Whatever your future OCI journey holds, you will not be alone. OCI is an experience that your peers will be navigating with you, supported by your law school. Additionally, the shift to earlier OCI timelines has ignited conversations nationally about the benefits and challenges of the new timeline – it maybe that further changes or evolution of this traditional process is ahead. For now – consider the tips we have shared, the perspectives from our current law students, and stay knowledgeable about what is ahead – having confidence that there will be many resources to assist you as you move through your prelaw and law student experiences!

Additional Resources:

Learn more about current perspectives on OCI from the highlighted resources!