What is OCI?
OCI stands for On-Campus Interviewing. OCI is a service to the largest law firms and the most prestigious private, non-profit, and government entities. Generally, these employers hire the top 10%-20% of a law school class. OCI affords these employers an orderly process through which they can evaluate students.
Why just the big firms? Why not smaller firms? Few smaller firms have the resources to project staffing needs so far in advance. Unlike the big firms, small firms hire on an "as needed" basis. When large firms hire a 2L for the following summer, they're actually projecting not just one year, but two years ahead in anticipation of making an offer of permanent, post-graduate employment to that 2L. See www.NalpDirectory.com for a complete directory of large firms.
Why mostly 2Ls and not 3Ls? Large firm employers are more interested in 2Ls because the summer associate 2Ls usually receive offers to work there after graduation, so large firm employers generally do not need to hire additional 3Ls.
Which employers participate?
On-Campus Employers – Refers to employers interviewing held at Pitt Law School, in addition to the Washington, DC Interview Day and the Philadelphia Interview Day. Please note the OCI deadline for uploading materials to Symplicity.
Resume Collection Employers – For employers that are unable to interview students on-campus, but wish to receive application materials from students as a group, the Symplicity system will collect students’ materials and forward them as a group to the employer. Please note the OCI deadline for uploading materials to Symplicity is the same for on-campus and resume collection employers. Within 2 weeks of the submission deadline, you should follow-up with these employers to make sure your materials were received, ask if they need any additional materials, and inquire about the employer’s hiring timeline.
Direct Send Employers – For employers that are unable to interview students on-campus, but wish to receive application materials from students directly, the Symplicity system advertises employer information to students for direct submission. You may send your materials after the OCI deadline, but we recommend that you send your materials ASAP and also look to see if the employer has set forth its own deadline. You need to look at these carefully and check the employer’s website, if applicable. If there is no deadline, you should still try to submit your materials ASAP because these employers will receive application materials from candidates across the country. Within 2 weeks of submitting your materials, you should follow-up with these employers to make sure your materials were received, ask if they need any additional materials, and inquire about the employer’s hiring timeline.