On-Campus Interviewing, Post-Hoc

I just finished my last of 19 interviews in our on-campus interviewing week (here at YLS, they're called FIP: fall interview program). I am exhausted, to a degree that doesn't seem directly related to the actual amount of time spent in interviews - no more than 3 hours a day. On the up side, I now have about 12 firm-branded flash drives, a pair of iTunes gift cards, and a re-usable shopping bag courtesy of firms' desire to hand out swag.

With the economy the way it is, everyone went into FIP knowing that things were going to be a little tougher, that summer programs were likely going to be somewhat/much leaner than in the past...but I was astounded by just how many firm representatives proactively brought up the economic situation or metioned how "conservatively-managed [their] firm is." Others straight up told us that callback interviews and offers are going to be much more competitive this year, or that the timeline will be stretched out to make sure that the firm doesn't over-offer and end up flooded with summer associates-to-be. Not particularly encouraging, that's for sure.

Now, some people are already beginning to get callback invitations from firms while others are still waiting. It's kind of an excrutiating process (akin to sorority rush) where everyone is hoping that the firms they liked like them, too. One of our classmates had the brilliant idea to create an anonymous Google spreadsheet to document which offices have already sent positive & negative responses...so we all know (somewhat) where we stand. Some people are already doing callbacks next week, and others are taking the week off, hoping to squeeze one last week out of a too-short summer.

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