How to Manage the Different 2L Application Timelines

Although it would be nice to have the certainty of a set schedule for firms opening up their 2L application portal, the reality with the accelerated 2L process is that this is not the case.  Firms are working on different timelines and open up their 2L application portals on different dates.

But, here’s the thing: the market is changing quickly and is very dynamic.  The new accelerated 2L hiring timeline has firms changing their approach each year… and then tweaking it once the recruiting season kicks in, based on what other firms are doing and other factors.

So, the answer to the question “When do firms open their 2L application portals?” is: nobody knows… not even the firms.

For example, firms may plan to open up applications on May 15, and decide to do it earlier.  Or some firms may have a plan for April 15 and decide to move it up.

(Also, please keep in mind that your career office is in touch directly with firms – if you received information from your career office about a firm’s 2L application timing and that ended up being incorrect, it is likely that is because of information provided by the firm or the firm changing their plans… your career office is playing a game where the rules keep changing, so don’t kill the messenger.)

Because firm’s application timing can change, the best thing you can do as a 1L/rising 2L is focus on what is in your control.  What does that mean?  Well, to stay on top of firms’ application timing, you can:

–Sign up for the firm’s 1L mailing list.  Almost all firms have a 1L mailing list for students to sign up and get updates on networking events, campus visits, and application timing.  If you are signed up, you’ll get updated when applications open, whenever that is.

–Set reminders to check the websites of key firms.  Set a simple calendar reminder once or twice week to simply check the website of a handful of firms you are particularly interested in.  This way, you can stay on top of it as the season keeps moving.

–Understand your school’s programs.  If your school has an early pre-OCI resume collect or and/or early OCI (some schools have moved OCI to May, right after finals), it may be the case that this resume collect or OCI is the first chance for you to apply to that firm.  There are many firms that are opening up their application portals in May and using resume collects and early OCIs as one of the earliest tools to receive applications.  So ask your career office – and keep tabs on the firm anyway (see previous point) in case things change for that firm!