Do Firms Actually Read Cover Letters?
BigLaw Bear · December 30, 2025 · 2 min read
You're writing 40 cover letters for OCI. At some point you wonder: does anyone actually read these? The answer is frustratingly honest — it depends.
When They Read Them
At the callback stage. Interviewers often review your full application before a callback. A thoughtful cover letter gives them something to ask about.
When your credentials are borderline. If your GPA is on the edge of their cutoff, a strong cover letter explaining why you're a fit might tip the scale.
When a firm values "fit" signals. Some firms — particularly those with strong cultural identities — use cover letters to screen for genuine interest.
When you have a geographic story. If you're applying to a firm in a city where you have no obvious ties, the cover letter explains why. Our guide on writing a "why city" paragraph covers this.
When They Don't
The initial OCI screen. At many firms, the first cut is purely numbers-based: school, GPA, journal. The cover letter isn't part of that filter.
High-volume recruiting. Firms reviewing 500+ applications for OCI slots physically cannot read every cover letter carefully.
The Bottom Line
Write a good one anyway. You don't know which category a given firm falls into, and a bad cover letter can hurt you even at firms that don't emphasize them. A typo in the firm name or a generic paragraph that obviously applies to any firm signals carelessness.
Keep it short, make it specific, and move on. Our cover letter guide has the full playbook. Research each firm on the firm directory so your letters have real substance.