2014-2015 Clerkship Application Thread - OP Updated 04/19/13

[ph14]

Griffith (D.C. Cir.) is done for '14.

Whoever posted this, where's your info coming from? Where you assuming from the fact that he removed the clerkship position on OSCAR that he had finished hiring? Because he just posted a new vacancy for 2014.

Where did he post the vacancy? I updated the OP to reflect this dispute and will alter it again if you can post where the vacancy was. I didn't see anything on OSCAR.

Also, OP updated to reflect a different tip.

[nhs]

.

[Anonymous User]

On the Ninth Circuit, Judges Fisher, Watford, and Wardlaw are also full for 2014.

(For what it's worth, I don't think that Fisher or Wardlaw hired in this cycle--I think they filled up last year. Watford, on the other hand, hired current 2Ls for 2014 in November/December.)

[ph14]

On the Ninth Circuit, Judges Fisher, Watford, and Wardlaw are also full for 2014.

(For what it's worth, I don't think that Fisher or Wardlaw hired in this cycle--I think they filled up last year. Watford, on the other hand, hired current 2Ls for 2014 in November/December.)

Thanks for the tip. OP updated.

[Anonymous User]

Moore in Cleveland is taking apps right now
Higginbothom 5th Cir is also

[Anonymous User]

I think we need to institute a rule that instead of posting that a certain judge is done, whoever has a tip should PM the OP with the tip and explain how he/she knows that information. I do not have any info on Griffith, but I would be surprised if he is done (he almost always hires someone from my school and has not done so yet). I can also confirm that Watford is not done. He hired some 2Ls in November/December but still has at least one vacancy.

There is also a difference between being "done" and being done with a given school. Many judges have slots for given schools. Just because the judge has hired someone from a given school and is done with that school does not mean that all slots are full.

OP, does that work for you?

[Citizen Genet]

Above is credited. Griffith posted his vacancy to OSCAR just yesterday. It's still there as of now.

[ph14]

I think we need to institute a rule that instead of posting that a certain judge is done, whoever has a tip should PM the OP with the tip and explain how he/she knows that information. I do not have any info on Griffith, but I would be surprised if he is done (he almost always hires someone from my school and has not done so yet). I can also confirm that Watford is not done. He hired some 2Ls in November/December but still has at least one vacancy.

There is also a difference between being "done" and being done with a given school. Many judges have slots for given schools. Just because the judge has hired someone from a given school and is done with that school does not mean that all slots are full.

OP, does that work for you?

Above is credited. Griffith posted his vacancy to OSCAR just yesterday. It's still there as of now.

I'll alter the OP to reflect these posts.

[Anonymous User]

Griffith (D.C. Cir.) is done for '14.

Whoever posted this, where's your info coming from? Where you assuming from the fact that he removed the clerkship position on OSCAR that he had finished hiring? Because he just posted a new vacancy for 2014.

Where did he post the vacancy? I updated the OP to reflect this dispute and will alter it again if you can post where the vacancy was. I didn't see anything on OSCAR.

Also, OP updated to reflect a different tip.

OP of original tip here. No, I did not make an assumption from OSCAR. My information came from a counselor in my school's career services office, and they did not say that it was school specific--the exact message was that all four of his positions were filled.

[Tangerine Gleam]

Yeah, it looks like Griffith updated his 2014 listing yesterday. It was originally posted back in September, I think -- but it still says "available." I don't notice any changes in the update. Maybe they meant to remove it, but didn't?

[Citizen Genet]

Yeah, it looks like Griffith updated his 2014 listing yesterday. It was originally posted back in September, I think -- but it still says "available." I don't notice any changes in the update. Maybe they meant to remove it, but didn't?

It was removed for a week or so then reposted yesterday.

[ph14]

OP updated to reflect recent activity and pms.

[ph14]

Wow, OSCAR is terrible. I can't just upload a transcript, I have to manually type in everything? You've got to be kidding me.

[Tangerine Gleam]

Wow, OSCAR is terrible. I can't just upload a transcript, I have to manually type in everything? You've got to be kidding me.

Yeah, transcripts are done manually. I guess the judges want uniform formatting when comparing grades. Luckily, all other document types can be uploaded as .PDFs.

[forza]

Wow, OSCAR is terrible. I can't just upload a transcript, I have to manually type in everything? You've got to be kidding me.

Yeah, transcripts are done manually. I guess the judges want uniform formatting when comparing grades. Luckily, all other document types can be uploaded as .PDFs.

"Grade sheets."

[ph14]

Wow, OSCAR is terrible. I can't just upload a transcript, I have to manually type in everything? You've got to be kidding me.

Yeah, transcripts are done manually. I guess the judges want uniform formatting when comparing grades. Luckily, all other document types can be uploaded as .PDFs.

I guess. So I need to upload a separate cover letter for every judge i'm applying to? And you can only apply through OSCAR to positions that are listed as "available"? Even if say they haven't updated their position since last application cycle and so their OSCAR says "filled" for last year's position?

[A. Nony Mouse]

Yep. Welcome to the wonder that is OSCAR (one of the reasons I just sent paper apps everywhere I could).

[ph14]

Applications should just be sent directly via email. That would make things easier for everyone I'd think. Oh well.

[TatteredDignity]

Wait, so 2Ls can already access OSCAR? I thought it was another couple of months until we could do that. Without creating a fake account, that is.

[ph14]

Wait, so 2Ls can already access OSCAR? I thought it was another couple of months until we could do that. Without creating a fake account, that is.

Edit: See below.

[ph14]

Wait, so 2Ls can already access OSCAR? I thought it was another couple of months until we could do that. Without creating a fake account, that is.

Edit: See below.

Well, it looks like we can sign up for OSCAR but not use it for applications. I went to try and send one and I got this message:

When you click on the Finalize Application button, you will no longer be able to make changes to your application packet. Finalized applications from 2013 (or earlier) graduates will be available to judges immediately, and those from 2014 graduates will be available to judges on August 19, 2013 at 12:00 pm Noon EDT. However, neither student nor graduate applications can be changed once finalized. This action cannot be undone.

[TatteredDignity]

Wait, so 2Ls can already access OSCAR? I thought it was another couple of months until we could do that. Without creating a fake account, that is.

Edit: See below.

Well, it looks like we can sign up for OSCAR but not use it for applications. I went to try and send one and I got this message:

When you click on the Finalize Application button, you will no longer be able to make changes to your application packet. Finalized applications from 2013 (or earlier) graduates will be available to judges immediately, and those from 2014 graduates will be available to judges on August 19, 2013 at 12:00 pm Noon EDT. However, neither student nor graduate applications can be changed once finalized. This action cannot be undone.

Got it. Thanks.

[forza]

So I need to upload a separate cover letter for every judge i'm applying to?

They have some weird mail merge thing that I could never figure out and I thought it made letters look wonky. I just uploaded PDFs of letters for each judge, which was super fun times, considering you can only do 25 at a time (and then have to delete those and upload a new 25, etc.).

[dixon02]

Wait, so 2Ls can already access OSCAR? I thought it was another couple of months until we could do that. Without creating a fake account, that is.

Edit: See below.

Well, it looks like we can sign up for OSCAR but not use it for applications. I went to try and send one and I got this message:

When you click on the Finalize Application button, you will no longer be able to make changes to your application packet. Finalized applications from 2013 (or earlier) graduates will be available to judges immediately, and those from 2014 graduates will be available to judges on August 19, 2013 at 12:00 pm Noon EDT. However, neither student nor graduate applications can be changed once finalized. This action cannot be undone.

Right...just to clarify, this is all because the plan is not technically dead. OSCAR is still following the plan. You cannot apply through OSCAR until August 19, because that is when the plan now opens (they bumped up the date a month or so ago, thinking they were being all accommodating and such). So basically, you can go on OSCAR to view judges/openings, but then you will need to apply to them outside of OSCAR, via either e-mail or paper mail (assume paper mail unless you hear differently).

[ph14]

If they wanted to fix the plan, they should just release after 3 semesters of grades, not 4. That would strike a balance in that, most judges want to see 3 semesters of grades anyways, so there isn't a huge incentive to hire earlier than that, except for some outliers such as Kozinski. And then many more judges would be willing to stick to the plan and it could actually be effective. Add a ban on exploding offers (with perhaps a 24 hr/48 hr/1 week minimum period to accept or decline) and that's not a terrible system.