2016-2017 Clerkship Application Thread Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know how to get OSCAR email updates when clerkships open up? I disabled mine after I got a 2016-17 position but want to set one up for 17-18.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know how to get OSCAR email updates when clerkships open up? I disabled mine after I got a 2016-17 position but want to set one up for 17-18.

My Profile > Profile > Edit Profile and then you'll see the options to set up email notifications

[dannynoonan87]

i found the best strategy was to assume a ding and then be pleasantly surprised when you get an offer. i know that's easier said than done, but the caliber of people interviewing for clerkships is so high that you can do nothing wrong and still lose out.

^ TCR

[Anonymous User]

Up to two weeks and counting, haha. Still have a sliver of hope.

[minnbills]

Up to two weeks and counting, haha. Still have a sliver of hope.

I had to wait about 3-4 weeks before I got my offer. Hang in there.

[Anonymous User]

I waited a month + 5 days. It happens.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks for the kind words. I'm just ready to be done with this.

[Anonymous User]

Has gardephe or stein on SDNY hired/interviewed for 2016 yet?

[Anonymous User]

Has gardephe or stein on SDNY hired/interviewed for 2016 yet?

Stein hasn't even completed 2015

[Anonymous User]

Gardephe has hired at least one for 2016

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear from Delaware Chancery yet?

[Anonymous User]

Four COA interviews, four rejections. It's hard not to take it personally.

[ph14]

Four COA interviews, four rejections. It's hard not to take it personally.

Chin up. From what I've seen on the otherside of the table the process can be very idiosyncratic and random and not to mention incredibly competitive. Feel free to pm if you want and I can try to help diagnose and address the issues.

[Anonymous User]

Four COA interviews, four rejections. It's hard not to take it personally.

Keep trucking, man. If you've gotten 4 COA interviews so far, you must have a lot going for you. Just a matter of time until something sticks.

[c'est charmant]

jumping in to reiterate that getting four COA interviews and no offers =/= you look good on paper but suck in person. like PH said, there are so many random factors that come together that it's almost arbitrary past the interview stage. unless you are really terrible in person, which you would probably know by now. things will turn around, or they won't and a few years from now it won't make any difference to you. good luck.

[Anonymous User]

Thanks, everyone. I know these things, but it's good to hear it from other people.

or they won't and a few years from now it won't make any difference to you.

This is honestly what I keep telling myself. I think I would really love being a clerk, but I'm satisfied with my current job and in all likelihood clerking or not won't change my life significantly either way.

[Anonymous User]

At this point, are any SDNY judges NOT full for 2016?

[Anonymous User]

All the judges marking OSCAR as filled today at just joking cuz it's April Fools day right? Right? Please????

[DiliGents]

Is there any way to check-in with chambers on timing (and not be annoying)? The posting just expired, and I've been in contact with a current clerk within the last couple of weeks who told me then that the Judge hasn't started looking at apps yet.

[Anonymous User]

Welp, four weeks of radio silence. Oh, the agony.

[Anonymous User]

It is not only ok but also CR to reach out to a judge's former clerks with Qs in advance of an interview, right?

[wwwcol]

It is not only ok but also CR to reach out to a judge's former clerks with Qs in advance of an interview, right?

Yup. Former clerks are generally glad to talk and many (most?) will give you interview tips. I had one former clerk cancel a call with me after learning I had an interview ("unfair to other applicants") but the vast majority viewed the interview as a sign that I was a serious candidate (and were consequently glad to offer advice).

Is there any way to check-in with chambers on timing (and not be annoying)? The posting just expired, and I've been in contact with a current clerk within the last couple of weeks who told me then that the Judge hasn't started looking at apps yet.

What exactly are you trying to figure out? If the posting (or your discussion with the current clerk) suggests they accept paper apps, just send one in whenever. Most chambers will hold an app if the judge hasn't started interviewing yet.

If you've already submitted an app, then I'm not sure what your question is. The app is already in and all you can do is hope you're invited to interview.

[Anonymous User]

too many judges say "only apply when you have 4 semesters of grades" then inevitably hire before such grades come out for current 2Ls. Why not just say 3Ls and alumni only?

[Anonymous User]

It is not only ok but also CR to reach out to a judge's former clerks with Qs in advance of an interview, right?

Absolutely. Like just about every other clerk I know, I love talking about the job to people interested in clerking. It is also a good idea because in every chambers there are often some very important things you could emphasize/not emphasize that you could only find out from talking to the judge's staff. For instance, my judge rarely, if ever, has clerks help with the criminal calendar. Anyone who is gung-ho about criminal law and not gung-ho about civil law will get dinged.

[Anonymous User]

Had my interview today. Now the wait begins...