DOJ Honors 2015-16 Megathread Forum

[Anonymous User]

Has anybody who applied to Civil/Torts had their references checked?

[Anonymous User]

Has the 4:1 ratio changed? Did I miss something?

[Anonymous User]

Has the 4:1 ratio changed? Did I miss something?

Sorry, I think that was me. I wasn't talking about the ratio (interviewees to position) - I was talking about openings, period. In past years some components only hired one person, total. I was trying to say that that how a component designated finalists when they were interviewing 4 people for 1 position, total, might be different from how they do it when they have a larger pool to play with (that is, if you're hiring 6-7 and interviewing 24-28, you might designate more than 6-7 finalists, but not all of them). Not a comment on the 4:1 interviewing ratio.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone interview with the US Trustee? Any insight?

[Anonymous User]

It sounds like current students have 28 days to decide after getting an offer. Is that generally the same for clerks? Looking at past years' spreadsheets, it looks like some components like to hire earlier than others, so would they ask for a faster turnaround when they aren't bound by the 28-day rule?

ETA: I know it's not offer time yet, so this question is somewhat premature, but this would be useful to know when deciding how to reach out to possible non-DOJ employers. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Not to freak anyone out, because different components (and hiring officials) are definitely different, but I was a clerk and I had to ask for time to call my husband about the offer. I got asked when they called with the offer, "So, are you ready to accept?" I was told I could call my husband but to give them an answer as soon as I could. (That said, I don't think they'd have actually rescinded the offer if I needed more time, but I don't think they would have been happy.)

[Anonymous User]

It sounds like current students have 28 days to decide after getting an offer. Is that generally the same for clerks? Looking at past years' spreadsheets, it looks like some components like to hire earlier than others, so would they ask for a faster turnaround when they aren't bound by the 28-day rule?

ETA: I know it's not offer time yet, so this question is somewhat premature, but this would be useful to know when deciding how to reach out to possible non-DOJ employers. Thanks!

This is what Deana Willis posted last year if this helps!

"b. Offers issued to current law students after December 15 or to a law school graduate at any time must remain open for at least two weeks after the date of the offer."

[Anonymous User]

For Crim, they said 56 interviewees for the 9 slots, so that's 6.2 candidates per slot, as an FYI.

[Anonymous User]

I had the question about the response time for clerks, and both of those answers are very helpful. Thank you!

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone else on here going for CRT? Just heard from one of my references that they already made a call, but I was under the impression that they wouldn't make any contact until after all interviews ended. Hoping this is a good sign?

[Anonymous User]

For Crim, they said 56 interviewees for the 9 slots, so that's 6.2 candidates per slot, as an FYI.

woof

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone else on here going for CRT? Just heard from one of my references that they already made a call, but I was under the impression that they wouldn't make any contact until after all interviews ended. Hoping this is a good sign?

not sure what CRT is, but it's clearly a good sign that they called your reference.

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone else on here going for CRT? Just heard from one of my references that they already made a call, but I was under the impression that they wouldn't make any contact until after all interviews ended. Hoping this is a good sign?

not sure what CRT is, but it's clearly a good sign that they called your reference.

Civil Rights

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone else on here going for CRT? Just heard from one of my references that they already made a call, but I was under the impression that they wouldn't make any contact until after all interviews ended. Hoping this is a good sign?

not sure what CRT is, but it's clearly a good sign that they called your reference.

Civil Rights

What's the T then? Lol

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone else on here going for CRT? Just heard from one of my references that they already made a call, but I was under the impression that they wouldn't make any contact until after all interviews ended. Hoping this is a good sign?

not sure what CRT is, but it's clearly a good sign that they called your reference.

Civil Rights

What's the T then? Lol

Wish I knew. That's the acronym they use on Avue

[bruinfan10]

Hi DOJ Honors folks! Just popping in to ask a really dumb question, if anyone can help me out. I have a good friend who's really disenchanted with big firms, and he's still honors eligible--I was curious if anyone knows whether this program is more or less selective than say, getting a good federal clerkship or getting into JAG. Any thoughts/perspective on just the general ballpark of selectivity would be appreciated!

[Anonymous User]

I would say that it's at least as difficult as getting a good federal clerkship, yes (don't know enough about JAG) - there just aren't a lot of spots, and lots and lots of people apply. (Keep in mind that you can only apply to 3 components, so while the numbers of open positions have gone up in the last couple of years, no one person can be considered for all of them.) Applicants also usually need some kind of government experience/evidence of commitment to public service, ideally in the area of the component's mission, and good grades; and the feds do seem to hire from a really broad range of schools (and also really like vets), so it's a pretty broad pool of applicants - as opposed to, say, a COA judge who's going to end up only seriously considering top 10% from a small number of top schools. (Applying to EOIR gets you the most openings, but you really need immigration experience/interest, and those are 2-year fellowships, so a little different from most other components.)

(Also, when you say this person is disenchanted by big firms, does that mean from working at one post-grad?)

[bruinfan10]

I would say that it's at least as difficult as getting a good federal clerkship, yes (don't know enough about JAG) - there just aren't a lot of spots, and lots and lots of people apply. (Keep in mind that you can only apply to 3 components, so while the numbers of open positions have gone up in the last couple of years, no one person can be considered for all of them.) Applicants also usually need some kind of government experience/evidence of commitment to public service, ideally in the area of the component's mission, and good grades; and the feds do seem to hire from a really broad range of schools (and also really like vets), so it's a pretty broad pool of applicants - as opposed to, say, a COA judge who's going to end up only seriously considering top 10% from a small number of top schools. (Applying to EOIR gets you the most openings, but you really need immigration experience/interest, and those are 2-year fellowships, so a little different from most other components.)

(Also, when you say this person is disenchanted by big firms, does that mean from working at one post-grad?)

Thanks so much for the info--that's about what I expected. Sounds brutal. And no, this is a person I know through clerking, so they haven't worked at a firm as an associate yet, but they've been around law firms for a while (and are actually doing a bunch of interviews right now), but they're getting progressively more bummed out about the prospect of the biglaw lifestyle.

[Anonymous User]

I would say that it's at least as difficult as getting a good federal clerkship, yes (don't know enough about JAG) - there just aren't a lot of spots, and lots and lots of people apply. (Keep in mind that you can only apply to 3 components, so while the numbers of open positions have gone up in the last couple of years, no one person can be considered for all of them.) Applicants also usually need some kind of government experience/evidence of commitment to public service, ideally in the area of the component's mission, and good grades; and the feds do seem to hire from a really broad range of schools (and also really like vets), so it's a pretty broad pool of applicants - as opposed to, say, a COA judge who's going to end up only seriously considering top 10% from a small number of top schools. (Applying to EOIR gets you the most openings, but you really need immigration experience/interest, and those are 2-year fellowships, so a little different from most other components.)

(Also, when you say this person is disenchanted by big firms, does that mean from working at one post-grad?)

Thanks so much for the info--that's about what I expected. Sounds brutal. And no, this is a person I know through clerking, so they haven't worked at a firm as an associate yet, but they've been around law firms for a while (and are actually doing a bunch of interviews right now), but they're getting progressively more bummed out about the prospect of the biglaw lifestyle.

Ah, I get it. Yeah, it's depressing.

Certainly it's worth applying - having a federal clerkship is usually a boost. And assuming they have another year of clerking left on the standard schedule, you find out whether you make it into the honors program in plenty of time to do firm interviews after if you have to. (Just keep in mind this year's program is closed for positions starting in 2016 - the next round would be applying in 2016 to start in 2017; if this person is done with clerking in fall 2016 they will lose their eligibility. That may not at all be the case, I just wonder since you mentioned them interviewing already.)

[bruinfan10]

I would say that it's at least as difficult as getting a good federal clerkship, yes (don't know enough about JAG) - there just aren't a lot of spots, and lots and lots of people apply. (Keep in mind that you can only apply to 3 components, so while the numbers of open positions have gone up in the last couple of years, no one person can be considered for all of them.) Applicants also usually need some kind of government experience/evidence of commitment to public service, ideally in the area of the component's mission, and good grades; and the feds do seem to hire from a really broad range of schools (and also really like vets), so it's a pretty broad pool of applicants - as opposed to, say, a COA judge who's going to end up only seriously considering top 10% from a small number of top schools. (Applying to EOIR gets you the most openings, but you really need immigration experience/interest, and those are 2-year fellowships, so a little different from most other components.)

(Also, when you say this person is disenchanted by big firms, does that mean from working at one post-grad?)

Thanks so much for the info--that's about what I expected. Sounds brutal. And no, this is a person I know through clerking, so they haven't worked at a firm as an associate yet, but they've been around law firms for a while (and are actually doing a bunch of interviews right now), but they're getting progressively more bummed out about the prospect of the biglaw lifestyle.

Ah, I get it. Yeah, it's depressing.

Certainly it's worth applying - having a federal clerkship is usually a boost. And assuming they have another year of clerking left on the standard schedule, you find out whether you make it into the honors program in plenty of time to do firm interviews after if you have to. (Just keep in mind this year's program is closed for positions starting in 2016 - the next round would be applying in 2016 to start in 2017; if this person is done with clerking in fall 2016 they will lose their eligibility. That may not at all be the case, I just wonder since you mentioned them interviewing already.)

Again, awesome info, really appreciate it! I'll pass that timing info along.

[Anonymous User]

urgent question: has anyone actually needed a physical print-out of your interview notification to get through security in a building? Interview is tomorrow and I was double-checking everything tonight and realized that the interview info page said to "Please bring a photo ID and the email notifying you of your interview time and date to help expedite clearing security." Getting to a printer in the morning would be quite difficult.... but not getting into the building in time would be worse. Anyone?

[Anonymous User]

urgent question: has anyone actually needed a physical print-out of your interview notification to get through security in a building? Interview is tomorrow and I was double-checking everything tonight and realized that the interview info page said to "Please bring a photo ID and the email notifying you of your interview time and date to help expedite clearing security." Getting to a printer in the morning would be quite difficult.... but not getting into the building in time would be worse. Anyone?

I never brought an email confirming my interview and didn't have any problems. When I went to my interview location I just gave them my ID and told them what component I was interviewing with. Although I don't know for sure, I'm assuming an ID would be enough. You should have a contact person listed on your specific component interview info page. I imagine if you did have issues getting through security you could always have security call your contact.

[Anonymous User]

urgent question: has anyone actually needed a physical print-out of your interview notification to get through security in a building? Interview is tomorrow and I was double-checking everything tonight and realized that the interview info page said to "Please bring a photo ID and the email notifying you of your interview time and date to help expedite clearing security." Getting to a printer in the morning would be quite difficult.... but not getting into the building in time would be worse. Anyone?

I only needed my ID to get into the building.

[Anonymous User]

urgent question: has anyone actually needed a physical print-out of your interview notification to get through security in a building? Interview is tomorrow and I was double-checking everything tonight and realized that the interview info page said to "Please bring a photo ID and the email notifying you of your interview time and date to help expedite clearing security." Getting to a printer in the morning would be quite difficult.... but not getting into the building in time would be worse. Anyone?

I never brought an email confirming my interview and didn't have any problems. When I went to my interview location I just gave them my ID and told them what component I was interviewing with. Although I don't know for sure, I'm assuming an ID would be enough. You should have a contact person listed on your specific component interview info page. I imagine if you did have issues getting through security you could always have security call your contact.

Good call. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Is anyone else on here going for CRT? Just heard from one of my references that they already made a call, but I was under the impression that they wouldn't make any contact until after all interviews ended. Hoping this is a good sign?

not sure what CRT is, but it's clearly a good sign that they called your reference.

Civil Rights

I and a friend also interviewed for Civil Rights and they began calling both our references. From what I understand they call all references and it isn't related to offers/finalists.