DOJ Honors 2015-16 Megathread Forum

[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.

So, I'd heard the same thing about calling all references, but couldn't remember where I heard it from. Is this posted officially somewhere? Just curious because every time I mention this purported policy to anyone they say it's craziness because why bother calling references unless someone is close to the final cut. I suppose all 48 they interviewed are close to the final cut, though, so maybe I'm being nutty.

In any event, I was hoping that the fact that they called before all interviews ended could be a good sign, but I suppose it's more likely that they just started calling everyone early and I shouldn't get my hopes up. Or perhaps all three of us will be finalists! Here's hoping.

[catinthewall]

Last year, the meaning of references being called varied from office to office, so you cannot read into it too much.

[Anonymous User]

Reimbursement question(s): the reimbursement form says not to list things like meals because we will receive M&IE if travel time exceeds 12 hours. Two (possibly very stupid) questions:

1) are we in "travel status" the entire time we're in DC/traveling from our home destination? I flew in the night before my interview and flew out the next day, so it was about 36 hours between leaving my home and coming back. I assume that means I'll get some sort of M&IE?

2) do we have to claim the M&IE, or are those just automatically applied on top of whatever amount we claim on the form based on itinerary? I want to make sure I get it (assuming I can), but all the form says is "Do not claim food purchases; you will receive M&IE if your travel exceeded 12 hours."

[Anonymous User]

There are no stupid questions about federal bureaucracy.

I'm pretty sure you will get some kind of M&IE. You may only get part of it for the 2 travel days (there's usually some kind of percentage on the days you leave/return home), but you should get something (I would think the whole amount for the full day you were there). And I'm also pretty sure it will be applied automatically - that's the general practice, in any case. (Sorry not to be more decisive though.)

[Anonymous User]

So interviewing finished up Friday, right? So this week is in theory finalist deliberations and reference checks?

[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.

FWIW, they told me during the interview that they call references for everyone they interview (it was an offhand comment in response to my question about the timeline). They don't strike me as the type that would play games and say something like that if not true, but who knows.

ETA: I'm referring specifically to Civil Rights. I can't speak to other divisions.

[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.

FWIW, they told me during the interview that they call references for everyone they interview (it was an offhand comment in response to my question about the timeline). They don't strike me as the type that would play games and say something like that if not true, but who knows.

ETA: I'm referring specifically to Civil Rights. I can't speak to other divisions.

Ah, I see. Thanks for the info!!

[Absconder]

Anybody have a clear answer as to whether you need to be employed in an eligibility-preserving activity between your hiring and your start date? My impression is that most offers begin at the start of the next fiscal year (i.e., October 2016 for this cycle). To be eligible to apply, your current eligibility-preserving activity must extend to December of this year and you must be available to start work sometime in 2016. All the eligibility rules seem to be carefully framed in terms of applying, rather than starting.

Ordinarily, this isn't an issue, since most clerkships are fall-to-fall. But I would likely have a substantial employment gap, in which it'd be nice to earn some money. Is there any reason I can't do that?

Are the eligibility requirements on the HP website the final word on this, or are there some ur-regulations that are their source? Does anyone have friends who have had a big gap?

[Anonymous User]

So last year it looks like Ms. Willis announced when the finalist deadline is (it was Nov. 19th last year)...anyone think it would be too aggressive to ask if they have one set for this year?

[Anonymous User]

So last year it looks like Ms. Willis announced when the finalist deadline is (it was Nov. 19th last year)...anyone think it would be too aggressive to ask if they have one set for this year?

Not too aggressive. I'm dying to know.

Edit: also, where did you find the finalist deadline from last year? Avue community board?

[Anonymous User]

Yup! I did SLIP last year and all of the posts are still there when I log in.

[Anonymous User]

Yup! I did SLIP last year and all of the posts are still there when I log in.

I see. Just found the post you're talking about, which says that they finished interviews last year on Nov 10, and finalist notifications were due Nov 19. I'm going to pray that our finalist notifications will be due by Tuesday of next week before everyone leaves for the Thanksgiving holiday.

[Anonymous User]

Yup! I did SLIP last year and all of the posts are still there when I log in.

I see. Just found the post you're talking about, which says that they finished interviews last year on Nov 10, and finalist notifications were due Nov 19. I'm going to pray that our finalist notifications will be due by Tuesday of next week before everyone leaves for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Same! Fingers crossed.

[Anonymous User]

any phones ringing out there?!

[Anonymous User]

From what I've heard, the best case scenario is next week before Thanksgiving.

[Anonymous User]

anybody with experience from previous years w/ crim have a sense of whether they call everyone's references or not?

[Anonymous User]

I know EOIR SLIP emailed all references last year but not until after the finalist notifications went out. I'm assuming it is the same for Honors but only because of the high number of offers they make.

Also, someone posted on the community forum about the finalist deadline so maybe she will reply tomorrow.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone out there know if ENRD has called references? I know my references haven't been called so I'm assuming the worst.

[Anonymous User]

BOP called my references this morning if anyone is waiting on them.

[Anonymous User]

Me too this morning (crim)

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone heard anything about EOIR or OCIJ in particular?

[Anonymous User]

For the Crim person, did they call all your references or just one? I am constantly checking my email to see if my references have heard anything. Gah.

[Anonymous User]

For the Crim person, did they call all your references or just one? I am constantly checking my email to see if my references have heard anything. Gah.

all three

[Anonymous User]

Have any references been checked for federal programs or torts?

[Anonymous User]

Damn, that's amazing, congrats. For the Crim person, when did you interview?