1L Summer Job Search C/O 2017 Forum

[Anonymous User]

HLS/SLS 1L here recovering from/bracing for final(s).

Questions:

1. Could've gone to Y but didn't (FML). I hear from friends there that YLS's finals aren't even until January. I'm K-JD so I was counting on getting good grades to distinguish me. Dunno if I can still count on those but wouldn't be surprised if my first batch of grades are good.

How badly did I nail myself in the foot for not going to gradeless YLS for 1LSA purposes?

2. As I said, recovering from/bracing for. Didn't apply on Jan 1 and haven't yet. Will def try to get everything out by Monday, but did I further F myself for 1LSAs by not having applied already?

3. Not a straight white male but for diversity scholarships, should I write about my low SES/immigrant upbringing or would that just show that I'm uncouth and lack grace? I.e., show that I'm "diverse" but not in a good way?

[Kratos]

HLS/SLS 1L here recovering from/bracing for final(s).

Questions:

1. Could've gone to Y but didn't (FML). I hear from friends there that YLS's finals aren't even until January. I'm K-JD so I was counting on getting good grades to distinguish me. Dunno if I can still count on those but wouldn't be surprised if my first batch of grades are good.

How badly did I nail myself in the foot for not going to gradeless YLS for 1LSA purposes?

2. As I said, recovering from/bracing for. Didn't apply on Jan 1 and haven't yet. Will def try to get everything out by Monday, but did I further F myself for 1LSAs by not having applied already?

3. Not a straight white male but for diversity scholarships, should I write about my low SES/immigrant upbringing or would that just show that I'm uncouth and lack grace? I.e., show that I'm "diverse" but not in a good way?

1 & 2. Pointless questions. start applying as soon as you can.

I'm a straight white male so I dunno about 3.

[nothingtosee]

HLS/SLS 1L here recovering from/bracing for final(s).

Questions:

1. Could've gone to Y but didn't (FML). I hear from friends there that YLS's finals aren't even until January. I'm K-JD so I was counting on getting good grades to distinguish me. Dunno if I can still count on those but wouldn't be surprised if my first batch of grades are good.

How badly did I nail myself in the foot for not going to gradeless YLS for 1LSA purposes?

2. As I said, recovering from/bracing for. Didn't apply on Jan 1 and haven't yet. Will def try to get everything out by Monday, but did I further F myself for 1LSAs by not having applied already?

3. Not a straight white male but for diversity scholarships, should I write about my low SES/immigrant upbringing or would that just show that I'm uncouth and lack grace? I.e., show that I'm "diverse" but not in a good way?

You didn't f yourself.
Firms won't even look at lower schools til grades come out; you'll get read.

Apply ASAP

and chill. In this post you SOUND like a k-jd. That's not gonna be a good look for interviews.
Which you'll get
Cuz ur at a great school.

[postard]

,

[BizBro]

CCN 1L here. So i held off on applying until my finals were over (which is tomorrow). Looks like people have already gotten interviews/offers by now for those 1L SA / diversity jobs. Am I shit out of luck on that front? Where should I apply the rest of this week? I think I'll still apply to all these places anyway just in case. Mainly looking for something paid. No ties outside of NYC.

[TheSpanishMain]

JAG or other military?

I believe the military age cap for new accessions is 38.

Wait, I'm wrong. Branch dependent.

[Kratos]

CCN 1L here. So i held off on applying until my finals were over (which is tomorrow). Looks like people have already gotten interviews/offers by now for those 1L SA / diversity jobs. Am I shit out of luck on that front? Where should I apply the rest of this week? I think I'll still apply to all these places anyway just in case. Mainly looking for something paid. No ties outside of NYC.

Only way to find out is to apply, so do that.

[jbagelboy]

CCN 1L here. So i held off on applying until my finals were over (which is tomorrow). Looks like people have already gotten interviews/offers by now for those 1L SA / diversity jobs. Am I shit out of luck on that front? Where should I apply the rest of this week? I think I'll still apply to all these places anyway just in case. Mainly looking for something paid. No ties outside of NYC.

I got my 1L SA in february so chill. Unless you're diverse and have a pretty impressive pre-law background , your fall grades are the most influential element anyway

ETA; I should mention that was non-NYC. New York positions do move faster.

[foundingfather]

what do you guys usually submit for 1L SAs? i'm assuming:

cover letter
resume
writing sample
transcripts

also, does anyone have a cover letter sample?

[transferror]

what do you guys usually submit for 1L SAs? i'm assuming:

cover letter
resume
writing sample
transcripts

also, does anyone have a cover letter sample?

General format: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/caree ... utline.pdf
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/1147.html

Examples: http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/care ... tters.html
http://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/defau ... evised.pdf

[foundingfather]

what do you guys usually submit for 1L SAs? i'm assuming:

cover letter
resume
writing sample
transcripts

also, does anyone have a cover letter sample?

General format: http://www.law.berkeley.edu/files/caree ... utline.pdf
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/1147.html

Examples: http://www.law.harvard.edu/current/care ... tters.html
http://web.law.columbia.edu/sites/defau ... evised.pdf

thanks so much!

[Anonymous User]

For those who applied to the Cleary 1L program, did you email your application materials or mail them?

[chuckbass]

For those who applied to the Cleary 1L program, did you email your application materials or mail them?

Email.

[Kimikho]

Can you get a ties boost for 1L non-firm positions, or do they just not care since you aren't looking for a place to work after law school?

[chuckbass]

Can you get a ties boost for 1L non-firm positions, or do they just not care since you aren't looking for a place to work after law school?

I think this would be really variable but I think there'd be some boost.

[BVest]

Can you get a ties boost for 1L non-firm positions, or do they just not care since you aren't looking for a place to work after law school?

It's small, but better than nothing. i.e. it's one more time that "Chicago" (or whatever) appears on your resume.

[chuckbass]

Can you get a ties boost for 1L non-firm positions, or do they just not care since you aren't looking for a place to work after law school?

It's small, but better than nothing. i.e. it's one more time that "Chicago" (or whatever) appears on your resume.

I don't think that's what she was asking but also makes sense.

[sesto elemento]

Got my first rejection email today.
Oh well, just the first of many.

[SplitMyPants]

Anyone know where I can find a good TLS interview thread? Please excuse my laziness, but I just finished a 10 hour drive and have two interviews tomorrow.

[KM2016]

Anyone know where I can find a good TLS interview thread? Please excuse my laziness, but I just finished a 10 hour drive and have two interviews tomorrow.

From the OCI thread; although still completely applicable because all interviews are the same.

Before going into a firm, I recommend doing background research, and probably writing down key stats (firm name, location, size, main practice areas, and a question or two). This helps make sure you don't get names crossed, and will be nice to have in front of you as a cheat sheet.

You'll likely spend a lot of time standing nervously outside of doors. If you're lucky, you may have to do interviews in hotel rooms with beds creepily in the background. Just try to stay calm and do your best to be everywhere prepared and on time (fun fact: of the people I know who were late to interviews, none received a callback. Who knew?). Waiting around nerbously before the interview is probably the worst part though, so relax.

Come right in and have a seat over there

Most interviews are conversational, and will begin with a question about your resume. Questions will be recycled a LOT at this stage, so be ready to know the following out of the park: A question asking for info about ANY item on your resume (prepare interesting stories about your activities, interests, and jobs!), questions about what you did 1L year (parlay this into info about what practice areas you are and are not interested in, be prepared to discuss at least one substantive issue you dealt with), why you went to law school (especially if you have something weird like a background in math, science, and theatre), why you're interested in this firm (nota bene that you don't need an answer that distinguishes it perfectly from its peer firms: it's fine to use the same reasons for the Clearys of the world as the S&Cs of the world. Hammering home something unique is great, but realize that broad answers can be convincing and they KNOW you'll be looking at similar firms), why the geographic area (even if it's obvious, make sure you're enthusiastic here), whether you're interested in clerking (usually just for their info) and what practice area(s) you're interested in (no need to be certain, but expressing intelligent reflection / introspection is good).

Be prepared for the nightmare scenario of sitting down and having the interviewer kick his or her feet up and ask "So, what can I tell you about the firm?" This means you need questions specific to the firm, but you also need some good stock questions.

Here are GREAT stock questions based on what I've learned from 2 summers working at firms: How are summer associates staffed on projects? How do young associates choose their practice areas? What kinds of formal and informal training does the firm offer? How soon can associates take depositions? How does deal staffing work at your firm?

NOTA FUCKING BENE: Asking questions, for better or for worse, is a little bit of a game of russian roulette. Asking a question that could easily have been answered on the firm's website is a little like shooting yourself in the face. Make sure you do your research and be prepared to spin your stock questions: If you've read that the firm has two assignment coordinators giving summers work, instead of asking HOW they staff summers, ask how it works in practice or what it was like when they were a summer.

Yeah, it's annoying as fuck to come up with these questions without messing up. But you've got to do it.

In general, shoot for having a solid conversation and try to make some kind of connection. Tell interesting stories, ask penetrating questions, banter. Sell your strengths but don't treat it like a corporate interview with somebody from HR - you'll be talking to a lawyer, and you're requesting joining the club. Anybody with a pulse and a GED could do most young associate work, so they want people who look bright and motivated and enthusiastic but will also fit in well in a firm environment. Hiring decisions are impressionistic, so it's not the time to go for the fences on your ability to do doc review. You want to highlight strengths, yes, but you'll always get furthest in interviews where you enjoy yourself and connect with the interviewer in a professional way.

I realize that sounds wishy washy, but the process is wishy washy.

Anyway, interviews suck and everyone hates them, but smile like your life depended on it. If you want an ace up your sleeve, PRACTICE. So few people do this. Practice with your friends, practice with your career services office, practice with attorneys, practice with your enemies. Practice in front of mirrors. Once OCI is over you'll realize you just repeated the same shit over and over a million times and you're really good at it. So.... try to get really good at it BEFORE your career prospects are on the line, neh?

[SplitMyPants]

From the OCI thread; although still completely applicable because all interviews are the same.

Ok, awesome! Many thanks.

[JustHawkin]

Is it TCR to apply to as many places as you can? I'm particularly interested in mass mailing circuit court chambers and whether it's even worth it to send an app to everyone.

ETA: If simplicity doesn't clarify whether they hire interns or not.

[BigZuck]

Is it TCR to apply to as many places as you can? I'm particularly interested in mass mailing circuit court chambers and whether it's even worth it to send an app to everyone.

ETA: If simplicity doesn't clarify whether they hire interns or not.

Mass mailing on this site usually pertains to firms so maybe there is some sort of etiquette when it comes to applying to multiple judges on the same circuit for 1L internships that I don't know about.

But generally, mass blast first, think later. Thinking now gets in the way of precious time you could be spending mass blasting

[Anonymous User]

Is it TCR to apply to as many places as you can? I'm particularly interested in mass mailing circuit court chambers and whether it's even worth it to send an app to everyone.

ETA: If simplicity doesn't clarify whether they hire interns or not.

Mass mailing on this site usually pertains to firms so maybe there is some sort of etiquette when it comes to applying to multiple judges on the same circuit for 1L internships that I don't know about.

But generally, mass blast first, think later. Thinking now gets in the way of precious time you could be spending mass blasting

Also interested in this. One Judge asked to send grades ASAP after reviewing my application, so is it kosher to continue sending apps to the same District/Circuit?

[Anonymous User]

URM T3, V10 offer