DOJ Honors 2016-2017 Cycle: Application Status Tracker in the OP - Please update! Forum

[Anonymous User]

Honors applicant, not slip, status changed to finalist over the weekend, didn't specify for which components I interviewed for.

Which components did you interview with?

This would be helpful...

[Anonymous User]

Hi all. I'm graduating in 2017 from CLS and then working for a year at the firm I summered at before going on to clerkships in SDNY and the 2nd Circuit for 2018 and 2019 terms. I'd like to return back to my firm for at least a year to collect the clerkship bonus and save up some more money to start a family and all that important adult stuff. But my dream is AUSA. Am I still eligible to apply to DOJ honors after 4 years of legal work experience, or is that no longer considered an "entry-level" applicant? If the latter, is it easier or harder to land an AUSA/DOJ gig? Thanks!

[TheSpanishMain]

You'd be ineligible.

[A. Nony Mouse]

Yeah, you can't have any legal practice experience to apply to the honors program.

[Anonymous User]

Hi all. I'm graduating in 2017 from CLS and then working for a year at the firm I summered at before going on to clerkships in SDNY and the 2nd Circuit for 2018 and 2019 terms. I'd like to return back to my firm for at least a year to collect the clerkship bonus and save up some more money to start a family and all that important adult stuff. But my dream is AUSA. Am I still eligible to apply to DOJ honors after 4 years of legal work experience, or is that no longer considered an "entry-level" applicant? If the latter, is it easier or harder to land an AUSA/DOJ gig? Thanks!

Working at a firm for a year would disqualify you. To be eligible for DOJ Honors you can't have had any "real" jobs; only clerkships or fellowships or the like.

[Anonymous User]

Refreshing AVUE all day is probably a waste of time. I know. But it is still happening. Just me?

[Anonymous User]

Refreshing AVUE all day is probably a waste of time. I know. But it is still happening. Just me?

Not just you. It would help if we knew which components are already changing to finalist.

[Anonymous User]

It might be most beneficial for you to contact your references to see if they have been contacted. That doesn't conclusively make you a finalist, I'm sure, but I would assume they will be contacted prior to becoming a finalist.

Mine have been contacted.

[Anonymous User]

It might be most beneficial for you to contact your references to see if they have been contacted. That doesn't conclusively make you a finalist, I'm sure, but I would assume they will be contacted prior to becoming a finalist.

Mine have been contacted.

It would also be beneficial if those saying that they were finalists (or that their references had been checked) would say what division/s they interviewed with.

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had a reference check from Fed Programs?

[Anonymous User]

It might be most beneficial for you to contact your references to see if they have been contacted. That doesn't conclusively make you a finalist, I'm sure, but I would assume they will be contacted prior to becoming a finalist.

Mine have been contacted.

Well, that's concrete action. Thanks for the idea. One of mine has so far, but didn't know which component reached out.

[Anonymous User]

So if you are designated as a finalist, does this mean you received a position in the honors program for the component you interviewed for?

[Anonymous User]

So if you are designated as a finalist, does this mean you received a position in the honors program for the component you interviewed for?

I don't see how it could be any other way. Were you designated as one?

[Anonymous User]

So if you are designated as a finalist, does this mean you received a position in the honors program for the component you interviewed for?

Not necessarily. Deanna says "[a] status change to 'finalist' means that the component has identified you as a potential offer candidate. Both primary offer candidates and alternates are identified as finalists."

[Anonymous User]

So if you are designated as a finalist, does this mean you received a position in the honors program for the component you interviewed for?

Not necessarily. Deanna says "A status change to "finalist" means that the component has identified you as a potential offer candidate. Both primary offer candidates and alternates are identified as finalists."

Oh, duh, this, yes. I read it to mean "Could another component have designated me as a finalist."

Sorry! Between this and the election, my brain is shot.

[Anonymous User]

I talked to one of my references. It doesn't seem like they know which component is calling for recommendations. Has that been your experience?

[Anonymous User]

Hi all-- I have an open offer that ends next Friday. Anyone have any advice on how to reach out to the components I interviewed with to see if I am even a potential finalist?

[Anonymous User]

Hi all-- I have an open offer that ends next Friday. Anyone have any advice on how to reach out to the components I interviewed with to see if I am even a potential finalist?

Did the people interviewing you give you their contact information? I was explicitly told at the start of one of my interviews to reach out if I had any deadlines (or I guess offers from other components).

[Anonymous User]

Hi all-- I have an open offer that ends next Friday. Anyone have any advice on how to reach out to the components I interviewed with to see if I am even a potential finalist?

Did the people interviewing you give you their contact information? I was explicitly told at the start of one of my interviews to reach out if I had any deadlines (or I guess offers from other components).

Okay, great. I do have contact information, but I wasn't sure if I should contact my interviewers directly or the admin contact.

[Anonymous User]

Honors applicant, not slip, status changed to finalist over the weekend, didn't specify for which components I interviewed for.

Did you interview for ATR?

How about EOIR? I need answers here...

Same. I'm dying. I knew someone last year who didn't hear until JANUARY.

[Anonymous User]

.

[Anonymous User]

Honors applicant, not slip, status changed to finalist over the weekend, didn't specify for which components I interviewed for.

Did you interview for ATR?

How about EOIR? I need answers here...

Same. I'm dying. I knew someone last year who didn't hear until JANUARY.

EOIR, I'm guessing?

[Anonymous User]

New update:

Hi, all:

I know, the anxiety is mounting. To stave off the stress, here's some general information.

1. Finalist status: My office (Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management - OARM) asks all formally participating components to identify finalists by November 18th so we can complete offer clearance and offers can start going out before Thanksgiving. HOWEVER - some offices do it earlier. Some do their entire candidate slate early. Some have a candidate with other offer deadlines and may request just that one be cleared. Some clear some early, then more later. Some will clear a tiny number, then learn later that some of those finalists accepted other employment and come back to identify more finalists at a later date. Some decide to hire more HPs than initially estimated - and come back to identify more finalist. You cannot really draw conclusions this early, particularly for components that hire a larger number of candidates.

2. Designation as a finalist means you are under consideration for an offer. HOWEVER - this includes primary offer candidates and alternates. And this can change later in the hiring process, not just in late November. Until all components report they have met their hiring goals, I try to avoid sending "regrets" messages. FYI - I also post updates on this board when a particular component meets its hiring goals, so you may find that information helpful.

3. Timing of offers. This is another matter where it is difficult to draw conclusions. Typically, a lot of first round offers go out within a couple days of offer clearance. HOWEVER - EOIR does a considerable amount of reference checking, so offers go out a bit later.

4. Reference checking. Some hiring offices do it early (like now). Some do it late (like after selecting finalists). Sometimes its done at various times by the same component depending on the schedule of the attorney making the calls. Sometimes the people receiving the calls are not all that easy to link up with. Lots of variables here. TRY not to read too much into whether or when a reference is contacted.

5. You have an offer with a firm, fixed deadline and have not heard from DOJ - what to do???? Well, I suggest reaching out to the component that interviewed you, especially if you are a finalist. You can always find a starting contact from the "Component Contacts, Pre-Interview Materials" link posted on the website. If you have your interviewer's business card, why not send a polite email?

As I receive questions of general interest, I'll try to post more updates. Best of luck, everyone!

[Anonymous User]

I want so much more information. I know we all do. I have a pending interview with another place that will cost me so much money to get to, and if DOJ is going to pan out, I'd love to know right about now before I commit to a flight/hotel. No, I'm not anxious. Why do you ask?

[Anonymous User]

I want so much more information. I know we all do. I have a pending interview with another place that will cost me so much money to get to, and if DOJ is going to pan out, I'd love to know right about now before I commit to a flight/hotel. No, I'm not anxious. Why do you ask?

I would contact your component and let them know. It's perfectly understandable that you don't want to waste money on another interview if DOJ pans out.