DOJ Honors 2015-16 Megathread Forum

[Anonymous User]

Have any offers gone out today? This is making it impossible to study for finals...

[Anonymous User]

I got my offer around 11 AM today. I wasn't offered any of my top 5 choices (which were all major cities), but am within one of my preferred geographic regions. Does anyone know whether level of past immigration experience affects the type of placement you receive? I have a lot of experience and was placed with a high intensity, but more isolated, detention center.

[Anonymous User]

Congrats! It seems like everyone getting offers now is getting courts that they didn't list in their top 5.

[Anonymous User]

I got my offer around 11 AM today. I wasn't offered any of my top 5 choices (which were all major cities), but am within one of my preferred geographic regions. Does anyone know whether level of past immigration experience affects the type of placement you receive? I have a lot of experience and was placed with a high intensity, but more isolated, detention center.

I also was placed in a detention area in Texas in a seemingly isolated area, what state or region did you get your offer if you mind me asking? I also did not list this on my top choices.

[Anonymous User]

Congrats! It seems like everyone getting offers now is getting courts that they didn't list in their top 5.

Yes unless you put a smaller town or what is considered a less desirable area you will probably not get your top 5 anymore.

[Anonymous User]

I also was placed in a detention area in Texas in a seemingly isolated area, what state or region did you get your offer if you mind me asking? I also did not list this on my top choices.

No problem! I was offered a court in southern California.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know if OCIJ will help with relocation costs?

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know how to check if you were selected as a finalist for more than one component? I waited to check my status until the day before Thanksgiving, so I don't know if I was selected for one or both places I interviewed. I already received an offer from one, but am waiting to move on it until I get more clarification.

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know how to check if you were selected as a finalist for more than one component? I waited to check my status until the day before Thanksgiving, so I don't know if I was selected for one or both places I interviewed. I already received an offer from one, but am waiting to move on it until I get more clarification.

Deena already emailed out all the notices letting you know which components you were a finalist for. If you only received one email then that is the only one you are a finalist for if you received no emails I would contact Deena

[zor]

Does anyone know if they pay relocation costs generally? (I saw a question about OCIJ but am curious about the DC-based positions.)

[Anonymous User]

Any OCIJ Portland or Seattle offers?

[Anonymous User]

Any word on ATR?

Not as far as I know. Still a finalist, still no call.

Same here.

[Anonymous User]

That's true does anyone know if there is a way to get in contact with the current law clerk at the location you got selected for to ask about the area and best places to live.

Absolutely. I emailed Ceclia to ask about this, and the current clerk emailed me within a few hours. We had a long talk about the court, city, etc.

[Anonymous User]

Hey everyone! I just heard back with an offer from the Detroit office. I ranked Detroit as my first preference since I’m from MI. At least one of my references were contacted right before Thanksgiving. I did receive an email a couple hours prior to the call asking for another reference since they hand trouble reaching one that I had listed. I didn’t see the email till after I got the offer so I’m not sure if they got a hold of him or if they just moved forward anyways. I would suggest that you contact your references if you haven’t already done so since it seems like it’s the final step prior to issuing an offer.

My friend also accepted an offer from Detroit (about a week or so ago). She didn’t rank it as her top preference but said she would go anywhere. This leads me to believe there is some sort of ranking system.

Good luck everyone!

[Anonymous User]

Hey everyone! I just heard back with an offer from the Detroit office. I ranked Detroit as my first preference since I’m from MI. At least one of my references were contacted right before Thanksgiving. I did receive an email a couple hours prior to the call asking for another reference since they hand trouble reaching one that I had listed. I didn’t see the email till after I got the offer so I’m not sure if they got a hold of him or if they just moved forward anyways. I would suggest that you contact your references if you haven’t already done so since it seems like it’s the final step prior to issuing an offer.

My friend also accepted an offer from Detroit (about a week or so ago). She didn’t rank it as her top preference but said she would go anywhere. This leads me to believe there is some sort of ranking system.

Good luck everyone!

Congrats! This gives me hope that you're getting your top choice at this point.

[Anonymous User]

Just curious, but has anyone received an offer from USTP?

No offer from USTP yet. I received the locations e-mail last week. Hopefully offers will come soon! If you don't mind sharing, do you have a preference for East Coast, West Coast, or Midwest?

First-time poster here. I am in the same situation. I received a "tentative offer" from the USTP the week of Thanksgiving, prompting me to rank and return my geographic preferences. No city-specific offer yet, but my application status has been updated from "finalist" to "offer made." My rankings are kind of all over the place, but generally East Coast > West Coast > Midwest.

Has anyone received a city-specific offer from the USTP yet?

I'm the above anon who wrote about the locations e-mail. I haven't heard of any city-specific offers yet. My timeline seems to match yours. I have a friend who also interviewed and our statuses changed to "offer issued" on Friday, but no phone calls yet. I ranked Midwest cities highest (trying to stay near family) and then East Coast and West Coast. It's great to know an offer is coming, but it would be even better to know where they want to send us!

Thanks for the reply! I'm glad I'm not the only one, but I'm hoping we all hear something soon!

I'm relieved to hear I'm not the only one... USTP finalist changed to "Offer Issued" last week - followed by complete silence. I hope we hear soon!

I received an offer from the USTP today for my 3rd choice! Has anyone else received an offer today?

[Nebby]

Does anyone know if they pay relocation costs generally? (I saw a question about OCIJ but am curious about the DC-based positions.)

Generally no.

[Anonymous User]

Just curious, but has anyone received an offer from USTP?

No offer from USTP yet. I received the locations e-mail last week. Hopefully offers will come soon! If you don't mind sharing, do you have a preference for East Coast, West Coast, or Midwest?

First-time poster here. I am in the same situation. I received a "tentative offer" from the USTP the week of Thanksgiving, prompting me to rank and return my geographic preferences. No city-specific offer yet, but my application status has been updated from "finalist" to "offer made." My rankings are kind of all over the place, but generally East Coast > West Coast > Midwest.

Has anyone received a city-specific offer from the USTP yet?

I'm the above anon who wrote about the locations e-mail. I haven't heard of any city-specific offers yet. My timeline seems to match yours. I have a friend who also interviewed and our statuses changed to "offer issued" on Friday, but no phone calls yet. I ranked Midwest cities highest (trying to stay near family) and then East Coast and West Coast. It's great to know an offer is coming, but it would be even better to know where they want to send us!

Thanks for the reply! I'm glad I'm not the only one, but I'm hoping we all hear something soon!

I'm relieved to hear I'm not the only one... USTP finalist changed to "Offer Issued" last week - followed by complete silence. I hope we hear soon!

I received an offer from the USTP today for my 3rd choice! Has anyone else received an offer today?

I received an offer today as well! I accepted on the spot as it was for my first choice, a Midwest location. I am very excited to get to work for the USTP and live near family. Good luck to anyone still waiting!

[Anonymous User]

I received an offer today as well! I accepted on the spot as it was for my first choice, a Midwest location. I am very excited to get to work for the USTP and live near family. Good luck to anyone still waiting!

Congrats! Looks like I'll be joining you in the Midwest. Not looking forward to those winters.. haha

[Anonymous User]

If you work for OCIJ for the two year term as a judicial law clerk are you eligible to apply for the Honors Program again after completing your term?

[Anonymous User]

Any Dallas, TX offers?

[Anonymous User]

If you work for OCIJ for the two year term as a judicial law clerk are you eligible to apply for the Honors Program again after completing your term?

yes.

[Anonymous User]

If you work for OCIJ for the two year term as a judicial law clerk are you eligible to apply for the Honors Program again after completing your term?

yes.

Just making sure - so you can have 2 years in OCIJ as a JLC/Attorney Advisor, then another 2 years through Honors Program with OCIJ as AA?

[Anonymous User]

If you work for OCIJ for the two year term as a judicial law clerk are you eligible to apply for the Honors Program again after completing your term?

yes.

Just making sure - so you can have 2 years in OCIJ as a JLC/Attorney Advisor, then another 2 years through Honors Program with OCIJ as AA?

I think when I interviewed with OCIJ and also with OGC, the OGC people referenced having JLCs come to work for them as Honors attorneys. The big difference is that OGC assured me that people who did the 2 years with them who wanted a permanent job got one (they didn't guarantee it, but said everyone they could think of had had their position converted), whereas that's not a thing for the JLCs. (It was a few years ago so I can't 100% swear to this, but that's what I remember.)

But you'd still be eligible for any of the honors program positions, so could apply outside of EOIR if you wanted, too.

[Anonymous User]

If you work for OCIJ for the two year term as a judicial law clerk are you eligible to apply for the Honors Program again after completing your term?

yes.

Just making sure - so you can have 2 years in OCIJ as a JLC/Attorney Advisor, then another 2 years through Honors Program with OCIJ as AA?

I think when I interviewed with OCIJ and also with OGC, the OGC people referenced having JLCs come to work for them as Honors attorneys. The big difference is that OGC assured me that people who did the 2 years with them who wanted a permanent job got one (they didn't guarantee it, but said everyone they could think of had had their position converted), whereas that's not a thing for the JLCs. (It was a few years ago so I can't 100% swear to this, but that's what I remember.)

But you'd still be eligible for any of the honors program positions, so could apply outside of EOIR if you wanted, too.

Oh that makes sense, thanks for the explanation!