What's going on with the DOJ for 1Ls? Forum

[Anonymous User]

YLS 1L here. I applied for a bunch of Department of Justice jobs in Washington, and I have not heard back from any. A handful of my friends have gotten offers, but many fewer than I expected. I applied in mid-Dec. Am I out of luck? I thought there were more DOJ jobs going around for 1Ls. Are a lot being taken by unemployed 2Ls? Or is there still hope for us 1Ls?

[Kong456]

Seems like there is a glitch in the Matrix.

[AtticusFinch]

Did you apply to them each three times?

[Renzo]

Maybe the other two anonymous YLS 1L's who posted just before you got the jobs.

[Anonymous User]

I am a CCN 1L who just turned down a DOJ offer today.

It seems as though each section does its own hiring, so I can't speak for all of the sections. I think some of the sections may be done (the section that I had an offer from stopped accepting applications in early January and the website says they hope to complete hiring in January), but I am sure there are other sections that are still just starting.

As for competitiveness, I think most of the sections are highly competitive - if you look at the internships website, many of the groups only hire 2-3 interns per summer. Which groups did you apply for? My interviewer told me that their group received several hundred applications for their 2-3 spots (and that yes, the number of applicants has doubled since last year). However, I don't think they have a preference for 2Ls over 1Ls because it's not like the 2L will be funneled in - the DOJ generally does not hire out of law school unless you go through the Honors path, which is irrelevant of your 1L summer internship there.

[Anonymous User]

I'm also a CCN 1L and just got an email for an interview today. I had to turn it down because I've already accepted another job, but there are definitely at least some sections that are just starting to interview/hire.

As the previous poster said, I think it's highly section-specific. That said, I think even the "laggard" sections will send out interview invites over the next couple of weeks at the latest. I don't think it's time to panic worry just yet, but prospects probably aren't too good if another two or three weeks pass with radio silence.

[Anonymous User]

What sections are "laggard" and which aren't? Also, does a DOJ internship give you a leg up for OCI?

[Anonymous User]

http://www.justice.gov/oarm/arm/int/internsum10.htm

Click on the areas you are interested in and see what they say as "application deadline" or when they say positions will be filled by. If the deadline is January, you can probably bet that most positions will be filled in January (early February at the latest).

I wouldn't apply to wherever though, they seem pretty interested in people who have a genuine interest in what they do.

Also, I don't think anything will give you a huge "leg up" at OCI besides having good grades. Just make sure that what you do over the summer will give you plenty of legal experiences to talk about during an interview.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a YLS 1L. I applied early in December to several divisions, interviewed with some of them and got three offers. It does seem like each division/section does its own interviewing and hiring independently.

[Anonymous User]

I'm a YLS 1L. I applied early in December to several divisions, interviewed with some of them and got three offers. It does seem like each division/section does its own interviewing and hiring independently.

hmmm, you have had more luck than a bunch of us then. I have a job offer from some place (non-DOJ) that I think I would like, but I'm sort of holding out hope that the DOJ will come through. Maybe I should just take the other offer and stop worrying about it. It would be so nice if all these employers were on the same schedule.

[daddymike]

I'm a 1L at a T25 with a median first semester GPA. It would seem that I am shit-out-of-luck if Elis are not getting callbacks...

[Anonymous User]

anyone willing to provide information as to which doj divisions/branches have interviewed or made offers? Just trying to get an idea of what to expect.

[Anonymous User]

i'm a 1L at Cornell. I was scheduled to interview with DOJ's OCR last friday, but cancelled it after receiving a firm offer.

[scubagirl]

bump?

[Anonymous User]

I also think its very section-specific. I heard back from two sections I applied for and both told me that due to the overwhelmingly large number of applications they received this year, they decided to hire 2Ls only and hoped that I apply again as a 2L (probably just out of courtesy). My impression is that DOJ staffs really spend time reading your cover letter and resume. A non-stellar GPA from a higher-ranked school probably wont hurt you that much.

[Anonymous User]

based on personal experience, hiring is not completed