Top Law Schools

I go to BYU (ranked about 40). I am in the top 20%, am on the moot court, and on the law review. I really want to get a federal clerkship. Do I have a realistic shot at getting a District Court clerkship? I am willing to go to anywhere. Thanks for the input.

Clerkship numbers are something that people outside of your school are unlikely to be able to help with, you'll have to talk to career services.

That being said, your chances of landing a court of appeals clerkship at least are functionally zero. I really don't know what they would be for a district court clerkship though...

are you Mormon? serious question

.

@wiseowl - yes
@ discobarred - I am aware that the COA are well out of my league. I get the feeling I am a borderline candidate for District Courts, I am just trying to get some more information before I spend so much time applying broadly.
@TT-LS - thanks for the honest input.

my instinct is that you would have a shot in D.Utah, maybe in surrounding states, very little elsewhere unless the judge is Mormon or a BYU alum.

I would think you would have a decent shot at a federal magistrate anywhere.

To OP, I think one of the fundamental questions for you is: Have you interned with a district judge or other reputable judge who is willing to put a phone call in for you to other district judges? Do you have a strong rec from a professor who personally knows a district judge and would be willing to go on a limb for you?

Those factors would make a tremendous difference as opposed to if you're just cold-sending resumes/cover letters. Where I interned, all sorts of Harvard/Yale resumes never even made it past the trash bin because the Judge knew who he would be hiring and liked to hire from the local schools.