Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample? Forum

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DocHawkeye

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Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by DocHawkeye » Thu Jan 17, 2013 2:34 pm

So I struck out on fall 2L OCI but am applying to a few firms that are interviewing on campus and off this spring. Many want a writing sample but everything I've done for my employers is covered by strict confidentiality agreements with them. Up until now, I have been using a memo I wrote for 1L legal writing but I think I've progressed since then and am wondering if it would be impermissible to use a short case note (roughly 20 pages) that I wrote for a seminar as my new writing sample. It addresses an issue in health care law in the context of certain constitutional claims. Thoughts?

eerie_erie

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Re: Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by eerie_erie » Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:50 pm

Twenty pages might be a bit long, so I suggest that you choose an excerpt of it to use. If you choose to do this, include a 1-2 sentence introduction to the sample so they will know what you are talking about. Source: advice from career center office.

rad lulz

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Re: Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by rad lulz » Thu Jan 17, 2013 3:54 pm

Dude 20 pages is waaaaay too long by at least 10 pages.

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DocHawkeye

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Re: Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by DocHawkeye » Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:48 pm

To clarify - I assumed that I would have to chose an exerpt. The memo that I have used is about 15 pages.

linquest

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Re: Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by linquest » Thu Jan 17, 2013 5:38 pm

Most reviewers won't read past 10 pages. Firms prefer advocacy pieces to academic/neutral writings.

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DocHawkeye

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Re: Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by DocHawkeye » Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:41 pm

No other thoughts on this? My options for writing samples are a 1L objective memo, the seminar paper in question, or an appellate brief I wrote for a course in appellate ad (which is nearly 50 pages and hence would have to be excerpted as well). I don't think the brief represents my best work.

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ph14

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Re: Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by ph14 » Fri Jan 18, 2013 4:42 pm

DocHawkeye wrote:No other thoughts on this? My options for writing samples are a 1L objective memo, the seminar paper in question, or an appellate brief I wrote for a course in appellate ad (which is nearly 50 pages and hence would have to be excerpted as well). I don't think the brief represents my best work.
Pick whichever writing sample you think is the best. Excerpt it down to length.

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Re: Seminar Paper as 2L Writing Sample?

Post by linquest » Mon Jan 21, 2013 11:05 pm

I'd excerpt one or two argument sections in the Appellate Ad brief and edit it.

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