how many phone calls is too many phone calls Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi,

I have an interview with a recently confirmed fed judge at the end of the week. I did not have any phone calls go into his chambers, prior to getting the interview. I know, from this forum, that phone calls go a long way. I also know from this forum that at the time that you get an interview, the common philosophy is that it's more about being a great worker/person to be around (as opposed to somebody needing to affirm that you're wicked smaht).

For that reason, I asked the prof who has really liked me since the beginning of my time in LS (call her #1), with whom I am the closest, and who wrote a very effusive and wonderful LOR for me to make a call. She of course agreed.

I then happened to email a professor (#2) to tell him about the interview (cause article III interviews, at least to me and at my t30 are big deals, I think). #2 has also written me a LOR and knows me fairly well and has called places on my behalf in the past, but it's not like I am his absolute favorite or anything. Turns out, little did I know, that #2 is friends with the new judge and #2 immediately offered to make a call for me. of course I am inclined to accept.

Separately, another professor (#3) has made a call for me in the past, and wrote in his LOR that I wrote the best paper he's read in 20 years of teaching. I am sure he would call if I asked him to.

Lastly, another professor (#4) who is in charge of the clerkship committee and regularly calls judges for students (though I do not think he has a relationship with this one) has offered to make calls for me in the past. I do not know him as well. Took his class recently, participated a lot, got an A-.


So how should I play this?

1. Have #2 call and call #1 off, for fear of bothering the guy.

2. Have #1 and #2 call, don't ask anybody else.

3. 1, 2, 3

4. 1, 2, 3, 4


I guess I just don't know what's standard, what's expected, and what's over the top (though I am thinking 4 is probably over the top). Keep in mind that this guy is new, so there's a decent chance that no profs have ever called him on students' behalves before. who knows.

[Jchance]

Here's my 2 cents:

#2 seems like an effective call, that'll be beneficial.
#1 already offered to call, let #1 call.
Anything more than that is overkilling it.

[Anonymous User]

Here's my 2 cents:

#2 seems like an effective call, that'll be beneficial.
#1 already offered to call, let #1 call.
Anything more than that is overkilling it.

that seems like good advice, and is what I am leaning towards.

so you're saying that 2 calls probably is not overkill?

[Jchance]

I think 1 call is common
2 calls is acceptable (though it could swing both ways, but given your situation with #1 is already set to call, let #1 call)