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How competitive is Morrison & Foerster's (MoFo) two-summer patent program? Approximately how many positions are available, and how many people apply? And are participants really guaranteed for both summers (e.g. if you screw up the first summer or your grades drop)?

my school's symplicity has pros and lit postings for this. my guess is that the pros positions are less competitive because it looks like they require you to have pat bar registration, which of course will limit the applicant pool. the lit positions will probably be pretty competitive. idk how many people apply or they take but you can probably expect a lot of people with tech backgrounds to apply.

one thing to keep in mind is that it looks like they probably require you to sign some kind of contract that forces you to accept a full time offer if given one upon graduation. and you have to stay in the group you did your summers in. this might not seem like a bad thing (oh no, i have a full time offer upon graduation + $15k signing bonus, poor poor me) but it is something to keep in mind if you end up not liking the firm or come to find out you would rather do lit instead of pros or vice versa.

you can always try to get in touch with your law alumni in the patent group and see what they have to say.

I did this program. You're not committed to both summers though; however, you can't split. So if you don't like mofo or want to go elsewhere you can. Its very competitive though. I think last year there were maybe ~20 1Ls selected out of probably at least a couple thousand applications.
It's a great program and firm. If you want to do patent law it's the best firm to be at.
Edit: you're not guaranteed both summers. It's assumed you will be back 2L summer unless you're not real good. But more likely than not you'll get an offer to return. Don't take it for granted though. Work your butt off to prove yourself and you'll be fine.

Since it's expected that you will return for the second summer, is it normal to still take time off for other job-search events (e.g., PLIP)?

So tempted to apply even as a 3L ha.