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Accepted an unpaid position at a DOJ component next summer that did not do any official SLIP positions this year. Really interested in the component and its work so I'm excited about it. However, I am curious if anyone has any experience doing this and if it is viewed any differently than SLIP positions for employment purposes down the road

I spoke with a couple DOJ attorneys about this so take it for what it's worth:

If it's in a criminal division/component it's still pretty prestigious, as you were likely vetted heavily and asked tough questions to see where your priorities and motivations lie.

Otherwise, SLIP is seen as the competitive internship, since it's so difficult to get into (purely from a numbers standpoint), and because the candidates have already been vetted as someone a DOJ component can eventually see working as an entry-level attorney.

If your component was not listed on SLIP, it probably helps that you're interning there and making the relevant connections that will help your Honors Program application.

Those answers aren't clear-cut, but I hope they help.