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Hey all,

So externing in for a federal trial court was my dream summer job. I currently have my cover letter ready along with resume and recs, just gotta polish up a writing sample.

But I was talking to a classmate yesterday who was printing all his materials off and he was complaining how long it was taking, and a 2L was telling me to not send out apps until after finals.

Is it worth sacrificing some time to get my apps sent out this week/early next week? Or am I better served by focusing purely on grades then waiting to apply after finals end?

I guess I'm mostly concerned with what the 2L told me, that her roommate applied last year and the judges all told her to get back in touch once grades were released, so applying early was of little utility. What's the best way to approach this? I'm at UCLA, if that matters.

Some judges won't hire an extern without grades, some will. That's kind of a black box and very judge-specific. Ask former externs at your school or career services if they know about the judges you're applying to.

If the choice is between studying and getting the apps out, study. A judicial externship isn't that hard to get, and your grades are infinitely more important than your summer job pedigree anyway.

Hi D.Va bunny. Given that you're at UCLA, your career services people should know how the judges in C.D. Cal. work, at least. If all the info you're getting tells you to wait for grades, then I'd just wait for grades.