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I am a student at a T1 regional school in the south who finished top 3% and am on a secondary journal. I am originally from the north east but have spent undergrad and law school in the south. Outside of just applying broadly is there any other advice for where I should be applying? For example, is applying to the circuit level a waste of time and I should only focus on the district court level. I'm just getting all my materials together now so any advice is appreciated.

Your school probably keeps records of which of its students have gone on to clerk. Look at them and figure out which judges are amenable to your school. You'll have a shot at some COAs.