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I plan to apply to clerkships beginning in 2021 and would like to hear whether people think I am likely to find a position soon, or will still be looking after graduation (May of this year).

A bit about me:
- EIC of LR at T20 school
- GPA: 3.87
- my school does not rank but I believe I am around the top 10%
- multiple book awards
- four very solid rec letters
- publishing note (also my writing sample)
- member of a special program for students interested in academia that is very competitive (10 people total at all times)
- work experience pre-law school (TFA and paralegal)
- other things: RA'd for two profs; best oralist finalist for Moot Court (but dropped out asap, so didn't make a final round); state school for undergrad with slightly above average GPA

Why 2021:
I already accepted a position at a firm (V10, litigation) for after graduation. I could apply to 2020 clerkships, but I think I would prefer to work for 1.5-2 years before clerking. As such, I'm open to off-cycle 2021 positions (e.g., those beginning in February)

Goals:
I'd prefer COA, ideally in a major metropolitan area. Not interested in the South.

Questions:
- For those that have hired clerks before, would someone applying this early for 2021 be considered, or would their file be put into a pile to sit around until more applications are submitted?
- Is your answer different if the position is already posted on oscar?
- Any thoughts on chances at a COA in a major city?
- Anything in particular I should include in my cover letter?

Anonymous User wrote: - publishing note (also my writing sample)

I think you have a decent shot at a major city COA, I don't see why you shouldn't apply now--especially if a the position is already posted. Be prepared to not a get much movement until the summer though. Being put in a pile really isn't that bad.

The more important thing I would note is that you shouldn't submit your published LR note as a writing sample.

1. You want something closer to a brief, that's highly persuasive and fairly practical.

2. It's probably too long.

3. (Most important in my experience) You're screaming "this has been edited by a dozen+ people." Most assume their "self-edited" sample has been looked at by someone, but that's still a far cry from going through LR publishing.