How Available are "Available" Positions on OSCAR? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Does anyone know generally how up to date OSCAR listings are with regard to status? I've submitted some applications to "available" positions, but I've been wondering if they're actually still available. I know this might (and probably does) depend upon the particular judge, but if anyone knows anything about this I would appreciate your insight.

[Fireworks2016]

I think the vast majority of judges are diligent about updating OSCAR posts once they fill available positions. Some exceptions, obviously, but I would treat any oscar posting as having availability unless it's super obvious that they've gone AWOL -- i.e. not updated the post in like eighteen months.

[InvisiblePineapple]

I've just been operating under the assumption that any posting for 2021 (much less so for 2022 or later) that hasn't been updated in over two months is already filled until I receive intel to the contrary.

[Fireworks2016]

I've just been operating under the assumption that any posting for 2021 (much less so for 2022 or later) that hasn't been updated in over two months is already filled until I receive intel to the contrary.

This is probably OK for circuit judges and places like SDNY, but I would not assume that judges in flyover-ish districts have hired for 2021 without updating -- they usually are slower to hire.

[InvisiblePineapple]

I've just been operating under the assumption that any posting for 2021 (much less so for 2022 or later) that hasn't been updated in over two months is already filled until I receive intel to the contrary.

This is probably OK for circuit judges and places like SDNY, but I would not assume that judges in flyover-ish districts have hired for 2021 without updating -- they usually are slower to hire.

Yeah, that's probably a good distinction to make, and I should add that 1) I'm applying primarily to COAs and very sought-after districts; and 2) the cost of throwing in an application anyway is very low, I just wouldn't hold my breath on those older postings.

[theswisswereright]

In my experience, some judges never update their available positions to say they've been filled-- I must have applied to over 200 clerkships, and maybe a quarter of those still had no change in availability given after the listed start date, or they just expired with no updates. (I was pretty forgetful about withdrawing apps until I was bumping up against the outstanding application limit, so I ended up seeing a lot of my old applications months later.)

I think if you're looking in a less "popular" district, then it's reasonable that they might have some 2021 positions still open. Busier districts are probably already done through 2022, and I'd bet SDNY and circuit judges are probably done hiring for clerks starting in 2023.

Because it doesn't cost you anything but a few minutes to send an application, I'd say go ahead anyway if you're interested, but definitely pay more attention to recently posted positions.

[InvisiblePineapple]

Busier districts are probably already done through 2022, and I'd bet SDNY and circuit judges are probably done hiring for clerks starting in 2023.

I think this overstates it quite a bit. Sure, maybe SDNY and to some extent DDC, which also likes to hire far out, but here are tons of COA judges who haven't started or finished hiring for 2022 yet, even several in 2/9/DC. Some haven't even posted for 2022 (I'm thinking Tatel and Wilkins in CADC, for example).

[Iowahawk]

Busier districts are probably already done through 2022, and I'd bet SDNY and circuit judges are probably done hiring for clerks starting in 2023.

Definitely not except for off-plan circuit judges. Just follow what it says in OSCAR.