Unsuccessful OSCAR Season (At Least So Far), Now What? Forum

[purplegoldtornado]

Rising 3L here at a TT in the top 5%. I had an unsuccessful OSCAR season up to this point. What should my next steps be for a federal clerkship? I am amenable to clerking after practicing for a little bit, but I'd really like to go immediately after graduation. Thanks!

[Anonymous User]

Nothing you can do besides keep applying. You can expand the range of who you applied to. Some judges move really slow. Make sure also to apply to new appointees.

[Anonymous User]

No next steps, but to keep applying...I just graduated top 20% at a T3 and have been applying to clerkships for about 14 months. Did not get my first interview until January. Still do not have a clerkship. Still continuing to apply weekly.

[nixy]

Honestly, I would extend your search to state clerkships as well. Doing a decent state clerkship can definitely be a help in getting a subsequent federal clerkship, especially when you’re at a school that presumably doesn’t have a strong federal clerkship pipeline (no disrespect meant, just an observation for most schools outside the T14).

[Anonymous User]

Honestly, I would extend your search to state clerkships as well. Doing a decent state clerkship can definitely be a help in getting a subsequent federal clerkship, especially when you’re at a school that presumably doesn’t have a strong federal clerkship pipeline (no disrespect meant, just an observation for most schools outside the T14).

This is spot on. I applied to several dozen judges as a 2L at a TTT and heard nothing. Absolute radio silence. Then I landed a clerkship with SSC gig going into 3L and was able to add that to my resume. I've gotten some bites since then and am interviewing next week with a D. Ct. judge.

[Anonymous User]

Honestly, I would extend your search to state clerkships as well. Doing a decent state clerkship can definitely be a help in getting a subsequent federal clerkship, especially when you’re at a school that presumably doesn’t have a strong federal clerkship pipeline (no disrespect meant, just an observation for most schools outside the T14).

Consider applying to magistrate judges, too. I was a district clerk in a division where most magistrate clerks went on to get district clerkships. Also, now that I’m at a firm, I find that former magistrate clerks are way more knowledgeable about pretrial than I am.