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SCOTUS Application Timing

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:00 pm
by Anonymous User
I'm an HYS grad with marginal SCOTUS odds (law review, very good but not perfect grades). I have a circuit clerkship that I'm doing now with a judge who has never had a clerk go on to clerk for the supreme court but who is relatively young, and an upcoming district court clerkship with a handful of clerks they have had go on to clerk for the supreme court.

When do you apply? Is it better to apply soon (not even sure exactly when you are supposed to apply), and try again next year if I don't get it? Or better to wait and try all at once next year with a full year with the circuit judge and some time with the district judge as well?

Re: SCOTUS Application Timing

Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2021 8:11 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Thu Dec 02, 2021 5:00 pm
I'm an HYS grad with marginal SCOTUS odds (law review, very good but not perfect grades). I have a circuit clerkship that I'm doing now with a judge who has never had a clerk go on to clerk for the supreme court but who is relatively young, and an upcoming district court clerkship with a handful of clerks they have had go on to clerk for the supreme court.

When do you apply? Is it better to apply soon (not even sure exactly when you are supposed to apply), and try again next year if I don't get it? Or better to wait and try all at once next year with a full year with the circuit judge and some time with the district judge as well?
My guess is unless you are applying to Kavanaugh, you're going to need time with your district judge (and circuit judge) to get the glowing recommendation that is de facto mandatory.