How many applications do people usually submit? Forum

[Anonymous User]

assuming one is applying to district and circuit clerkships, how many apps does one usually send if they are not an obviously competitive applicant?

[Chokenhauer]

I blanketed everywhere I had a connection and that might consider hiring a candidate like me. It was 100+

[Anonymous User]

assuming one is applying to district and circuit clerkships, how many apps does one usually send if they are not an obviously competitive applicant?

Apply to every clerkship you would take if offered it. So if you have a spouse and kids and don't want to leave them for a year, apply everywhere that's a commutable distance (assuming remote only isn't an option). If you really want a clerkship and don't have any geographic limits, then apply to as many as possible.

One thing some people do is apply to like, 20 in areas that are most desirable. If there are no bites after a few months, add on another 20, and so on and so on. That seems like a sensible approach.

[Anonymous User]

assuming one is applying to district and circuit clerkships, how many apps does one usually send if they are not an obviously competitive applicant?

Apply to every clerkship you would take if offered it. So if you have a spouse and kids and don't want to leave them for a year, apply everywhere that's a commutable distance (assuming remote only isn't an option). If you really want a clerkship and don't have any geographic limits, then apply to as many as possible.

One thing some people do is apply to like, 20 in areas that are most desirable. If there are no bites after a few months, add on another 20, and so on and so on. That seems like a sensible approach.

Some people do that, but it’s playing with fire, especially if you aren’t a top top applicant. Unless you have a good reason not to (geographic constraints, etc.), it’s not hard at all to hit 100+, especially if you’re applying to both districts and COAs. Email apps you can to free up more OSCAR spots if you’re going to hit the cap.