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Looks like judges move really fast, but I’m wondering at what point shall we set aside our hopes.

Last year when I applied it was like 65% move first day, 20% then move the second day, then 10% the first week, and then 5% the first month.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 14, 2023 8:29 am

Last year when I applied it was like 65% move first day, 20% then move the second day, then 10% the first week, and then 5% the first month.

This is about what I'd say too. If you haven't heard after the first week, it's a long shot.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 14, 2023 9:03 am

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 14, 2023 8:29 am

Last year when I applied it was like 65% move first day, 20% then move the second day, then 10% the first week, and then 5% the first month.

This is about what I'd say too. If you haven't heard after the first week, it's a long shot.

I'll third this. The first half of the week is the mad scramble for the first choice applicants, and the second half is to pick up second choice applicants (primarily for anyone who isn't a feeder).

It should go without saying, but "strike out from plan" is very different from "strike out from getting an interview/offer"--There are many great judges that actively avoid the plan scramble, or for whom you'd be more attractive as a 3L/alum applicant off-plan.

It's def too late now for plan, but a ton of judges (including very desirable ones) open positions and hire over the course of 3L. Gotta keep applying

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 6:54 pm

It's def too late now for plan, but a ton of judges (including very desirable ones) open positions and hire over the course of 3L. Gotta keep applying

How do you keep up your spirits while doing that? Clerking was always my goal, but I feel like it's just not going to happen for me and I'm crushed. I've (likely) struck out on plan and with the SSCs I'd applied to, despite being high up on journal, top of class, strong recommenders, etc. My mentors are at a total loss, which makes me feel even worse.

I get that Big Law isn't a terrible back-up plan, but this is completely demoralizing.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 7:13 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 6:54 pm

It's def too late now for plan, but a ton of judges (including very desirable ones) open positions and hire over the course of 3L. Gotta keep applying

How do you keep up your spirits while doing that? Clerking was always my goal, but I feel like it's just not going to happen for me and I'm crushed. I've (likely) struck out on plan and with the SSCs I'd applied to, despite being high up on journal, top of class, strong recommenders, etc. My mentors are at a total loss, which makes me feel even worse.

I get that Big Law isn't a terrible back-up plan, but this is completely demoralizing.

Don't want to sound super dramatic by suggesting therapy, but it's definitely an option. This may sound condescending and it's truly not meant that way, but it's actually a really important skill to learn how to handle disappointment/lack of success at a chosen goal (I say this just because a lot of people who make it to T14s and top of the class and so on haven't really encountered this kind of failure and dealing with it is a skill. I don't mean you haven't worked incredibly hard or anything, but if you got the grades to get into the T14 and then to put yourself in a position to clerk, things have probably mostly turned out okay for you). Look into what kinds of counseling your school has available.

But also remember that it's an incredibly competitive field and that the vast majority of people who are rejected are more than qualified, and that since the job is determined pretty much entirely by one person's opinion, hiring is idiosyncratic and reflective of a judge's personal preferences, not your ability.

If the disappointment is that you really want this particular experience/it's necessary for your long-term goals, like the above anon said, just keep applying. Your odds get way better as you keep going - many judges prefer people with experience and you can apply off plan.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 7:13 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 6:54 pm

It's def too late now for plan, but a ton of judges (including very desirable ones) open positions and hire over the course of 3L. Gotta keep applying

How do you keep up your spirits while doing that? Clerking was always my goal, but I feel like it's just not going to happen for me and I'm crushed. I've (likely) struck out on plan and with the SSCs I'd applied to, despite being high up on journal, top of class, strong recommenders, etc. My mentors are at a total loss, which makes me feel even worse.

I get that Big Law isn't a terrible back-up plan, but this is completely demoralizing.

Honestly, this was me last year! I totally struck out on plan despite very good grades at HYSC (applied to optimistically). Ended up foregoing applying throughout the year because I realized I was mostly doing it for sake of gold stars but also because it was a pretty tough experience to strike out that hard and I didnt wanna get my hopes up to get crushed again.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 7:13 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 6:54 pm

It's def too late now for plan, but a ton of judges (including very desirable ones) open positions and hire over the course of 3L. Gotta keep applying

How do you keep up your spirits while doing that? Clerking was always my goal, but I feel like it's just not going to happen for me and I'm crushed. I've (likely) struck out on plan and with the SSCs I'd applied to, despite being high up on journal, top of class, strong recommenders, etc. My mentors are at a total loss, which makes me feel even worse.

I get that Big Law isn't a terrible back-up plan, but this is completely demoralizing.

I get that is demoralizing, but if you are hopeless and demoralized after a month, I think you need to take a step back and take a breath. Clerking is something only a few people get to do its not that end of the world if it doesnt happen. But its is especially not the end of the world if it doesnt happen right away.

I know tons of people, myself included, who continuously applied for years after to get something despite extremely qualified candidates who had recommenders calling on their behalf. I didnt land an interview for nine months? Which that interview did not even pan out. I did not get a clerkship till almost a year and a half after the plan opened, and did not get a second clerkship until a year and a half after that. It was something I wanted so I was continually on OSCAR. Most judges get hundreds of applicants, it is just what the process is.

Read some of the stories on this thread: viewtopic.php?f=34&t=314394

Also of note, the market is bad right now. Even having a firm offer to fall back on is incredible. And it might be better to go and clerk when the market is better. Exit options are not great for clerks at the moment because of a lot of hiring freezes. I know someone clerking for a feeder who can't even get a interview at a firm in the city they want because of hiring freezes. Clerking in 3-5 years might be better!

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 7:13 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 6:54 pm

It's def too late now for plan, but a ton of judges (including very desirable ones) open positions and hire over the course of 3L. Gotta keep applying

How do you keep up your spirits while doing that? Clerking was always my goal, but I feel like it's just not going to happen for me and I'm crushed. I've (likely) struck out on plan and with the SSCs I'd applied to, despite being high up on journal, top of class, strong recommenders, etc. My mentors are at a total loss, which makes me feel even worse.

I get that Big Law isn't a terrible back-up plan, but this is completely demoralizing.

It happens. Rejection sucks. If you have a friend or family member who is the type to listen to your disappointment and then serve as a hype man/woman, talk to them. That helped me get out of the dumps when I was most dejected. Ultimately, if you have the credentials (and it sounds like you do), it's a game of perseverance. Maybe it doesn't happen for you straight out of law school, but if you want to clerk and are willing to keep applying, odds are it will happen for you eventually.

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 7:13 pm

Anonymous User wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 08, 2023 6:54 pm

It's def too late now for plan, but a ton of judges (including very desirable ones) open positions and hire over the course of 3L. Gotta keep applying

How do you keep up your spirits while doing that? Clerking was always my goal, but I feel like it's just not going to happen for me and I'm crushed. I've (likely) struck out on plan and with the SSCs I'd applied to, despite being high up on journal, top of class, strong recommenders, etc. My mentors are at a total loss, which makes me feel even worse.

I get that Big Law isn't a terrible back-up plan, but this is completely demoralizing.

Truly, you ought to look at the plan opening as just the beginning of application process, not the end. Keep applying throughout 3L. There will be lots and lots of postings, and if you have the credentials you have a good chance of snagging something.

Sincerely, a just-graduated 3L who struck out on-plan and landed a great gig in my final semester of law school.