Clerkship Application Strategy
Posted: Tue May 29, 2018 11:02 am
White Male Rising 3L at MVP
Top 3%
EIC of a Secondary Journal
Former Paralegal at a V5 firm
1L SA experience at a Lit Boutique and currently doing a 2L SA at a V15
Clinic experience arguing criminal cases before Federal Appellate Courts
Letters of Rec from the former Dean of my school and two other professors with whom I have worked extensively
Graduated Phi Beta Kappa from a Top 5 Undergrad
Aiming to do 1 year D. Ct. and 1 year COA clerkships
I've been applying to clerkships (the vast majority of them appellate) since last summer. My GPA has risen dramatically since then from the low 3.8s to mid 3.9s, moving me from the top 10% or so to the Top 10 students in my class overall. I have had two COA interviews in in 4/6/11 but no offer yet. I have been corresponding with a District Court judge's judicial assistant for roughly 8 months. The judge has requested updates throughout my 2nd year. No interview offer yet, but I am still waiting on my last grade for the semester, and the judge has historically adhered pretty closely to the old plan timeline. I would be thrilled to clerk for this District Court judge. I very much enjoy their writing, and they sit in an up-and coming city about 25 minutes from where I grew up.
However, my ultimate goal would be to get as competitive of a COA clerkship as I can. I recognize that I have nearly no chance at a feeder judge and no chance at SCOTUS, but if I wanted to maximize my chance of clerking in 2/9/DC, how should I proceed? If I was fortunate enough to receive an offer from the D. Ct. judge, should I take it immediately? Should I work for a year or two at my summer firm, assuming I get an offer, and then reapply for D. Ct. and COA? It seems like judges are really starting to prefer work experience more than ever. Will I be able to reach higher if I wait and work for a while or should I jump at this D. Ct. clerkship because it's ideal for me now?
I apologize if the post sounds arrogant. It's an honor to clerk for any judge, but I do want to maximize my potential. Thanks.
Top 3%
EIC of a Secondary Journal
Former Paralegal at a V5 firm
1L SA experience at a Lit Boutique and currently doing a 2L SA at a V15
Clinic experience arguing criminal cases before Federal Appellate Courts
Letters of Rec from the former Dean of my school and two other professors with whom I have worked extensively
Graduated Phi Beta Kappa from a Top 5 Undergrad
Aiming to do 1 year D. Ct. and 1 year COA clerkships
I've been applying to clerkships (the vast majority of them appellate) since last summer. My GPA has risen dramatically since then from the low 3.8s to mid 3.9s, moving me from the top 10% or so to the Top 10 students in my class overall. I have had two COA interviews in in 4/6/11 but no offer yet. I have been corresponding with a District Court judge's judicial assistant for roughly 8 months. The judge has requested updates throughout my 2nd year. No interview offer yet, but I am still waiting on my last grade for the semester, and the judge has historically adhered pretty closely to the old plan timeline. I would be thrilled to clerk for this District Court judge. I very much enjoy their writing, and they sit in an up-and coming city about 25 minutes from where I grew up.
However, my ultimate goal would be to get as competitive of a COA clerkship as I can. I recognize that I have nearly no chance at a feeder judge and no chance at SCOTUS, but if I wanted to maximize my chance of clerking in 2/9/DC, how should I proceed? If I was fortunate enough to receive an offer from the D. Ct. judge, should I take it immediately? Should I work for a year or two at my summer firm, assuming I get an offer, and then reapply for D. Ct. and COA? It seems like judges are really starting to prefer work experience more than ever. Will I be able to reach higher if I wait and work for a while or should I jump at this D. Ct. clerkship because it's ideal for me now?
I apologize if the post sounds arrogant. It's an honor to clerk for any judge, but I do want to maximize my potential. Thanks.