Application Timing and Approach

When should I begin to apply for summer jobs?

Our policy for employers states that employers should not consider applications from YLS first-year students until November 1. We advise you to begin applying for 1L and 2L summer jobs on November 1, at the earliest.

Quick Links

Summer 1L Evaluations Regarding Offer Timing 2023-25

Summer Offers by Month Nov - 2%; Dec - 32%; Jan - 32%; Feb - 20%; March or later - 14%

Why should I wait until November 1 to begin applying?

The first semester of law school is essential to the formation of a strong academic foundation, and we encourage you to spend most of your time during your first semester focusing on classes and acclimating to the law school environment. We also hope you will develop meaningful relationships with faculty who will be well equipped to serve as references when you apply for positions.

Will I be at a disadvantage if I begin applying on or after November 1?

In short, “No.” CDO data indicates that most 1L students secure their 1L summer positions in December - February. In addition, large law firms typically do not begin to make hiring decisions for the 2L summer until mid-January.

Will CDO help me if I apply before November 1?

Yes! CDO will support your 1L summer job search on your timeline. So, if an employer you wish to work for sets an application deadline before November 1, CDO counselors will be happy to advise you and assist you in preparing materials for that employer.

General Advice

Apply in waves, prioritizing the most competitive employers and your favorites.
For your first wave, consider sending 6-12 applications.
Because many employers review materials on a rolling basis, applying earlier in the process may be beneficial.
Conduct research to determine when to apply:
- Utilize the links in each section below
- Visit employers’ websites for specifics 
- Review the Quick Links on the top of this page
- Access the Career Management System to review
  - job announcements
  - Summer Employment Feedback surveys 
- Talk to upper-class students
Even if you cannot find a job posting for an employer of interest, you may still send a cover letter and resume inquiring about summer employment possibilities.
Meet with a counselor to strategize. 
See below for specific advice regarding application timing for different types of employers, since employers’ hiring timing varies greatly by type.

Employer-Specific Advice 

	Large Law Firms  For 1L summer and 2L summer jobs, in November review the list of law firms participating in January OCI and bid on firms of interest. If firms in which you are interested are not participating in January OCI, consult  Flo Recruit’s Law Student Recruiting Tracker to determine firms’ hiring timelines for both summers and plan to apply accordingly.
	Mid-Sized and Small Firms For 1L summer jobs, apply December – March. For 2L summer jobs, apply during your 2L year. Hiring timelines vary, so consult firms’ web pages.
	Government Agencies  For 1L summer jobs, typically apply beginning December 1 with the most competitive offices like major federal agencies and state attorneys general. Apply January-March for others. Check the resource below and agencies’ websites for deadlines, as some deadlines may be before December 1. For 2L summer jobs, apply beginning at the end of your 1L summer/fall of your 2L year.  Consult the Government Honors & Internship Handbook: Password: please contact CDO Pro tip: For an alphabetical list of agencies, select “Deadlines for Applications by Agency Name” in the drop-down box at the top of the page.
	Non-Profit Organizations  For 1L summer jobs, apply beginning November 1 for the most competitive organizations like the ACLU, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, the Civil Rights Corps, and the Constitutional Accountability Center. Apply January-March for others. For 2L summer jobs, apply beginning in the early fall of your 2L year. Consult PSJD:  Create your own username and password.  Pro tip: Search the employer database, not the jobs database, since open jobs are linked to employers’ pages. By searching the employer database, even if a position is not posted, you will discover a variety of employers to investigate further.
	Judiciary  For 1L summer judicial internships, apply to judges in most the competitive locations and courts (e.g., federal courts in New York City, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and San Francisco) starting November 1.  Typically, judges do not publicize position openings. Send a cover letter and resume to judges of interest. Many judges make hiring decisions very quickly, so take this into account when developing your application strategy.