FAQs To Help You Develop Your Summer Fellowship Application
Are you a 1L who is considering applying for summer fellowships before the new year? Here are some FAQs that may be helpful as you develop your application strategy. Perkins Coie's 1L fellowship application deadline is January 8, 2023.
1. To which office should I apply?
Perkins Coie's 1L fellowship program is designed to recruit top-notch law students who may eventually begin full-time employment with the firm. To that end, you should only apply to the office in the city where you genuinely would like to live and start your practice as an entry-level lawyer. Candidates applying to the 1L Diversity Fellowship may apply to one office only, but may apply for multiple fellowships in that office. Candidates applying to the 1L Patent Fellowship may apply to more than one office, but must limit their Diversity Fellowship application, if applying, to one office.
2. How important are law school grades?
As with any competitive process, undergraduate, graduate (if applicable), and law school grades are important evaluative factors. However, other factors, including a quality personal statement, relevant previous professional experience, and ties to the area to which you are applying, are also weighed.
3. My law school grades won't be released by the application deadline. Can I still apply?
This is a common occurrence. You can and should apply even if your first semester grades are not yet available. Please submit all other application materials by the application deadline and follow up by providing your law school grades as soon as they become available.
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4. What kind of writing sample should I provide?
The ideal writing sample demonstrates strong legal analysis and writing ability. If you do not have a legal writing sample, please submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to summarize and analyze information and draw appropriate conclusions based on that analysis.
5. How important is the personal statement required for the 1L Diversity Fellowship?
A quality personal statement is essential to your application. An effective statement provides us with a sense of who you are both as a candidate and as an individual. Your personal statement should be a narrative about your unique personal history and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within your community and in the legal profession.
6. When will I be updated on the status of my candidacy?
The timing of each firm will vary. At Perkins Coie, you should expect to hear from the office to which you applied regarding the status of your candidacy by late January 2023.