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Office of Career & Professional Development

OSCAR: Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I access OSCAR?
    Go to https://oscar.symplicity.com and click the "Applicant Registration" tab or use the "Judges/Clerkships" tab to access the information without registering.

  2. What is the deadline for applying and when will judges see my application materials?
    Judges will have access to students' application materials on September 3rd, therefore students should ensure that their applications are complete by this date. Judges will have access to graduates' application materials immediately, therefore graduates should complete their applications as soon as possible.


  3. How do I identify the judges on OSCAR who are accepting applications?
    Click on the "Clerkships" section at the top of the page to see the complete list of registered judges. Within this folder, choose "Available" next to "Clerkship Status" and then click "Apply Search." Under the "Advanced Search" tab you can perform more specific searches.


  4. How do I apply for clerkships on OSCAR?

    1. List Your Recommenders
      Click on the "My Recommendations" section at the top of the page to reach the "My Pool of Recommenders" tab. Choose your recommenders from the drop-in menu under "Choose Existing Recommender" and/or use the "Create New Recommender" section to add your recommenders. The recommenders you select and/or create should now be listed at the bottom of the page.

    2. Upload Your Documents
      Click on the "My Documents" section at the top of the page. Within this section, you can upload multiple versions of your resume, cover letter, law school grade sheet, other grade sheet (if a college transcript is required), and writing sample. All documents except the cover letters and grade sheets must be in PDF format. See FAQs #8-10 and the OSCAR Applicant User Guide (link from your OSCAR home page) for more information.

    3. Build Your Application
      Click on the judge's last name to see the "Judge Details" page. Scroll to the bottom and click "Build Application." (You can bypass the "Judge Details" page by clicking on the clerkship term from the main search page.) On the right-hand side of the page, the "Build an Application" box provides drop-down menus (with the documents from your "My Documents" section) for each application requirement. Choose the materials you want to upload and confirm that your recommenders are listed correctly. Click "Create Application" and then double-check that your documents are uploaded correctly (you can preview the document by clicking on its title) and that your recommenders are listed accurately. Click "Ok" to upload your application and "confirm" to allow your recommendation letters to be processed. Your applications cannot be viewed by judges before you click the button to "Finalize Application." Once you finalize your application, no changes can be made.
  5. Can I edit my materials after I apply to a particular judge?
    Students:
    You can edit all of your materials until noon on September 3rd, but please do not change your recommenders after August 19th (see FAQ #7). To edit your application, click on the judge's last name from the "Clerkships" section. Click "Review Application" to edit your documents. Your applications cannot be viewed by judges before you click the button to "Finalize Application." Once you finalize your application, no changes can be made.

  6. Does OSCAR limit the number of judges I can apply to?
    No, there is not an application limit this year. Although only 25 cover letters can be uploaded into your "My Documents" section at one time, you can delete cover letters once they have been uploaded with specific judges' applications.


  7. What are my responsibilities with respect to letters of recommendation?
    OCPD is handling the uploading of your letters of recommendation from professors and recommenders outside the school. By August 19th, you must "Create" your applications to the judges you intend to apply to and list all the recommenders (names and e-mail addresses) for each judge. Inform your recommenders that they need to send the general text of your letters of recommendation to oscar@wcl.american.edu by August 19th or soon thereafter. This text only needs to include the body and closing of the letter; letterhead and judge information is not necessary (OSCAR allows OCPD to insert judge-specific contact information). If these deadlines are met, your letters will be uploaded by September 3rd.


  8. How do I upload my transcript?
    You must create a "grade sheet" within OSCAR in lieu of uploading a transcript. See the OSCAR Applicant User Guide and tip sheets (accessible from your OSCAR home page) for more information.


  9. Should my cover letters include judge-specific addresses and salutations?
    Yes, OCPD recommends uploading a judge-specific letter for each application.


  10. How do I insert judge-specific addresses and salutations into my cover letters through the online editor?
    Within the "My Documents" section, once you choose "Cover Letter" as the document type, you will have the option to upload a single cover letter in PDF format or use the online editor function. The online editor allows you to create a template with mail merge codes (so that the address blocks and salutation lines automatically fill with judge-specific information). OCPD recommends that you use the sample codes in the "Judge Merge Fields" box.


  11. Can I upload or change an uploaded document for a group of judges at the same time?
    Yes! There is a "Batch Options" drop-down menu immediately above the list of judges in the "Clerkships" section. Check the applicable judges and then go to "Batch Options" to replace your resume/cover letter or add uploaded documents.


  12. How do judges search for applicants on OSCAR?
    Judges will be able to specifically search applications by your class rank, law school, journal participation, and other fields contained in your profile on OSCAR. Judges will also be able to complete a text search of your resume and cover letter. OSCAR allows judges to browse applications or search for specific items and print qualifying applications.


* For more detailed instructions about how to use OSCAR, see the Applicant User Guide posted online at http://www.oscar.dcd.uscourts.gov/files/Applicant%20User%20Guide%204.0_0.pdf (and accessible from your OSCAR home page). You can also view a webcast detailing the application steps by visiting this link: OSCAR Training Session Webcast.


Office of Career & Professional Development • American University Washington College of Law
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