Reciprocity Policy

Reciprocity allows alumni to use the Office of Career & Professional Development resources of a law school outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Each school has its own reciprocity policy, which typically involves a one-for-one exchange. AU/WCL graduates may receive reciprocity with only one law school within a three month period.

Online requests for reciprocity must be received by OCPD at least TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF THE INTENDED VISIT.

Reciprocity Policy Summary

Reciprocity is CLOSED from July 15th to November 15th
Is reciprocity available to current law students of other law schools?
Yes, except for students of other D.C. area law schools.
If yes, what class years are eligible?
Third Year Students & Graduates
Is reciprocity available to graduates of other law schools?
Yes, except for graduates of other DC area law schools.
Please indicate the length of time a visitor may use your services:
Three months, beginning on the date of first visit. Please use reciprocal privileges within this time period to allow others from your school to take advantage of the same services.
Is a letter of request required?
Yes, email preferred. Please specify the year or alumni status of the visitor in the request.
If yes, how far in advanced should it be sent?
At least seven days in advance of the visit, preferably by email. Please also include the email of the student or alum requesting reciprocity.
Will you copy the requesting student on your reply to the law school?
Yes.
Does the visitor need to bring a copy of the letter?
Yes.
Do they need to bring identification?
Yes, a photo ID.
Best days/times for student/graduate to visit?
Any time during regular business hours. Please email Whitney Serrant at wserrant@wcl.american.edu to verify business hours (seasonal hours may apply).
Services available to students and graduates of other schools:
- Career Library Resources
- Binders with job listings
Restrictions:
- Reciprocity is not available to students from any Washington D.C. area schools.
- Referrals are made on a one-to-one basis with occasional exceptions
- Reciprocity does not include counseling services or access to online job postings

Full Text of Reciprocity Policy

The American University Washington College of Law Office of Career & Professional Development will provide use of its services to second and third year students or graduates of law schools outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area on the following terms:

Services are available only to those law schools that allow American University Washington College of Law (AU/WCL) students and/or graduates similar services. Because of the popularity of the Washington, DC area, OCPD has been forced to adopt a restrictive approach to reciprocity. Generally, OCPD adheres to a "one for one" policy in granting use of its services to outside alumni. Exceptions, however, have been made in the case of graduates in certain geographic areas.
Services are available to third year students or graduates for three months, beginning on the date of the first visit. Those offered reciprocal privileges at OCPD must sign in at the front desk of the OCPD at the time of their visit(s). Reciprocal privileges should be used within three months to allow others from your school to take advantage of the same services.
Requests for services must be made in writing, preferably via email by an Office of Career & Professional Development official at least seven days in advance of the visit. "Walk-in" requests will not be honored.
Information about current job openings is available to a student and/or graduate of another law school only if that law school allows similar access to information for AU/WCL graduates and/or students. We are unable to offer career counseling services or access to our online job databases as part of the reciprocity privileges. However, students and graduates may have access to hardcopies of all job postings.
Reciprocity will be offered throughout the year except during Fall On-Campus Recruitment season, July 15-November 15.

For AU/WCL third year students or graduates, the following rules apply:

Reciprocity is not available with other DC area law schools.
AU/WCL third year students and/or graduates may receive reciprocity with only one law school within a three month period. This limitation is necessary to serve as many AU/WCL students and graduates as possible.
Requests for reciprocity must be received in writing at least two weeks in advance of the intended visit. "Walk-in" requests at other schools' career services facilities will not be honored.