For more comprehensive and specific information, read the 1L , 2L or 3L Handbook on Lawnet.
Here are the basics:
September/October
-Register for Public Interest Summer Funding-Deadline: Oct. 30th, 2009.(for 2Ls)
-Attend the 2L Job Strategy Session-Monday, Oct. 12th-12:10-1:10, JGH 105 (for 2Ls)
-Work on your resume, cover letters and other application materials (writing samples, letters of rec, etc.) (for 2Ls)
-Research Organizations/ Summer Placements (for 2Ls)
-Meet with Counselors at CPIL and/or OCS (for 2Ls)
--Apply for the Human Rights Internship Program (if applicable) -Deadline: Oct. 16th (for 1Ls)
November (1Ls)
-Register for Public Interest Summer Funding: Nov. 2nd-Dec. 22nd (for 1Ls)
-Attend Job Strategy Session during the week of Nov. 4th ((for 1Ls)
-Work on your resume and cover letters
-Research Organizations/ Summer Placements
-Meet with Counselors at CPIL and/or OCS
-Register for the (PILC) Public Interest Legal Career Fair (hosted by NYU) Deadline for PILC Fair Registration: December 1st
December
-Meet with Counselors at CPIL and/or OCS (if you haven't already and need to)
-For Human Rights Internship Program only - Submit org. application materials to CPIL (ONLY if you'd like us to FedEx them for you)
Deadline: Dec. 2nd
-Take exams – don’t think about jobs until after Finals!
-Apply for jobs during winter break - after finals!
-Upload resumes for interviews at the PILC Fair Deadline for PILC Fair resume upload: Jan. 4th -Contact SJP/CPIL if you need to do a mock interview before you leave for break
January
-Participate in SJP/CPIL's Mock Interview and Networking Programs- Dates TBD- after winter break
-Follow-up with employers/track your applications
-Apply to additional organizations if needed
-Update Lawnet with summer internship information, as relevant
Second and third year students are guaranteed $6000 to fund 10 weeks of work in an unpaid, public service summer internship, in the United States or abroad without regard to financial need. All students who timely register and meet program requirements are eligible for the funding.
Funding for 1L Interns - Public Service Fellowship Program
First year students who register and meet program requirements of the Public Service Fellowship Program (PSF) are guaranteed $4200 for ten weeks of work in an unpaid, public service summer internship, in the United States or abroad without regard to financial need.
Funding for 1L Interns - Human Rights Internship Program (HRIP)
In addition to the specialized Training and Orientation, Human Rights Interns receive a stipend equivalent to the cost of living for 10 weeks in the region where the placement is located. In the United States, the stipend is $4200. In addition, the HRIP will purchase a round-trip airplane ticket to get interns to and from their host organization if they are working at an international placement. HRIP also reimburses up to $200 for the costs of visas and shots related to internships, and provides emergency and evacuation insurance. The average total grant to a human rights intern is between $5500 and $6000.
Human Rights Interns who are eligible for federal Work-Study funding and who are placed in domestic organizations, will be paid a large portion of their stipends from Work-Study funds.
Public Service Fellows may be qualified to receive federal Work-Study funds for the 2009-10 academic year. That means that your 2009-10 Law School financial aid package will include an allotment of Work-Study funds toward payment for your education. If you have received Law School grants, federal Stafford loans, or private educational loans from lending institutions for the 2008-09 academic year, we assume you are eligible for to receive work-study funds as part of your Public Service Fellowship.
Interns and Fellows may have to confirm eligibility by filing a 2009-10 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) with the federal government and submitting a Request for Work-Study Certification Form to the Center. We recommend that you file your FAFSA online. To complete the process you must follow the on-line filing instructions. The 2009-10 FAFSA cannot be filed before January 1, 2010, and must be filed no later than March 3, 2010 in order to determine your Work-Study eligibility in time for you to be paid next summer. If you are not sure that you are qualified for federal Work-Study funding, ask the Financial Aid Office at Financial_Aid@law.columbia.edu or at 212-854-6522.
