Frequently Asked Questions about the US Fellowship Program
I WILL NOT HAVE A COPY OF MY OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT BY THE DUE DATE – CAN I STILL APPLY?
Yes. Please mark on the application form the date on which your official transcript was requested. Your application will be processed, but cannot be considered for candidacy until we have received the official transcript.
WHAT IS MEANT BY AN OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT? CAN I SEND A PHOTOCOPY?
The transcript must be in a sealed enveloped and stamped by your law school’s Registrar. Photocopies are not official and are not accepted. Most schools respond promptly to transcript requests and will send them directly to the Fellowship Program.
SHOULD I INCLUDE A WRITING SAMPLE?
Writing samples are not required and additional written materials will not be considered as part of the application.
WHAT ARE THE BEST REFERENCES?
Anyone who can speak in depth to the quality of your work and commitment to gender justice will make a great reference.
DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF A BAR TO APPLY?
Applicants for the Domestic Violence Clinic Teaching Fellowship (“DV Fellowship”) and International Women’s Human Rights Clinic Teaching Fellowship at Georgetown Law must receive sufficient bar results by December of the year prior to the start of the fellowship (in order to permit waiver into the DC Bar before the fellowship begins). All other candidates should plan to take a bar exam at any time prior to commencement of the Fellowship.
DO I HAVE TO IDENTIFY MY OWN PLACEMENT ORGANIZATION AND DEVELOP MY OWN PROJECT?
No. Our placement organizations are set, and they will identify the scope of your work.
I HAVE BEEN OUT OF LAW SCHOOL FOR 10 YEARS – AM I ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
The Fellowship program sets no cap on the amount of time an applicant has been out of school before they may apply.
I AM JUST GRADUATING FROM LAW SCHOOL THIS YEAR – SHOULD I WAIT UNTIL I HAVE BEEN OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A WHILE (OR HAVE HAD A CLERKSHIP) TO APPLY?
There is no need to wait to apply. Many candidates have received Fellowships right out of law school. Commitment to women’s rights issues can be demonstrated through undergraduate studies, volunteer work, law school courses and research as well as other extracurricular or paid activities and work.
HOW MANY APPLICATIONS DO YOU USUALLY RECEIVE? HOW MANY FELLOWS WILL THERE BE NEXT YEAR?
We typically receive 50 to 75 applications for about four non-clinical Fellowships.
I APPLIED IN THE PAST BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A FELLOWSHIP. I AM STILL INTERESTED IN BEING A WLPPF – SHOULD I APPLY AGAIN?
Definitely! Many candidates who ultimately became Fellows were not offered a Fellowship the first time they applied. We consider repeat applications a demonstration of ongoing commitment to women’s rights work.
HOW DO I APPLY FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CLINIC FELLOWSHIP?
Please submit the WLPPFP Application form and all supplemental information to apply for the Domestic Violence Clinic Fellowship. Indicate your interest in the Domestic Violence Clinic Fellowship within your application materials.
CAN MEN APPLY?
Yes. We encourage all qualified applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to women’s rights to apply, and we have had several male Fellows participate in the program.
WHAT ABOUT PAY AND BENEFITS?
The Fellows are paid a minimum of $60,000 and receive the benefits package of their placement organizations.
WILL I BE HIRED BY MY PLACEMENT ORGANIZATION AFTER MY FELLOWSHIP?
These are one year fellowships, but depending on the organization’s funding, sometimes Fellows are hired on permanently.
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Thank you for your interest in the Women’s Law & Public Policy Fellowship Program. If you cannot find the answers to your questions on our website, please email us at morrisjc@georgetown.edu.
Questions specifically about the Domestic Violence Clinical Fellowships may be directed to the Domestic Violence Clinic at dvclinic@law.georgetown.edu.
Questions specifically about the International Women’s Human Rights Clinical (IWHRC) Fellowship may be directed to the IWHRC Clinic at IWHRC@law.georgetown.edu.