1. Home
  2. Academics
  3. Clinics & Real Life Learning
  4. Externships
  5. UCDC Law Program
  6. Apply
  7. Overview

Application Process

To apply to the UCDC Law Program all students meet the UCI Law requirements and submit a UCDC Law application, resume, unofficial transcript, and brief statement of interest. Applications are typically accepted one semester in advance but may be submitted up to one year in advance of participation in the Law Program. Please see Important Dates for application deadlines.
UCI Law students outside of the Supreme Court

Applying to the Program

The UCDC Law application will allow you to work with the UCDC Law Program Director to identify the placements that will best meet your goals and preferences.  You may not apply directly to placements until you have been approved for participation in a full-time externship by the UCI Assistant Dean of Student Services.  You may not accept any offer until you have spoken with the UCDC Law Program Director and she has approved the placement.  Apply to the Program as early as possible in the semester before you want to participate.

  • Confirm that you are eligible and have permission to apply:
    • The academic rules for full-time externships apply to UCDC. 
    • Fourth and fifth semester students are eligible; exceptions may be made to the policy to allow third & sixth semester students to participate.  First year students are not eligible.
    • Obtain the approval of the Assistant Dean of Student Services. To do this, complete the online Externship Registration for a full-time externship.
  • Contact the UCI Director of Externships if you have general questions about full-time externships and the UCDC Program.
  • Complete the UCDC Law application. Go to the UCDC application page to access the application form.
  • After submitting your UCDC Law Application, email your resume, externship statement, and unofficial transcript to the UCDC Law Program Director and copy the UCI Director of Externships. The UCDC Law Program Director will contact you to schedule a phone appointment once your application is submitted. 

Applying to Placements of Interest

Schedule a telephone appointment with the UCDC Law Program Director. This brief telephone conference is an opportunity for the earliest possible individual attention and advice for identifying a placement in line with your academic and professional interests and goals. Keep in mind, though, you may start applying to placements as soon as the Assistant Dean of Student Services has approved your UCI Law Externship Registration.

  • Read the overview of the placement process.  
    • All placements must be approved by the UCDC Law Program Director and will have to meet the criteria listed there. 
    • Your placement must give you substantive legal work under a lawyer’s supervision, with regular feedback, mentorship, and insulation from purely clerical or administrative work.  The Program will help you confirm this structure later if you are offered a position.
  • Start your search.  The UCDC Law Program Director's assistance will be helpful, but you will also need to conduct your own research into the possibilities.
  • Applications
    • Should include:
      • Resume and tailored cover letter to send to each placement host office or organization.
      • An explanation (in the letter) that you will be externing—without pay—through the full-time, full-semester UCDC Law Program, 40 hours a week for 14 weeks for a full term’s law school credit. 
  • Many agencies require security clearance as part of the application process. 
      • This can be a lengthy process.
      • Apply with as much lead time as possible, even if there’s no stated deadline.

Report briefly on your progress via email. Twice a month, send brief reports to the UCDC Law Program’s general mailbox and to UCI’s Director of Externships.

  • Indicate where and when you have applied, to whom if to a specific person.
  • Any interviews with names and dates.
  • Decisions or timing of expected decisions.
  • Updates on your preferences.
  • Thoughts on how we can help.
  • Include your most current contact information.

What to Do After Receiving an Offer

  • When an offer comes, you must obtain the Program’s approval immediately. You cannot accept any offer or enroll in the Program without this approval.    
    • When you get an offer, thank the placement host, letting them know the placement must be approved before you may accept. 
    • Contact the UCDC Law Program Director and advise her of the offer; copy the UCI Director of Externships.
    • The UCDC Law Program Director will contact the host office and secure its commitment to meet placement criteria. 
    • Once the placement is approved, the UCDC Law Program will notify your school and you will be permitted to register for the placement and companion course.
  • You are responsible for finding housing for the semester.  The UCDC website has a section on Housing Information.
  • You must complete a travel insurance form before leaving for DC, and email it to the UCDC Law Program Director with a copy to the UCI Director of Externships. All necessary forms will be posted on these UCDC pages when available.