An Overview of the OSCAR Application Process

Although applying for positions in OSCAR may seem complex at first, it is a straightforward process that can be broken down into four basic steps: Upload Documents Identify Recommenders Research and Manage Positions Submit Applications

A basic understanding of the application process will allow you to more effectively use the OSCAR system in your goal of securing a federal clerkship position.

Step OneUpload Documents

Before you can begin building your applications, you will need to upload the documentscover letter, resume, grade sheet(s), and writing sample(s)you plan to submit. The number and type of documents you submit with any given application packet will vary depending on the position requirements; however, a resume is always required.

1. Log into the OSCAR system by going to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, entering your OSCAR username and password, and clicking the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

OSCAR Tip Sheet

2. Click on My Documents on the Main Navigation Bar.

Figure 2. My Documents Tab

The My Documents tab is where you will upload or create all of the applicantgenerated documents that you will include in your application packets. The process of uploading documents to OSCAR is simple and straightforward, but there are certain restrictions you must be aware of: All documents uploaded to OSCAR must be in PDF format. Note: OSCAR does not currently support the newest version of Adobe PDF. However, the system will run a script to convert any documents created with this software to an earlier, compatible format. To avoid this delay, you may wish to use another PDF conversion tool. All documents uploaded to OSCAR must be less the 300KB in size. Grade sheets cannot be uploaded to OSCAR. They must be created using the grade sheet online form. Note: Judges and staff attorney offices are aware that these are not official transcripts. OSCAR restricts the total number of documents you can have uploaded at any one time. Restrictions vary by document type and are listed on the My Documents tab.

3. To upload or create a document, click the Add New button at the bottom of the My Documents screen.

Figure 3. Click Add New to Upload/Create a New Document

OSCAR Tip Sheet

4. OSCAR will display the Document Details tab, where you can upload or create new application documents, including resumes, cover letters (judge or staff attorney), writing samples, and grade sheets (law, undergraduate, and other). To create a cover letter with the online editor, please see the How to Create a Cover Letter Using the Online Editor tip sheet in the Applicant Resources section of OSCAR. To create grade sheets, please see the How to Create a Grade Sheet tip sheet in the Applicant Resources section of OSCAR.

5. To upload a resume, cover letter, or writing sample: Enter a name for your document in the Document Label Field and choose the document type from the pull-down menu.

Enter a name for your document and choose the document type.

Figure 4. Enter Label and Select Document Type

If you are uploading a resume or writing sample, you will then click the Browse button in the gray file box.

Figure 5. Click Browse to Locate File for Upload

OSCAR Tip Sheet

In the pop-up window that displays, navigate to where the file is stored on your computer or network, select the file, and click the Open button. The file path will appear in the browse box. Click the Upload button to upload the selected document.

Figure 6. Click Upload

If you are uploading a cover letter, OSCAR will display the online editor screen. In the area immediately below the Document Type pull-down menu, choose the .pdf file option. OSCAR will then display the same file browse box shown above. Click Browse to locate your file and click the Upload button.

Figure 7. Choose .pdf file and Click Browse

Your new document will be available in the list on the My Documents tab.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Step TwoIdentify Recommenders

Selecting your recommenders is a crucial part of the application process. You must identify all of your recommenders before submitting applications just as you must upload all your application documents before applying to a position. Please note that simply identifying your pool of recommenders does not generate recommendation requests. Recommendation letters are associated specifically with an application packet, so you must actually apply to and associate recommenders with an application to generate recommendation requests.

1. Place your mouse cursor over the My Recommendations tab on the main menu bar. Click on Choose My Recommenders in the menu that appears.

Figure 8. My Recommendations/Choose My Recommenders Tabs

2. You will use this tab to select and add your recommenders. There are three options for adding a recommender: Select from your schools Faculty Recommenders List: For each law school participating in the OSCAR program, the law school administrator uploads a master directory that contains a list the schools faculty recommenders. Search this list if you wish to select a recommender on the faculty of your law school.

Choose faculty recommender from the pull-down menu.

Figure 9. Select Faculty Recommender

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Search the OSCAR database for a recommender: If you cannot find your faculty recommender on the pull-down menu or you are including non-faculty recommenders in your clerkship applications, you can search OSCAR to see if your recommender has already been added in the system by another law school or another applicant.

Figure 10. Search OSCAR for your Recommender

Create a new recommender: If you are unable to find your recommender in OSCAR using the options listed above, you may enter the name and contact information (recommender email address, phone number, and assistants email address) for your recommender to add him/her to OSCAR.

Click Create Recommender and enter name & contact information.

Figure 11. Create a New Recommender

3. The recommenders you select and/or add will be displayed at the bottom of the screen in the Current Recommenders section. (For recommenders you select from the pulldown menu, the phone number and assistant emails will not be displayed to you publicly but are stored within OSCAR already.)

Figure 12. Current Recommenders List

OSCAR Tip Sheet

4. OSCAR automatically sets the recommenders selected from your schools database as Default Recommenders, which means that they will automatically be checked as selected recommenders when you create a clerkship application. This is purely a convenience, and you are not required to associate default recommenders with a clerkship application. Default recommenders are identified by a green check ( ) in the Default column of your Current Recommenders list. To change a recommenders default status, check the box next to his/her name and select the appropriate function from the Batch Options menu.

Figure 13. Default Recommender

5. Repeat the above process as necessary to add all of your recommenders before proceeding to the next step in the application process. If a recommender is not on your Current Recommenders list, you will not be able to associate that recommender with a clerkship application. For more detailed instructions on adding recommenders, see the How to Identify Your Recommenders tip sheet in the Applicant Resource section.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Step ThreeResearch and Manage Positions

Now that you have uploaded all necessary application documents and created your pool of recommenders, it is time to begin searching for positions. OSCAR allows you to search for both law clerk and appellate staff attorney positions. You cannot search for both concurrently. Instead, you will search for each in a separate process. There are several tools at your disposal for narrowing the field to just those positions that fit your particular goals and interests. Additionally, OSCAR provides you with the ability to organize positions into folders to better manage your application process. You have two basic options when searching for law clerk or staff attorney positions: (1) Search using the Basic Search box in the Judges List or Staff Attorney Office List subtabs, and (2) Use the more detailed search available on the Advanced Search tabs.

To Search for Law Clerk Positions

1. Move your mouse cursor over the Search For Positions tab in the main menu bar. Click on the Judges sub-tab in the menu that appears.

Figure 14. Search For Positions/Judges Tabs

2. To use the Basic Search functions: From the Judges List sub-tab, scroll down to the gray Basic Search box. Select your search criteria and click Apply Search. Note: Click the Clear button to reset the search.

Figure 15. Judges List Basic Search Box

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Judges fitting the search criteria will be displayed in the list at the bottom of the Judges List sub-tab. You can manipulate the list using the column headings to further refine your search. Click on a column heading to sort the list by that heading, and click the delta icon ( ) to sort in ascending or descending order. The default view is by judges last name in descending (A-Z) order.

Figure 16. Sort List by Column Headings

Click on a judges last name to view judge and clerkship details. Use the Batch Options menu or the Copy to Folders button to save a clerkship to a custom folder. (See How to Copy Positions to Folders tip sheet for a detailed review of this process)

Figure 17. Click on Judge Name to View Details

3. To use the Advanced Search: Select the Advanced Search tab for judges. This tab provides numerous search criteria to allow you to execute a finely targeted search. For a detailed discussions on how to use this function, see the Using the Advanced Search Feature tip sheet in the Applicant Resources section

Figure 17. Advanced Search Sub-Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

When you have selected your search parameters, click the Submit button to execute the search. OSCAR will display your search results in a new Search Results sub-tab. Note: Your search results will only remain available until you log out of OSCAR or conduct another search.

Figure 18. Search Results Sub-Tab

Click on a judges last name to view judge and clerkship details. As with the Judges List, your search results can be sorted by column header in ascending or descending order. You can also save clerkships to folders using the Batch Options menu or the Copy to Folders button. (See How to Copy Positions to Folders tip sheet for a detailed review of this process.)

Figure 19. List of Search Results

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To Search for Staff Attorney Positions

1. Move your mouse cursor over the Search For Positions tab in the main menu bar. Click on the Staff Attorneys sub-tab in the menu that appears.

Figure 20. Search For Positions/Staff Attorneys Tabs

2. To use the Basic Search functions: From the Staff Attorney Office List sub-tab, scroll down to the gray Basic Search box. Select your search criteria and click Apply Search. Note: Click the Clear button to reset the search.

Figure 21. Staff Attorney List Basic Search Box

Staff attorney offices fitting the search criteria will be displayed in the list at the bottom of the Staff Attorney Office sub-tab. The list can be manipulated using the column headings to further refine your search. Click on a column heading to sort the list by that heading, and click the delta icon ( ) to sort in ascending or descending order. The default view is by Circuit Name in descending (A-Z) order.

Figure 22. Sort List by Column Headings

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Click on the Circuit Name to view office and position details. Use the Batch Options menu or the Copy to Folders button to save a staff attorney position to a custom folder. (See How to Copy Positions to Folders tip sheet for a detailed review of this process.)

Figure 23. Click on Circuit Name to View Details

3. To use the Advanced Search: Select the Advanced Search tab for staff attorneys. This tab provides numerous search criteria to allow you to execute a finely targeted search. For a detailed discussion on how to use this function, see the Using the Advanced Search Feature tip sheet in the Applicant Resources section.

Figure 24. Advanced Search Sub-Tab

When you have selected your search parameters, click the Submit button to execute the search. OSCAR will display your search results in a new Search Results sub-tab. Note: Your search results will only remain available until you log out of OSCAR or conduct another search.

Figure 25. Search Results Sub-Tab

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Click on a Circuit Name to view office and position details. As with the Staff Attorney Office List, your search results can be sorted by column header in ascending or descending order. You can also save positions to folders using the Batch Options menu or the Copy to Folders button. (See How to Copy Positions to Folders tip sheet for a detailed review of this process.)

Figure 26. List of Search Results

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Step FourSubmit Applications

Now that you have identified the positions you will be apply to, you can begin building your applications. You will need to have all your application documents uploaded to the My Documents tab and your pool of recommenders created in the My Recommendations tab. With all this done ahead of time, building the application will be a simple and straightforward process.

1. Navigate to the position you wish to apply for, whether you have identified it on the Judges List or Staff Attorney Office List sub-tabs, through the Advanced Search function, or you have stored it in a folder. 2. For clerkship positions, click on the judges last name to open the Judge Details sub-tab. For staff attorney positions, click on the Circuit Name to open the Staff Attorney Office Profile sub-tab. 3. For clerkship positions, click on the Clerkships List sub-tab to see a list of the judges clerkship positions. For staff attorney positions, click on the Positions list sub-tab.

Figure 27a. Judge Details Sub-Tab

Figure 27b. Staff Attorney Office Profile Sub-Tab

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4. You will see a list of clerkship or staff attorney positions. Click the View & Apply button in the Options column to begin assembling your applications.

Figure 28a. View & Apply ButtonClerkships List

Figure 28b. View & Apply ButtonPositions List (Staff Attorney)

5. The next page will list the clerkship or staff attorney position information (dates, description, location, etc.) and application requirements (documents, recommendations required, law journal/review, class standing, etc.). Preferred method of application will be displayed in the Build an Application box. If a judge or staff attorney office is not accepting online applications, compile your application outside the OSCAR system and submit the materials to the judge or staff attorney office per their indicated application method (e.g., email, FAX, or mail).

Figure 29. Judge Accepting Paper Applications

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6. If the judge or staff attorney office is accepting online applications, you can begin building an application for submission. In the Build an Application box, use the various pull-down menus to select the documents you wish to include with the application. The [new] option allows you to enter/upload a new document. The documents a judge or staff attorney office requires for a particular position are listed under the Required Documents field. You can add or remove documents until the application is Finalized and visible to the judge or staff attorney office.

Select documents to attach to application from pull-down menus.

Move mouse over [select] bar to reveal pull-down menu and selection box.

Figure 30. Attach Documents (Clerkship Application)

If the judge or staff attorney office requires letters of recommendation, identify your recommenders by checking the boxes next to their names. Default recommenders will already be checked. Note: Completing this step and clicking the Create Draft Application button triggers the recommendation requests. You can add or remove recommenders until the application is Finalized and visible to the judge or staff attorney office.

Figure 31. Choose Recommenders

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If the judge or staff attorney office requires a list of references, enter the names of your references, their telephone numbers, and email addresses in the References section.

Figure 32. Enter References (if required)

When you have attached your documents and identified your recommenders, click Create Draft Application to store application materials as a draft. As long as your application remains in Draft status, you can continue to add or remove documents and recommenders. If you so choose, you can delete the DRAFT application and still have the option to re-apply to the clerkship or staff attorney position.

Figure 33. Click Create Draft Application (Clerkship Application)

To release your application to the judge or staff attorney office, you must click the Finalize Application button. Remember: Once you click on Finalize Application, you will no longer be able to make any changes to your application. If you wish to withdraw your application, you will not be able to re-apply.

Figure 34. Click Finalize Application (Clerkship Application)

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7. You can view your applications, whether Draft, Finalized, or Withdrawn, on the My Applications tab in the main menu bar. Move your mouse cursor over the tab and choose Clerkship Applications or Staff Attorney Applications from the menu that appears.

Figure 35. My Applications Tab

8. From either list, you can delete or edit applications in Draft and withdraw Finalized applications. You can also use the Batch Options menu to finalize multiple applications at once.
Use Batch Options menu to finalize multiple applications.

Edit, delete, or withdraw applications.

Figure 36. View and Manipulate Current Applications (Clerkships Shown)

For a detailed discussion on how to use this function, see the How to Build an Application tip sheet in the Applicant Resources section.

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How to Review and Update Your Applicant Profile

The My Profile tab on the main navigation bar allows you to view and edit your profile information. This includes the background and education information that you entered during your OSCAR account registration. Judges and staff attorney offices can view your profile as they review your application materials (resume, cover letter, writing sample, grade sheets, and letters of recommendation), so it is important to keep it updated and correct.

Note: Whenever updating your profile information, you must click Yes in the Verification of Data field at the bottom of the screen to verify that all the information you have submitted is true and correct by.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button:

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. Place your mouse cursor over the My Profile tab in the main navigation bar, and click on Profile in the menu that appears.

Figure 2. My Profile/Profile Tabs

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. OSCAR will display the Profile sub-tab, which contains your personal data, education information, and OSCAR preferences. Click the Edit Profile button to make changes to your profile information.

Figure 3. Edit Profile Button

4. The Profile sub-tab is broken up into four headings: General Information, Education, Prior Judicial Experience, and Professional Organization. OSCAR provides a convenient Completion Status box on the right of the screen that lets you know at a glance what areas of your profile you have filled out. The icon indicates a field is complete, and the icon indicates that the field is not yet completed.

Figure 4. Completion Status Box

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. The following fields are available under the Contact Information heading: Last Name, Middle Initial, First Name. Citizenship Status Email Address.

Figure 5. Name, Citizenship, and Email

Address. Contact Phone Number & Other Phone Number.

Figure 6. Address and Phone Numbers

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Email FrequencyChoose whether and how frequently to receive automated emails informing you of new clerkship opportunities. Preferred TypesCheck the box next to a judge type to limit notifications to clerkships with those judges. Check the box next to Staff Attorney Offices to receive notifications for these positions. You can check more than one box. Preferred StatesTo limit notifications to specific states, select from the pull down menu. Selected states will appear in the box below. Click the button to remove a selected state or click the Clear button to remove all selections from the box.

Receive RemindersChoose whether and how frequently to receive reminders when you have applications in Draft status.

Figure 7. Notification Preferences

OSCAR Tip Sheet

6. The following fields are available under the Education heading: BA/BS FromChoose your undergraduate school from the pull-down list. To narrow your search, enter a keyword (i.e. part of your schools name) in the provided field and click Go. If your undergraduate school is not listed, please email the OSCAR help desk at [email protected]. Remember to indicate your date of graduation. JD/LLB FromChoose your law school from the pull down list. If you did not attend an ABA approved law school, you must choose Other. LLM FromIf you have an LLM degree, choose an ABA approved law school from the pull-down list or choose other. Remember to select your graduation date.

Figure 8. BA/BS, JD/LLB, and LLM From Fields

Class RankYour law school administrator certifies class rank for your law school. Based on this certification, the class rank that is applicable for your school will be available to you. For schools that rank, applicants can select one of the following class rank criteria: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 33%, 50%, and below 50%. For schools that do not rank, OSCAR will automatically display

School Does

Not Rank in their applicants profiles. To ensure equitable treatment of

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applicants from those schools, OSCAR has been configured so that a search on any percentage ranking will return all applicants from those schools. These applicants will be identified in a search result by the words School does not

rank in the class rank column.

For schools that partially rank, applicants may select 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 33%, 50%, below 50%, and I am not ranked. Ranked students from those schools will be returned with a search on a percentage ranking; unranked students will not (although they will show up in other searches, e.g. by law school). Unranked students from those schools will be identified in a search result by the words Student is not ranked in the law school column

Select your class rank from the pull-down menu.

Figure 9. Class Rank Field

Law Review/JournalIndicate whether you have published in your school's Law Review or Journal. If you click Yes, OSCAR will prompt you to enter the name of the journal(s). If you click No, OSCAR gives you the opportunity to indicate whether you school has a Law Review/Journal.

Figure 10. Law Review/Journal Field

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Moot Court ParticipationIndicate whether you participated in any Moot Courts, and if so, the names of the Moot Courts.

Figure 11. Moot Court Participation Field

7. The following fields are included under the Prior Judicial Experience Heading: Judicial Internships/Externships (Y/N) Post-graduate Judicial Law Clerk (Y/N)

Figure 12. Judicial Internships/ Externships and Post-graduate Judicial Law Clerk Fields

8. In the Professional Organization section, you can enter specific information regarding professional organizations. Do this when a judge or staff attorney office specifically requests it.

Figure 13. Professional Organizations

OSCAR Tip Sheet

9. Whenever you make an update to your profile, you must click Yes in the Verification of Data box at the bottom of the screen. This indicates that you are confirming that all data entered in the profile and any application packets is true and correct. You will not be able to update your profile unless you do this.

Figure 14. Verification of Data

10. Click Update Profile to finalize your changes.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Upload Application Documents

Before you can begin building your applications, you will need to upload the documentscover letters, resume, grade sheet(s), and writing sample(s)you plan to submit. The number and type of documents you submit with any given application packet will vary depending on the position requirements; however, a resume is always required.

1. Log into the OSCAR system by going to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, entering your OSCAR username and password, and clicking the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. Click on My Documents on the Main Navigation Bar.

Figure 2. My Documents Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

The My Documents tab is where you will upload or create all of the applicantgenerated documents that you will include in your application packets. The process of uploading documents to OSCAR is simple and straightforward, but there are certain restrictions you must be aware of: All documents uploaded to OSCAR must be in PDF format. Note: OSCAR does not currently support the newest version of Adobe PDF. However, the system will run a script to convert any documents created with this software to an earlier, compatible format. To avoid this delay, you may wish to use another PDF conversion tool. All documents uploaded to OSCAR must be less the 300KB in size. Grade sheets cannot be uploaded to OSCAR. They must be created using the grade sheet online form. Note: Judges and staff attorney offices are aware that these are not official transcripts. You are restricted to having a certain number of documents uploaded to OSCAR at any one time. Restrictions vary by document type and are listed on the My Documents tab.

3. To upload or create a document, click the Add New button at the bottom of the My Documents screen.

Figure 3. Click Add New to Upload/Create a New Document

4. OSCAR will display the Document Details tab, where you can upload or create new application documents, including resumes, cover letters (judge or staff attorney), writing samples, and grade sheets (law, undergraduate, and other). To create a cover letter with the online editor, please see the How to Create a Cover Letter Using the Online Editor tip sheet in the Applicant Resources section of OSCAR. To create grade sheets, please see the How to Create a Grade Sheet tip sheet in the Applicant Resources section of OSCAR.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. To upload a resume, cover letter, or writing sample: Enter a name for your document in the Document Label Field and choose the document type from the pull-down menu.

Enter a name for your document and choose the document type.

Figure 4. Enter Label and Select Document Type

If you are uploading a resume or writing sample, you will then click the Browse button in the gray file box.

Figure 5. Click Browse to Locate File for Upload

OSCAR Tip Sheet

In the pop-up window that displays, navigate to where the file is stored on your computer or network, select the file, and click the Open button. The file path will be shown in the browse box. Click the Upload button to upload the selected document.

Figure 6. Click Upload

If you are uploading a cover letter, OSCAR will display the online editor screen. In the area immediately below the Document Type pull-down menu, choose the .pdf file option. OSCAR will then display the same file browse box shown above. Click Browse to locate your file and click the Upload button.

Figure 7. Choose .pdf file and Click Browse

Your new document will be available in the list on the My Documents tab.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Requirements for Uploading Documents

Remember: OSCAR works exclusively with PDF documents! All uploaded documents must be in PDF format. All uploaded documents must be smaller than 300KB in file size. Grade sheets must be created in OSCAR by entering your transcript data into an online form. Cover letters tailored to judges or staff attorney offices can be created using OSCAR's online editor or uploaded as PDF documents.

Cover Letters
Applicants can either upload pre-written cover letters in PDF format or use OSCAR's online editor to create customized cover letters. The online editor, by using information stored in the OSCAR database, can automatically insert a salutation and address for each judge or staff attorney office receiving your cover letter. This means that you only need to create a single judge or staff attorney cover letter and OSCAR will automatically address it to the recipients. For more information, please refer to the How to Create a Cover Letter Using OSCAR's Online Editor tip sheet. If you choose to use individualized PDF cover letters, you can have no more than 25 each of clerkship cover letters and staff attorney letters uploaded to the My Documents tab at any one time. If you wish to create more applications with different cover letters, you must create the first 25 clerkship or staff attorney applications, delete the files in your My Documents tab, and upload the cover letters for the next 25 judges or staff attorney offices. This will not affect the cover letters already attached to your applications.

Rsums & Writing Samples

Rsums and writing samples must be uploaded as PDF documents. Each document must be smaller than 300KB. You can have a total of three of each document type uploaded to your My Documents tab at one time. Applicants sometimes have difficulty when creating PDFs with elaborate graphics, such as letterhead or diagrams, as these can dramatically increase file size. Source documents should be kept as simple as possible, and larger writing samples may need to be broken up across multiple files. However, please note that a maximum of two writing samples may be included with an application.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Grade Sheets
OSCAR does not accept uploaded transcripts in any format. Instead, you must enter your transcript data into an online form. Judges and staff attorney offices are aware that they will not be receiving official transcripts and may request these documents should you be granted an interview. To accommodate transfer students, OSCAR allows you to create two law school grade sheets and three undergraduate grade sheets. You can also create up to three "other" grade sheets for relevant professional or graduate degrees. For more information on grade sheets in OSCAR, please refer to the How to Create a Grade Sheet tip sheet.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Converting Application Documents to PDF Format

The Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR) requires any documents uploaded to the system to be in PDF format.

All documents uploaded by applicants and recommenders to the system must be in PDF format. Cover letters and recommendation letters created in the OSCAR online editor are not affected by this change.

What is PDF Format?

The term PDF stands for Portable Document Formata method that captures the formatting information from a variety of desktop publishing applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, etc.). The PDF format allows OSCAR users to upload formatted application documents so that they will appear on the computer monitor and/or printer as they were intended.

Why the Change to PDF Format?

During OSCARs first year, documents were uploaded in various formats, and OSCAR converted these documents to the PDF format once they were uploaded. The conversion process was cumbersome during the last two weeks in August due to thousands of documents being uploaded to the system at any given time. Some users encountered formatting problems in their application materials once the conversion was made to their documents. For example, resumes that contained certain non-standard fonts were not recognized.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How Do I Convert a Document to PDF Format?

There are several methods and resources available that OSCAR users can use to convert their documents to PDF format. (Please note that the Judiciary does not endorse any specific software application that converts documents to PDF format.)

Some word processing programs already have the ability to allow users to publish a document to PDF format directly. For example, documents created in Corel WordPerfect can be converted to PDF format by selecting Publish to PDF under the File menu located at the top left side of the screen. For OSCAR users who use desktop publishing programs that do not convert to PDF, there are many companies that provide software or web-based services to convert files to PDF format for a modest price or even for free. Users can quickly find such companies by conducting a search on the Internet that includes the terms PDF and

convert. The results of such a search will provide the user with many options to
convert a document to PDF format.

Tips for Formatting Documents Prior to PDF Format Conversion:

We recommend that users use standard fonts in their application documents prior to converting to PDF format. Reminder that OSCAR has a 300kb file size limit for any document uploaded to the system. Avoid formatting resumes that list the employers, employment location and or employment dates at the far right margin. See example below: AVOID:

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia 333 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC 20001
RECOMMENDED:

June 2000 - April 2001

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia 333 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC 20001 June 2000 - April 2001
Note: The OSCAR Help Desk is not able to provide .pdf format conversion support.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Creating a Cover Letter using OSCARs Online Editor

There are two main benefits of writing a cover letter using OSCARs Online Editor. One is that there are no limits to how many cover letters you can create using the online editor. You are limited to uploading 25 clerkship and 25 staff attorney cover letters at any one time. The second, and more important benefit, is that the online editor allows the use of merge fields. Merge fields automatically personalize cover letters by filling in the recipient's name and address information once the cover letter is associated with an application.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button:

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. Click on the My Documents tab in the main navigation bar.

Figure 2. My Documents Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. Scroll down to your list of documents. Click the Add New button to begin building your cover letter.

Figure 3. Add New Button

4. OSCAR will display the Document Details tab, where you can choose the type of document you will create or upload.

Figure 4. Document Details Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. Scroll down and enter a name for your cover letter in the Document Label field. Below this, choose the type of cover letter from the Document Type pull-down menu.

Figure 5. Enter Document Label & Choose Document Type

6. The screen will refresh and display the online editor where you can type your letter.

When using the online editor, it is helpful to remember these tips: To insert a single line break, hold down the Shift key and then tap the Enter key. You cannot insert graphics when using this online editor. If you wish to include a graphic of your signature, you must upload your cover letter as a PDF. Formatting problems may occur when copying and pasting text from word processing programs like Word or Word Perfect. Use the Paste as Plain Text button to copy your work from these programs. By using merge fields, one letter can be customized to multiple recipients. Merge fields will automatically be filled with the data for each recipient that the cover letter is sent to (see figure 6 below).

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Figure 6. Entering Text into the Online Editor

7. Click the Upload button (shown at the top and bottom of the screen) to save your work.

Figure 7. Upload Button

OSCAR Tip Sheet

8. On the My Documents tab, click on the label (entered in step 3) to reopen the cover letter and continue working.

Figure 8. Clicking on Documents Label on the My Documents Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Create a Grade Sheet

OSCAR does not accept scanned transcripts uploaded to an applicants account. Applicants must type their grades into an online grade sheet form, which OSCAR then converts into a PDF document. There are three types of grade sheets you can create in OSCAR: Law School Grade Sheet, Undergraduate Grade Sheet, and Other Grade Sheet. An applicant can create up to two (2) Law School Grade Sheets, three (3) Undergraduate Grade Sheets, and three (3) Other Grade Sheets within the My Documents section. Judges and staff attorney offices are aware that these grade sheets are not official transcripts, and you should be ready to present official copies of your transcripts at any time during the hiring process. When entering your grades into these forms: Only log into OSCAR once Do not use tabbed windows Upload your work often

Warning: After 55 minutes, your OSCAR session will time out. When typing your grade sheet, you MUST periodically click on the Save button as well as the Upload button to save your grade sheet entries. The Save button only saves the information to the system and allows you to continue to work on the grade sheet form. This button does not convert the saved information into a PDF document. To generate a PDF document of your grade sheet form, you must click the Upload button.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

OSCAR Tip Sheet

2. Click on the My Documents tab in the main navigation bar.

Figure 2. My Documents Tab

3. Scroll down to your list of documents. Click the Add New button to create a new document.

Figure 3. Add New Button

4. The system will open a tab for the new document called the Document Details tab. Type in a name for your grade sheet in the Document Label field.

Figure 4. Document Label Field

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. Select the Document Type by first clicking on the pull-down menu and then clicking one of the selections.

Figure 5. Document Type Menu Selecting Law Grade Sheet

6. The grade sheet form will appear. Begin by entering a number in the Grade Sheet Ordering field. If you are going to include multiple grade sheets of the same type in your application (e.g., two Law Grade Sheets), the Grade Sheet Ordering field allows you to control which grade sheet appears first in the application packet.

Figure 6. Grade Sheet Ordering

7. Verifying the School Name. By default, this field is already filled out.

Figure 7. School Name Field

OSCAR Tip Sheet

If you transferred schools, the School Name field can be edited: For a Law Grade Sheet, use the pull-down menu to select from the list of ABA accredited law schools. If your school is not on the list (e.g., a foreign law school), you must choose Other.

Figure 7a. Selecting Your Law School

For Undergrad and Other grade sheets, you can highlight the field and manually enter a different school name.

Figure 7b. Typing in a Different School Name

OSCAR Tip Sheet

8. The Grading System Description text box is optional. You can use it to describe your schools grading system. This is especially useful for alternative grading methods.

Figure 8. Grading System Description

9. Enter your cumulative GPA in the box provided (optional).

Figure 9. Cumulative GPA

10. Enter the Semester/Quarter Date for your first term

Figure 10. Semester/Quarter Date

OSCAR Tip Sheet

11. Enter the Ordering number for the Semester/Quartera required field. OSCAR uses the ordering number to organize your grade sheet. If you don't enter an ordering number, OSCAR won't know the order the semesters should appear in or which course go with which semesters. The program does not use the date to establish a chronological order. So, for your first term, you should enter "1," for your second term "2," etc. Failure to do this will result in a disorganized grade sheet that shows your terms in a random order.

Figure 11. Ordering Field

12. Start entering in your courses in the Course Rows. You are only required to enter a Course Nameall other fields are optional.

Figure 12. Entering Data into the Course Rows

OSCAR Tip Sheet

13. Click the Add Course Row button to add a new row to that Semester/Quarter.

Figure 13. Add Course Row Button

14. If you have fewer courses in any given Semester/Quarter (or you added too many rows), use the Delete Course Row button to remove the blank rows.

Figure 14. Delete Course Row Button

OSCAR Tip Sheet

15. Enter additional information regarding that Semester/Quarter in the Narrative text box. This could include information that did not fit in the Course Rows (e.g., a leave of absence, semester honors or other academic awards, etc.)

Figure 15. Narrative Text Box

16. Click the Add Semester/Quarter button to add a new section.

Figure 16. Add Semester/Quarter Button

17.Click the Save button frequently to save your work to the OSCAR server.

Figure 17. Save Button

The Save button only saves the information to the system and allows you to continue working on the grade sheet form. This button does not convert the saved information to a PDF document. To convert your grades and generate the PDF document for your applications, you must click the Upload button.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

18. The Upload button does three things: Saves your work to the OSCAR server, Returns you to the previous screen, the My Documents tab. Most importantly, the Upload button must be clicked to ensure OSCAR converts your grade sheet into a PDF document.

Figure 18. Upload Button

19. Once you have clicked the Upload button, your grade sheet will be available in your list of documents on the My Documents tab. Click the PDF icon sheet to preview your work. to the left of your grade

Figure 19. PDF Icon

If you do not see your entire grade sheet displayed in the PDF file, but the information shows up on the Document Details tab, chances are you did not click the Upload button. The Upload button triggers the system to add your additional entries to the OSCAR-generated PDF grade sheet. Try clicking the Upload button again on the Document Details tab to force the system to regenerate the PDF document. Only be logged into OSCAR once, Do not use tabbed windows, and Upload your work often!

OSCAR Tip Sheet

20. To return to the grade sheet and continue working on the Document Details tab, click the documents label (entered in Step 4).

Figure 20. Click the Documents Label

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OSCAR Tip Sheet

How Recommendations Work in OSCAR

Recommendations in OSCAR are designed to mimic the process used in the paper world, in which an applicant requests a letter of recommendation, and the recommender writes the letter and mails it to the judge or staff attorney office on behalf of the applicant. However, in OSCAR this whole process is handled online. An applicant will generate a recommendation request that is sent to the recommender's account. The recommender then creates an electronic document, and OSCAR sends it to the judge or staff attorney office as part of an application packet. So, the three basic steps for submitting a recommendation letter in OSCAR are: 1. An applicant (or law school) adds the recommender's information to the OSCAR system, thereby creating an account. 2. An applicant selects a recommender when creating an application, which triggers OSCAR to send a recommendation request. 3. The recommender logs onto the OSCAR website and either uploads a PDF letter of recommendation or creates a letter using OSCAR's online editor. This recommendation is attached to the relevant application packet and sent to the judge or staff attorney office. It really is that easy, but there are a few areas where users can get hung up, so we will look at these steps in more detail.

Step OneRecommender Identified in OSCAR

OSCAR recommenders do not register for their own user accounts. Instead, a recommender's information will be entered into the system either by an applicant or, in the case of most faculty recommenders at law schools, by an OSCAR administrator at the recommender's school. Once the recommender's information is listed in OSCAR, any applicant can use OSCAR's search tools to find and add the recommender's name to an application. Note: The recommender's login information will not be sent until the first time that an applicant includes the recommender on an application, as described in the next step.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Step TwoApplicants Create Applications & OSCAR Generates Recommendation Requests

Once a recommender is identified in the OSCAR system, an applicant can include the recommender on applications. The applicant will then create an application, which will cause OSCAR to generate a recommendation request. If this is the first time the recommender has been identified in OSCAR, a system-generated email will be sent with login information. Note: OSCAR will only send the "e-vite" email this first time. If a recommender already has an account and wishes to be notified when an applicant requests a letter of recommendation, the recommender can select this option in his/her OSCAR account profile. If automatic notification is not set up, the system will not send notification of new recommendation requests.

Step ThreeLogin to OSCAR to Fill Recommendation Requests

When the recommender is ready to fill recommendation requests, it is time to login to OSCAR by navigating to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website. OSCAR accepts letters of recommendation in two formats: (1) a PDF document created by the user and uploaded to OSCAR or (2) a letter created in OSCAR using the online editor. A letter of recommendation created using the online editor can automatically include the receiving judge's or staff attorney office's name and address. These letters can also be saved online as templates for future use. However, the online editor does not allow users to include images, such as letterhead or digital signatures. Please note that all PDF documents must be smaller than 300KB in file size. (For detailed information on uploading/creating recommendation letters in OSCAR, see the Entering Letters of Recommendation Using the Online Editor and Uploading a Letter of Recommendation from a PDF File tip sheets in the Recommender Resources tab.) After creating a recommendation letter, the recommender will attach the document to an application packet for the requested position. Note: One letter can be attached to multiple clerkship applications in a batch process. Once a letter is attached to an application, the applicant will only see that the request has been filled and will not be able to view the contents of the letter. After the letter is submitted, the recommendation request is considered filled, and the process is complete. Keep in mind that an applicant cannot add recommendation letters to other applications the way they would with their rsum or writing samples. Letters of recommendation are non-transferrable documents associated with specific applications. If an applicant requires additional letters of recommendation, he/she will need to repeat the process and generate additional requests. However, if the recommender uses a saved template, filling these requests will be as easy as a few mouse clicks.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Identify Your Recommenders

Selecting your recommenders is a crucial part of the application process. You must identify all of your recommenders before submitting applications just as you must upload all your application documents before applying to a position. Please note that simply identifying your pool of recommenders does not generate recommendation requests. Recommendation letters are associated specifically with an application packet, so you must actually apply to and associate recommenders with an application to generate recommendation requests.

1. Log into the OSCAR system by going to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, entering your OSCAR username and password, and clicking the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. Place your mouse cursor over the My Recommendations tab on the main menu bar. Click on Choose My Recommenders in the menu that appears.

Figure 2. My Recommendations/Choose My Recommenders Tabs

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. You will use this tab to select and add your recommenders. There are three options for adding a recommender: Select from your schools Faculty Recommenders List: For each law school participating in the OSCAR program, the law school administrator uploads a master directory that contains a list the schools faculty recommenders. Search this list if you wish to select a recommender on the faculty of your law school. Search the OSCAR database for a recommender: If you cannot find your faculty recommender on the pull-down menu or you are including non-faculty recommenders in your clerkship applications, you can search OSCAR to see if your recommender has already been added in the system by another law school or another applicant. Create a new recommender: If you are unable to find your recommender in OSCAR using the options listed above, you can enter the name and contact information (recommender email address, phone number, and assistants email address) for your recommender to add him/her to OSCAR.

4. To select a recommender from your schools Faculty Recommenders List: Scroll down to the Choose Existing Recommender heading and click on the SELECT YOUR FACULTY RECOMMENDER HERE pull-down menu.

Figure 3. Select Faculty Recommender from Pull-Down Menu

Select your recommender from the pull-down menu and click the Add to My Recommenders button.

Figure 4. Click Add To My Recommenders

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. To search the OSCAR database for a recommender: Scroll down to the Choose Existing Recommender heading and click in the SEARCH THE SYSTEM FOR RECOMMENDERS HERE search box.

Figure 5. Click in Search Box

Begin typing the name of your recommender into the search box. A list of recommenders with names containing those characters will appear.

Figure 6. Type Name of Recommender into Search Box

Select your recommender from the list and click the Add to My Recommenders button.

Figure 7. Click Add to My Recommenders

OSCAR Tip Sheet

6. To create a new recommender: Scroll down to the Create New Recommender heading and click the Create Recommender button.

Figure 8. Click Create Recommender

Enter the recommenders information in the pop-up box that appears. Required fields are marked with a red asterisk ( ).

Enter data in required fields to add a new recommender to OSCAR.

Figure 9. Enter Recommenders Information

Click the Save button to add your recommender.

Figure 10. Click Save to Add Recommender

OSCAR Tip Sheet

7. The recommenders you select and/or add will be displayed at the bottom of the screen in the Current Recommenders section. (For recommenders you select from the pulldown menu, the phone number and assistant emails will not be displayed to you publicly but are stored within OSCAR already.)

Figure 11. Current Recommenders List

8. OSCAR automatically sets the recommenders selected from your schools database as Default Recommenders, which means that they will automatically be checked as selected recommenders when you create a clerkship application. This is purely a convenience, and you are not required to associate default recommenders with a clerkship application. Default recommenders are identified by a green check ( ) in the Default column of your Current Recommenders list. To change a recommenders default status, check the box next to his/her name and select the appropriate function from the Batch Options menu.

Figure 12. Default Recommender

9. Repeat the above process as necessary to add all of your recommenders before proceeding to the next step in the application process. If a recommender is not on your Current Recommenders list, you will not be able to associate that recommender with a clerkship application. Note: Although you have just created your pool of recommenders, you must actually create a clerkship application in order to generate recommendation requests to your recommenders or to trigger an Evite email to a recommender if you are the first applicant to request a recommendation letter from that recommender.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Search for Positions in OSCAR

OSCAR provides several tools to manipulate the Judges List and Staff Attorneys List to help you find positions suitable to your interests. Both the Judges List and Staff Attorneys List are highly sortable, which is especially useful for reviewing results from the Basic or Advanced search tools. Use the Basic Search, which includes the most popular search filters, as your primary tool for narrowing down these lists. If you need to execute a more detailed search, try the Advanced Search tab, which has a more extensive list of search parameters. Remember: Judges and staff attorneys have separate Advanced Search tabs. Taking some time to familiarize yourself with these methods will help you get the most out of the OSCAR web application.

About the Judges List & Staff Attorneys List

The Judges List contains federal circuit, district, magistrate, and bankruptcy court judges, as well as specialty courts and special masters appointed by the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. The Staff Attorneys List shows the 13 appellate staff attorney offices. The Judges List, as shown in figure 1, is organized by judge name (first and last), type of judge, court, city, whether online applications are accepted, preferred application methods, and date the account was last modified.

Figure 1. Judges List

OSCAR Tip Sheet

In figure 1 above, item shows judges who do not participate in OSCAR. These judges have not registered for OSCAR and do not have an account. They are grayed out in the Judges List and have no further information associated with their entries. Item shows OSCAR participating judges who do not have positions posted. These judges have OSCAR accounts but do not currently have positions posted. In some cases, a judge may maintain an OSCAR account specifically to advertise that they are not accepting applications. Clicking on these entries will only allow you to view the judge's OSCAR profile. You will not be able to create an application packet. Item shows an OSCAR participating judge who does have a position available. When a judge has a position posted, you will see the details shown below the judge's name in the Clerkship Information field (detailed in figure 2 below).

Figure 2. Participating Judge with Position

The Staff Attorneys List, as shown in figure 3, is organized by circuit name (first and last), court, city, whether online applications are accepted, preferred application methods, date applications are viewable to the office, and date the account was last modified. The Staff Attorney List displays participating, non-participating, and offices with posted positions in the same manner as the Judges List.

Figure 3. Staff Attorneys List

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Sorting the Judges List & Staff Attorneys List

You can sort the Judges List or Staff Attorneys List by any column header with a delta symbol ( ) next to it. This symbol indicates the order of the sort. When the delta points down ( ), the column is sorted in descending order (A-Z). When it faces up ( ), the column is sorted in ascending (Z-A) order. By default the Judges List is sorted by the judge Last Name in descending (A-Z) order and the Staff Attorneys List is sorted by circuit name in descending order. To sort by another category, click on a column header. The active column will appear in red and the list will be sorted by that column in descending order. Click the column header again to reverse the order of the sort. For example, if you click on the Type of Judge column header in the Judges List, the list will display entries in descending order (A-Z) by judge type (figure 4). All bankruptcy judges will be listed first, followed by circuit judges, etc. Clicking on the column heading again will reverse the sort order.

Figure 4. Judge List Sorted by Type of Judge

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Using the Basic Search Tool

The Basic Search tool (figure 5) is a convenient feature for managing the Judges List or Staff Attorney Offices List. Each list has its own Basic Search box. The search filters allow you to narrow your focus and view only those listings relevant to your interests. The Basic Search box can be accessed from your clerkship Folders and staff attorney Folders sub-tabs as well.

Figure 5. Basic Search Box (Judges)

To use the Basic Search tool: 1. Choose your search options and/or enter Keywords ( ) to search by judge name or city. 2. Multiple selections can be made in the Clerkship Position Status and Application Method fields. 3. Once you have made your selections, click the Apply Search button to execute the search. The Judges List will now display only those entries that meet the search criteria. Remember: Always click the Clear button before conducting a new search. This will remove any search parameters you've selected and return the Judges List to its default state.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

The Advanced Search Tool

If you wish to search by very specific criteria or are not able to satisfactorily narrow down the Judges List using other methods, try using the Advanced Search tabs (figure 6). Judges and Staff Attorney Offices have separate Advanced Search tabs. Both are accessible under the Search For Positions tab on the main navigation bar. The Advanced Search tools offer a comprehensive list of search criteria as well as the ability to save chosen criteria for future searches.

Figure 6. Advanced Search Tab

For more information, please refer to the Using the Advanced Search Feature tip sheet available in the Applicant Resources section of OSCAR.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Using the Advanced Search Feature

OSCARs advanced search function permits you to perform searches for clerkship and staff attorney positions using very specific criteria. You might, for example, want to see as broad a spectrum as all the clerkship positions listed by circuit judges, or you may want to narrow your search significantly and view only those staff attorney positions posted by staff attorney offices in the western U.S. seeking applicants who graduated in the top 10% of their class.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. Move your mouse cursor over the Search For Positions tab on the main navigation bar. Click on Judges or Staff Attorneys in the menu that appears, depending on the type of position you are searching for. There are separate Advanced Search functions for clerkship and staff attorney positions, although they follow the same procedure. This tip sheet will use the clerkship Advanced Search as its example.

Figure 2. Search For Positions Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. Click on the Advanced Search sub-tab.

Figure 3. Advanced Search Tab

4. You are now on the Advanced Search tab. From here you will select your search criteria and perform your judge search. The following criteria are available in the clerkship Advanced Search tab:

And/Or determines search logic Keywords Participating in OSCAR Application Method City States/Territories Specialty Court Court Circuit Code District Code Judge Type Clerkship Position Status Clerkship Term Number of Recommendations Required Recommendation and Reference Requirements Law Review Preferred Moot Court Preferred

Prior Judicial Experience Preferred Other Journal Preferred Class Rank Preferred Application Finalized Application Withdrawn Post/Last Modified Date for Open Positions Post/Last Modified Date for Closed Positions Term Start Month/Year Application Open Date Application Close Date Chambers Profile (Do Not Contact Chambers/Has Only Permanent Clerks) Career Clerks Temporary Clerks Additional Chambers Information

OSCAR Tip Sheet

The following criteria are available on the staff attorney Advanced Search tab: And/Or determines search logic Keywords Application Method City Circuit Code Position Status Position Term Number of Recommendations Required Law Review Preferred Moot Court Experience Preferred Prior Judicial Experience Preferred Other Journal Preferred Class Rank Preferred Application Finalized Application Withdrawn Post/Last Modified Date for Open Positions Post/Last Modified Date for Closed Positions Term Start Month/Year Application Open Date Application Close Date

5.

You must first determine whether to use narrow a search by clicking

And or Or logic for your search. You may

And in the block at the top of this screen or broaden a search by clicking Or. A search for Circuit Judge And 1 Year clerkship term will yield only those judges who meet all of those criteria. A search for Circuit Judge Or 1 Year Or Available position status will yield judges who meet any of those criteria.
Note: OSCAR defaults to an

And search if no selection is made.

Figure 4. Narrow or Widen Search with And/Or Parameter

6. Begin selecting the search criteria you wish to use. Use the Keyword field to search for a match on a judge name or a specific city.

Figure 5. Keywords Search Field

Search by whether a judge is participating in OSCAR or not.

Figure 6. Participating in OSCAR

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Use the Application Method field to search for judges based on whether they are accepting E-mail, Fax, On-line, or Paper applications. You can highlight multiple selections by holding down the Ctrl key.

Figure 7. Application Method Search Field

Search by location using the City search box and the States/Territories pick list. Simply enter a city into the search box or select a state or territory from the pick list. You can highlight multiple selections by holding down the Ctrl key.

Hold down Ctrl to select/deselect multiple years.

Figure 8. City and States/Territories Search Fields

Search by specific court using the Specialty Court and Court pick lists. You can highlight multiple selections by holding down the Ctrl key.

Choose from Specialty Court and/or Court pick lists.

Figure 9. Specialty Court and Court Search Fields

OSCAR Tip Sheet

You can search by both circuit and district codes using the pick lists presented. Note: Click the icon for an explanation of these codes.

Choose from Circuit Code and/or District Code pick lists.

Figure 10. Circuit Code and District Code Search Fields

Search by the type of judge, whether the judge has available, filled, expired, or no positions, and the length of the clerkship term in the next three search boxes.

Choose from Judge Type, Clerkship Position Status, and/or Clerkship Term pick lists.

Figure 11. Judge Type, Clerkship Position Status, and Clerkship Term Search Fields

OSCAR Tip Sheet

The next several search parameters allow you to search based on a judges application requirements. You can search by number of recommendations required, whether the judge requires individual letters of recommendation and/or a list of references, preferences for applicants with moot court or prior judicial experience, whether Law Review or Other Journal are preferred, and class ranking preferences.

Note: For applicants from law schools that do not rank, OSCAR has been configured so that a judge or staff attorney office searching for applicants by percentage ranking will return all applicants from these schools. These applicants will be identified in a search result by the words School does not rank in the class rank column. A few law schools rank only a portion of their students. Ranked students from those schools will be returned with a search on a percentage ranking; unranked students will not (although they will show in other searches, e.g., by law school). Unranked students from those schools will be identified in a search result by the words "Student is not ranked" in the class rank column.

Figure 12. Search Fields for Judges Application Requirements

The next two parameters allow you to search for positions you have applied to. You can search by applications you have finalized and applications you have withdrawn. Note: You cannot reapply to clerkship or staff attorney positions after you have withdrawn a finalized application.

Figure 13. Application Finalized and Application Withdrawn Search Fields

OSCAR Tip Sheet

To search by the date posted/last modified for open and closed positions, use the next two pull down menus. You can search for open or closed clerkships posted/last modified 1 day ago, within the past 7 days, within the past 30 days, and within the past 60 days.

Select search period from pull-down menus.

Figure 14. Post/Last Modified Dates for Open and Closed Positions

The next three parameters allow you to search by the term start date and the application open and close dates.

Figure 15. Term Start and Application Open and Close Dates

To choose the date range for the Term Start Month/Year field, click the Select button(s). This will open a calendar (figure 16) from which you will select your dates.

Click Select to bring up calendar window. Choose your beginning and ending dates for the search period on this window. Click Clear to reset date fields.

Figure 16. Calendar Pop-up Window

OSCAR Tip Sheet

You can choose to search by the judge's chambers profile, where judges indicate if they have only permanent clerks or do not wish applicants to contact them. This can be useful for eliminating judges from your list.

Figure 17. Chambers Profile Field

Judges are encouraged to list the number and types of clerks they currently employ in their profile, and the advanced search features allows you to search by number of Career Clerks and Temporary Clerks.

Figure 18. Career Clerks and Temporary Clerks Fields

Some judges choose to list additional information about their chambers. If you are looking for a specific word or phrase a judge might use to describe his/her chambers, enter it here. Always enter phrase in double quotes (e.g. "Immigration reform").

Figure 19. Additional Chambers Information Fields

OSCAR Tip Sheet

7. After selecting the desired search criteria, click Submit to begin the search. If you return to the Advanced Search screen to perform another search, use the Clear button to remove your previous selections.

Figure 20. Click Submit to Begin Search or Click Clear to Remove Selected Criteria

8. OSCAR will take you to a new Search Results sub-tab to view your results (figure 21). Note: These results will only be available for the time you are logged into OSCAR or until you conduct another search.

Figure 21. Search Results Sub-tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

9. You can sort your search results into folders using the Batch Options menu or the Copy To Folders/Change Folders buttons in the Options column (see How to Copy Clerkships to Folders tip sheet). Additionally, you can use the Batch Options menu to save the search results to an Excel file (figure 22). To save you results as an Excel spreadsheet: Go to the Batch Options menu and click on Save as Excel Entire Judge List. A pop-up window giving you the options of Open, Save, or Cancel will appear. o If you select Open, you can view the list of applicants in Excel and save the file to your computer or print the file. o If you select Save, the Save As screen appears and you can name your file and save it to your computer. o Selecting Cancel will abort the operation.

Figure 22. Judge List in Excel Format

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OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Copy Positions into Folders

Applicants can manage their clerkship and staff attorney positions by filing them into folders, either one at a time or in batches. OSCAR provides a set of folders for both types of position. These folders may be labeled as the applicant wishes. (Example: An applicant may categorize positions as Circuit, California, 1-year Term, etc. and copy the positions into folders.) There are two methods to copy positions into new and existing folders. Method one uses the Batch Options menu to copy multiple positions simultaneously. Method two uses the Copy to Folders/Change Folders buttons to copy single positions.

Begin by logging into OSCAR. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button:

Figure 1. Login Prompt

Method One Use the Batch Options Menu

Use this method when you have identified multiple clerkship or staff attorney positions that you wish to copy simultaneously to a new or existing folder. The Batch Options menu is accessible from any listing of judges or staff attorney offices, including the Judges List & Staff Attorney Office List, the Folders sub-tabs, and the Search Results sub-tabs. The following instructions use the Judges List sub-tab as an example.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

1. Place your mouse cursor over the Search For Positions tab on the main navigation bar and select Judges from the menu that appears.

Figure 2. Search For Positions Tab

2. This will take you to the Judges List sub-tab. Click the boxes next to the positions you wish to copy into a new or existing folder.

Figure 3. Select Positions to Copy into New or Existing Folder

3. Go to the Batch Options menu. Click on either [Copy To New Folder] (figure 4a)

Figure 4a. Copy To New Folder Button

or Copy To Existing Folder (figure 4b) on the Batch Options menu.

Figure 4b Copy To Existing Folder Button

OSCAR Tip Sheet

4. If you select Copy To Existing Folder, you will then choose the specific folder that you wish to copy the selected clerkships into. Those clerkships will be copied into the selected folder. 5. If you select [Copy To New Folder], the Add To Folders pop-up window will appear. Enter the name for your new folder in the indicated field. Click the Add Clerkship button to create your new folder. The clerkships you selected will be copied into the new folder.

Figure 5 Enter Label and Click Add Clerkship

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Method Two Use the Copy to Folders/Change Folders Buttons

Use this method when you are searching for clerkships and wish to copy an individual clerkship to a new or existing Custom Folder. The Copy to Folders/Change Folders buttons are accessible from any listing of judges or staff attorney offices, including the Judges List & Staff Attorney Office List, the Folders sub-tabs, and the Search Results sub-tabs. The following instructions use the Judges List sub-tab as an example.

1. Place your mouse cursor over the Search For Positions tab on the main navigation bar and select Judges from the menu that appears.

Figure 6. Search For Positions Tab

2. For a position that you have not sorted into a folder, the Copy to Folders button will be displayed in the Clerkship Information section (Position Information for staff attorney offices). Clicking this button will allow you to copy that clerkship into a new or existing folder.

Figure 7. Copy To Folders Button

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. The Copy To Folder pop-up window will appear. If you wish to copy the clerkship into a new folder, enter the name for your new folder in the indicated field. To copy the clerkship into an existing folder, check the box for that folder. Click the Add Clerkship button to copy the position into your selected folder.

Select the existing folder you want to copy the clerkship into or enter a label to copy the clerkship to a new folder.

Figure 8. Enter Folder Name or Select Existing Folder

4. For a position that you have already placed in a folder, the Change Folders button will be displayed in the Clerkship Information section (Position Information for staff attorney offices). Clicking this button will allow you to copy that position into a new or existing folder.

Figure 9. Change Folders Button

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. The Add To Folder pop-up window will appear. If you wish to copy the clerkship into a new folder, enter the name for your new folder in the indicated field. To copy the clerkship into an existing folder, check the box for that folder. Note: There will be checks in the boxes for all folders in which the clerkship is currently stored.

Select the existing folder you want to copy the position into or enter a label to copy the position to a new folder.

Figure 10. Enter Folder Name or Select Existing Folder

6. Click the Add Clerkship button to copy the clerkship into your selected folder.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Build an Application

Building your application is the final step in the OSCAR application process. Before you begin building your applications, you must have uploaded your application documents to the My Documents tab, added your recommenders in the My Recommendations tab, and identified the position(s) you will be applying to. With all of this done ahead of time, building the application will be a simple and straightforward process.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. Navigate to the position you wish to apply for, whether you have identified it on the Judges List or Staff Attorney Office List sub-tabs, through the Advanced Search function, or you have stored it in a folder. For clerkship positions, click on the judges last name to open the Judge Details sub-tab. For staff attorney positions, click on the Circuit Name to open the Staff Attorney Office Profile sub-tab.

Figure 2. Navigate to Position (Clerkship Listing Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. For clerkship positions, click on the Clerkships List sub-tab to see a list of the judges clerkship positions. For staff attorney positions, click on the Positions list sub-tab.

Figure 3a. Judge Details Sub-Tab

Figure 3b. Staff Attorney Office Profile Sub-Tab

4. You will see a list of clerkship or staff attorney positions. Click the View & Apply button in the Options column to begin assembling your applications.

Figure 4a. View & Apply ButtonClerkships List (Judge)

Figure 4b. View & Apply ButtonPositions List (Staff Attorney)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. The next page will list the clerkship or staff attorney position information (dates, description, location, etc.) and requirements (documents, recommendations required, law journal/review, class standing, etc.).

Figure 5. Position Details (Staff Attorney Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

6. Preferred method of application will be displayed in the Build an Application box. If a judge or staff attorney office is not accepting online applications, compile your application outside the OSCAR system and submit the materials to the judge or staff attorney office per their indicated application method (e.g., email, FAX, or mail).

Figure 6. Judge Accepting Paper Applications

7. If the judge or staff attorney office is accepting online applications, you can begin building an application for submission. The Build an Application box (figure 7) outlines the steps.

Figure 7. Build an Application Box

OSCAR Tip Sheet

8. In the Build an Application box, use the pull-down menus to select the documents you wish to include with the application. The [new] option allows you to enter/upload a new document. The documents a judge or staff attorney office requires for a particular position are listed under the Required Documents field. You can add or remove documents until the application is Finalized and visible to the judge or staff attorney office.

Select documents to attach to application from pull-down menus.

Move mouse over [select] bar to reveal pull-down menu and selection box.

Figure 8. Attach Documents (Clerkship Application)

9. If the judge requires a list of references, enter them in the References box.

Figure 9. Enter Reference Information

OSCAR Tip Sheet

10. If the judge requires individual letters of recommendation, identify your recommenders by checking the boxes next to their names. Default recommenders will already be checked. You can add or remove recommenders from your application until it is Finalized and visible to the judge or staff attorney office; however, in order for the recommender to be available in the Build an Application box, you must have added the recommender to the My Pool of Recommenders sub-tab. Note: Completing this step and clicking the Create Draft Application button triggers the recommendation requests. You can add or remove recommenders until the application is Finalized and visible to the judge or staff attorney office.

Figure 10. Choose Recommenders

11. When you have attached your documents and identified your recommenders, click Create Draft Application to store application materials as a draft. As long as your application remains in Draft status, you can continue to add or remove documents and recommenders. If you so choose, you can delete the DRAFT application and still have the option to re-apply to the clerkship or staff attorney position.

Figure 11. Click Create Draft Application

12. To release your application to the judge or staff attorney office, you must click the Finalize Application button. Remember: Once you click on Finalize Application, you will no longer be able to make any changes to your application. If you wish to withdraw your application, you will not be able to re-apply.

Figure 12. Click Finalize Application (Clerkship Application)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

13. You can view your applications, whether Draft, Finalized, or Withdrawn, on the My Applications tab in the main menu bar. Move your mouse cursor over the tab and choose Clerkship Applications or Staff Attorney Applications from the menu that appears.

Figure 13. My Applications Tab

14. From either list, you can delete or edit applications in Draft and withdraw Finalized applications. You can also use the Batch Options menu to finalize multiple applications at once.
Use Batch Options menu to finalize multiple applications.

Edit, delete, or withdraw applications.

Figure 14. View and Manipulate Current Applications (Clerkships Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Finalize Applications in a Batch Method

OSCAR gives you the ability to finalize multiple applications with a single process. Once an application is finalized, you will not be able to make any changes to it, unless the judge or staff attorney office requests an update. Recommenders will still be able to add letters to finalized applications if you have already associated them with the application. Judges will not be able to view online applications from third-year law students until the dates set forth in the Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan. Alumni applications are immediately viewable when finalized.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. You can view your applications, whether Draft, Finalized, or Withdrawn, on the My Applications tab in the main menu bar. Move your mouse cursor over the tab and choose Clerkship Applications or Staff Attorney Applications from the menu that appears.

Figure 2. My Applications Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. Select the applications you wish to finalize by clicking in the check box in the leftmost column.

Figure 3. Select Applications to Finalize

4. Click on Finalize Applications in the Batch Options menu.

Figure 4. Click Finalize Applications

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. OSCAR will display a pop-up prompt. Click the OK button to confirm and continue finalizing the applications. WARNING: Once an application is finalized, no more changes may be made.

Figure 5. Finalize Applications Pop-up

6. The selected applications have been finalized. As a visual reminder, these applications will display in the Status column.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

How to Delete or Withdraw an Application

Applicants can delete an application at any time before it is finalized and released to a judge or staff attorney office. After deleting an application, you can re-apply to the position at any time before the close date. If you wish to remove an application that has already been finalized, you must use the withdraw function. OSCAR will automatically delete the application from the judge or staff attorney office list, and you will see the icon displayed in your My Applications tab. Note: You will not be able to re-apply to a position after withdrawing an application.

To Delete an Application in Draft Status

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. You can view your applications, whether Draft, Finalized, or Withdrawn, on the My Applications tab in the main menu bar. Move your mouse cursor over the tab and choose Clerkship Applications or Staff Attorney Applications from the menu that appears.

Figure 2. My Applications Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

3. Locate the application you wish to delete in the list and click the Delete button under the Options column. The Delete button will not be available unless this application is still in Draft status, displaying the icon in the Status column.

Figure 3. Delete Draft Application

4. A pop-up warning will ask, Are you sure you wish to delete this

application? This application is not yet viewable by the judge. You may build a new application if you choose. Click OK to delete the
application.

Figure 4. Delete Application Pop-up Warning

5. Your application will now be removed from the applications list. Any recommendation letters associated with the application will be lost. If you do recreate the application, you will need to generate new recommendation requests.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

To Withdraw a Finalized Application

1. Move your mouse cursor over the My Applications tab and choose Clerkship Applications or Staff Attorney Applications from the menu that appears.

Figure 5. My Applications Tab

2. Locate the application you wish to withdraw in the list and click the Withdraw button under the options column. The Withdraw button will not be available unless this application has been finalized and released to the judge, displaying the Status column. icon in the

Figure 6. Withdraw Application

3. A pop-up warning will ask, Are you sure you wish to withdraw this

application? This application is already viewable by the judge. You will not be able to resubmit it. Click OK to withdraw the application.

Figure 8. Withdraw Application Pop-up Warning

OSCAR Tip Sheet

4. When you withdraw an application, OSCAR automatically deletes that application from the judges or staff attorney office's list. The application will remain in your Applications sub-tab, displaying the icon in the Status column.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Entering Letters of Recommendation Using the Online Editor

OSCAR provides an online editor to allow you to create recommendation letters while logged into the system. The online editor provides you with the ability to use merge fields (discussed below) to craft a generic letter that OSCAR will automatically customize with the name and address information of any judges or staff attorney offices to whom it is sent. Letters created in the online editor can also be saved and modified for future use.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. On the Home tab under the Your Recommendation Requests heading, you will see a blue box showing your total recommendation requests with a break down between clerkship and staff attorney requests (figure 2a). You can click one of the links in this box (Fill Clerkship Recommendations / Fill Staff Attorney Recommendations),

Figure 2a. Your Recommendation Requests

OSCAR Tip Sheet

or navigate to the Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations subtabs from the Fill Recommendation Requests tab on the main navigation menu (figure 2b).

Figure 2b. Fill Recommendation Requests Tab

3. On the Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations sub-tabs, you will see a list of the applicant(s) requesting letters of recommendation.

Figure 3. List of Applicants Requesting Recommendations (Clerkships Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

4. Please click on a last name of the person requesting the letter.

Figure 4. Click Last Name of Applicant

5. You will now see the Submit Recommendation tab with a list of steps. Scroll down to step 1Choose Applicationsto select the judges or staff attorney offices to whom the letter will be sent. Select the recipients by clicking the checkboxes next to their names or choosing Select All to send the letter to each judge or staff attorney office on the list. Note: OSCAR will not allow you to select more than 50 judges at one time. If you have more than 50 recommendation requests, use the Select First 50 option.

Figure 5. Choose Applications

6. Scroll down to step 2Recommendation Typeand select Online Editor. This will cause OSCAR to display steps 3-5.

Figure 6. Select Online Editor

OSCAR Tip Sheet

7. In step 3 (optional), you can select a letter template you have previously created. For more information on creating templates, please see the How to Create a Recommendation Letter Template tip sheet.

Figure 7. Select Template (Optional)

8. If you wish to be able to reuse your letter, you may give it a label. Though this is optional, typing a name into the box in step 4Save Current Templatewill save a copy of this letter as an OSCAR template. (Saving a letter as a template is helpful if an applicant requests additional letters of recommendation in the future.)

Figure 8. Save Current Template

OSCAR Tip Sheet

9. Scroll down to step 5Edit Recommendationwhere you will enter you letter in OSCARs online editor. When using the online editor, it is helpful to remember these tips: To insert a single line break, hold down the Shift key and press Enter. You cannot insert graphics when using this online editor. This includes institutional letterhead or signatures. By using merge fields, one letter can be customized to multiple recipients. There is a list of merge fields on the right side of the screen. Merge fields will automatically be filled with the data for each judge that the recommendation letter is sent to. The merge fields in figure 9 below would be substituted as such:

Figure 9. Merge Fields in Online Editor

OSCAR automatically includes a salutation block with merge fields for judges or staff attorney offices. If you do not wish to use the merge fields included in the online editor box, you may copy and paste any of the fields listed in Applicant or Judge headings of the Merge Fields box to create your letter.

OSCAR Tip Sheet

10. When you have completed typing or copying in your letter, click the Next button to proceed to the next screen (figure 10). Formatting problems may occur when copying the letter from a word processing program like Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect. These documents contain hidden commands for printing, and copying the files also copies these hidden commands. in the online editor will remove most (but not Using the Paste as Plain Text tool necessarily all) of this formatting. For additional suggestions on successfully copying and pasting a word processor document into the online editor, see the note at the top of the Submit Recommendation page.

Figure 10. Click Next to Proceed

OSCAR Tip Sheet

11. OSCAR will display step 6Confirm Recommendation. You will be able to review your typed-in letter, and you can preview your letter as a PDF file, which is how it will be seen by a judge or staff attorney office. To do so, click the PDF icon staff attorney office's name in the Attach to Applications field. next to a judges or

Figure 11. Confirm Recommendation

12. If you wish to make changes, click the Edit Recommendation button, which will return you to the previous screen. If you are satisfied with your letter, click the Submit Recommendation button to finalize the process.

Figure 12. Submit or Edit Recommendation

OSCAR Tip Sheet

13. To insure the requests have been filled, place your mouse over the View Completed Recommendations tab in the main navigation bar and click on Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations in the menu that appears.

Figure 13. View Completed Recommendations Tab

14. The Completed Recommendations tab will display all requests that have been filled. If you would like to preview a letter that was uploaded, click on the small PDF icon Preview column, located on the far right side of the screen. in the

Figure 14. View Completed Recommendations List (Clerkships Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Uploading a Letter of Recommendation from a PDF File

OSCAR provides you with two methods for submitting letters of recommendation: using OSCAR's online editor or uploading a pre-written letter in PDF format. When uploading a PDF letter, the exact file you upload will be transmitted to every judge or staff attorney office you select. If you wish to send an identical to whom it may concern letter to every recipient, this feature is perfect for that. If you want to personalize the letters at all (including each judges or staff attorney office's name, for example), you should either submit the letters using the online editor or create individualized PDF letters for each recipient (each with its own filename) and attach the individual documents to specific applications.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. On the Home tab under the Your Recommendation Requests heading, you will see a blue box showing your total recommendation requests with a break down between clerkship and staff attorney requests (figure 2a). You can click one of the links in this box (Fill Clerkship Recommendations / Fill Staff Attorney Recommendations),

Figure 2a. Your Recommendation Requests

OSCAR Tip Sheet

or navigate to the Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations subtabs from the Fill Recommendation Requests tab on the main navigation menu (figure 2b).

Figure 2b. Fill Recommendation Requests Tab

3. On the Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations sub-tabs, you will see a list of the applicant(s) requesting letters of recommendation.

Figure 3. List of Applicants Requesting Recommendations (Clerkships Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

4. Please click on a last name of the person requesting the letter.

Figure 4. Click Last Name of Applicant

5. You will now see the Submit Recommendation tab with a list of steps. Scroll down step 1Choose Applicationsto select the judges or staff attorney offices to whom the letter will be sent. Select the recipients by clicking the checkboxes next to their names or choosing Select All to send the letter to each judge or staff attorney office on the list. Note: OSCAR will not allow you to select more than 50 judges at one time. If you have more than 50 requests, use the Select First 50 option.

Figure 5. Choose Applications

6. Scroll down to step 2Recommendation Typeand select .PDF File. This will cause OSCAR to display step 3.

Figure 6. Select .pdf file

OSCAR Tip Sheet

7. Step 3Select PDF File to Uploadgives you a file box where you can browse your computer's local or network drives and select the file you would like to upload. You will be able to see the file path in the Browse field after selecting your file (figure 7). Click the Next button to proceed to the next step.

Figure 7. Browse for File and Click Next

8. OSCAR will take you to step 4Confirm Recommendation. You will now see a final submission screen with your uploaded file (figure 6). You may preview your recommendation letter exactly as a judge or staff attorney office will see it. To do so, click the PDF icon or document name in the Uploaded File field. You will also see the name(s) of the judge(s) or staff attorney offices to whom it will be distributed.

Figure 8. Confirm Recommendation

OSCAR Tip Sheet

9. If you wish to make changes, click the Edit Recommendation button, which will return you to the previous screen, where you may choose to upload a modified file. Letters uploaded from an existing PDF file cannot be edited in OSCAR. If there is a problem with the PDF letter, fix the letter in its original software program and upload it again. If you are satisfied with your letter, click the Submit Recommendation button to finalize the process. Note: Once you click Submit Recommendation, the letter cannot be edited, withdrawn, or deleted if the application has already been released to the judge. 10. To insure the requests have been filled, place your mouse over the View Completed Recommendations tab in the main navigation bar and click on Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations in the menu that appears.

Figure 13. View Completed Recommendations Tab

11. The Completed Recommendations tab will display all requests that have been filled. If you would like to preview a letter that was uploaded, click on the small PDF icon Preview column, located on the far right side of the screen. in the

Figure 14. View Completed Recommendations List (Clerkships Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Entering Letters of Recommendation Using a Template

OSCAR allows you to create and store a recommendation letter template, which can be used when filling recommendation requests from applicants. Using the merge fields available in OSCARs online editor (discussed below), you can craft a generic letter that OSCAR will automatically customize with the name and address information of any judges or staff attorney offices to whom it is sent. The template can also be customized as needed when filling recommendation requests for those instances when you wish to add additional information for a specific applicant or are personally familiar with the judge to whom the letter is directed. 1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button.

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. On the Home tab under the Your Recommendation Requests heading, you will see a blue box showing your total recommendation requests with a break down between clerkship and staff attorney requests (figure 2a). You can click one of the links in this box (Fill Clerkship Recommendations / Fill Staff Attorney Recommendations),

Figure 2a. Your Recommendation Requests

or navigate to the Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations subtabs from the Fill Recommendation Requests tab on the main navigation menu (figure 2b).

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Figure 2b. Fill Recommendation Requests Tab

3. On the Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations sub-tabs, you will see a list of the applicant(s) requesting letters of recommendation.

Figure 3. List of Applicants Requesting Recommendations (Clerkships Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

4. Please click on a last name of the person requesting the letter.

Figure 4. Click Last Name of Applicant

5. You will now see the Submit Recommendation tab with a list of steps. Scroll down step 1Choose Applicationsto select the judges or staff attorney offices to whom the letter will be sent. Select the recipients by clicking the checkboxes next to their names or choosing Select All to send the letter to each judge or staff attorney office on the list. Note: OSCAR will not allow you to select more than 50 judges at one time. If you have more than 50 recommendation requests, use the Select First 50 option.

Figure 5. Choose Applications

6. Scroll down to step2Recommendation Typeand select Online Editor. This will cause OSCAR to display steps 3-5.

Figure 6. Select Online Editor

OSCAR Tip Sheet

7. In step 3, you can select the recommendation letter template you have previously created. For more information on creating templates, please see the How to Create a Recommendation Letter Template tip sheet.

Figure 7. Select Template

8. If you wish to modify and save your template under another name, you may give it a label in step 4Save Current Template.

Figure 8. Save Current Template (Optional)

OSCAR Tip Sheet

9. Scroll down to step 5Edit Recommendationwhere you will see the template you have selected displayed. When using the online editor, it is helpful to remember these tips: To insert a single line break, hold down the Shift key and press Enter. You cannot insert graphics when using this online editor. This includes institutional letterhead or signatures. By using merge fields, one letter can be customized to multiple recipients. There is a list of merge fields on the right side of the screen. Merge fields will automatically be filled with the data for each judge that the recommendation letter is sent to. The merge fields in figure 9 below would be substituted as such:

Figure 9. Merge Fields in Online Editor

OSCAR Tip Sheet

10. When you have completed your letter, click the Next button to proceed to the next screen (figure 10). Formatting problems may occur when copying the letter from a word processing program like Microsoft Word or Corel WordPerfect. These documents contain hidden commands for printing, and copying the files also copies these hidden commands. in the online editor will remove most (but not Using the Paste as Plain Text tool necessarily all) of this formatting. For additional suggestions on successfully copying and pasting a word processor document into the online editor, see the note at the top of the Submit Recommendation page.

Figure 10. Click Next to Proceed

OSCAR Tip Sheet

11. OSCAR will display step 6Confirm Recommendation. You will be able to review your typed-in letter, and you can preview your letter as a PDF file, which is how it will be seen by a judge or staff attorney office. To do so, click the PDF icon staff attorney office's name in the Attach to Applications field. next to a judges or

Figure 11. Confirm Recommendation

12. If you wish to make changes, click the Edit Recommendation button, which will return you to the previous screen. If you are satisfied with your letter, click the Submit Recommendation button to finalize the process.

Figure 12. Submit or Edit Recommendation

OSCAR Tip Sheet

13. To insure the requests have been filled, place your mouse over the View Completed Recommendations tab in the main navigation bar and click on Clerkship Recommendations or Staff Attorney Recommendations in the menu that appears.

Figure 13. View Completed Recommendations Tab

14. The Completed Recommendations tab will display all requests that have been filled. If you would like to preview a letter that was uploaded, click on the small PDF icon Preview column, located on the far right side of the screen. in the

Figure 14. View Completed Recommendations List (Clerkships Shown)

OSCAR Tip Sheet