1L Summer Associate Program FAQ

How long are the individual interviews?

Once the schools identify their candidates, those students will then participate in an all-day interview program and meet with each of the 1L SAP employers. Following the interviews, the employers and students rank their top choices. The students are then matched with their respective employers and receive an offer for a summer placement directly from the employer. Interviews will be “round robin” style, with each interview scheduled for 15 minutes each.

How are candidates selected?

Each participating North Carolina law school develops its own process for picking candidates. However, most schools hold an information session, followed by preliminary interviews performed by faculty/career services and/or office staff.

What is our recommended selection process?

We recommend holding information sessions for your students as soon as possible to give your students sufficient time to prepare their 1L SAP application. From the preliminary interviews and applications you receive, please choose three (3) candidates and one (1) alternate candidate to submit to the 1L SAP. If you would like guidance through the preliminary interviews, the 1L SAP Committee is happy to provide additional information upon request. We also recommend that you enlist the assistance of former participants of the 1L SAP to assist you with the information session and/or mock interview process.

Will there be additional opportunities for me as a student participant?

Yes, as a participant of the 1L SAP Program, no matter if you are offered an intern position or not, we host a variety of programs and networking opportunities for you alongside the NCBA Open Door Fellowship participants.

Will I Receive a List of all Employers/Interviewers Before the Interview?

Yes, the NCBA will send the employer information to the career services contact ahead of interview day to allow the students time to adequately prepare.

Will all students receive an offer?

We try our best to match as many students with employers as we can, but often the student to open positions ratio is not always equal and unfortunately, some do not receive an offer. Those students who do not receive an offer will still be included on invitations to networking events and other programs along with their follow participants.

What is an alternate?

Each school will select an alternate in addition to the top three candidates to participate in the 1L SAP program. An alternate will step in if one of the top three drops out of the program or is otherwise unable to participate prior to interview day.

Do alternates participate in the interview day?

While the alternate submits the application and materials along with the other candidates, the alternate only interviews if one of the top three candidates from their respective school drops out.

Who can participate as an Employer?

Any employer who has the capacity to accept, teach and provide work to a 1L student is eligible to participate in the 1LSAP program.

How do I participate as an Employer?

Contact the Communities Manager, BreAnne Shieh. Someone will reach out to you with more information on how to participate.

What are my responsibilities as a career service officer?

The law school career service offices handle the candidate selection process on the front end. That process typically includes holding information sessions, conducting preliminary interviews of students, and then selecting candidates from their schools to participate in the program.

What is the application and interview timeline?

Applications will be provided to law schools in mid-December. The application deadline is usually the first Friday in February with the interview day typically being held in mid-late February.

What should each application packet include?

• Application
• Resume
• Unofficial first semester transcript (if unavailable, please indicate on applicable cover letter and submit as soon as available).
• Written Statement — the statement should explain how the student can further diversify the North Carolina State Bar.
• Writing Sample (Memorandum of Law sent under separate cover).