• TWEN
Course Page for the Co-op Program: The co-op
matching process is administered through the TWEN Course
Page
designated
for
that purpose each cycle. Students interested in applying
for co-op during a particular cycle need to add the
course page
to their list of classes. The course page contains all
information and forms required to apply for co-op and
a calendar of important
dates and events.
• Co-op
Binder with Placement Information: Co-op partners
provide the law school with detailed information about themselves,
their work expectations, and any pre-requisites or preferences
they have. An electronic binder containing detailed information
about each participating partner is posted on TWEN each cycle
for student review.
• Co-op
Preview Workshop: Representatives from each of our
five categories of placements conduct a workshop on campus
for students interested in co-op. The goal of the Workshop
is to provide students with an introduction to the various
types of placements and practices available through co-op.
• Co-op
Application Packet: After
reviewing the binder and attending the Co-op Preview
Workshop, students interested
in applying for co-op submit an application packet
on TWEN. A co-op application packet consists of the
student's Statement
of Interest, Acknowledgement of Rules of Engagement
for Co-op Participation, Resume, Unofficial Transcript,
Writing Sample
and References/Letter of Recommendation. In the
Statement of Interest, students indicate the type of
placement (in-house,
law firm, judicial, public interest, or government)
where they wish to pursue a co-op and provide additional
information
about their general preferences and interests.
• Lottery
of Eligible Students: After receiving the students'
application for co-op, we assess how the numbers match up.
If we end up with more students than available co-op slots
in any one category of placement, we use a lottery system
to randomly select the names of the eligible students for
that category. Any student who is not selected is placed
on a waiting list. The waiting list generally works on a
lottery system, except to the extent that a placement has
special requirements or limitations. In those instances,
the lottery is limited to any student on the waiting list
who meets the necessary criteria.
• Proposed
Matches by the Law School: The Director of the
Co-op Program proposes a student for each co-op position based
upon careful consideration of the partner's requirements, the
student's qualifications, and input from law school faculty
members. The law school forwards the proposed student's application
packet to the partner and the partner is asked to approve the
student for placement.
• Limited
Interviews: Interviews are not required for co-op
placement and some partners accept the student based on the
application material without an interview. If, at this point,
however, a partner wishes to meet the proposed student, the
law school works with the partner and the student to schedule
a brief interview.
• Final
Matching: Once
a partner approves a student for placement, the matching
is considered final and the student is notified.
If a partner does not accept a proposed student, another
student is proposed for the position, if one is available.
We
announce the final matching results to all students and co-op
partners at least one month prior to the start of each
co-op cycle.