Tip sheet for CORA applicants

The application process for state court clerkships varies by state, but some similarities exist. These tips for applicants can assist individuals applying to clerkship opportunities through the Court Opportunity Recruitment for All portal. Being prepared with the essential information and documents required for submission will help ensure a smooth application process.

Learn more about preparing for a state court clerkship application in this State Court Clerkships 101 guide. It explains how to streamline your application process.

Questions

Contact us at cora@ncsc.org or visit the CORA webpage for more information and a list of frequently asked questions.

Apply here

Visit our CORA application portal and create a profile to apply.

CORA profile creation

Fill out the following fields: 

• First name
• Last name
• Title (we recommend you put "Applicant" or "Student" if you currently do not have a position)
• Address
• City, state, zip
• Phone number
• Email address

Uploads

You will need to upload the following:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing samples

Note: While our portal accepts PDF, Word.doc, and Word.docx documents, we recommend you PDF your resume and cover letter. If necessary, use a free online PDF converter.

Third-party emails

You will be asked to submit the email addresses of references for letters of recommendation(s) and transcripts.

Please have this information ready when completing your application and notify your references that an email from administrator@grantinterface.com will be sent through the portal for their uploads. 

Note: Feel free to use this copy of a sample email to send to third parties.

Writing samples

Writing samples are required for all clerkship opportunities unless noted. These can be memos, law reviews, or similar. You only need to provide one sample, but if you want to submit multiple samples showcasing your skills, we recommend combining the samples into one document.

Next steps

Once you submit your application, both you and the court will receive a confirmation email informing you that your application has been successfully submitted. The court will review your application and will contact you directly regarding any further steps.