How to Navigate Your 2L Year | NYU School of Law

Watch: Yulanda Lui ‘23 on being a 2L Leadership Co-Chair of the Women of Color Collective

In the second year of law school, writing skills are emphasized. You can hone your writing through directed research with a professor, or as part of seminar, completing the analytic paper required to graduate. You can use your paper as the basis for a “note” submitted to one of NYU Law’s student journals, and as a writing sample when applying for jobs and clerkships. You'll also start to focus on advanced courses and can take simulation courses and clinics.

Before Your Arrive

Academics

Register for your Fall and Spring courses. Use COURSES to register for classes, check your law school schedule, or check for blocks that prevent registration.

Careers

Attorney Interview Match (AIM) Program: OCS will attempt to match you with a practicing attorney from a law firm in New York City, or wherever you are working, for a mock interview at their office in preparation for Early Interview Week (EIW), when 300+ employers are on campus to interview students for summer or full time positions. (July)
Take part in the Practice Interview Evening Program in advance of EIW.
Come to the Interview Skills Workshop in preparation for EIW.
Participate in EIW. The majority of students secure their 2L summer positions through this program. (July/August)

Fall Semester

Academics

Choose a subject and an advisor for your note. For guidance, see Why Write a Student Note.
Figure out how you will choose to meet the mandatory Substantial Writing requirement.
Continue to register for your Spring courses (late October). Use COURSES to register for classes, check your law school schedule, or check for blocks that prevent registration.
Add/drop during the first week of classes for Fall.
Attend the Exam Skills workshop. Check the calendar for event date.
Understand how to meet the mandatory pro bono requirement.

Outside of Class

Participate in student organizations.
Consider going on Alternative Spring Break.
Talk to professors about being a teaching assistant.

Careers

Private Sector

Attend call backs at firms.
Participate in the Fall On-Campus Interviewing (OCI).
Attend the 2L clerkship orientation to learn about clerkships and the application process.

Public Interest

Participate in the Fall OCI.
Learn more about PILC’s Summer Funding Program.
Review PILC’s special Summer Internship Programs.
Attend PILC career programs and info sessions.

Spring Semester

Academics

The schedule of classes is published in March. Counselors in Academic Services are available to meet by appointment to discuss.
Think about taking a clinic or going on NYU Law Abroad next year to spend a semester immersed in the law and legal culture of Buenos Aires or Paris through a program designed by the Law School.
Register for the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE).

Outside of Class

Apply for executive board positions with student organizations.
Looking toward their third year, 2Ls should consider taking advantage of these NYU Law programs:

Careers

Private Sector

Spring OCI takes place.
Attend How to Succeed as a Summer Associate and Throughout Your Legal Career. (April)
Think about your next steps. See OCS's Your Career Journey.

Public Interest

Spring OCI takes place.
Learn more about PILC’s Summer Funding Program.
Review PILC’s special Summer Internship Programs.
Attend the PILC Fair. (February)

Clerkships

If you're interested in clerking, make an appointment with a counselor at the Judicial Clerkship Office and/or attend the 2L clerkship orientation to learn about clerkships and the application process.
Attend the clerkship reception with alumni clerks.
Attend the Judicial Clerkship Diversity Panel and Reception and hear a panel of judges speak about the value of a clerkship and the application process and meet the judges and current and former NYU Law clerks.

2L Summer

Academics

Register for your Fall and Spring courses. Use COURSES to register for classes, check your law school schedule, or check for blocks that prevent registration.
Attend joint Academic Advising/Career Counseling sessions held by Academic Services, Career Services, and PILC.
Register for the New York Law Exam (NYLE).