1L Applications & Interviews
We ask that employers not request applications from first year law students or engage in recruitment events for 1Ls before November 1st. This allows students adequate time to adjust to law school, focus on coursework, and prepare application materials. Opportunities to learn about the legal profession, practice areas, or professional development generally are appropriate earlier in the Fall Semester.
- Exceptions
- Federal agencies due to extensive processes including background checks may receive and review applications before November 1.
- Foreign entities which may have different timelines may receive and review applications before November 1.
- We also expect that employers will not conduct interviews for any first-year students between Thanksgiving and the end of first semester examinations. CLS calendar can be found here.
- We request that private sector employers provide a period of at least 14 days for employment offers made to 1L students for summer employment.
- Students are not allowed to miss class for job interviews. Interviews should be scheduled for a mutually agreed upon date and time.
- We strongly encourage employers to recruit students through Cornell-initiated recruitment events, such as our Private Sector Networking Event on November 5th 2025, Winter Resume Collects or Virtual Interview Programs. Additional dates for Cornell-hosted recruitment programs for the 2025-2026 academic year are to be determined and will be posted here as soon as they are solidified. Prioritizing Cornell-hosted program reduces the pressure on students to focus on pre-recruitment while also studying for final exams.
- Diversity Scholarships
Employers should not make diversity scholarship or fellowship offers with a deadline shorter than 14 days. Furthermore, when making a diversity scholarship offer, employers should abide by Cornell guidelines for offer extensions below.
Employers should make clear whether the summer employment offers to first-year students require students to work for the same employer during their second summer or whether it is offered as an option.