Application Information
In order to be considered for the NYU RJWR Fellowship, all applicants must meet with a PILC counselor to discuss their post-graduate job search and their fellowship proposal at least three weeks before the application deadline. Students who have already met with a PILC counselor in the context of preparing their proposed project for other fellowship applications are not required to do so again. Students who have not yet met with a PILC counselor, as well as anyone who has questions or would like to discuss the program further, should make an appointment with Katie Neilson.
- Submit your application package to pilc.info@nyu.edu as a single PDF file.
- File name: [Last Name] [First Name] - RJWR Fellowship Application.
- Email subject line: NYU RJWR Fellowship.
NOTE: Your application will also be considered for the NYU Public Interest Law Center (PILC) Fellowship. You do not need to submit separate applications.
Your application pdf should include the following:
- Completed Application Cover Sheet
- Resume (up to two pages)
- Project Proposal (300-500 words) describing:
- The need that the project would address.
- The goals of the project.
- The work that the fellow will undertake.
- Personal Statement (300-500 words) discussing
- Applicant’s career goals and how this fellowship would contribute to those goals.
- Applicant’s skills and knowledge, including relevant clinics, internships, student group involvement and coursework.
- Host Organization Commitment Letter (300-500 words) describing:
- The mission, current programs and staff of the organization.
- The training and supervision that the fellow would receive, including the name and experience of the lawyer who would supervise the fellow.
- How the applicant’s project would support the organization’s mission.
- Job Search Engagement Form:
- List all applications you have submitted for post-graduate fellowship funding and employment. Include only those fellowships and jobs to which you have actually applied and the status of those applications.
- Please describe any restrictions in your search (i.e., geographic, type of work, etc.).
- Please specify and explain any offers that you have received or have turned down, including any private law firm offers.
- You may send in an updated form at the time of your interview.
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- One recommendation from a law school professor.
- One recommendation from a former legal supervisor.
- The letters should be addressed to “NYU Reproductive Justice & Women's Rights Selection Committee” and can either be submitted as part of the application packet, or directly by the recommender to pilc.info@nyu.edu.
Selection Process and Criteria
NYU RJWR Fellows are selected by a selection committee consisting of one law school faculty member and one or two former RJWR fellows.
Selection criteria include:
- Applicant’s qualifications, including commitment to public interest work.
- Quality and potential impact of the proposed work.
- Relevance of the proposed work to the applicant’s career goals.
- Applicant’s job search and engagement with PILC.
Finalists will be invited to interview with the committee, generally in mid-March, at the law school or over Zoom, and selection will take place shortly thereafter.
Please reach out to Katie Neilson with any questions.