JILCS Journal of International Law and Comparative Studies - Candidate
Information for JILCS Journal Candidates
Qualification Overview: Journal membership is a two-step process: 1) qualification for the JILCS Journal Summer Candidacy Program, and 2) completion of the JILCS Journal Summer Candidacy Program.
Step One: Qualification
Students can qualify for the JILCS Journal Summer Candidacy Program in one of two ways: by grading on or writing on. Students who grade on are not required to complete a write-on assignment. Those who write on will need to write, respond, and submit an answer to a specific writing prompt for consideration onto the journal. The write-on competition occurs in May after final exam season.
Summer Candidacy is a required process for students seeking an invitation to join the Journal. It takes place throughout June and July and involves completing a comprehensive writing assignment under the guidance of the JILCS Journal's Board of Editors. During this period, candidates will have the opportunity to showcase their legal writing and analytical skills. Decisions on invitations to join are finalized and sent out by mid-August, giving students ample time to plan for the upcoming academic year.
Rising 2Ls
Students May Grade-On or Write-On
- Write-On: Cumulative GPA of 2.75 following Winter 2025
- Grade-On: Cumulative GPA of 3.1 following Winter 2025 OR GPA of 2.8 & a grade of B+ or higher in either LRW I or II.
Rising 3Ls or 4Ls
Students May Grade-On or Write-On
- Write-On: Cumulative GPA of 2.75 following Winter 2025
- Grade-On: Cumulative GPA of 3.1 following Winter 2025
Step Two: Completion - Students who accept an invitation to the JILCS Journal's Summer Candidacy Program (grade-on, write-on, or translation) will spend their summer writing a 20-25 page research paper on a topic of international law. They may select their own topic and writing guidelines are provided. A member of our Board of Editors serves as a point of contact during the summer to answer questions as you work.
At the end of the summer or in early fall, JILCS Journal's Board of Editors evaluates your project and decides whether to extend an invitation to join the Journal. The JILCS Journal conducts bluebook and citation training for new members in the fall when everyone returns to campus. We do not schedule classes during the summer.
The paper you write can be submitted to satisfy NSU Law's writing requirement, and at your option it may also be considered for publication in the JILCS Journal.
Membership Benefits & Obligations
Academic Credit - As a JILCS Journal Junior Staff Member, you can elect to receive NSU Law credit: 1 credit in the Winter Semester for a total of 1 JILCS Journal credit during your first membership year. If you choose to spend a second year with JILCS Journal, you will be a Senior Staff Member or Board of Editors member and eligible for additional credit depending on your position.
Writing Requirement - You can submit your Summer Candidacy paper to fulfill NSU Law's writing requirement (usually this requirement is otherwise filled by taking a seminar class). JILCS Journal will help you arrange with a professor for a writing requirement review.
Time Commitment - The JILCS Journal is a significant extracurricular activity. Junior Staff Members sign a JILCS Journal contract committing to working 40 hours in total per semester, to attending JILCS Journal's training/orientation meetings, to attending JILCS Journal's Final Edit Weekends (“FEW”) (where we give articles a final review and assemble them for our books), to meeting routine deadlines for article preparation work, and to attending mandatory events that might be scheduled depending on the needs of the Journal.
Career Development - Some On-Campus Interview (OCI) employers require publication membership, and many prefer it. You can check with the Career Development office for a list of employers who want to see a publication membership on your resume.
Publication Opportunity - Your Summer Candidacy paper may be considered for publication in the JILCS Journal if it aligns with the theme chosen for that particular volume.
Travel Opportunity - Members may be considered for travel to Washington, D.C., New York, N.Y., and other locations for various JILCS conferences.
Specialized Training - All Junior Staff Members are invited to express a preference for bluebooking, source-pulling, legal research, computer work, and/or text editing. JILCS Journal provides all materials and training to help you build skills in your work area. Legal employers may be especially interested in your ability to research international legal materials; your proficiency in word processing; or your proofreading skills.
Other Benefits - JILCS Journal members receive access to the private JILCS Journal office for study and work; information about other journals' publication opportunities; information about writing competitions; and advance information about other universities' study-abroad programs.
For More Information
Please email et787@mynsu.nova.edu or ml2785@mynsu.nova.edu.