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Post by ironmanlawyer on Sept 15, 2013 21:36:11 GMT -5
Agreed. I was also in the 9-12 and 9-13 group. I also felt the bar exam was much easier (I never thought I would say that). The OPM conference room was cold, but I forgot about the cold when the tests began. Just finished phase III in the 9/12-9/13 group.I have not been participating for a while because I really didn't want to obsess over phase III more than necessary. Without getting into details, I felt the exam and interview were more challenging than the Bar exam (of course I had Barbri for that), and honestly I would rather take the Bar exam again than go through this process again. I also partially withdraw some of my previous criticism of the arbitrariness of the process. I still have no idea how the Phase II scores and results were arrived at and I personally know of many excellent candidates who were not given the opportunity to be considered at Phase III. But I can say that even though I felt Phase III was very challenging I had no problem seeing how it was relevant to the selection of a quality ALJ. I still think different agencies should have separate registers based on specific skills that would be relevant to them, but this process struck me as an appropriate backbone to selecting a candidate who would bring the right mind set to adjudicating administrative law issues in general. Other than that, I had pretty much the same experience as everyone else. Also a warning to those going in October. The temperature of Federal building is almost always an extreme inverse of the outside temperature. The exam room was very cold in summer, but if they kick the heat on in October, I bet it will be extremely hot. I suggest dressing in layers.
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Post by ironmanlawyer on Sept 15, 2013 21:41:12 GMT -5
Jeans are fine. If you are cold natured, wear a long sleeve shirt and bring a jacket. I test this upcoming Tuesday and Wednesday. For Tuesday (the WD and LBMT), is there some unspoken dress code? Given the fact that it is pure testing and no interview (my SI is Wednesday), are jeans acceptable or is it more business casual? Appreciate any info. Thanks
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Post by minny on Sept 16, 2013 8:23:49 GMT -5
Testing -9/ 18 and SI -9//19. I have been reading the reports. Thanks to all who posted. Looking forward to getting this done!! good luck, kansascity.
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Post by bhappy on Sept 16, 2013 15:43:37 GMT -5
I plan to wear my "I'm here for the beer" t-shirt and by cap that says "Locals Only." I should fit right in.
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Post by usnrcwo on Sept 17, 2013 5:59:18 GMT -5
For statistical purposes, I counted 25 yesterday. For those than run bit warm lie me, khakis and a long sleeve button down should be fine.
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Post by JudgeRatty on Sept 17, 2013 9:45:53 GMT -5
Finished with all the fun in D.C. As someone already said, after a few beers. I thought I did okay. Not saying I am Not worried about Not doing well or not. I had a late scheduled SI and I emailed them them the night before, after the testing, and asked if there were any earlier times. They emailed me back with a couple of open spots that if I showed up at that time they would let me take that spot. The staff and all the people concerned were very nice and professional. I did want to get a t-Shirt that said: "Went to D.C. to take the ALJ test and all I got was this crappy T-Shirt" but the gift shop had closed. Best of luck to everyone, I hope to see you in the training. Cheers Welcome to the "other" side! Congrats on finishing!
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Post by usnrcwo on Sept 17, 2013 13:52:25 GMT -5
Finished with all the fun in D.C. As someone already said, after a few beers. I thought I did okay. Not saying I am Not worried about Not doing well or not. I had a late scheduled SI and I emailed them them the night before, after the testing, and asked if there were any earlier times. They emailed me back with a couple of open spots that if I showed up at that time they would let me take that spot. The staff and all the people concerned were very nice and professional. I did want to get a t-Shirt that said: "Went to D.C. to take the ALJ test and all I got was this crappy T-Shirt" but the gift shop had closed. Best of luck to everyone, I hope to see you in the training. Cheers Wish I'd thought of that. Getting up at 4 every morning, I had way too much time to kill. Took a two hour walkabout on the hill but none of the museums were open. They did get me going early, but I might have made an earlier flight. So now I'm having Sam Adams in the southwest terminal at national.
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Post by bhappy on Sept 17, 2013 14:13:13 GMT -5
exnicios, can you give me the email address you used to request an earlier SI?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by 71stretch on Sept 17, 2013 15:01:27 GMT -5
exnicios, can you give me the email address you used to request an earlier SI? Thanks in advance. Should be the email address on your admission notice that's to be used for requesting resets.
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Post by privateatty on Sept 17, 2013 16:59:21 GMT -5
Just finished phase III in the 9/12-9/13 group.I have not been participating for a while because I really didn't want to obsess over phase III more than necessary. Without getting into details, I felt the exam and interview were more challenging than the Bar exam (of course I had Barbri for that), and honestly I would rather take the Bar exam again than go through this process again. I also partially withdraw some of my previous criticism of the arbitrariness of the process. I still have no idea how the Phase II scores and results were arrived at and I personally know of many excellent candidates who were not given the opportunity to be considered at Phase III. But I can say that even though I felt Phase III was very challenging I had no problem seeing how it was relevant to the selection of a quality ALJ. I still think different agencies should have separate registers based on specific skills that would be relevant to them, but this process struck me as an appropriate backbone to selecting a candidate who would bring the right mind set to adjudicating administrative law issues in general. Other than that, I had pretty much the same experience as everyone else. Also a warning to those going in October. The temperature of Federal building is almost always an extreme inverse of the outside temperature. The exam room was very cold in summer, but if they kick the heat on in October, I bet it will be extremely hot. I suggest dressing in layers. Your preference for an Agency specific Register is belied by your belief that the current process is "challenging". Anyone who gets on the Register can and should be able to do anything and everything--like the USDC Art. III trial judge the Supreme Court has likened us to. If you were to be hired by Labor or the EPA or any number of agencies you are a trial judge. I have yet to hear of one poster in six years who has complained that they were not prepared to preside over an SSA Hearing after training. Please. I will fight tooth and nail any attempt to devalue and undermine the ALJ Corps. Making up a Register of SSA candidates only would do just that because that is all they could do. Then the Commisioner might say, heck let's get Congress to make them Hearing Examiners. Mind you, this is not wolf crying,
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Post by bhappy on Sept 17, 2013 18:04:43 GMT -5
observer53 and exnicios
Thanks. I found it.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2013 19:56:03 GMT -5
Another lodging alternative for D.C. -- I stayed at the Hampton Inn-White House. It's an easy 10-15 minute walk to OPM for the WD/LBMT and a relatively short taxi ride to the Embassy Suites for the SI. (I didn't have an early SI, so it was more important to me to be closer to OPM. If I'd had an early SI, I probably would've stayed at the Embassy Suites.)
My room at the Hampton Inn-WH was clean, the HVAC worked well (I heard two reports that the Marriott Courtyard had HVAC issues), the bed was comfortable, and breakfast was included (continental and/or hot items). The HI-WH is a short block from the Farragut West Metro station (Blue and Orange lines), which makes it easy getting from/to Washington National airport. (Getting off the Metro train, on the way to the Hampton Inn, look for the 18th Street exit from the Metro station; the other exit -- 17th Street -- is a longer walk to the hotel.)
As others have reported, the testing room at OPM is quite chilly, and our friendly OPM hosts said there wasn't anything they could do about it. I was wearing slacks and a long sleeve shirt and was okay, but there clearly were a few people who were uncomfortable.
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Post by minny on Sept 18, 2013 7:29:46 GMT -5
Hope everyone testing this week has a great week. Since I was in DC for the work that caused my scheduling conflict, I can say that you had/have some gorgeous weather with cooler temperatures.
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Post by sealaw90 on Sept 18, 2013 9:25:50 GMT -5
Welcome ul, and thanks for the new hotel info. Fortunately I had no AC issues at the Courtyard back in August. I hope the testing experience went well - heck, you might have "crushed" it!!
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Post by uiking on Sept 18, 2013 14:35:47 GMT -5
Testing next week. Hope they saved an Fed. ALJ position for me...
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Post by sandiferhands (old) on Sept 18, 2013 14:51:25 GMT -5
I completed phase III on Monday and Tuesday, 9/16-9/17. My report is, not surprisingly, just like the others before me, for the most part.
Logistics: Stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom 2 blocks from the LBMT and WD testing site to avoid any traffic or other snafus. This worked well but the hotel was ridiculously expensive for what it was, although it was comfortable and clean. Stayed at the Embassy Suites for the SI, again to avoid traffic considerations, and again it was overpriced, but I was very glad to be able to simply take the elevator to the appointed place. Overall glad I did it this way.
Others there: All very nice, confident, outgoing lawyers. Would be happy to work with any of those I met extensively in the future. Demographics were mostly people in their 40's, a few older and younger, predominantly white and male, probably not too far from the general population curve.
Environment: Yes the room was cold, and I like cold rooms. My fingers actually got a little stiff until I got warmed up then it was no problem. You don’t notice the cold once you get into it. I’m glad I read the earlier advice to dress in layers. I wore a t-shirt under a dress shirt and a jacket and shed the jacket and was just fine. Jeans are fine; dress comfortably like you would for a seminar. Yes they do let you go to the restroom during the exam. Yes, the cafeteria has everything you’ll need for lunch. Yes, the proctors were very nice and professional, and things went smoothly and professionally.
Per the confidentiality agreements, no comments about the testing or SI itself. I will say that I think the process has been well-planned, efficient, and appropriately focused and rigorous. Congrats to those who put this process together for doing it correctly, IMHO.
Good luck to all, try not to stress out!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Sept 18, 2013 15:23:44 GMT -5
I completed phase III on Monday and Tuesday, 9/16-9/17. My report is, not surprisingly, just like the others before me, for the most part. Logistics: Stayed at the Courtyard Marriott Foggy Bottom 2 blocks from the LBMT and WD testing site to avoid any traffic or other snafus. This worked well but the hotel was ridiculously expensive for what it was, although it was comfortable and clean. Stayed at the Embassy Suites for the SI, again to avoid traffic considerations, and again it was overpriced, but I was very glad to be able to simply take the elevator to the appointed place. Overall glad I did it this way. Others there: All very nice, confident, outgoing lawyers. Would be happy to work with any of those I met extensively in the future. Demographics were mostly people in their 40's, a few older and younger, predominantly white and male, probably not too far from the general population curve. Environment: Yes the room was cold, and I like cold rooms. My fingers actually got a little stiff until I got warmed up then it was no problem. You don’t notice the cold once you get into it. I’m glad I read the earlier advice to dress in layers. I wore a t-shirt under a dress shirt and a jacket and shed the jacket and was just fine. Jeans are fine; dress comfortably like you would for a seminar. Yes they do let you go to the restroom during the exam. Yes, the cafeteria has everything you’ll need for lunch. Yes, the proctors were very nice and professional, and things went smoothly and professionally. Per the confidentiality agreements, no comments about the testing or SI itself. I will say that I think the process has been well-planned, efficient, and appropriately focused and rigorous. Congrats to those who put this process together for doing it correctly, IMHO. Good luck to all, try not to stress out! Welcome to the "other" side! Congrats on finishing!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Sept 18, 2013 15:25:25 GMT -5
Testing next week. Hope they saved an Fed. ALJ position for me... Good luck! And welcome to the board!
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Post by polyscifi on Sept 18, 2013 17:07:13 GMT -5
Had a great time in DC...good luck to you all!
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Post by Ace Midnight on Sept 18, 2013 19:20:22 GMT -5
For statistical purposes, I counted 25 yesterday. That was my count as well, at least initially. But the tall proctor said we had 26 after lunch. Maybe both of us were omitting ourselves? I tested 9/16 and SI 9/17 - after completing the process I can now state with some confidence - in my opinion, preparing for Phase III is a waste of time, beyond just getting sleep and being mentally prepared for this process. And we got the drama of the Navy Yard situation unfolding during our lunch break. I drove, and stayed at the Embassy Suites the entire time - I got a corner suite and with parking, I was at about 3 bills per night, 3 nights total. Testing room was cold as advertised. Entry and being herded to the room, to lunch and back to the room went very well with minimal glitches.
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