Annual Write-On Competition

How does the San Diego International Law Journal select its members?

Full-time students entering their second year and part-time students entering their second or third year (as long as they do not plan on graduating early or studying abroad during the following fall and spring semesters) are eligible to compete to join the San Diego International Law Journal (ILJ). To be considered for membership, students must participate in ILJ's write-on competition.

What is the write-on competition?

The write-on competition is a cooperative effort between ILJ, JCEL, and the San Diego Law Review that enables interested students to apply to all journals at the same time. The competition consists of a legal problem that each competitor must analyze and address. Each eligible competitor downloads a copy of the problem and all the relevant statutes, cases and other sources of law provided. No additional research is allowed. Students then prepare briefs, no longer than ten pages in length, that address the relevant legal issues involved in the problem. Students must also perform a citation edit using The Bluebook. Grading of the write-on competition is completely anonymous, and selection onto ILJ is entirely merit-based. All competitors must do their own work and shall not confer with other competitors about the write-on problem. Cooperative efforts will be deemed honor code violations and will be reported as such.

How many people will ILJ accept through the write-on competition?

The number is not predetermined. However, ILJ usually accepts 25 to 30 students each year.

Can I gain acceptance to ILJ after my second year?

Yes. Only third-year part-time students can participate in the write-on competition as long as they do not plan on graduating early or studying abroad during the following fall and spring semesters. San Diego International Law Journal is a two-year commitment.

Writing Competition Important Dates 

Write-on Informational Meeting

Join the San Diego Law Review, San Diego International Law Journal, and the San Diego Journal of Climate & Energy Law for an information session on the 2020 Write-On Competition.  We will go over the competition process, timeline, rules, and what to expect by participating in the competition.  The Write-On Competition enables interested full-time 1Ls and current 1L or 2L part-time students to apply to all three journals at the same time.

For 1Ls, the write-on competition is the only opportunity to apply to the San Diego Law Review and San Diego International Law Journal.  For upper-division students, you can participate in the competition to apply to the San Diego Journal of Climate & Energy Law.  Participation on a law school journal is a tremendous honor and achievement. Not only do journal members supplement their resumes, careers, and educations, they also contribute to a body of scholarly work that helps shape the state of the law.  Our editors will be present to answer any questions you may have.  The meeting will be recorded for students who are unable to attend.

When:  April 20, 2023, 12:00 p.m. - 12:50 p.m.
                Zoom Write-On Informational Meeting:  
                Zoom Meeting Recording

What:  A breakdown of the logistics for the Write-On Competition by Law Review, SDILJ, and JCEL.

2023 Write-on Information Handout:  

Write-On Competition Information site

Writing Competition Download (TWEN):

May 13, 2023, 8:00 a.m. - May 16, 2023, 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Writing Competition Upload (TWEN):

May 14, 2023, 1:00 am - May 23, 2023, 8:00 p.m. PDT.  NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME.  We encourage students to visit our TWEN site because all the writing competition information is posted there. The course name is "202 Write-On Competition for SDLR, SDILJ and JCEL."

Transfer Student Write-On Competition

Writing Competition Download (TWEN):

Friday, July 14, 2023, at 10:30 pm - Tuesday, July 25, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PDT. All participating students will have access to the competition site on TWEN where procedural questions may be asked and will be answered. Substantive or irrelevant questions will not be answered. Competitors may not discuss any aspect of the competition with anyone once the materials are distributed. The Honor Code governs the competition, and any violation will result in disqualification from consideration.

Writing Competition Upload (TWEN):

Saturday, July 15, 2023, 12:00 a.m. - Tuesday, July 25, 2023, 11:59 p.m. PDT. NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THIS TIME. We encourage students to visit our TWEN site because all the writing competition information is posted there. The course name is "2023 Write-On Competition for SDLR, SDILJ, and JCEL."

General Competition Questions: usdwriteoncompetition@gmail.com.