Should You Split Your Summer?

A split summer means working at two different employers during your 2L summer, typically five weeks at each. It sounds like a great way to keep your options open. Sometimes it is. Often it's not.

When Splitting Makes Sense

There are a few scenarios where a split is genuinely strategic:

• You're deciding between two very different paths, say, BigLaw litigation and a government agency, or two firms in different cities.
• You have a clerkship or public interest commitment and want BigLaw experience too.
• You're genuinely torn between two firms and need hands-on comparison.

The Downsides

Less time to prove yourself. Five weeks is short. You get fewer assignments, less face time, and less opportunity to build relationships. Some attorneys won't bother investing in a summer they'll only see for a month.

Firms may hold it against you. Many BigLaw firms prefer full summers. A split signals that you're hedging, and firms want people who are committed. Some firms won't even allow splits.

Logistical headaches. If your two employers are in different cities, you're dealing with two apartments, two moves, and very little downtime between stints.

Weaker evaluation basis. With fewer data points, your reviews are thinner. A single awkward interaction or a slow start carries more weight in five weeks than in ten.

What the Data Says

Summers who split generally receive offers at the same rate as full summers, but they're also a self-selected group of strong candidates who managed to secure two placements. The rate doesn't tell you whether splitting helped them.

The Better Alternative

If you're torn between firms, do deeper research instead of splitting. Use the firm directory to compare practice areas, culture, and compensation. Talk to associates at both firms. Attend firm events. You can learn a lot without committing to a split.

If you're torn between BigLaw and something else, government, public interest, a clerkship, splitting may be worth it. That's the classic good reason to split.

So What Should You Do?

Split if you have a genuine strategic reason. Don't split just because you can't decide between two similar firms. For help comparing firms side by side, check out our post on how to choose between offers.