<p>Is anyone else on CC applying for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Offices Patent Experience Externship Program? If so, I may see you there! It may not amount to much, or it may amount to a lot. I'm not really sure what to expect yet, so if anyone has already been, please let me know how it was. There aren't a lot of detailed anecdotes elsewhere. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Cody</p>
<p>Have you tried asking this question in the IP Law Forum (google it - can’t link to it)? Good luck with the application!</p>
<p>So I found that “IP Law Forum is dead, but IP Talk Pro springs to life.” It’s at iptalk.pro. </p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestion :-)</p>
<p>I just checked - the IP Law Forum is alive and well at intelproplaw dot com (it is the first link that comes up in a Yahoo search for that name). Anyway, there is a thread titled Working for the USPTO - maybe you can find some answers there, since some folks who work for the USPTO as examiners post in that thread. Go to Forums → Patents → Becominf a Patent Agent/Lawyer ->… H=Good luck!</p>
<p>Hey, I’m not sure why I didn’t find my way to this forum, but thank you for coming back and reassuring me that it is still kicking. Thanks again for your help ;-)</p>
<p>Hey op, I’m doing the peep this summer, do you have any clue about housing? Still waiting on my materials and brochure but I got the acceptance email so I’m pretty psyched</p>
<p>I don’t, actually. I have a friend in my town who used to live in D.C., so if I get in he will get one of his friends to let me stay with him/her. </p>
<p>I’m still waiting on my acceptance e-mail. I hope I get in! Congratulations!</p>
<p>Goldski,</p>
<p>When did you apply? </p>
<p>I applied on January 6th and haven’t had a status update since February 8th.</p>
<p>I am on the same boat. </p>
<p>Applied at the end of Dec. and my status is “referred to selecting officials” since Feb. 08.</p>
<p>So, I guess you simply get an acceptance email from them? </p>
<p>Hope I get it soon because I have no other plans for this summer. </p>
<p>Oh, did any apply or get into the pathway student internship program at PTO?</p>
<p>Full time unpaid volunteer. Why do people even do this? If you want to be a patent agent, just graduate with a technical degree and study for the patent bar.</p>
<p>Yeah,</p>
<p>I’m thinking about doing a full-time internship in my state at $15.00/hr. I need the money. </p>
<p>The reason people do this is 1) networking, 2) they already have money, 3) they are in law school and don’t have many other options. That’s a few I could think of.</p>
<p>As for myself, I was willing to struggle for the connections/experience. Money… no money… we all get by. The experience is what really matters.</p>
<p>But I’ll add that if the PTO gets back to me with an affirmative, I’ll go work for free. </p>
<p>It’s about the experience. Not just for future jobs, but for personal enlightenment. I have savings to get by on, though it will be a struggle.</p>
<p>jungwoojj,</p>
<p>I finally got a status update on March 2. Funny thing was, the status update was the same as the one from February 8: “Eligible - Application Referred to Selecting Official.” Not feeling too hot about this one. Thank goodness I have a backup internship.</p>
<p>How is it going on your end?</p>
<p>LaBarrister:</p>
<p>Same here. Status updated on the 2nd but it didn’t change.</p>
<p>I guess we did not make the second round in the worst case.</p>
<p>I talked to my IP Professor recently and he said just wait for it </p>
<p>because government can be slow in making decisions.</p>
<p>And the 3rd cut is on 03/29, so I think we still have chance up until mid-April.</p>
<p>Anyways, good luck and hope to see you at PTO this summer.</p>
<p>jungwoojj,</p>
<p>Still no update as to whether I made it through the 03/29 cut, but I assume I should know soon.</p>
<p>Do you have any way to make money in DC once you accept the externship? I still have yet to secure a part-time evening job to help ends meet in DC. If I accept the externship, I will be one poor puppy either way, which sucks. That means less networking and less taking out people for coffee and lunch. Oh well. </p>
<p>If I get this and an engineering internship, which pays handsomely, it will be a hard decision to make for myself.</p>
<p>LaBarrister,</p>
<p>No updates here yet either. </p>
<p>I actually live in the area, so my financial constraint will not be too bad.</p>
<p>There are a lot of part-time job opportunities available in DC/VA/MD area, but I am not sure if they will be willing to hire just for the summer.</p>
<p>For me, I do not think I will be working this summer if I get accepted to PEEP.</p>
<p>If you do get accepted, I recommend that you live outside of DC because the rent in DC is very expensive. You should find a place in VA and save some money. </p>
<p>And I emailed the contact person today asking about my prospects and some general questions about the position. </p>
<p>I will let you know if I get back from PTO.</p>
<p>jungwoojj,</p>
<p>So far I have a secure, 3-month apartment. I am renting it with a roommate who lives in Alexandria. It will only cost $825 a month. This roommate is also helping me to get a part-time job at a Starbucks across the street from her home. I am ready.</p>
<p>But the USPTO has not even let me know if I got accepted, yet! I tried to get a hold of someone at three different numbers today, and left a voice mail for each. I am waiting to hear back from someone so that I may ask when I can expect to be admitted or denied. I seriously need to know soon. I cannot believe it is taking so long.</p>
<p>EDIT: I am so excited about this opportunity. I would give my left nut to just get accepted already. Well, not that. Maybe shave my hair, or something.</p>
<p>Furthermore, jungwoojj, I have been trying to get a hold of the USPTO for several days now. If you are interested in finding out about your student internship, the person to contact is Crystal Miles at (571) 272-2387. The original contact, Bridget Clark, no longer works at the USPTO.</p>
<p>Let me know what Crystal says if you get a hold of her. I hope you have better luck than I have been having.</p>