Creating a Cover Letter using OSCARs Online Editor

There are two main benefits of writing a cover letter using OSCARs Online Editor. One is that there are no limits to how many cover letters you can create using the online editor. You are limited to uploading 25 clerkship and 25 staff attorney cover letters at any one time. The second, and more important benefit, is that the online editor allows the use of merge fields. Merge fields automatically personalize cover letters by filling in the recipient's name and address information once the cover letter is associated with an application.

1. Go to the https://oscar.uscourts.gov/ website, enter your OSCAR username and password, and click the Go button:

Figure 1. Login Prompt

2. Click on the My Documents tab in the main navigation bar.

Figure 2. My Documents Tab

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3. Scroll down to your list of documents. Click the Add New button to begin building your cover letter.

Figure 3. Add New Button

4. OSCAR will display the Document Details tab, where you can choose the type of document you will create or upload.

Figure 4. Document Details Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet

5. Scroll down and enter a name for your cover letter in the Document Label field. Below this, choose the type of cover letter from the Document Type pull-down menu.

Figure 5. Enter Document Label & Choose Document Type

6. The screen will refresh and display the online editor where you can type your letter.

When using the online editor, it is helpful to remember these tips: To insert a single line break, hold down the Shift key and then tap the Enter key. You cannot insert graphics when using this online editor. If you wish to include a graphic of your signature, you must upload your cover letter as a PDF. Formatting problems may occur when copying and pasting text from word processing programs like Word or Word Perfect. Use the Paste as Plain Text button to copy your work from these programs. By using merge fields, one letter can be customized to multiple recipients. Merge fields will automatically be filled with the data for each recipient that the cover letter is sent to (see figure 6 below).

OSCAR Tip Sheet

Figure 6. Entering Text into the Online Editor

7. Click the Upload button (shown at the top and bottom of the screen) to save your work.

Figure 7. Upload Button

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8. On the My Documents tab, click on the label (entered in step 3) to reopen the cover letter and continue working.

Figure 8. Clicking on Documents Label on the My Documents Tab

OSCAR Tip Sheet