-You need to show interest in order to get the nomination from your school. Of course, prior government service is huge here, but so is seeking out the people in charge of the nomination process RIGHT NOW and convincing them that your life goal is the U.S. Civil Service.

-They are looking for a committment to gov service in the Semifinalist cut. The number of applicants has skyrocketed for the program: 5 years ago 4000 applied, last year it was 8000. Summer internships, full time positions, military service.

-Military service is huge as it (a) gives you a ton of bonus points for the test, (b) pretty much guarantees you a semi-finalist slot, (c) REQUIRES that if a specific department turns you down at the career fair or for a permanent position, that the department write a letter explaining why.

-The test is not hard if you prepare. Most people do not. Go and get Strunk and White and master the grammar rules. That, plus a good grasp on LSAT logic will ensure that you crush your peers.

-After you become a finalist (find out in early April), immediately reach out to agencies you have an interest in. This will give you a huge leg up in the career fair. They want to know that you will take the initiative and that you really WANT to be in DOD or DOJ or what have you.

-I also found a professor who had worked in DOD and had some connections. I was guaranteed a DOD slot if I wanted it.

-FWIW, I met an alum from my school who went PMF-->DOJ and, after 2 years, convinced the DOJ to make her an AUSA in Virginia! Sweet, eh? Difficult to make happen, though.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1418318&forum_id=2#16002435)