Thank you to everyone for your messages.
I really appreciate it, i think I needed some time to just chill and reflect and put the experience in the past rather than be upset about something I couldn’t change and potentially affects my outlook on others firms….. it is what it is at the end of the day.
Based off of everyone’s comments I’ll be treating the VS as an application/legal experience boost instead of a TC loss. Considering many of the schemers i thought would be successful weren’t and have summer schemes. I’ll be looking towards to future and not the past.
Anywho back to business. I’m on a bit of a time crunch, I want to hopefully secure a TC this summer allowing me to possibly do the masters in September. I don’t feel comfortable doing the masters without having a plan after it so would not so it if I wasn’t successful. Others may disagree but security is key for me. Next up is my December/ January deadline. I’ve deferred my place at the bar for 1 year so realistically have until January to get a TC until I’m forced to rescind my spot and the scholarship or do it.
Winter VS applications, now I know I probably don’t need to do anymore VS applications having had 2 this cycle but many firms after winter VS offers TC’s before January. This would be a big plus for me and I know many firms like A&O Sherman, White & Case, Sidley etc that have really good conversion rates for their VS. Another good thing for me is no international students (sorry) but this reduces the competition a bit compared to spring and summer schemes!
When I first started my journey I just applied to firms for the sake of it many times I didn’t actually know what I was looking for…. Having done a vacation scheme I know the kind of firm I want to work at ish. I know how to apply myself better in these applications having heard it first from grad rec and partners. They want someone who brings something different and I believe that’s why I got my vacation schemes but personality can only get you so far. I’ve resubscribed to Ziplaw for commercial awareness and will be doing some forage courses online to understand better how to tackle written assessments as this is my weakness.
I will say during my VS I was consumed all too much about what was happening that I didn’t prep for the interview or tasks as much as I should I prepped better for the VS interview than the TC interview which was stupid but lesson learnt.
After all that talking happy to share my minimal list of firms I’ll be applying to for direct TC. You may be wondering why some some firms I’m not applying to. Well that’s either because I don’t want to work there or I applied before so I can’t apply again.
Background I’ve applied to Slaughter and May and Stephenson Harwood already this cycle. I was rejected from Slaughter and May in October not surprised my cover letter was crap but also my first year grades are the best. Luckily I can improve my cover letter and put my all into it, I’ve been doing my cover letter for 3 days as opposed to 30 minutes the last time. I can’t change my first year grades so they’ll just have to look past those and look at the end result (I do have mitigating circumstances)
#firstyeaergradesdontcount
I was invited for SH online tests for their summer scheme whilst I was on my VS and I didn’t do it as I believe I’d convert…. Look at where I am now😂
I also applied to macfarlanes for VS but I didn’t complete the test as I was just too busy. Thank god for that decision as I can do the TC application, spent a while redoing my answers to their questions and familiarising myself with the firm and if I actually wanted to work there.
TLT, KL gates and Trowers I’m still researching these firms I don’t want to make an application unless I can fully apply myself in the interview if given one. My Goodwin, Simmons and Pinsent Mason interviews were my best as I genuinely liked the firms and didn’t have to fake it for the opportunity.
Fried frank, SC and PH all US firms would love to apply as I really enjoy the big responsibility that comes with being in a small firm and a lot of their work centres around PE. But…. SC and PH have vacation schemes which could make the direct TC entry super duper hard. I’m pretty sure SC has two VS cohorts as well😭 I’ll decide in a few weeks if I’ll apply to them or not.
Fried Frank as per legalcheek stats only recruit from RG or international universities. I’m not in the risk it for a chocolate biscuit mood! I don’t have the time to put effort into an application for it to be thrown in the bin based on university. I emailed about this and they said “we accept applications from all universities” accepting and progressing are two different things therefore I’m in the fence and will not apply to them for the time being unless I have a spare day or so.
Eversheds and RPC I didn’t apply for their VS so I can do their TC I’m also on the fence. I do like Eversheds but not sure about RPC as of yet. So will look into it more but they’re due soo soon I don’t even know if I have the time to do them ugh.
That’s enough of my waffling, I’m happy to share my continuing journey as always and any advice, questions or query’s. I’m a pretty open book.
Congratulations you’ve reached the end of my message you deserve a TC for that 🤣
Thank you to everyone who sent a message publicly or privately it’s much appreciated. x
