Hi all,
Some background: I'm going into the final year of my LLB at a mid-RG uni (Uni of Nottingham). 2020-21 was my first application cycle; I applied unsuccessfully to ~20 firms ranging from MC to National Firms' regional offices. Having discovered the TCLA and JMR only a few weeks ago, I now know why I was unsuccessful. I did not do enough research into the firms I applied to, application technique, and wider business awareness. Truthfully, I severely underestimated how difficult it is to get a VS.
This has left me at a bit of an impasse as to the upcoming application cycle. I want to focus on writing high quality applications to a lower quantity of firms; however, the low quality of my applications last cycle has made it difficult to pinpoint how ambitious I should be with regards to the level of firms I apply to this cycle (hence this post).
My biggest priority this cycle is to secure a VS by any means and then (hopefully) a TC through the VS or by direct application to a different firm. I also want to train in London (I live there), but I am willing to compromise on this. Essentially, I am willing to compromise on anything to secure a TC before the end of my third year.
My grades are OK; I got a mid-2.1 overall in my first year and 68 overall in my second year (got a first in 2 modules but was brought down by a low 2.1 in one module). However, my work experience and extracurriculars are sub-par at best. I've done 1 open day (at BCLP), virtual internships (legal cheek, bright network), and a couple of Forage courses. I'm general secretary of a committee at uni, and I play team sports and a couple of instruments . This is no excuse, but repeated lockdowns and subsequent VS rejections adversely affected my motivation. As a result, I wasted my second year at university when I could have been doing activities to boost my applications. I am already trying to change this, but I feel it might be a bit too late to do in time for this cycle.
Currently, my list of potential firms to apply to consists of mostly national (Eversheds, Pinsent Masons etc.), mid-tier (Reed Smith, Bird and Bird etc.), and a couple of SC firms (BCLP and Dentons). I selected these from a balance of entry requirements, total TCs, Oxbridge/RG/Other trainee ratio, and training areas I am interested in.
Am I being too ambitious or not ambitious enough? Is my criteria for selecting firms appropriate? Is it realistic for me to expect to get a TC by the end of the academic year?
Thanks in advance!
