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Need some guidance please!

C
Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I would like to introduce myself: I have completed my law degree from India back in 2022 and thereafter, completed my LLM from a Russell Group university on a scholarship. I had to go back to India, and there, I practised law till August 2025, primarily in courts (trial courts, High Court and Supreme Court) [which makes my PQE of 2+ years]. Mostly, I will get an exemption from SQE 2 + QWE.
Thereafter, I came back to the UK and started my PGDL course at BPP University. I recently finished a vacation scheme at a US law firm (BigLaw), but I wasn't able to convert it into a TC. So now I will be finishing my PGDL course in May, and thereafter, I will be looking for jobs.

What should I do? Should I apply for more Vac Schemes or DTC? I really want to train in the UK, but considering the market for training contracts, especially for international students who require a visa, do you think directly qualifying (self-sponsoring my SQE 1) and being NQ has more prospects of getting a job in the City than being non-qualified? I have experience in disputes, and I am interested in joining a disputes team or a disputes-heavy firm.
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Do firms really consider mitigating circumstances?

A
I was just wondering if anyone had any insight (re: the title). I have poor first year grades (non-law degree, Russel Group) because I had to resit 2 modules and my grades were capped at 40 (would've otherwise been a 2:1), I have very strong documented mitigated circumstances that are the reason for this though. I know that a lot of firms do have space for mitigating circumstances on their applications but heard from others that they aren't genuinely considered and that a 2:2 in first year would be an automatic rejection when the application was screened. This is also compiled with kind of mid A-level results (A*/A/B). I understand I'm not a candidate for US/MC/SC firms but was still hoping for strong city firms, does anyone have any advice/insight regarding this? Thanks :)
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Reed Smith DTC

B
Hi @Abbie Whitlock / @Abbie Reed Smith ,

Sorry for a lengthy post, but I just had a few questions re the RS DTC and was hoping you could give me some advice.

Firstly, how important is it to have VS experience there? I have some uni soc roles, as well as open days to help, but nothing substantial for a DTC

Also, I have secured a 4-day internship with a high street firm, but don't start that until a few days before the potential deadline (which I'm assuming will be the 3rd Friday of June, as it was similar last year). So I was wondering, should I hold off on sending my app until after completing the internship, or will that put me at a disadvantage given that RS is on a rolling basis?

Lastly, could you break down the application process for a DTC a bit more, as I keep seeing conflicting information regarding what it would entail? From my understanding, it is an online written application, followed by an SST + video interview, then an assessment centre. Would you please be able to break down what happens in the assessment centre (i.e. what type of exercises) and how to best prepare for them, especially in terms of commercial awareness- new story exercise which I saw on the RS grad team IG page. How would I analyse the legal trends and discuss broader market trends if I haven't read up on the topic?

Thank you very much :)
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Intro - Career changer from medicine & tech to law

enjou28
Hi friends! I recently started my journey transitioning from medicine & tech into law. My background is clinical medicine, women's health and medical ethics. I'm now working as a founder & director of a UK based tech startup as well as a community facilitator & organiser.
I'm excited and nervous about this transition. Looking forward to connecting and learning with everyone here!
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Watson glaser v situational judgement tests

nav_yes
Hi there,

I am currently a first year law student, I currently have completed a few watson glaser and situational judgement tests for numerous law firms and have received offers back.

Just wondering whether watson glaser is harder or easier than situational judgement tests. I would just like to know that and whether I should hold back from or apply to firms that do the watson glaser test. As well as that, how are assessment centres at firms for when you're applying to vacation schemes or training contracts.
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