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So I just finished the assessment centre and bombed the written response!

Actually so mad at myself! Because I decided to write down my answer then put it in the text box. And what I have written down was decent (I think). But my slow-ass typing let me down! Ran out of time and couldn't finish it.

Anyone gotten an offer having failed this????? The interview went good-ish.

My journey began 11 years ago when I first arrived in the UK, growing up in a small village in Pakistan, exposed me to the inequalities in opportunities for children with backgrounds like mine. Despite my own story being engraved by personal struggles, I don't consider myself special, but fortunate for the opportunities I've been given. The Imposter mentality shaping me became a guiding force whilst navigating the unfamiliar legal landscape. Confronting an identity crisis, I persevered through self-doubt, questioning my worth in rooms filled with accomplished individuals.

My journey through internships, ranging from a placement at a law firm to courts, provided me with practical insights into law, allowing me to not only become more confident in myself but become a better communicator, problem solver and a leader. I have taken on the hobby of learning Japanese , inspired by a college project on the Japanese Edo period and the shogunate, inspiring me to delve deeper into the language's intricacies and scripts. Hiking, another of my main passions, offers a sense of freedom and detachment from constraints, with achievements including conquering Snowdonia and Malvern Hills. Currently planning Scafell Pike’s challenging route, I eagerly embrace the challenge it presents.

I am the founder of "The Lawhood," a newsletter with hundreds of subscribers where I share legal insights and clarity, providing me with a sense of being heard and allows me to contribute to others' understanding of the law.

Closing in on the end of my 1st year at university studying law, I have really understood the potential trajectory my life could have taken, and I approach each opportunity with gratitude and a determination to make the most of the chance I've been given, maybe one day I can look back at everything and finally feel a sense of pride in everything I did to get to that point.

- Tal

Hi everyone, I am hoping to get some advice on succeeding in an upcoming vacation scheme and securing a training contract after a not-so-successful vac scheme last year.

To summarise my previous failed vac scheme: I had so much pressure on myself to secure a tc. I think I took on way too much work, as by the end of my vs, I was pressed for time, very overwhelmed and stressed, nearly pulled two all-nighters to keep up, and had to submit two subpar pieces of work at the end of the scheme due to lack of time. This also resulted in my final case study assessment and interview being very bad, as I was completely drained and lack preparation time.

I have another vac scheme this spring and I am hoping to not make the same mistakes of last year, and I have a couple questions and would also appreciate any general advice:

- What is an acceptable amount of work to complete on a vac scheme? Last year, we were being assessed on every piece of work we completed over the five day scheme, and I wanted to ensure that I was 'doing enough', which I think led to me taking on too much, considering I had social and networking events scheduled every day as well. Do firms usually look at how much you have done?
- Is it appropriate to admit that you do not have the capacity to complete work if someone asks?
- I am worried as the firm's tc intake numbers are less than half of the vs numbers. I am worried about chances of being offered a TC
- Any other advice would be appreciated

Has anyone applied and anyone heard anything back.

I’m slightly panicking as the scheme is in April, there’s not a lot of time left till April, and I’m almost certain you have to do an AC for the scheme.

Hi. Would anyone who hasn't done an AC before (or maybe those that have if they are interested) want to do some sort of mock ACs together in London?

My proposal is that a few of us meet up and go through a mock AC (someone else will have to set it) while filming the whole thing. Then we could all go back and review it ourselves. I think it would be really helpful to practice trying to collaborate and work with people you have never met before and perhaps work off some nerves and make us feel calmer when it actually comes to the day.

If anyone is interested please PM. I'm London-based and have my first AC mid-April, so would love to get going on this soon.

Hi guys, in terms of people living outside of London for a summer internship in London:

Would it be advisable to email HR asking about whether they are able to help support with accommodation costs or should I sign the contract first, ask questions later? I think I should ask first but any thoughts/experiences?

Thank you

Hey has anyone recently interviewed with Slaughters in the past week or two. The post-interview wait is absolutely agonising.

Hello, I am looking to apply for legal assistant/ paralegal roles and I wondered the best way to approach this? Should I contact any agencies? I would really appreciate any help as I am struggling, thank you!!

Hi

The term "financial sponsor" is loosely thrown around in M&A / Private Equity Corporate practice. While I have understood that a financial sponsor does NOT refer to the lender/borrower in the Banking/Finance PA or have I got that wrong?), Can some one please clarify if a financial sponsor ALWAYS refers to the buyer (the guy who has money, including from leverage) in a PE/M&A transaction (such as PE general partners/limited partners/institutional investors?) or to both buyer & sellers? Or is it only relevant in a PE context and not for M&As ?

Thanks.

Unfortunately I was rejected for Kirkland’s open day yesterday despite what I felt was a pretty strong application and despite being accepted by two other US firms for their open day.

Can anyone advise me on whether I should proceed with a vac scheme application in September, as I really don’t want to waste hours on an app that will be rejected

I am recent graduate of a Russell group university, scoring with a 2.1. I have taken a brief break and I am currently working in a different industry but I plan on starting the SQE in September or around that time frame. Unfortunately, I have not been successful with applications, nor would I be able to self fund the entire SQE1 and SQE2. Thus, it brings me to my current dilemma of figuring out where to complete the SQE alongside a masters. I know from the pandemic that I do not respond particularly well to online learning and much prefer in person teaching, although I am not afraid of a combination as long as online learning is not the majority. So far I have looked into the University of Law and the College of Legal Practice.

Could anyone recommend providers that they have had a positive experience with? And if there were negatives, what were they?

Hi everyone, I am curious about the VI for CC if anyone has done it. I would really appreciate it if anyone could provide some insights on it!

Hi!

I am a penultimate year non law student. I applied to three vac schemes this year. I had two unsuccessful interviews and one initial rejection. I'm feeling a bit stressed because there's often a sense that if you don't secure a vac scheme in second year you fall behind the curb in terms of application competitiveness. This is a worry for me because it looks like I won't be able to get legal work experience this summer. Is anyone else in the same boat? And how unreasonable is it to be worried that not having done a vac scheme yet will disadvantage me? I'd be especially interested to hear from non-law students, because I think that many of us are later to the game of applying.

Best,
A

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I’m starting my GDL at the College of Legal Practice tomorrow but I don’t have access to the course or timetable on their Canvas system. It’s a fully online course and institution.

Just wondering if anyone else is facing the same issues? I’ve been in touch with them since Thursday and it’s still not resolved.

Has anyone applied or been accepted/heard back from this scheme run by Aspiring Solicitors? And what dates have you selected?

Hi everyone!

I'm looking for someone who successfully got onto the White & Case First Year Insight Scheme who would be willing to offer me some advice. I've done their UK Commercial Law Forage and really enjoyed the project financing tasks, but have had no further contact with the firm and am looking to gain further understanding of what the firm takes pride in, their USPs as well as the application process overall.

Do reach out if you would be able to help me! Anything would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a good week ahead

Hey there. Applying for a vac scheme and within the application, the firm has asked to describe any involvements with outside interests and activities, including any positions of responsibility held.

I was President of the Law Society and did some mooting, which I put down in my answers. But I've used those examples for every question, such as 'what sets me apart' and 'what are the skills of a solicitor' and I used those examples. Should I do something else? I genuinely don't really have anything else..

Hi! I'm a second year law student from Italy. Next year I'll graduate and I'm so confsued in terms of what I should do after... Do yo think the best option is to enroll for a master/PG degree? Or do you think directlt looking for a job/traineeship is a better idea? I'm so confused, I want to work abroad but I don't know where to start from... I'm very much interested in corporate law from an international and comparative perspective, do you have any advice? Thank you in adavnce.

Hi folks. I am an international who is now doing a pgdl in London. I previously attended an RG uni in London and got a first in classics.



I am on track to secure a tc. But the thing is, I haven't got anything at all yet - no vs let alone tc. I believe I have a good background, a first in classics, three law-related work experiences. I also have all my applications reviewed by the careers people and TCLA before submission.



I appreciate it is extremely competitive to get a vs or tc nowadays at a city firm, I wonder if there is anything to my position as an international.



Does the requirement for visa sponsorship discourage employers from offering me anything at all? Thanks so much.