General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[AH97]

Does anyone have insight into whether its worth applying to Sidley Austin for winter vac in the next few days? Apps close early November and they review rolling so I would rather wait until spring if I have a better shot.

I'm sure I read somewhere that if you apply within a week of the deadline you'll still be ahead of the majority of candidates, so that's the rule of thumb I go by!

Also, I think it has been posted a few times that the majority of candidates apply on the deadline day (for both rolling and non-rolling deadlines).

 

[LegalNim]

I have a 2:1 but my grades are very inconsistent (ranging from 42% to 90%) for a whole host of reasons. Does anyone know of any firms that don't request a breakdown of your degree modules because I feel like I'm wasting my time with any firm that looks at them?

 

[W]

I have a 2:1 but my grades are very inconsistent (ranging from 42% to 90%) for a whole host of reasons. Does anyone know of any firms that don't request a breakdown of your degree modules because I feel like I'm wasting my time with any firm that looks at them?

Perhaps some that ask for a cover letter and CV but tbh I think most formal applications will ask for a breakdown. Do you have any mitigating circumstance? I think generally though there’s a wide range of factors firms look at than solely grades and I think so long as you have a 2:1 coupled with a good app, experience, extra curriculars etc it should put you in good stead.

 

[Lumree]

I have a 2:1 but my grades are very inconsistent (ranging from 42% to 90%) for a whole host of reasons. Does anyone know of any firms that don't request a breakdown of your degree modules because I feel like I'm wasting my time with any firm that looks at them?

Most firms will look at them but I wouldn’t say you’re wasting time if you meet their minimum requires (2:1 achieved or predicted). There’s only certain firms that really focus on particular modules grades (S&M and contract law spring to mind).

 

[LegalNim]

Perhaps some that ask for a cover letter and CV but tbh I think most formal applications will ask for a breakdown. Do you have any mitigating circumstance? I think generally though there’s a wide range of factors firms look at than solely grades and I think so long as you have a 2:1 coupled with a good app, experience, extra curriculars etc it should put you in good stead.

Most firms will look at them but I wouldn’t say you’re wasting time if you meet their minimum requires (2:1 achieved or predicted). There’s only certain firms that really focus on particular modules grades (S&M and contract law spring to mind).

I do have mitigating circumstances but they don't appear to make that much difference to be honest. I just got rejected from a firm that I've visited on multiple occasions and have work experience with. My application was reviewed by trainees at the firm and careers advisors. I checked every word of it. I just think that my disability is something that they're happy to accommodate at the firm but won't actually make an allowance for in my grades.

 

[Legal_rawn]

I do have mitigating circumstances but they don't appear to make that much difference to be honest. I just got rejected from a firm that I've visited on multiple occasions and have work experience with. My application was reviewed by trainees at the firm and careers advisors. I checked every word of it. I just think that my disability is something that they're happy to accommodate at the firm but won't actually make an allowance for in my grades.

I spoke to a partner at S&M who said he had a 2.2 in jurisprudence and he said the best thing to do is just to use part of your application to explain the grade. Don’t know how much this will apply for other firms but for them that’s what they’ve said, hope that is some sort of help!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I do have mitigating circumstances but they don't appear to make that much difference to be honest. I just got rejected from a firm that I've visited on multiple occasions and have work experience with. My application was reviewed by trainees at the firm and careers advisors. I checked every word of it. I just think that my disability is something that they're happy to accommodate at the firm but won't actually make an allowance for in my grades.

Can you get an academic reference to verify the impact on your grades?

 

[lawlad]

is 1,000 words objectively just too long for a cover letter?

 

[LegalNim]

Can you get an academic reference to verify the impact on your grades?

I can definitely try but at university I never had the same tutor for more than one module and my personal tutor left after my first year and was never replaced. I'm supposed to have a professional tutor for my reference but she left the university after I graduated and she hasn't been replaced.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

is 1,000 words objectively just too long for a cover letter?

That’s going to be closer to two pages with all the formalities - so I’d say yes in most cases. I would try to get it to no more than a page and a half max

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I can definitely try but at university I never had the same tutor for more than one module and my personal tutor left after my first year and was never replaced. I'm supposed to have a professional tutor for my reference but she left the university after I graduated and she hasn't been replaced.

You should still speak to the university to see if someone can provide a reference to explain the impact on your grades.

The difficulty for recruiters when grades are not what they would typically expect and there are circumstances behind them, that they have no ability to quantify how the circumstances impacted grades. People attached to the academics results are in a much stronger position to be able to do this.

 

[FM302989]

is 1,000 words objectively just too long for a cover letter?

Personally I aim for no more than 500 words (not saying it has to be 500 words or close if it doesn't need to be). But I agree with Jessica, most cover letters should be no more than a page long, but it also depends on any instructions the firm gives you

 

[biosparasemos]

Has anyone heard back from Willkie Farr & Gallagher after Video Interview?
Has anyone heard back from Vinson & Elkins? or Sidley Austin perhaps?

 

[Imababysolicitor]

Has anyone heard back from Willkie Farr & Gallagher after Video Interview?
Has anyone heard back from Vinson & Elkins? or Sidley Austin perhaps?

Hi, can i ask how did you find the Willkie VI? Also when did you complete it?

 

[LegalNim]

Has anyone heard back from Willkie Farr & Gallagher after Video Interview?
Has anyone heard back from Vinson & Elkins? or Sidley Austin perhaps?

I thought Willkie was non-rolling?

 

[W]

I thought Willkie was non-rolling?

Nah, says rolling on website

 

[gg332dd]

When the cover letter needs to be attached as a PDF, do we need to include both our address/HR address at the top of the letter? or is recruiter's name enough?

edit: my address is already on the application form too

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone else ever put "relish" on their application?

 

[Miki3999]

Anyone else ever put "relish" on their application?

I haven't personally, but I don't see any issue with this particular word.

 

[LegalNim]

Anyone else ever put "relish" on their application?

I was at an event a couple of years ago where a recruiter said "relish goes on burgers, not on applications". She's head of gradrec at a firm that's been referred to on this thread in last day.