You're exactly right. I applied to HSFK for the third time now with mit circumstances and a couple 2:2. Equally I have quite a bit of experience in the DR space, I'd dare say quite a bit more targeted experience than most applicants. Does that mean I won't be successful, absolutely not. Is my candidate profile diminished because I underperformed previously, don't fall into any DEI categories and aren't "filling a equality quota", no! Making it to AC is much more of a luck thing than people realise. Don't be disheartened by what you think is a firm making a character judgment of you. We have no idea why we are unsuccessful, we can only work on bolstering our applicant profile and improving on metrics we think are important. There is no set recipe for success.Whilst, I really appreciate your advice on my chances of making it for HSF AC from your personal experience, I do not appreciate you saying not to apply to any competitive firms not only because I feel that’s unfair to me but unfair to a lot of candidates who have been applying since many cycles and one message like this can dishearten a lot of them. A candidate is not “lucky” if they make it with average grades but it takes a lot of hard work, part time roles, work experience, street smartness, etc and maybe 10% luck to get a vac scheme or tc. I say this because that is how I got my legal work experience year at a top silver circle firm.
Whilst, DEI is very important and should be considered (I am a female, ethnic minority) I do not think if a candidate doesn’t fall into the DEI bracket with average grades will have low chances.
I am building my profile every minute and getting work experience everyday as a recent graduate
Just to add to this, I have made it to MacFarlanes stage 2, fresh fields stage 2, Latham stage 2, eversheds Vi, kennedys test, Bclp ac (last year) with these same grades so don’t give up hope
Don't take this persons rainy cloud mentality to heart. You are in the race until you either cross the finish line or you give up.
