My TC journey!

[yasmars]

Update

I received a TI with Akin which is crazy cos I completed the test 3 hours ago (so haven’t even received my report)

I am so excited about how this application cycle is progressing. I also realise that I’ll probably just make one last application to Orrick and maybe one other because it’s becoming quite draining managing work with other commitments. If I fail to get anything else I’ll make direct TC applications to Macfarlanes, W&C and Ashurst in the summer!

 

[lawyersum]

Congrats on your TI!! Akin sounds like a such great firm tbhCan I ask what your background is e.g law/non-law, RG/NRG, working/student?

 

[yasmars]

Congrats on your TI!! Akin sounds like a such great firm tbhCan I ask what your background is e.g law/non-law, RG/NRG, working/student?

Thank you so much! I am a Law graduate and currently working

 

[yasmars]

Update

I received an invite to Akin’s AC after my TI today The turn around is crazy!! I honestly felt so passionate about the firm in my TI and connected well with the interviewer so I’m so so happy to receive this news!

 

[yasmars]

Update

Just received an email from Bristows that my VI passed the GR’s initial review and will now be reviewed alongside my application by a partner

 

[yasmars]

Hi everyone!

It’s been a hot minute since I have updated this thread. As you can probably tell, I was unsuccessful after my AC with Akin, as well as post WE with Willkie and post partner review with Bristows last cycle.

I was so defeated that I gave up completely. All of the direct applications that I did last cycle also failed at the first stage, bar one Job sim invite from Mayer Brown. Idek why I applied for them because I found it so difficult to articulate why the firm. I think that was a sign tbh. I think I applied to around 27 firms last cycle with 1 AC and 5 next stage progressions which wasn’t very good.

Anyways, I built up the courage to apply again this cycle. I have had less successes, albeit fewer applications too. I’ve applied to 14 firms this time round, ones that I’m genuinely interested in.

Here is my current progression:

Bristows - partner review stage
Osborne Clarke - virtual AC
Lewis Silkin - waiting post app
Gibson Dunn - waiting post app
Simmons & Simmons - waiting post app

Rejections

Mishcon - post SJT
Freshfields - post second stage
Willkie - post app (I was one of the few that was placed on hold until Feb . I think if I had applied when Gemma was around I would’ve at least reached VI stage).
Goodwin - post app
HSF - post test
Bird & Bird - post app
Taylor Wessing - post test
CMS - post app
BOE - post test

I am really praying for one yes. I don’t know if I have the strength for another cycle. I’ll try to keep this thread updated.

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Hi everyone!

It’s been a hot minute since I have updated this thread. As you can probably tell, I was unsuccessful after my AC with Akin, as well as post WE with Willkie and post partner review with Bristows last cycle.

I was so defeated that I gave up completely. All of the direct applications that I did last cycle also failed at the first stage, bar one Job sim invite from Mayer Brown. Idek why I applied for them because I found it so difficult to articulate why the firm. I think that was a sign tbh. I think I applied to around 27 firms last cycle with 1 AC and 5 next stage progressions which wasn’t very good.

Anyways, I built up the courage to apply again this cycle. I have had less successes, albeit fewer applications too. I’ve applied to 14 firms this time round, ones that I’m genuinely interested in.

Here is my current progression:

Bristows - partner review stage
Osborne Clarke - virtual AC
Lewis Silkin - waiting post app
Gibson Dunn - waiting post app
Simmons & Simmons - waiting post app

Rejections

Mishcon - post SJT
Freshfields - post second stage
Willkie - post app (I was one of the few that was placed on hold until Feb . I think if I had applied when Gemma was around I would’ve at least reached VI stage).
Goodwin - post app
HSF - post test
Bird & Bird - post app
Taylor Wessing - post test
CMS - post app
BOE - post test

I am really praying for one yes. I don’t know if I have the strength for another cycle. I’ll try to keep this thread updated.

Wishing you the best of luck this cycle

 

[yasmars]

Hi everyone, I cannot believe we’re basically in March?? We are almost done with the first quarter of the year!

As an update, I received a trio of PFOs in the past week and a half from Lewis Silkin, Bristows and Simmons & Simmons. This means I am only waiting to hear from GD, but at this point the next correspondence will probably be a rejection.

I have a final AC with OC next week which I am very excited about. I really enjoyed the previous interview and felt like the lawyers were keen on getting to know me and were interested in my answers, which was basically a 180 compared to my experience with Akin. I pray all goes well

 

[yasmars]

Hi everyone! I have an exciting update!!

I received a vacation scheme offer from Osborne Clarke!! To say I am absolutely over the moon is an understatement. That means the stats for this cycle is 13 applications (I’m discounting the BOE), 1 AC and 1 VS offer. I changed my application strategy this year as I only applied to firms I was actually interested in instead of applying a scattergun approach. I think that worked out in my favour. I may do another post detailing what I think made me successful in the application, group task and individual interviews as I think this could be beneficial for some people.

I think I’ll take the risk and not apply for any direct TCs, and just pray that I convert the VS into an offer.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Huge congrats - so pleased for you!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone! I have an exciting update!!

I received a vacation scheme offer from Osborne Clarke!! To say I am absolutely over the moon is an understatement. That means the stats for this cycle is 13 applications (I’m discounting the BOE), 1 AC and 1 VS offer. I changed my application strategy this year as I only applied to firms I was actually interested in instead of applying a scattergun approach. I think that worked out in my favour. I may do another post detailing what I think made me successful in the application, group task and individual interviews as I think this could be beneficial for some people.

I think I’ll take the risk and not apply for any direct TCs, and just pray that I convert the VS into an offer.

Hey!

Huge congratulations - that is amazing news!!

I'm glad to hear that your selective approach paid off, and I definitely think many other users would really appreciate a follow-up post on how you approached those tasks - I'm sure it'll be helpful!

Wishing you the best of luck with your vacation scheme, and I hope you enjoy it too!

 

[yasmars]

So I decided to post some tips which I feel gave me some success this cycle. I am by no means qualified to give this advice as I have not received 5 VS offers or invited to lots of ACs, but I thought I’d still like to give some tips and tricks

Application:

My main advice would be to be honest with yourself about your profile when applying in such a competitive process.

Having a strong, tailored application is important, but it will not always be enough if you do not meet a firm’s baseline criteria. For example, I do not have a stellar academic profile, so I was quite strategic with where I applied. I avoided firms with strict grade requirements, as it would likely be a poor use of an application. Instead, I focused on firms that assess candidates more broadly. For example, OC does not place a strong emphasis on grades, but focuses more on the written application and assessments such as verbal reasoning tests and the WG. Therefore, I think understanding my own strengths and weaknesses made a difference for me this cycle.

Group Task:


My main advice here would be to focus on making valuable contributions rather than trying to speak the most. You don’t need to dominate the discussion, but what you say should move the conversation forward. For example, what you say should build on someone’s point or help the group reach a decision. It’s also important to bring quieter people into the discussion. That demonstrates good teamwork and shows you are aware of group dynamics. Moreover, there will almost always be someone who dominates the conversation. Managing this well is key. For example, if the dominant person is moving on too quickly on a point you wanted to substantiate, you can say something like “before we move on, I just wanted to add…”. Those are my main tips for the group task. You don’t have to be a time keeper to do well.


Commercial Awareness:

I initially thought commercial awareness was just about keeping up with news and understanding how it affects firms and their clients. But it goes further than that. It’s also about understanding how a law firm actually operates as a business — how it wins work, how it makes money, the difference between billable hours and fixed fees, and how firms add value to clients (especially with AI becoming more prominent). It also helps to think about a firm’s positioning — where it is strong, where it may be weaker, and how it stays competitive in light of these weaknesses for example. That broader understanding was particularly useful for me in both the group task and interview.



Interview:

Know the firm inside out and understand what your key motivations are for applying there. Understand who the firms competitions are and how they stand out. For example, I was asked in my interview, which other firms I had applied for, instead of of just starting the firms, I went above and beyond by stating how the firm stood out from the other ones I had applied to. Also know your competencies well, not just STAR but also how a situation made you feel etc.