Ask 3 future trainees ANYTHING!

[libraryowl7]

Hi everyone!

My name is Andrei, I’m a future trainee at Davis Polk and I am currently in my SQE year. I’m excited to returning as one of TCLA’s Community Assistants for this year alongside @Amma Usman and @Abbie Whitlock. I just wanted to say hi again to those who know me from last year and introduce myself to new people!

To share a bit about my background and journey: I’m originally from Romania, and I have only moved to the UK in 2022 to start my law degree at UCL. I knew I had an interest in commercial law since the very beginning of year 1, but I knew very little about the application process and legal landscape in the City. As such, in my first application cycle, I was rejected in all my applications at the first stage.

Fortunately, with the support of a number of friends and career mentors, I bounced back by using my frustration and anxiety as motivation to give 100% in the next application cycle. By attending several careers events every week, completing courses and virtual experiences, and using some of the amazing resources offered by TCLA, I managed to significantly improve my research and application writing skills. Thus, my second cycle was the complete reversal of the first. I ended up receiving vacation scheme offers from Slaughter and May, Milbank, Willkie, and Davis Polk, and was fortunate enough to receive TC offers from the last three firms.

Subsequently, I have started spending lots of time to help friends and acquaintances in overcoming the same struggles I had faced. I took on a similar role at TCLA last year, when, alongside Amma and Ram, I spent the last application cycle as a Community Assistant. Afterwards, during this summer, I spent my time reviewing and updating TCLA’s Law Firm Profiles to ensure they are as informative and up to date as possible.

To list some of the queries I feel like I would be in a good position to answer:

• Application process questions, particularly regarding how to research law firms to identify unique selling points, writing tips, and application strategy.
• Interview tips, especially competency interviews and general commercial awareness/case studies.
• How to improve commercial awareness, particularly in how to make best use of events and online resources.
• Any questions around PE, M&A, and equity capital markets work.
• Tips for overcoming rejection.

However, definitely feel free to ask me anything and everything throughout the forum threads – I am here to help !

Finally, my top tip for aspiring solicitors is to realise you are not in this journey alone. The biggest difference between my first and second application cycle has been the support I received from so many people the second time around, without which I would not be in in this position. So, whether it is friends, your university’s law society, LinkedIn connections, or this forum, do not be afraid to reach out for help!

Hi,
I was just wondering if gcse's are used to compare candidates and if you compare the gcse results of the candidates cohort to the candidate. Would it be be at a disadvantage if I did well 9-7 but my cohort did better? Would I still be competitive with good a levels and uni degree?

 

[libraryowl7]

Hi,
I was just wondering if gcse's are used to compare candidates and if you compare the gcse results of the candidates cohort to the candidate. Would it be be at a disadvantage if I did well 9-7 but my cohort did better? Would I still be competitive with good a levels and uni degree?

@Abbie Whitlock hi! you reacted a tick to my message! to which bit did you mean tho

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi,
I was just wondering if gcse's are used to compare candidates and if you compare the gcse results of the candidates cohort to the candidate. Would it be be at a disadvantage if I did well 9-7 but my cohort did better? Would I still be competitive with good a levels and uni degree?

Hi!

Apologies for the confusion! I usually tick a message to signal that I'm writing a reply to it, so it isn't necessarily an indication of my answer

In my experience, I wouldn't worry too much about this. While some firms do contextualise academic results (including GCSEs) by looking at the performance of your school or cohort, they are not simply comparing you against your classmates and making decisions based on that alone.

GCSEs are just one part of your overall application. Strong A-Levels, a good university degree, work experience, extracurricular activities, and the rest of your application will all play a significant role - I think it is highly unlikely that a firm will make a decision based on GCSE results between candidates. Plenty of candidates go on to secure vacation schemes and training contracts without having the very top GCSE profile.

Grades of 9-7 are excellent, so I certainly wouldn't think you are at a disadvantage just because others in your cohort may have performed better. I would focus on putting together the strongest overall application, as this is likely to matter far more than your GCSEs in comparison.

Best of luck!

 

[libraryowl7]

Hi!

Apologies for the confusion! I usually tick a message to signal that I'm writing a reply to it, so it isn't necessarily an indication of my answer

In my experience, I wouldn't worry too much about this. While some firms do contextualise academic results (including GCSEs) by looking at the performance of your school or cohort, they are not simply comparing you against your classmates and making decisions based on that alone.

GCSEs are just one part of your overall application. Strong A-Levels, a good university degree, work experience, extracurricular activities, and the rest of your application will all play a significant role - I think it is highly unlikely that a firm will make a decision based on GCSE results between candidates. Plenty of candidates go on to secure vacation schemes and training contracts without having the very top GCSE profile.

Grades of 9-7 are excellent, so I certainly wouldn't think you are at a disadvantage just because others in your cohort may have performed better. I would focus on putting together the strongest overall application, as this is likely to matter far more than your GCSEs in comparison.

Best of luck!

Thank you! So they're not a problem at all really? was bit worried it would be used to compare candidates! plus I didn't do insanely well at my school. Is it a levels that are more important?