Can she get a TC?

[choicefox212]

Hi, I thought I’d share my journey on here. I am an Oxbridge humanities grad with a 2:1, currently doing the PGDL.

I am interested in private client work, so this is a range of firms (some small, some more mainstream) with good departments in that rather than corporate. These are mostly DTC applications unless the firm mostly/mainly recruits from their VS.

Applications this cycle - no response yet:
- Penningtons
- Withers
- Stephenson Harwood
- Charles Russell Speechlys
- Fladgate

Second round:
- WBD,
- Osborne Clarke (I think everyone gets the online test invite so this doesn’t really count)

Third round:
- Mishcon, yet to hear back

PFO:
- Taylor Wessing
- Mills & Reeve
- Forsters

Upcoming applications:
- Macfarlanes
- Harbottle & Lewis
- Boodle Hatfield
- Russell-Cooke
- Peters & Peters
- Farrer & Co
- Payne Hicks Beach
- Kingsley Napley
- Wedlake Bell

 

[choicefox212]

Academically, my degree is a low 2:1 (61 - but in fairness, I thought it was really hard 🤣). One finals module was a 2:2, the rest low-mid 2:1s

I had three A*s at a-level, and 999998888888 at GCSE (so basically things went downhill at Oxford)

I think my main issues are confidence, which screwed me over in an AC last year (I did about 6 random applications, one of which ended in a VS and another in an AC). I just need to find some reassurance that it’ll work out somehow

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey!

Thank you for sharing this - your profile looks much stronger than you're giving yourself credit for!

Your firm list makes lots of sense for someone interested in private client, and the fact that you are reaching second/third rounds shows that your applications are landing! I completed a vacation scheme at Farrer & Co last cycle and loved it, so if you had any questions when writing your application just shout.

I can totally relate to your comments on confidence - I felt this is what ultimately held me back in the beginning too. AC performance is a skill, and you do get better (and more confident!) over time. The key thing is that you have already had a VS and an AC - that is amazing for your first cycle, and you can draw lots of things from these experiences.

It looks like you are doing all the right things, in that you are targeting specific firms and know what area you are interested in. I would try to be kind to yourself, and have faith in your own abilities - if you have gotten to AC and VS already, it's simply a matter of fit rather than ability

Looking forward to following your journey!

 

[choicefox212]

Hey!

Thank you for sharing this - your profile looks much stronger than you're giving yourself credit for!

Your firm list makes lots of sense for someone interested in private client, and the fact that you are reaching second/third rounds shows that your applications are landing! I completed a vacation scheme at Farrer & Co last cycle and loved it, so if you had any questions when writing your application just shout.

I can totally relate to your comments on confidence - I felt this is what ultimately held me back in the beginning too. AC performance is a skill, and you do get better (and more confident!) over time. The key thing is that you have already had a VS and an AC - that is amazing for your first cycle, and you can draw lots of things from these experiences.

It looks like you are doing all the right things, in that you are targeting specific firms and know what area you are interested in. I would try to be kind to yourself, and have faith in your own abilities - if you have gotten to AC and VS already, it's simply a matter of fit rather than ability

Looking forward to following your journey!

Thank you so much for replying Abbie, means a lot.

I know I’ll get better every AC, but I’m not sure I have the confidence to get any more. It just feels like the numbers are so against me, and while on paper my CV is strong, I just don’t know I have the personality to back it. Hopefully I’ll be proven wrong, but confidence doesn’t come easy! :/

Re. Farrer’s, I’d actually love some guidance if you wouldn’t mind! I haven’t started thinking about their app yet but will do soon