International Graduate- Advice on TCs and VS

[lucille101]

Hi All,

I am an international graduate (I completed my LLB in Australia) currently studying the SQE1 and working at a US law firm in London. I completed two vacation schemes last year, one at a silver circle firm and another at AG and have prior experience as a paralegal. I haven’t had much success this cycle in getting past the first round for TC/ vac schemes and am beginning to wonder whether a lot of UK firms don’t like my profile, being an international graduate that completed their undergraduate degree in Australia (I studied abroad for 1 year at the University of Surrey).

I would appreciate any advice here, firstly whether there are certain firms I should avoid applying to if I am more likely to be filtered out based on my university and if I should prioritise applications to US firms for instance given my profile? I am also keen to know for firms with rolling deadlines whether I have a better chance of being considered if I get my application in early or should I wait to attend an event with them and submit my application immediately after? I am aware of how competitive it is becoming each year so want to maximise my chances of getting to the next round.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @lucille101

Just wanted to reassure you straight away that it's highly, highly unlikely that having completed your LLB in Australia is a reason why UK firms would automatically filter you out. You've already done vac schemes at top firms, and you're now working at a US firm in London while studying for the SQE1. Those are pretty good indicators that firms see your potential and are interested in your profile. So I think the real issue is very unlikely to be your undergraduate degree.

What tends to happen (and I say this as someone who’s spoken with a lot of strong candidates in the same position) is that when applications start getting rejected, it’s easy to assume the problem is academic background or pedigree. But more often, it comes down to things like application strategy, how well you’ve researched the firm, and how clearly your motivations and commercial awareness come through in your answers. Even if you've been successful before, small differences in execution can lead to very different outcomes, especially at firms where so many aspects of a candidate's initial application are scrutinised.

I do think applying to US firms is a smart move. I've been to many where trainees have come from all sorts of legal backgrounds; I've met several trainees at US firms in London who studied law in Australia, Canada, India, South Africa, and elsewhere. It’s worth playing to that strength and showing how your cross-border academic and work experience gives you a distinctive perspective.

I'm generally of the view that applying early with a strong application gives candidate's a strong chance. Some firms do review applications as they come in, and certain schemes can fill up before the deadline. That said, if you're planning to attend an event where you’ll get genuine insight into the firm (and that insight will sharpen your application), it may be worth waiting a short while so you can submit a stronger, more targeted application. The key is not to wait too long: aim to apply within a few days of the event while it's still fresh and before application volumes spike closer to the deadline, when grad rec has to compare your application against so many others.

Good luck this cycle! I've got no doubt that you can secure a TC with your background