My final application cycle (fingers crossed!!)

[koruiwa]

Hi everyone! This will be my 4th application cycle and am truly hoping that it would be my last :") I was inspired by the threads created by everyone from previous years and have always wanted to post one myself but was always too afraid to. But this year, I decided that enough was enough and wanted to hold myself accountable as I would really like to be employed!

I am a recent graduate from a RG uni but got a low 2:1 (62%) unfortunately, and had really low first and second year grades due to serious mitigating circumstances. However, during my final year I worked incredibly hard to get high 2:1s and a first so that I could get an overall 2:1 I'm also currently studying for my SQE1 which I'll be taking in January so will have to be very productive with my time.

In my most recent application cycle, I was able to make it to Bristows' virtual interview stage but unfortunately was rejected in the end However, I am very determined this time around and am looking forward towards being more intentional with the firms I apply to, so that I can craft better quality answers I also intend to really work on my WG/verbal reasoning/deductive reasoning tests as I usually get rejected after this stage...

Here are the firms I intend to apply to this year (for now):
- Osborne Clarke (my dream law firm but didn't apply to them last year because I was too insecure about my grades)
- Taylor Wessing
- Bristows
- Ashurst
- Simmons & Simmons

Life has been incredibly tough so far but I believe we can get towards our dreams/successes and get employed! Let's work hard together friends!!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone! This will be my 4th application cycle and am truly hoping that it would be my last :") I was inspired by the threads created by everyone from previous years and have always wanted to post one myself but was always too afraid to. But this year, I decided that enough was enough and wanted to hold myself accountable as I would really like to be employed!

I am a recent graduate from a RG uni but got a low 2:1 (62%) unfortunately, and had really low first and second year grades due to serious mitigating circumstances. However, during my final year I worked incredibly hard to get high 2:1s and a first so that I could get an overall 2:1 I'm also currently studying for my SQE1 which I'll be taking in January so will have to be very productive with my time.

In my most recent application cycle, I was able to make it to Bristows' virtual interview stage but unfortunately was rejected in the end However, I am very determined this time around and am looking forward towards being more intentional with the firms I apply to, so that I can craft better quality answers I also intend to really work on my WG/verbal reasoning/deductive reasoning tests as I usually get rejected after this stage...

Here are the firms I intend to apply to this year (for now):
- Osborne Clarke (my dream law firm but didn't apply to them last year because I was too insecure about my grades)
- Taylor Wessing
- Bristows
- Ashurst
- Simmons & Simmons

Life has been incredibly tough so far but I believe we can get towards our dreams/successes and get employed! Let's work hard together friends!!

Hey!

Thank you for sharing your journey - it takes real courage to put yourself out there, and I’m so glad you decided to post this year It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, but the way you’ve pushed through and finished final year with a really great grade is inspiring! That determination and resilience will definitely serve you well this application cycle.

It’s also great to hear that you are being intentional with your applications - focusing on firms that are the right fit for you is a great plan, and it really does help when drafting tailored applications. Making it to Bristows’ virtual interview is a huge achievement in itself, and a sign that you are taking all the right steps!

Wishing you the best of luck with your applications and SQE1 in January - I’m also sitting in Jan, so I understand how difficult it is! You’ve got the mindset, self-awareness, and motivation - so you’re already halfway there! We’re all rooting for you, and looking forward to seeing your updates this cycle!

 

[koruiwa]

Hey!

Thank you for sharing your journey - it takes real courage to put yourself out there, and I’m so glad you decided to post this year It sounds like you’ve been through a lot, but the way you’ve pushed through and finished final year with a really great grade is inspiring! That determination and resilience will definitely serve you well this application cycle.

It’s also great to hear that you are being intentional with your applications - focusing on firms that are the right fit for you is a great plan, and it really does help when drafting tailored applications. Making it to Bristows’ virtual interview is a huge achievement in itself, and a sign that you are taking all the right steps!

Wishing you the best of luck with your applications and SQE1 in January - I’m also sitting in Jan, so I understand how difficult it is! You’ve got the mindset, self-awareness, and motivation - so you’re already halfway there! We’re all rooting for you, and looking forward to seeing your updates this cycle!

This is very sweet of you Abbie, thank you so much! And thank you as well for your encouragement and advice, I'm truly so touched by them. I wish you all the best for SQE1 as well!

 

[koruiwa]

Update to the applications:
- Just submitted my first application of the season, which is Mayer Brown's Open Day App!!
- Hoping to submit the following open/insight day apps to the following firms:
HSF Kramer
Wilkie Farr & Gallagher

Thoughts/strategy so far: I'm hoping to work on applications in the morning where I have the most amount of energy/clarity and then start revision from 10am onwards. I'm aiming towards applying to a range of open day apps and then start narrowing them down for VS/TC apps.

 

[koruiwa]

Updates!

- unfortunately got rejected by Mayer Brown for their Open Day. But that's alright, I can still apply for the VS
- just completed Clyde & Co's online assessment --> not too confident for this section as I have not practiced WG in a longgg time. Also whilst I've scored average 80% for WG practice tests (not sure how this really reflects in my actual tests tho bc I rarely get interviews), i think the SJT with regards to rank and slide really confuses me and I'm not really sure how to tackle this portion :/ also i have also decided to start emailing grad recruitments for my WG results so i really know where i stand! improvement is key )
- things to do for the following week:

• PwC's online assessment
• Reed Smith's Open Day App✅
• Hogan Lovells VS App
• Practice for WG/SJT more!
• focus on my SQE revisions!!

i hope everyone has a wonderful week ahead )