singing the tc song! (2nd app cycle, hopefully final)

[thedonnabrief]

hi everyone!

i have decided to document my tc journey during the upcoming application cycle (screaming the tc song on the top of my lungs). i am hoping that sharing my experience will help someone in a similar position as me, while also keeping me accountable throughout the cycle.

context: intl law student at a top rg; 2:1 in y1 but 2:2 with mcf in y2
i have done couple of internships back home and one abroad, and did a us firm vs this year that i didnt convert :'), i volunteer at a legal clinic, mentor students, have some leadership and committee positions and have attended multiple fys.

im wanting to do around 25 applications this year, i know its a lot but im starting early. i hope that documenting my journey will be helpful in reminding myself how far ive come, i know it wont be easy but im determined to make that us law firm wonder why they missed out on me so ill constantly improve and learn (and still sing the tc song ofc)

good luck to everyone applying this year!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hi everyone!

i have decided to document my tc journey during the upcoming application cycle (screaming the tc song on the top of my lungs). i am hoping that sharing my experience will help someone in a similar position as me, while also keeping me accountable throughout the cycle.

context: intl law student at a top rg; 2:1 in y1 but 2:2 with mcf in y2
i have done couple of internships back home and one abroad, and did a us firm vs this year that i didnt convert :'), i volunteer at a legal clinic, mentor students, have some leadership and committee positions and have attended multiple fys.

im wanting to do around 25 applications this year, i know its a lot but im starting early. i hope that documenting my journey will be helpful in reminding myself how far ive come, i know it wont be easy but im determined to make that us law firm wonder why they missed out on me so ill constantly improve and learn (and still sing the tc song ofc)

good luck to everyone applying this year!

Wishing you the best of luck this cycle! It sounds like you have got some really strong experience already, and starting your applications early will put you in a great position!

I also think documenting your journey is a brilliant idea, as it'll not only help keep you accountable, but I'm sure it'll be really useful for others following along too! I look forward to following your journey this cycle

Best of luck with your applications, and I hope this is the cycle where all your hard work pays off - you've got this!!

 

[thedonnabrief]

UPDATE: AUGUST WEEK 1

i started my internship at a big law firm this week which has kept me occupied but its so great to see a commercial environment where i am not being assessed and dont have to be on my tiptoes 24/7 !!!!

ive been trying my best to keep up with building my application tracker but its taking some time. im focusing on firms that ARE NOT hardcore us law firms like simpson, orrick, both the pauls, etc. because they have super small intakes.

emailing grad rec of different firms has been a miss so far (RIP <///3) and im wondering if they think im a horrible applicant why even bother replying BUT they did view my linkedin so atleast they know who i am lolol

on a positive(ish) note, i got feedback on my unsuccessful vac scheme and i found it encouraging to see that the feedback they gave was essentially things i know i have to work on (self-awareness on top haha), but i think i will work on this. i will focus on applications where there is a sjt/wg before review so hopefully good scores can offset my bad grades slightly !!

GOAL FOR WEEK 2: finish tracker and work on rolling applications.

 

[thedonnabrief]

@Abbie Whitlock further to my comment above, have you personally seen candidates getting tcs when they are in positions similar to mine with bad grades specifically, and would you say that there are particular firms i should refrain from replying to (because they are so grade focused)? id really appreciate any help, i think i need to end this week on a more positive note rather than a constant cycle of I CAN DO IT and I AM DOOMED !!

additionally and this is out of topic but you mentioned that you are introverted as well, and i was wondering what activities you undertook professionally or personally to help you come across as a confident person who is sure of themselves? (i understand if youre not able to advise on this!!!)

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock further to my comment above, have you personally seen candidates getting tcs when they are in positions similar to mine with bad grades specifically, and would you say that there are particular firms i should refrain from replying to (because they are so grade focused)? id really appreciate any help, i think i need to end this week on a more positive note rather than a constant cycle of I CAN DO IT and I AM DOOMED !!

additionally and this is out of topic but you mentioned that you are introverted as well, and i was wondering what activities you undertook professionally or personally to help you come across as a confident person who is sure of themselves? (i understand if youre not able to advise on this!!!)

Hi!

For the grades point, I definitely don't think you are doomed! There are a few firms that place a much greater emphasis on academics than others, but there are also plenty that take a more holistic approach. Whilst I don't personally have a list of firms that tend to be stricter with grade requirements, I did find this previous thread which might give you a rough idea of a few firms that are a bit stricter: you can find it here.

I have personally seen candidates with weaker academics secure training contracts at a wide range of firms, including US and MC/SC firms, so I wouldn't write yourself off at all. It may just mean being a bit more strategic about where you apply and making sure the rest of your application is as strong as possible. Your grades are one part of your application, and they won't be the only deciding factor at all.

On the confidence point, I completely get what you mean (and if I'm honest, I still don't feel 100% confident in most situations, haha!). I'm definitely quite introverted/shy myself, and I'm also neurodivergent, so this definitely made the socialising and networking side of things feel even more daunting at first and I didn't have much confidence.

The biggest thing that helped me was honestly just repeatedly putting myself in situations that made me uncomfortable (which I know isn't always easy or possible). Some examples for me were:

• Competing in BIUCAC (+ delivering a 10-minute case study on a stage)
• Attending open days and networking events
• Signing up for mentoring schemes
• Volunteering for opportunities where I had to speak to new people.

Even now, I generally tend to sign myself up for things that are completely outside of my comfort zone and worry about it later - I took part in a Q&A session at the LittleLaw Open Day at Linklaters, and I was terrified for the entire morning before it! However, I've always found that the build up is usually worse than the actual thing I'm scared of, so this has made me more confident in signing up for future things too!

I don't think I suddenly became an extrovert, but every time I did something that scared me a little, it became slightly less intimidating the next time. Over time, I think I realised that confidence isn't really about being the loudest person in the room, and it is more about trusting yourself enough to give things a go even if you are nervous.

I also found it reassuring to remember that almost everyone at open days or networking events is feeling a bit awkward too. Once I realised that, it took a bit of the pressure off!

I know it is difficult not to swing between "I've got this!" and "I'm completely doomed!" (and I've been there myself in the past), but try not to let one aspect of your profile define your chances. When I first started applying, I had the mindset that because I was a non-RG graduate, I wouldn't have a chance at most City firms - however, it was when I shifted this mentality that I grew in confidence and my results got more positive. There are so many different routes to a TC, and plenty of successful candidates have had areas of their application that they were worried about