TC Journey Updates

[t2so]

Currently midway through my PGDL, graduated from an RG Uni with a high first, studying Business and Economics.

This is an update list of where I have got to, and whether still in.

So far applied to these firms, but want to apply to more once exams are over:

1. A&O Shearman - SJT+WG - Rejection
2. Ashurst - SJT+WG
3. Clifford Chance - VI - Rejection
4. Hogan Lovells - Job Sim
5. HSFK - SJT+WG - Rejection
6. Linklaters - SJT+WG
7. Macfarlanes - VI/Job Sim - Rejection
8. Paul, Weiss - Written Application
9. Slaughter and May - AC for DTC - Rejection
10. Taylor Wessing - SJT + WG
11. White and Case - SJT+WG
12. Mischon de Reya - AI Chatbot
13. Freshfields - SJT+WG - Rejection
14. HFW - Written Application
15. CMS - SJT+WG - Rejection
16. Eversheds - SJT + WG - Rejection
17. Willkie - Written Application - Rejection
18. NRF - VI
19. Kirkland - VI
20. Stephenson Harwood - Written Application
21. Simmons - Job Sim type thing
22. Baker McKenzie - Written application.

So that brings the tally to 9 PFOs so far, roughly 6 of which came in a 5-day span at the beginning of December which sucked.

Slaughters was a proper kick in the teeth. Thought it went fantastically, got on really well with both partners and grad rec. Feedback was also stellar, being very complimentary of the interviews and the written case study. The reason for rejection stated was that I didn't have the "Slaughters way of thinking" which sucked to hear, but, indeed, there is an evaluation for fit, not just competency, and I was certainly more energetic than many of the people in the office, so may have not fit all too well anyway!


Onwards and upwards!

 

[t2so]

As of today, next stage invites have been received for both Baker McKenzie and Taylor Wessing. Hopefully more to come!

 

[t2so]

Update time:

This now only includes new updated rejections, not those that already existed:

If there is no "-rejection", it means I have not heard back just yet.

1. Ashurst - Assessment Centre
2. Hogan Lovells - Job Sim
3. Linklaters - SJT+WG
4. Paul, Weiss - Written Application
5. Taylor Wessing - Written Exercise
6. White and Case - SJT+WG - Rejection
7. Mischon de Reya - Amberjack
8. HFW - Written Application - Rejection
9. NRF - VI
10. Kirkland - VI - Rejection
11. Stephenson Harwood - Written Application
12. Simmons - Online test
13. Baker McKenzie - Assessment Centre
14. Covington - Written application
15. Osborne Clarke - Online test - Rejection
16. Morgan Lewis - Telephone Interview

So for this cycle, that brings me up to 13 PFOs. Keeping spirits high though, on we go!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey!

Thank you for the update - you should give yourself massive credit for pushing on, as this process is super tough! Getting to ACs, VIs, job sims and TIs across a broad range of firms is not easy at all (particularly Slaughters!), and it is a strong indicator that your applications are working.

PFOs can be really brutal, and it is completely valid to feel worn down by them. However, the fact that you are consistently progressing past the initial application stages shows that you are doing a lot right. I must have received 15+ PFOs last cycle before I was successful, and I ended the cycle with a few VS offers. It really does feel like a numbers game at times, and often it only takes one firm to see that you are the perfect fit for them.

Try not to let the rejections overshadow how well you have done this cycle so far - you are clearly competitive, and you are still very much in the running! As you said, keep your spirits high, and I look forward to following along!

 

[t2so]

Hey!

Thank you for the update - you should give yourself massive credit for pushing on, as this process is super tough! Getting to ACs, VIs, job sims and TIs across a broad range of firms is not easy at all (particularly Slaughters!), and it is a strong indicator that your applications are working.

PFOs can be really brutal, and it is completely valid to feel worn down by them. However, the fact that you are consistently progressing past the initial application stages shows that you are doing a lot right. I must have received 15+ PFOs last cycle before I was successful, and I ended the cycle with a few VS offers. It really does feel like a numbers game at times, and often it only takes one firm to see that you are the perfect fit for them.

Try not to let the rejections overshadow how well you have done this cycle so far - you are clearly competitive, and you are still very much in the running! As you said, keep your spirits high, and I look forward to following along!

Thank you for the kind words! I am definitely not looking back at the rejections whatsoever, now just taking it all as experience to use in trying to be even better in future applications, interviews etc.

One thing this cycle has taught me more than anything is that every application, interview, test, and piece of research is invaluable in building up my capabilities as a candidate. After all, sometimes all you need is one offer!

 

[t2so]

Minimal updates to bring, just a few more rejections after the written application stage.

I am once again somewhat struck by the randomness of this whole process. Naturally, rejection is an expectation from the majority of firms given the quality of applicants, but I genuinely struggle to believe that there is any degree of attention paid by firms at the early stage.

Given the sheer volume of applicants, it is not surprising that firms do not read every application in detail - but why pretend to do so? I'd much rather be rejected based on something quantifiable (even if it is a strange test like WBD's) than grad rec just spinning a wheel and kicking you out. It feels as though a lot of merit is stripped from the process.

I appreciate that my written applications at times may not be the next coming of Shakespeare, but they are good, and a lot of time is put into them. Coupled with the fact that the vast majority of my university grades were 1sts (and I graduated with a high first from an RG uni), every super early rejection without a test is surprising.

This is more a vent than anything, as I am aware it is simply the nature of the process, but it is frustrating that you can have all the grades and accolades, and yet get rejected from a process at an early stage by an effectively glorified version of spinning a randomised wheel.

 

[t2so]

Down to 7. Still waiting to hear back from an AC and have another tomorrow. Just getting so frustrated with these rejections, particularly if they are coming without having done a test or anything.

I really don't get it. It simply does not compute with me that I can have the grades and experience I do, but not even pass the initial screening stages.