TC Journey

[Abbie Whitlock]

Update:
I took some time off to be social and it's cost me my health. Now I've managed to catch some kind of flu and it's very annoying. Hoping to be back on top form soon, but have been abusing lemsip to get me through these past few days. Some minor changes-- applied to K&E instead of Latham. No real expectation as I experimented with a new writing style for this application.

Weil's open day is on the same day as my Jones Day interview so there is little point in me writing an application but meeting them again during the legal cheek law fair was a useful experience-- the people were far more engaging in my opinion. Have been prepping for my interview most days, though at the cost of my commercial awareness and WG practice. This illness has really demotivated me as I feel tired all the time but I'm trying to be patient with myself and do some relaxed stairmaster/ stretching to help with my sleep.
The wait is anxiety-inducing. I just want to move on.

Waiting to hear back:
1. Paul, Weiss WVS
2. Linklaters WVS
3. Gibson Dunn Spring
4. Sidley Austin WVS
5. Slaughter and May (HK)
6. White & Case WVS
7. Cleary Gottlieb WVS
8. Kirkland & Ellis Open Day

To do: (by 21 Oct)
1. Weil Spring
2. Akin Gump Spring
3. Willkie (If time permits)

Hi!

I'm so sorry to hear you've been unwell - it sounds like you've really been pushing through despite not feeling 100%, which is super impressive. I would definitely take the time you need to rest and recover, the applications will still be there when you're back to full strength!

It's great that you managed to chat with Weil at the fair, and I totally get what you mean about balancing interview prep with everything else. It can feel really tricky to balance your time across all the areas you want to focus on, and I always used to feel like one area slipped through the cracks! You're handling a lot, and being patient with yourself is absolutely the right mindset!

That's a really impressive list of firms that you are waiting to hear back from - fingers crossed for some good news soon!

I hope you rest well and look after yourself, and I look forward to reading more updates soon!

 

[CharlesT47]

Update:
It's been a mixed bag so far. It's disappointing to hear that PW has sent out their first batch of interviews and that I wasn't invited-- I really did tailor my application to them and was hoping for the best. It sucks to be in limbo, not being rejected/ not being accepted either. This is exactly the situation I'm in with Sidley Austin and I just hate this suspense.

Anyways, have received a WG test request from Cleary Gottlieb. I've been practising through JobTestPrep and I just wish I did so before the linklaters test. It's been so much easier having understood what to look out for, and my past two tests were 33/40 and 39/40. I am planning to do another mock test to make sure I haven't just fluked these results and then trying for the real thing. I've also been messaged by some kind people telling me how their experience with the Linklaters WG was similar. I've really appreciated hearing others with similar issues.

Finally, I have been planning my applications to Cambridge LLM and the BCL. No real expectations here, but have received good references and am hoping for the best. For the BCL, you need to submit a 2000 word essay on any legal issue. I'm thinking about criticising Lord Reed in Marex and Davies' article defending Lord Reed. If anyone has any opinions on this case, I would love to hear your views.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Update:
It's been a mixed bag so far. It's disappointing to hear that PW has sent out their first batch of interviews and that I wasn't invited-- I really did tailor my application to them and was hoping for the best. It sucks to be in limbo, not being rejected/ not being accepted either. This is exactly the situation I'm in with Sidley Austin and I just hate this suspense.

Anyways, have received a WG test request from Cleary Gottlieb. I've been practising through JobTestPrep and I just wish I did so before the linklaters test. It's been so much easier having understood what to look out for, and my past two tests were 33/40 and 39/40. I am planning to do another mock test to make sure I haven't just fluked these results and then trying for the real thing. I've also been messaged by some kind people telling me how their experience with the Linklaters WG was similar. I've really appreciated hearing others with similar issues.

Finally, I have been planning my applications to Cambridge LLM and the BCL. No real expectations here, but have received good references and am hoping for the best. For the BCL, you need to submit a 2000 word essay on any legal issue. I'm thinking about criticising Lord Reed in Marex and Davies' article defending Lord Reed. If anyone has any opinions on this case, I would love to hear your views.

Hi!

I completely get how frustrating it is to be stuck in that in-between stage, especially after putting so much effort into tailoring the application and researching the firm. For what it’s worth, there is still a chance more invitations will be sent out, so try not to lose hope yet! It’s totally normal to feel disheartened but it sounds like you are doing everything right and I’m sure you’ll hear good news soon

Those WG scores are seriously impressive! It’s great that you’ve found a prep method that works for you (and JobTestPrep really helped me too). Fingers crossed for Cleary Gottlieb!

The Cambridge and BCL plans sound really exciting too. Even if you’re not setting expectations too high, it’s such a good opportunity to challenge yourself and get strong academic feedback. I don’t think I’m familiar with the case you mentioned, but I’ll have to check it out if it’s interesting!

You’re clearly putting the work in and staying reflective - it’ll pay off, even if the waiting part is the worst! Best of luck

 

[CharlesT47]

Update:
Finished my Jones Day Interview. My interviewers were lovely though I was caught off-guard by the lack of pushback on my motivations to JD/ why Com law. Instead, had far more of a judgement/ technical interview. I did forget to mention as well which practice areas I was particularly interested in. In any case, I either completely smashed it or they ruled me out from the beginning. Hopefully I will hear back over the next few days.

I've been thinking about my Paul, Weiss application as well and why it wasn't shortlisted. Looking through, I have certain paragraphs that are strong and certain paragraphs that are markedly weaker. I pointed to PW's rapid growth in PE deal count from 32 to 9th as a reason for wanting to join them, but then I don't explain why that momentum is important to me. Equally, I simply stated that 'Everyone who has joined PE has left somewhere established, wanting to build something new' and how this fosters a culture where people are invested in fostering talent without providing any real evidence. I then explain why mentorship is important to me. I don't particularly think this is a strong reason or at least it doesn't wow me upon reading again. Additionally, I tried to force a link between some of my extra-curriculars and PW. Upon reflection, again not a natural link and not overly convincing. It's certainly a shame though as I really did want to interview for them but we move on. For the future, I must ensure all parts of the application fit naturally to the actual law firm. Forcing it just never works.

Applied to Cooley's open day just for fun. Would consider them more seriously if I get in but only banged out the application in a morning so don't have high hopes.
In any case, have been slowly working on Akin's application and soon will go onto the beast that is Willkie's application. It's one of my top firms so I'm taking extra time to think through and make sure all is perfect.