Can final-year law students apply?

Leen

Active Member
  • Sep 15, 2020
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    Hello TCLA Community!

    I don't know if this is obvious but when a firm states they accept applications from law students in their penultimate year, or final-year non-law students (and graduates are welcome to apply), does that mean final-year law students can apply too?

    For example, this is from Shearman & Sterling's website:

    " You should therefore apply for vacation schemes in your penultimate year of an undergraduate qualifying law degree, or final year of any other undergraduate degree. Graduates are also welcome to apply. "

    I would really appreciate your help.
     

    Jessica Booker

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    No - it seems fairly clear from this that as a law student you can either apply in your penultimate year at university, or when you have graduated - not while a finalist. The "or" bit seems fairly definitive to me.

    Maybe @Jessica Booker and @Paul - Shearman & Sterling could clarify this possibly?

    Completely agree - this says to me that the opportunity is only open to penultimate year law students, final year non-law students or graduates.

    Not sure why final year law students are excluded though given graduates can apply. It might be that there is a separate application window or vacancy specifically for them.
     
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    Paul - Shearman & Sterling

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    Nov 5, 2019
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    No - it seems fairly clear from this that as a law student you can either apply in your penultimate year at university, or when you have graduated - not while a finalist. The "or" bit seems fairly definitive to me.

    Maybe @Jessica Booker and @Paul - Shearman & Sterling could clarify this possibly?

    Anyone can apply for our vacation schemes - they're not limited to particular year groups.
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Anyone can apply for our vacation schemes - they're not limited to particular year groups.

    Not sure where the wording above is from, but if it is on your website would it be possible to remove the “other” from the sentence? To me this is where the confusion lies, as I read it as only other degrees (from law) can apply in their final year.
     

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