General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[Deleted member 2707]

Think you pretty much managed it with your part in brackets - saying how much profit you gained in three months would be sufficient in showing success.

Thank you Jessica. Once again so helpful!

I would personally break this down into a simple STAR response: Situation, Task, Action, Response/ Result. I would then link that back to why it's relevant to a career in commercial law, specifically at that firm. E.g.:
"In order to maintain an income stream while at University, I launched a successful online business. I researched my market to understand client needs, spearheaded my efforts in specific areas to ensure that my business was relevant to potential clients and subsequently launched. The business was extremely successful and highly profitable within three months of launch. [This is the STAR component]. Unfortunately, there was a regulatory change which meant I had to cease doing business. I feel that having a first-hand understanding of how law impacts on businesses would make me an ideal candidate for X firm because [list parallels between your skills/ experiences/ beliefs and the firm's aims etc]".

I have been doing this for applications with longer word counts but there are a few which require a cover letter in 300 words and I can't afford to explain my actions in so much detail. It is encouraging to know that my approach is correct though!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you Jessica. Once again so helpful!



I have been doing this for applications with longer word counts but there are a few which require a cover letter in 300 words and I can't afford to explain my actions in so much detail. It is encouraging to know that my approach is correct though!

With very limited word count, just focus on the R part. The rest of the STAR format can come out at interview stage.

I am not a big fan of STAR unless it’s for a competency question “tell me about a time you have...” it doesn’t really work in generic statements/cover letters.

 

[bethbristol]

Huge congrats Beth! That's fantastic news - delighted for you

Thank you Daniel!

 

[Deleted member 2707]

A silly question but Freshfield's or Freshfields'

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

A silly question but Freshfield's or Freshfields'

Freshfields'

 

[Jessica Booker]

A silly question but Freshfield's or Freshfields'

definitely not Freshfield’s - the debate would be if it is Freshfields’s or Freshfields’.

From a very reputable FBD source, I was told it was Freshfields’ as you wouldn’t pronounce it Freshfieldses.

 

[SLKEJRWOI97]

Hi all,

Debevoise and Milbank have a deadline of 3 Jan 2020 on apply4law. Does this mean I have only the rest of today (3ish hours) or the rest of tomorrow also?

Milbank says "Applications will open on Thursday 1st October 2020 and the deadline is Sunday 3rd January 2021 at midnight."

Thanks!

 

[Celestie]

Hi all,

Debevoise and Milbank have a deadline of 3 Jan 2020 on apply4law. Does this mean I have only the rest of today (3ish hours) or the rest of tomorrow also?

Milbank says "Applications will open on Thursday 1st October 2020 and the deadline is Sunday 3rd January 2021 at midnight."

Thanks!

Snap, doing Debevoise as well ahaha

 

[Celestie]

On that note, before I send off, Debevoise ask
"Have you achieved 360 UCAS points (or equivalent) not including AS-levels and General Studies." This is really odd as UCAS points are usually calculated as your top 3 qualifications. In this instance are they asking for everything? So GCSE and A-Level? Cause 360 at A-Level is unattainable.

@SLKEJRWOI97 What were your thoughts?

 

[SLKEJRWOI97]

On that note, before I send off, Debevoise ask
"Have you achieved 360 UCAS points (or equivalent) not including AS-levels and General Studies." This is really odd as UCAS points are usually calculated as your top 3 qualifications. In this instance are they asking for everything? So GCSE and A-Level? Cause 360 at A-Level is unattainable.

@SLKEJRWOI97 What were your thoughts?

No no, they're asking in the context of the old UCAS points. 360 is AAB at A-level.

Good luck!

 

[Celestie]

Uhoh, I just realised in my notes that I wrote the wrong law fair name next to a firm. In my application to a firm I said xyz about meeting their GR at 'Legal Cheek Law Fair' (they didn't attend it) but it was actually the university of law. Should I email GR saying I made the mistake? Literally kicking myself.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all,

Debevoise and Milbank have a deadline of 3 Jan 2020 on apply4law. Does this mean I have only the rest of today (3ish hours) or the rest of tomorrow also?

Milbank says "Applications will open on Thursday 1st October 2020 and the deadline is Sunday 3rd January 2021 at midnight."

Thanks!

Means 23.59 tomorrow.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Uhoh, I just realised in my notes that I wrote the wrong law fair name next to a firm. In my application to a firm I said xyz about meeting their GR at 'Legal Cheek Law Fair' (they didn't attend it) but it was actually the university of law. Should I email GR saying I made the mistake? Literally kicking myself.

No - emailing them isn't going to help. I don't think it will be an issue and that in itself that would mean your application was unsuccessful.

 

[arbitracion]

Hi guys, just a quick question. I'm applying to one firm, and I wish to mention another firm's open day in an answer. Is it ok to mention the firm's name or should I say something like "at another silver circle firm..."?

 

[arbitracion]

No no, they're asking in the context of the old UCAS points. 360 is AAB at A-level.

Good luck!

Where it asks for UCAS tariff points on the form, do I give them as old or new tariff?

 

[Celestie]

Where it asks for UCAS tariff points on the form, do I give them as old or new tariff?

I have put the new one as the link provided takes you to the new calculator on UCAS' website

 

[Mxkry]

One firm is asking for 2 academic references, but naturally I only my personal tutor as a referee. Not sure what do, since the deadline is tomorrow

 

[Jessica Booker]

One firm is asking for 2 academic references, but naturally I only my personal tutor as a referee. Not sure what do, since the deadline is tomorrow

School/sixth form academic reference if you are in you are still in your undergrad degree?

Postgrad academic reference if you are not?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, just a quick question. I'm applying to one firm, and I wish to mention another firm's open day in an answer. Is it ok to mention the firm's name or should I say something like "at another silver circle firm..."?

Just mention the firm’s name. The vagueness of not mentioning it will be more suspicious than saying the firm’s name.

 

[Jessica Booker]

On that note, before I send off, Debevoise ask
"Have you achieved 360 UCAS points (or equivalent) not including AS-levels and General Studies." This is really odd as UCAS points are usually calculated as your top 3 qualifications. In this instance are they asking for everything? So GCSE and A-Level? Cause 360 at A-Level is unattainable.

@SLKEJRWOI97 What were your thoughts?

They mean your top three A-levels (so basically 3 As using the old tariff system)