Least time consuming initial applications?

[tractor12]

There are some applications like Pinsent Masons that want you to write 4000 characters for each of their four questions. I've seen some others, like DLA Piper, that ask just one 250 word question. Obviously, I know the later stages will be just as time consuming and this shouldn't be a big factor in choosing a firm but I am interested which other firms you have found to have shorter applications?

 

[Jaysen]

Some of the shorter apps:

• Bird & Bird
• HSF
• Hogan Lovells
• Jones Day
• Shearman
• Weil

That doesn't take into account the difficulty of the questions though e.g. quite a few people struggle with HSF's topic and Shearman's competitive advantage question.

 

[D.Cole]

Slaughters and Cleary are just a CV and cover letter

 

[J Wu]

Other 'shorter' apps: (though shorter is very subjective here)

• Simmons (positions of responsibility - 250 words)
• Mayer Brown (500 word CL + extra-curriculars)
• Skadden (CL, positions of responsibility and hobbies - 250 words each)
• Linklaters (no application questions this year - just details, grades, work exp and then a series of tests)
• Milbank (CL & CV)

 

[Daniel Boden]

Travers Smith also just a cover letter and extracurriculars I believe

 

[D95]

Based on the last cycle, I would also add:

- Russell Cooke (why RC + why commercial law; 300 words each)
- Faegre Baker Daniels (why FBD + hobbies; 250 words each)
- Weightmans (commercial awaraness question; 500 words)
- Norton Rose Fulbright (cover letter; 750 words max)

 

[AgentNilPois]

You mentioned 4000 words for Pinsents, is this respectively for each question or the overall total. Seems pretty unreasonable to expect candidates to write 4000 words for every app question, can’t imagine HR find that much fun reading them either if they are that long

 

[tractor12]

You mentioned 4000 words for Pinsents, is this respectively for each question or the overall total. Seems pretty unreasonable to expect candidates to write 4000 words for every app question, can’t imagine HR find that much fun reading them either if they are that long

4000 characters which is about 650 words each. Not ridiculous but still long.