Second year non-law student missed VC deadlines

[GR10087]

Hi, I'm currently a student at Oxford reading PPE on track for a high 2.1/potentially 1st. I came to the realisation that I wanted to pursue commercial law as a career at a reasonably late stage and thus missed the deadline for 2nd year VC applications. Now entering my third year I am keen to maximise my chances of securing a TC before entering the GDL if at all possible - without funding it will be very hard for me to progress.

So with this in mind should I be applying directly for TC'S or focusing on winter/spring VC's ?

Further context - hold leadership positions in multiple university societies, have mooting experience, have secured a consultancy internship at a startup and am involved in teaching English to non English speaking commercial lawyers in Europe. (These are I feel my most relevant experiences, along with some minor work experience in research).

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hate to be all lawyery about it, but it really depends.

The first thing to mention is that, simply by virtue of being in third year, you are not at a disadvantage to those who applied in second year for schemes. There are plenty of people who apply a lot later than this stage, so there's really nothing to worry about on that front.

In terms of where you should focus your applications, it's hard to say really. Quite a number of direct TC app windows are still open for this cycle, so you could do worse than sending a few out and getting a feel for this type of application. The next cycle, for VSs, will open in Autumn - usually around August time for Winter, Spring and Summer vacs. If you weren't to secure something this cycle, or wanted to broaden your horizons rather than necessarily accepting the first offer you get, I would then go down this route.

Note, though, that the qualification routes are changing this autumn and, (I think) unless you commence the PGDL by September this year, you'll have to qualify via the new SQE route instead. @Jessica Booker really is the expert here, though, so I bow to her greater knowledge as there's a (very) reasonable chance I've made a mistake in re the GDL/ SQE stuff!

Hope this is some help!

 

[GR10087]

Hate to be all lawyery about it, but it really depends.

The first thing to mention is that, simply by virtue of being in third year, you are not at a disadvantage to those who applied in second year for schemes. There are plenty of people who apply a lot later than this stage, so there's really nothing to worry about on that front.

In terms of where you should focus your applications, it's hard to say really. Quite a number of direct TC app windows are still open for this cycle, so you could do worse than sending a few out and getting a feel for this type of application. The next cycle, for VSs, will open in Autumn - usually around August time for Winter, Spring and Summer vacs. If you weren't to secure something this cycle, or wanted to broaden your horizons rather than necessarily accepting the first offer you get, I would then go down this route.

Note, though, that the qualification routes are changing this autumn and, (I think) unless you commence the PGDL by September this year, you'll have to qualify via the new SQE route instead. @Jessica Booker really is the expert here, though, so I bow to her greater knowledge as there's a (very) reasonable chance I've made a mistake in re the GDL/ SQE stuff!

Hope this is some help!

Hi Jacob, thanks for your detailed reply!

So perhaps I misstated my position slightly, I am currently in second year of a non-law degree and so was under the impression that any direct TC applications would be off-limits to me? I will be entering third year in the autumn. My question really is what gives me my best chance of securing something, applying directly for TC's in the autumn with no VC's, or applying for VC's despite being in third year and hoping to convert? Perhaps even a mixture of both? Thanks for any further advice you can offer.

Aha yes the much debated SQE changes. As far as I'm aware, despite the changes I will still have to complete some form of 2 year training and so this shouldn't alter my timeline much? But of course if anyone knows better please let me know.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I'm currently a student at Oxford reading PPE on track for a high 2.1/potentially 1st. I came to the realisation that I wanted to pursue commercial law as a career at a reasonably late stage and thus missed the deadline for 2nd year VC applications. Now entering my third year I am keen to maximise my chances of securing a TC before entering the GDL if at all possible - without funding it will be very hard for me to progress.

So with this in mind should I be applying directly for TC'S or focusing on winter/spring VC's ?

Further context - hold leadership positions in multiple university societies, have mooting experience, have secured a consultancy internship at a startup and am involved in teaching English to non English speaking commercial lawyers in Europe. (These are I feel my most relevant experiences, along with some minor work experience in research).

@Jacob Miller is right - you won’t be eligible for the GDL - the last intake for the GDL is this December. You’ll need to do a SQE prep course instead.

Most law firms won’t consider you for a TC until the next cycle anyway because you wouldn’t be eligible to start by the time for the intake they are recruiting for. I’d focus on open days/insight events over the summer, then building up to winter schemes/TCs in the autumn/winter.

Considering it is likely you will only be able to complete one winter scheme (possible two at most, if dates do not clash) a mixture of direct TC and VS applications makes sense.