The Pupillage Interview/Acceptance/Rejection Thread 2015

Why can't all non gateway chambers just use Word format apps!!

Can anyone say when Gateway chambers take up references? Is it before offers are made or after offers are made? Presumably, they don't need to take them up at all, if they so choose?

Can anyone say when Gateway chambers take up references? Is it before offers are made or after offers are made? Presumably, they don't need to take them up at all, if they so choose?

If it is 400. We would know that we stand a 1 in 10 chance of interview at that set.

I'm having doubts about my Gateway applications. What's the general opinion as to the difference between the following two questions:

- Why do you believe you will make a good barrister?

- Please identify any experiences / skills gained that you believe may help you in your career.

I'm struggling to see a difference at all. The first of those questions necessitates an answer that references your skills or experiences. I've talked about different things in each of them but I don't know if I'm missing something.

I would be grateful for your views on this!

I think the first one is where you have to put your answer with all your most important points, and the second is for extras that are maybe more specific skills or experiences. I wouldn't leave anything really important for the second. But then again...could just treat it as an invitation to use more words to answer the first. I don't think it matters that much as long as both are answered with a logical structure and well-written....probably people will take different approaches. If the second question had just said 'experiences' I would have taken it as a chance to write about some specific things you've done...but the fact it also says skills makes it seem more general..

I've submitted my first Gateway application so that when I apply for the next chambers, the form will remember all the information I have previously inputted. However, it doesn't seem to have done that! It's got my high school stuff from the previous year (very small changes but I have made them) and it hasn't copied across any of the info from the pupillage questionnaire.

Have I done something wrong?

You have four days to do 12 applications and you've only just started?

Anyway, if you are really bothered about setting the default values for these fields then I'm pretty sure that it is legitimate to set up a new account and start all over again - as long as you only submit applications from that account (ie delete the one you have already submitted).

Pupillage questionnaire answers don't transfer between applications.

You have four days to do 12 applications and you've only just started?

Anyway, if you are really bothered about setting the default values for these fields then I'm pretty sure that it is legitimate to set up a new account and start all over again - as long as you only submit applications from that account (ie delete the one you have already submitted).

Pupillage questionnaire answers don't transfer between applications.

You have 4 days to do 12 applications and you're wasting time berating people on this forum?

Or, maybe you haven't left it so late. Maybe, like me, you've done your applications on word and are starting to transfer them onto Gateway this morning so actually, you have PLENTY of time to berate people on this forum!

Maybe you shouldn't assume things. And maybe, even if I was only starting today, that would be none of your business.

I have always worked in Word and then transferred across to the PG in the final few days. The PG is, in my view, far too unreliable to work in. The only danger in transferring across is of course the risk of inserting the incorrect response into a particular application.

In any event, does it really matter? So long as you get the application in, then it is in. My understanding is chambers are unable to view applications until after the deadline, so it is irrelevant how late you send it.

I want to know whether they can download them before the deadline! Having sent in quite a few last week I now have early-application remorse and want to change a few things, but not sure if this will show up anywhere?

I've heard they can download before the deadline, or at least used to be able to.