[seraphina]

I thought it'd be good to have a thread where we can update each other on what we've heard from various Chambers that we've applid to, in order to congratulate each other/console each other/keep track of whether places we've applied to have started giving interviews yet.

So far, I've just got a e-mail from 3VB rejecting me, which I was almost entirely expecting given that a)they seem exceptionally competitive and b)I made one huge error on my application to them. Anyone heard anything from anywhere ?

[FMQ]

I know someone who is interviewing at 3VB. I think they are the only OLPAS set to have made descisions yet.

Non OLPAS I know someone who has a great CV, far better than most in my class, got rejected for a pupillage inhouse at a firm of Solicitors, Wainright and Cummins. Competition really is fierce!

[LawGurrl]

...3 VB are interviewing already? Are they going for fastest finger first, or something?!?

[FMQ]

A girl in my class has just been invited to interview at 2 Bedford Row

[Evil_Genius]

Does there tend to be a pattern to OLPAS decisions--i.e. acceptances first, then informing of rejections?

[penpony98]

Ooohh good thread. Put us all out of our misery of having to wait around wondering if not hearing anything means something!

Yes 2 Bedford Row have notified by email and updated olpas - sorry - "pupillage portal" - status too. First round interviews are 1st-4th June. Nothing from anyone else yet.

[LawGurrl]

I havent heard a single thing from any of my apps, as of yet - including one I applied to over 8 WEEKS ago,which has yet to make a decision with regard even to first interviews, let alone seconds.
I think I'm in BIG trouble.........

[FindFixStroke]

I imagine that some of the OLPAS sets are delaying making any decisions until after the OLPAS website opens and closes again.

[FMQ]

You really cant tell. I have never heard of OLPAS sets being so early before - 2BR was about 25th May last year. I applied for a pupillage last May and didnt get interviewed till september with only a weeks notice. The sets are a law unto themselves.

[Evil_Genius]

When are first round interviews usually scheduled for within the OLPAS system?

[FMQ]

There is no usual, as I said in my last post. To illustrate 3VB had people in today. 2BR has people in next week. Last year 1 Mitre Court had people in on the 31 July. Sat late june and july are very popular.

[FindFixStroke]

7KBW are interviewing on the weekend 25/26 July.

[Evil_Genius]

Still nothing. Getting a tad antsy.

[FMQ]

I wouldn't worry - if there is a set you have applied to interviewing, and you havent heard then its probably a no - but most of them havent decided yet.

[penpony98]

QEB Hollis Whiteman is out. Quite why there is someone sitting in the office on a Friday night sending out emails is beyond me but there we go!

[FMQ]

I had one at 2 am one Sunday once.

This is what you can look forward to as a barrister. Not getting paid to waid through 600 x 3000 word essays.

why do I want this again?

[LawGurrl]

Pump Court are interviewing in July.

[Evil_Genius]

Which of the various Pumps?

[LawGurrl]

I believe its 3PC.

[k.466]

Originally Posted by Evil_Genius

Does anyone know if, say, a set which interviews well ahead of the rest, does its second round and makes an offer--would that offer be open until the OLPAs sets make theirs on 1st August, or are they free to set a deadline at an earlier point, depriving the applicant of 'comparison shopping'?

I assume you are referring to non-OLPAS sets. They will not usually leave the offer open until 1 August. The more cynical of us believe this constitutes a deliberate attempt to snare pupils who would otherwise have gone to other OLPAS sets, but adopt a 'bird in the hand...' mentality instead.