Mini-pupillage application query

I am currently in the process of applying to a few chambers for a mini-pupillage. Whilst in the past, I have undertaken: vacation placements at large commercial law firms and work experience placements at small high-street firms (in which I spent quite a lot of time shadowing a solicitor at court), I haven't done a mini-pupillage in the past.

I'm a bit concerned that most of my C.V. therefore will come across as being more tailored towards someone who is more interested in becoming a solicitor.

Obviously, in other areas of my C.V. I have talked about my experiences in mooting; debating & negotitating and public-speaking, but will this be enough to suggest that I am actually really interested in becoming a barrister at this chambers?

Thanks for your help!

It's not fair to give someone a false sense of security and effectively risk making them doubt themselves if they get rejected for a mini-pupillage. It is NOT EASY TO GET A MINI-PUPILLAGE unless you are applying for the sets whose reputations are very much rivalled - if they have a reputation at all. I have applied for a couple of mini-pupillages and sadly been rejected - I attend an excellent university, have an honourable mention for a very well recognised international mooting competition and my latest finals are all above 65. I have done volunteering, had leading roles in performances of the Law Drama society and have been a member of a student advisory panel. I haven't yet done a mini-pupillage.

So again ---> rubbish that it's easy to get a mini-pupillage. Unless of course you're one of the many whose parents are already in the business! It's not meant to be easy, it's meant to be extremely competitive and difficult to that they only attract the creme de la creme.

Its not that easy no, but i don't know anyone who didnt eventually get something. It is a struggle to get to the bar and thats just it, even most of the top candidates will be rejected from somewhere eventually. Just keep persevering and make sure you follow the application process they advise on their website. If you applied to only one strada of sets (eg Brick Court/Blackstones) try some in lower bands and get an idea of where you fit, get advice on your CV and covering letter etc

On a somewhat related note, is there a disadvantage to applying for a mini-pupillage at top sets (I'm interested in Blackstones in particular, but other sets in the same strata) more than once? Since Blackstones are already accepting applications for 2011, I'd like to put my name forward. I don't want to prejudice a later application, however, when I'm beginning to look seriously for a pupillage proper. If there's no particular harm in reapplying, then I might as well try now. If it could harm my chances later, I'll lower my sights a bit this time round and then aim higher when I apply for summer 2011/12.

From what i know they don't seem to keep a note of your application, so you shouldn't be prejudiced. However if they reject you once, unless something on your CV substantially changes they are likely to reject you again. Also if such a set is your dream set it is worth doing a mini somewhere less important to you first, so you can get a feel for the experience somewhre "it doesn't matter" first, and perform to your best at the sets you really want.

I trust you've checked out Blackstone's recent tenants jjarvis. They're more than stellar...