Why I think of my application screw-up as the most important mistake I made
To say that OCIs are stressful is an understatement. Any small error or misstep you make can feel cataclysmic. From misspelling a firm name in a thank-you email to having a high-heeled shoe fall off my foot while walking to the elevator, I am no stranger to OCI mistakes. But perhaps the most important mistake I made was in the application process itself.
I had logged into UTLC a few days before the official OCI schedule was set to be released since I had heard that some results had been posted early. Although I was initially happy with what I saw, I quickly noticed that one firm I was particularly interested in hadn’t extended me an interview. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the reason for this was that I hadn’t actually applied to the firm. Although I had submitted a viLaw application, something had gone wrong and I hadn’t managed to submit the complimentary blank PDFs that UTLC requires (the joys of our application system).
At first, I was prepared to cut my losses and focus on my other interviews. I assumed that if I reached out to the firm, they would look at my mistake and think: “We have so many qualified candidates—why bother with someone who can’t even use a computer properly?” However, after talking it over with my friends, I decided that I didn’t have anything to lose by asking if they would still consider my application.
Lo and behold, within a couple of days, I received a reply telling me that I should email them my CV and transcripts for consideration. A day after that, the firm appeared on my ‘Applied’ tab on UTLC, as I was now number 1 on the waitlist. A few days later, I was extended an OCI offer. Fast-forward to 5pm on the Wednesday of interview week, and I received a phone call from that firm offering me a summer position (which I was very happy to accept).
Now, you might wonder—why think of my application screw-up as the most important mistake I made, given that everything worked out in the end? The reason is twofold. First, the firm’s willingness to give me a second chance set the tone for the rest of my interviewing experience. I went in knowing that it was a place where the people were understanding and would let me learn from my mistakes rather than punish me for them. Since every firm I visited was full of nice, smart, welcoming people, this extra bit of knowledge made the firm stand out for me in my decision-making. If I hadn’t made that initial mistake, I may well not have ended up there.
Second, it gave me confidence going into interview week that, although I am still the kind of person who sweats the small stuff, I could perhaps sweat a little less if everything didn’t go perfectly according to plan—which believe me, it didn’t. So, the next time you discover a misplaced comma in a cover letter, I hope my experience can provide some comfort. Or, if not, it can at least serve as a reminder to seriously double check—no, triple check—your UTLC applications.
