Meet one of our Bar Course 2024 scholars: Talita Zavrsnik de Campos.
The fact that the Inn believed in my potential enough to provide me with financial backing gave me confidence in my decision to become a barrister.
Could you tell us briefly about your background, and why you chose to join Gray’s Inn?
I studied at a state school and subsequently completed an undergraduate degree in LLB Law. I then took a year out to travel. In that time, I applied for a Bar Course Scholarship, followed by a Residential Scholarship.
I chose to join Gray’s Inn for a number of reasons. Firstly, as Gray’s Inn is the smallest Inn, I thought it would provide a more friendly community in which I could build meaningful professional connections. My experience with the Inn thus far has certainly proved this to be accurate.
Secondly, I valued the opportunity to apply for a Residential Scholarship. Gray’s Inn is the only Inn to offer this (without reducing the financial award towards the Bar course). Having lived in the Inn, I can attest that it was an incredible experience that I am extremely grateful for.
Thirdly, Gray’s Inn offers the highest base award of £5,000 towards the Bar course. The value of this may be increased, subject to a financial means test. On a practical level, this financial support was crucial to me for funding the Bar course.
Fourthly, I found it advantageous that Gray’s Inn conducts a paper sift before offering interviews. Had I not passed the written application process, I would have known that I needed to work on my written communication skills and/or gain more legal experience.
What does this scholarship mean to you?
It means the absolute world to me. The fact that the Inn believed in my potential enough to provide me with financial backing gave me confidence in my decision to become a barrister. It also meant I was able to complete the Bar course, which my financial circumstances at the time would not have provided for.
The Residential Scholarship undoubtedly assisted me with securing pupillage. Living in the heart of legal London provided close proximity to Chambers for interviews, access to legal libraries and to other scholars on the same journey. I was able to dedicate more time to my studies and interview preparation as a result.
What’s the best advice you would you give to students applying for Bar Course Scholarships?
You do not have to be a member of an Inn to apply for a scholarship with them! My advice would be to not become a member until after you secure a scholarship, as it gives you the flexibility to apply for a different Inn in the following year, if you are not successful the first time. But choose wisely because you can only apply to one Inn for a scholarship per cycle! Visit the websites of each Inn of Court and look through their written application questions. Consider what questions you can provide the best answers to based on your experiences. Once you have decided which Inn of Court suits you best, use their marking criteria (which is available on the Inn’s website) to ensure that your application aligns with what the Inn are looking for.
Best of luck to everyone applying!
