Hearing Back from Firms + AC & Interview Tips Share - 2018 - 2019

[Helena]

Interesting, I was not aware of that!

 

[J Wu]

When you say open to Law/GDL/LPC only, do you know of schemes who will not consider non-Law? Just to clarify.

I don't know how widespread this is, but I remember Latham's Winter scheme is only open to Law/GDL/LPC students/graduates

 

[Helena]

I don't know how widespread this is, but I remember Latham's Winter scheme is only open to Law/GDL/LPC students/graduates

Ah yes I see what you mean now. I thought @ELA meant that certain firms had no scheme for non-law, but yes there are specific deadlines for certain categories. For example Freshfields window in early June-end July is only open to Law and GDL graduates.

 

[AJ]

Hi Everyone,
I'm thinking about next application cycle and wonder if people with more experience of applying have thoughts on this:

Where firms offer Winter, Spring and Summer vacation schemes, and all schemes offer a TC interview at the end (and assuming I am eligible to either of them), what factors should I take into consideration when deciding which scheme to apply to? Are there any strategic considerations?

As a side question, if a scheme is open to Law/GDL/LPC student only (vs. everyone), would you say these are likely to be 'less' competitive? (I know it is always highly competitive of course).

Thanks for your thoughts!

Consider:
-whether applying for a winter scheme will prevent you from applying for spring or summer. And if applying for any scheme at all prevents you from applying for a direct TC. Each firm operates these rules differently.
- roll recruitment or not. Winter deadlines are sooner so you hear back sooner. you’re not kept on the hook for longer.
-non law schemes/interview days, there will generally (in my experience/knowledge) be understanding around gaps in knowledge for assessments or case studies
- depends on your background. You make chose to apply for direct TCs where you have applications already complete from the last cycle and you feel there’s limited value in doing a scheme and the firm take a good proportion of direct TCs.

Like you say they’re competing regardless. But from talking to people, firms will be mindful of how many TC places they already allocated direct/through schemes. So it’s better to get in first either through a winter scheme or direct TC app, particularly through rolling recruitment.

 

[ELA]

Ah yes I see what you mean now. I thought @ELA meant that certain firms had no scheme for non-law, but yes there are specific deadlines for certain categories. For example Freshfields window in early June-end July is only open to Law and GDL graduates.

Yes, sorry.

Really my question was, what are people's thoughts in terms of deciding whether to apply for a winter, spring or summer scheme when a firm offers all three?

 

[ELA]

Consider:
-whether applying for a winter scheme will prevent you from applying for spring or summer. And if applying for any scheme at all prevents you from applying for a direct TC. Each firm operates these rules differently.
- roll recruitment or not. Winter deadlines are sooner so you hear back sooner. you’re not kept on the hook for longer.
-non law schemes/interview days, there will generally (in my experience/knowledge) be understanding around gaps in knowledge for assessments or case studies
- depends on your background. You make chose to apply for direct TCs where you have applications already complete from the last cycle and you feel there’s limited value in doing a scheme and the firm take a good proportion of direct TCs.

Like you say they’re competing regardless. But from talking to people, firms will be mindful of how many TC places they already allocated direct/through schemes. So it’s better to get in first either through a winter scheme or direct TC app, particularly through rolling recruitment.

Thank you! Really helpful

 

[Alice G]

Thank you! Really helpful

Latham’s winter scheme is the last in their cycle. They take people on a rolling basis through schemes so they might have fewer spaces by winter. Hope this helps clear things up I would always advise to apply for the earlier schemes if they work for you and if you feel ready

 

[ELA]

Latham’s winter scheme is the last in their cycle. They take people on a rolling basis through schemes so they might have fewer spaces by winter. Hope this helps clear things up I would always advise to apply for the earlier schemes if they work for you and if you feel ready

Very useful info, thank you!

 

[JoNo]

Does anyone know is Dentons on rolling basis?

 

[Alice G]

Very useful info, thank you!

No worries! I ought to say also when it comes to conflicting schemes, say when you’ve applied to a few for spring and you would like to switch to summer if the dates don’t work for a couple of them, firms are generally understanding of this as well in my personal experience and from what I have heard from others as well don’t hesitate to message or anything if you would like a bit more advice

 

[ELA]

No worries! I ought to say also when it comes to conflicting schemes, say when you’ve applied to a few for spring and you would like to switch to summer if the dates don’t work for a couple of them, firms are generally understanding of this as well in my personal experience and from what I have heard from others as well don’t hesitate to message or anything if you would like a bit more advice

Ah yes, that's good to bear in mind! Thanks

 

[Jaysen]

Hi All,

As we've reached over 100 pages, I'll now lock this thread. Please use our new thread for 2019 instead.

Best,

Jaysen