Winter Vacation Scheme 2018 Thread

[Reyak]

Has anyone applied to Simmons & Simmons?

I was just looking over the Simmons & Simmons application form and I was surprised to see there is only one real question: asking to outline interests, activities, achievements and positions of responsibility (and any other info relevant to your application) in 250 words.

Despite this, their website states that "[the application form] will ask you about your academics, work experience, interests and activities as well as your motivation for applying to us."

Do you think they want 'why Simmons & Simmons' incorporated into the interests and activities question, or perhaps the info on the website is outdated and they have since got rid of the motivation question?

 

[Jaysen]

I was just looking over the Simmons & Simmons application form and I was surprised to see there is only one real question: asking to outline interests, activities, achievements and positions of responsibility (and any other info relevant to your application) in 250 words.

Despite this, their website states that "[the application form] will ask you about your academics, work experience, interests and activities as well as your motivation for applying to us."

Do you think they want 'why Simmons & Simmons' incorporated into the interests and activities question, or perhaps the info on the website is outdated and they have since got rid of the motivation question?

The latter -- the website is outdated.

Nice one-question application!

 

[Reyak]

Thanks Jaysen!

 

[Jaysen]

I'm looking at the A&O app form: some difficult questions on there this year!

 

[Sandrou]

I'm looking at the A&O app form: some difficult questions on there this year!

That’s true, especially the question re legal impact/change!

I still believe the Norton Rose application is one of the weirdest I’ve come across. Fair play to those candidates who manage to stand out with just 150words!

Hogan Lovells is very unique to the firm. It’ll be difficult to copy and paste answers.

 

[Jaxkw]

That’s true, especially the question re legal impact/change!

I still believe the Norton Rose application is one of the weirdest I’ve come across. Fair play to those candidates who manage to stand out with just 150words!

Hogan Lovells is very unique to the firm. It’ll be difficult to copy and paste answers.

To be honest I was quite grateful for the shorter wordcount of Norton Rose. Just quite a lot of questions!

 

[AJ]

Is it too late to apply for the Norton Rose Fulbright winter vac?? They seem to be rolling

 

[Hazal]

Is it too late to apply for the Norton Rose Fulbright winter vac?? They seem to be rolling

I'm still applying! They are rolling but they only opened it this month for a month. Worst case scenario, you get your second choice of spring or summer. Not too worse a scenario tbh.

 

[J Malone]

I'm looking at the A&O app form: some difficult questions on there this year!

Can I ask what the questions for AO winter scheme?

 

[Salma]

Can I ask what the questions for AO winter scheme?

1. What one thing sets A&O apart from competitors
2. Commercial news story
3. Competency question

 

[AJ]

I'm still applying! They are rolling but they only opened it this month for a month. Worst case scenario, you get your second choice of spring or summer. Not too worse a scenario tbh.

Thanks. The why nrf and why lawyer question is vey mean to only give 200 words combined!!

 

[Hamilton]

Thanks. The why nrf and why lawyer question is vey mean to only give 200 words combined!!

Agreed! How did you approach that?

 

[Salma]

Agreed! How did you approach that?

I would say 100 words on why law and 100 words on why nrf!

 

[AJ]

Agreed! How did you approach that?

I would say 100 words on why law and 100 words on why nrf!

Yes I’ve tried to do what @Selma95 has said. 100 or so words on why lawyer and then I’ve picked out a couple nrf sector practice strengths which interest me and then said why in 92 words.

 

[Helena]

Rejected from Links and Hogan Lovell on WG benchmark, clearly not my strong point. Did AC at BCLP and there were some very strong candidates. Rejected today. AC at HSF coming up. Still waiting on other apps - feeling deflated already as actually can't see how to stay motivated. It's so hard.

 

[Sandrou]

Rejected from Links and Hogan Lovell on WG benchmark, clearly not my strong point. Did AC at BCLP and there were some very strong candidates. Rejected today. AC at HSF coming up. Still waiting on other apps - feeling deflated already as actually can't see how to stay motivated. It's so hard.

Do Hogan Lovells now send an automated Watson Glaser Test to all candidates? I thought they held telephone/video interviews after a successful app? Once successful, only then do you sit a critical thinking test during the Assessment centre?

In any case, goodluck with rest of your apps!

 

[Helena]

Do Hogan Lovells now send an automated Watson Glaser Test to all candidates? I thought they held telephone/video interviews after a successful app? Once successful, only then do you sit a critical thinking test during the Assessment centre?

In any case, goodluck with rest of your apps!

Thank you. The WG came straight after app so I guess they've changed that method.

 

[Salma]

For the chosen firm that I am re-applying to, I have to mention in my app that I applied last year and reached the assessment centre stage, in the same sentence, should I also add what I have been doing since the AC? For example completing a vac scheme and taking part in the AS CAC competition? Or just simply answer the question with the year and stage I reached?

Would love to hear what others think!

 

[Jaysen]

For the chosen firm that I am re-applying to, I have to say I applied last year and reached the assessment centre stage, in the same sentence, should I also add what I have been doing since the AC? For example completing a vac scheme and taking part in the AS CAC competition? Or just simply answer the question with the year and stage I reached?

Would love to hear what others think!

How is the question phrased? If it's just: "Have you applied to the firm before?", a justification would be best left to a cover letter/app form question.

 

[Salma]

How is the question phrased? If it's just: "Have you applied to the firm before?", a justification would be best left to a cover letter/app form question.

The question is:

‘have you applied to us before? If yes, please state the year and stage you reached.’