2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[ZaraB]

I've just had an AC invite from Penningtons! It's my first AC this cycle, so I'm really nervous.

All I've been told is that it will be a mix of "written and oral" exercises. I'd really appreciate any advice from someone who has done an AC with Penningtons before.

Congratulations!! Can I ask when you sent off your app?

 

[MZ]

Congratulations!!

Thank you!! This one was the one I was most anxious about this week so it's such a huge relief! I hope you hear back soon!

 

[cogito ergo sum]

Wait some of yous are on the GDL?

Christ, I am a child

Thank you! You will be fine!!

They call people one by one. Maybe that's why you are still waiting.

Just make sure you won't have 30 seconds of awkward silence like me when you pick up the call. I thought the call was a scam, asking me if I was involved in a car accident :')

 

[cogito ergo sum]

Congratulations!!! Can I ask when you sent your application off and when you completed the assessment?

Thank you! I applied on 26 November and did the test on 19 December.

 

[Ricky]

Has anyone heard from Slaughter & May or Skadden?

Nope, on both counts.

 

[konanslan]

To those that have already done the Dentons telephone interview, did grad rec ring the phone number you provided in the application form? I booked my slot in December and have my interview tomorrow morning but never received a confirmation email re any joining instructions.

Yep they called the number in my application form right on time.

 

[futuretraineecity]

Has anyone still not heard from Baker McKenzie today after VI?

 

[Kubed]

Has anyone still not heard from Baker McKenzie today after VI?

I've still not heard.

 

[layla rose]

Has anyone heard from Slaughter & May or Skadden?

Slaughter and May respond at the end of January I think!

 

[Celestie]

Thank you! You will be fine!!

They call people one by one. Maybe that's why you are still waiting.

Just make sure you won't have 30 seconds of awkward silence like me when you pick up the call. I thought the call was a scam, asking me if I was involved in a car accident :')

They call you?

 

[Staples]

Has anyone still not heard from Baker McKenzie today after VI?

I haven’t heard yet! Not too optimistic because I’ve read plenty of people reporting AC invites, but no one reporting rejections (I know there’s some bias in the sample, but...)

 

[W]

Just got though to the research questions for Reed Smith!

Does anyone have any advice on how to phrase/answer this question:

Taking into account the firm's core values and drawing on any examples you have from your experiences, would you feel confident enough to challenge your colleagues if they were carrying out a process incorrectly?

Definitely not a question I have come across before haha

 

[SouffléSouffléSoufflé]

Congrats!! Can I ask when you applied?

Thank you! I applied on the 21st October.

 

[NSinger]

Just got though to the research questions for Reed Smith!

Does anyone have any advice on how to phrase/answer this question:

Taking into account the firm's core values and drawing on any examples you have from your experiences, would you feel confident enough to challenge your colleagues if they were carrying out a process incorrectly?

Definitely not a question I have come across before haha

Congrats, is this for summer?

 

[Tarnjeet]

Hey guys, does anyone if the deadline for Osborne Clarke's online test is the same as their application deadline? I can't seem to find anything on their website.

Thanks,

 

[Tarnjeet]

Hey guys, does anyone if the deadline for Osborne Clarke's online test is the same as their application deadline? I can't seem to find anything on their website.

Thanks,

 

[SecretSantaxx]

Hey guys, does anyone if the deadline for Osborne Clarke's online test is the same as their application deadline? I can't seem to find anything on their website.

Thanks,

In the email I received on 3rd January it said this:

The test expires, so please ensure that you complete it within the following deadline:

Vacation scheme – 23.59 on 16 January
Training contract – 23.59 on 16 January
Insight scheme – 23.59 on 1 March

 

[ZaraB]

Hey guys, does anyone if the deadline for Osborne Clarke's online test is the same as their application deadline? I can't seem to find anything on their website.

Thanks,

Grad rec sent an email after I submitted my application that for the vacation scheme it expires on 23.59 on 16 January

 

[Tarnjeet]

Grad rec sent an email after I submitted my application that for the vacation scheme it expires on 23.59 on 16 January

@ZaraB Thanks, so basically the same deadline as the online application right?

 

[SecretSantaxx]

Just wanted to say a huge congratulations to everyone who has received AC invites!

I just wanted to echo something I read a few pages back and that is, many firms do look and review in batches - just because some people are getting invites/are possibly sadly getting rejected, this rarely has a bearing on the outcome of your application. You only know for sure when you get an email telling you either way. Despite knowing this when applying, I would be lying if I said I personally found this easy to ignore but it really is true.

Also @Tanaya, I apologise this is coming to you a bit late but I was so devastated following two vacation schemes I didn't convert. I had it deeply rooted in my mind that one of them was 'my firm'. After a bit of reflection and taking stock, I realised that wasn't the case and actually my TC is now with the best firm for me that I could possibly imagine. I really hope this might help you a little and you sound like you submitted a really well proofed application so just stick to that and know you are doing the right things.

@Jessica Booker Do you have any idea how applications are sorted into batches? Is it likely to be based on the date of applications or is it completely randomised? Thanks!