• Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
  • TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.
    Join →

2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

Status
Not open for further replies.
Sidley's application portal is back on for anyone applying to them.

Excited Season 6 GIF by The Office
 
On a completely random note, can I ask a general question please? :)
I’m looking at my applications/life a bit objectively after I had a quite unpleasant experience with a career adviser on Friday (I won’t mention what they said/who they worked for) but, honestly- do you guys think that the Open University is taken seriously by law firms?
 
On a completely random note, can I ask a general question please? :)
I’m looking at my applications/life a bit objectively after I had a quite unpleasant experience with a career adviser on Friday (I won’t mention what they said/who they worked for) but, honestly- do you guys think that the Open University is taken seriously by law firms?
Keen to know this too. I think it depends on the firm's hiring, you can tell which firms target Russell Group and Oxbridge students. If you want to apply for one of these firms, I would suggest reconsidering the university but that's all based off of my personal judgement.
 
On a completely random note, can I ask a general question please? :)
I’m looking at my applications/life a bit objectively after I had a quite unpleasant experience with a career adviser on Friday (I won’t mention what they said/who they worked for) but, honestly- do you guys think that the Open University is taken seriously by law firms?
The main thing that holds open university candidates back is not that they studied at the open university, but more their academics more generally. They are much more likely to not meet A-level grade criteria.

They also tend to not have the extra curricular activities too, where they are generally working full time.

But if they submit a good application, they can be recruited. I have done so in the past.
 
I'd try it again this evening, and if you still can't get in, then contact the firm and say it was down for at least X-Y time, and that you could only do it at the weekend due to work commitments.
Thanks Jessica! The server is back again just now and I checked my email and realized deadline is actually tomorrow instead of today, so I just wrote an email to GR explaining the server issue and said I will do it tomorrow (didn't ask for extension as I worry that it will reflect poorly on me) Gutted that I will have to do the VI and tests in a suboptimal condition (after 10+ hour of work) which most likely will affect my performance, but I am conscious that I am probably not the only one doing application while keeping up with other commitments and should just be grateful that I don't need to miss the deadline...
 
Thanks Jessica! The server is back again just now and I checked my email and realized deadline is actually tomorrow instead of today, so I just wrote an email to GR explaining the server issue and said I will do it tomorrow (didn't ask for extension as I worry that it will reflect poorly on me) Gutted that I will have to do the VI and tests in a suboptimal condition (after 10+ hour of work) which most likely will affect my performance, but I am conscious that I am probably not the only one doing application while keeping up with other commitments and should just be grateful that I don't need to miss the deadline...
You can do it! Take a power nap before sitting your VI/tests, have an espresso and you’ll be good to go !
 
  • Like
Reactions: Phoenix for all
Congrats to everyone who submitted last minute applications. Pretty sure the deadline for about 99% of firms has passed now. The only firm on my radar that hasn't closed is Gibson Dunn. Are there any other notable firms in London offering VS that are still open?
Womble Bond Dickinson and Reed Smith still have their vacation scheme applications open
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.