2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[AspiringSol]

Does anyone know whether firms look at your GDL grade or do you just need to pass?

i think it really depends on the firm bc i know some like DLA Piper ask for commendations despite not having any other academic requirements but a lot of others including ones which usually ask for high grades like S&M just ask for a pass on the first attempt

 

[Soriginal234]

For Shoosmiths application question - Describe why you want to be a trainee solicitor at Shoosmiths?

For this question do I have to discuss why commercial .law and why Shoosmiths or do I just discuss why Shoosmiths.

Thank you in advance guys.

Hi I did their app a year ago and got through to their AC.
I talked about why them. However since they are a commercial firm, this will end up factoring into your answer anyway - at least it did with mine. Hope this helps.

 

[PF'noooo!]

Has anyone completed a written exercise/assessment for Stephenson Harwood and know whether this is part of their AC or another stage in the process that needs to be passed before being invited to an AC?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi I did their app a year ago and got through to their AC.
I talked about why them. However since they are a commercial firm, this will end up factoring into your answer anyway - at least it did with mine. Hope this helps.

Thank you very much for this. I was going to discuss about the firm, but when I applied for Kennedys their application question was similar which I had to discuss why commercial so just wanted to make sure I don't mess up my answer by not discussing why commercial law.

 

[ar2r]

does anyone know if DLA Piper have sorted their gmail issue out yet? Thank you

 

[manchunited]

Has anyone heard from white & case/linklaters/ashurst/slaughter & may london summer vac schemes

Ashurst is doing the last interview round for summer vac scheme next week I believe

 

[Ophelia K]

Ashurst is doing the last interview round for summer vac scheme next week I believe

Hey, can I ask where you heard this? Still waiting post-app so that's not promising news lol

 

[nisadee]

For me, its been a very painful process as I had interviews at a handful of exceedingly good firms last time and it is already my third cycle. I feel like my prospects are shrinking every year! But I'm going to keep on pushing as I think once you've produced the best app you can, the quality of the competition and whether it will be accepted is out of your control, so you just have to remember it is as much a numbers game as anything.

I wouldn't view summer job apps as a proper 'cycle' that all firms do, because it really just depends on how each one views direct TCs in general. Some will have their direct TC window open from October and keep it open till July the following year and use the summer window to fill remaining gaps left by the vac schemes. Others will close their direct TC apps earlier, around December or Jan maybe, and reopen them between June-July to capture the window of talent that might have been too busy with exams to apply to vacation schemes earlier in the year, or in different stages of their life. Some firms only recruit in the summer. It really just depends on what you're dealing with.

Yeah, I can definitely relate to this but definitely, agree that we should keep pushing along and doing our best because everyone's path is different!
And thanks so much for the info on summer apps - definitely need to look more into all of this after my exams then

 

[Deleted member 8599]

Hey! Congratulations on getting through to the Willkie interview! How long did it take to hear back post written exercise? Thanks in advance 😅

I haven’t heard back post-WE! “Interviewing” means being post-app for me!

 

[nisadee]

Hey, can I ask where you heard this? Still waiting post-app so that's not promising news lol

Same boat haha

 

[lozza_2]

Ashurst is doing the last interview round for summer vac scheme next week I believe

When I booked my AC last week for Ashurst there were still some AC slots available for the coming weeks! I can't remember the dates off the top of my head but they defo ran into mid- March.

 

[FM302989]

In case anyone is waiting for Greenberg Traurig - a friend of mine just heard about a first round interview.

Ah I was convinced I was going to be ghosted by them

 

[sam970]

Anyone else heard from Travers after the invites on Friday?

When did they respond to you? I’ve not heard anything

 

[FM302989]

Getting ghosted, shunned or being put through a horrific application process

 

[Holly]

does anyone know if DLA Piper have sorted their gmail issue out yet? Thank you

I think so! They managed to get back to me and I have a gmail

 

[Mena M]

i'm a second year law student and haven't yet managed to secure any legal experience/vs, what are my chances as a third year student applying for vs?

 

[sam970]

Anyone done the gateley assessments/VI?

 

[Lillith]

Hi, does anyone know long HSF usually take to get back to people after the AC? I know in the past they’ve told people the same day but I’m curious about whether this is usually the case- thanks!

 

[Etudierlaw2022]

i'm a second year law student and haven't yet managed to secure any legal experience/vs, what are my chances as a third year student applying for vs?

I'd say just as good as anyone's , last year I had no legal experience but managed to get a vac scheme as a final year

 

[Matthew Harvey]

Has anyone done the Mishcon VI? I've just been invited to one and unsure what kinds of questions they might ask