Hi everyone, I'd appreciate advice on allocating vacation scheme applications between Spring and Summer.
My Situation:
- 3 firms offer both Spring & Summer: Firm A (Top Choice), Firm B (Strong Alternative), Firm C (Good, but lower tier).
- 7 other firms are Summer-only, some of which I prefer over Firms B and C.
The Dilemma:
- Strategy 1 (Focused): Apply only to Firm A for Spring. Apply to B, C, and others for Summer.
- Pro: Maximises chance with my top choice.
- Con: If I fail with A, I've "wasted" the Spring period.
- Strategy 2 (Maximised): Apply to A, B, and C for Spring. Apply to the 7 others for Summer.
- Pro: Maximises my chance of getting any Spring scheme and an early TC.
- Con:Risks a "Forced Early Decision":
- Best Case: Get Firm B's offer. I'd be happy to accept, even if it means withdrawing from A's process.
- Worst Case: Get a TC from Firm C in May. I'm then forced to either accept a TC from a less-preferred firm or gamble it by declining to pursue my preferred Summer firms.
My Question:
Is the security of Strategy 2 worth the "Worst Case" risk of being locked into Firm C? Or is the focused approach of Strategy 1 ultimately safer for aiming higher?
(This is a theoretical scenario, not assuming I'll get these offers! Just planning strategically.)
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I have different strategies. Usually, I don't mind about spring or summer as most firms
do not specify exactly which scheme dates (especially between spring and summer) you could choose, it will eventually decided after you pass the assessment day or final recruitment stage before VS. The exceptions are Milbank, Weil, and few others.
Instead, I'd be more focused on:
•
The scheme deadlines: All firms provide different deadlines, whilst scheme dates might be still
TBC like
Kirkland & Ellis. I'd rather focus on this first among all. Based on my overall observations, UK firms (city, magic and silver circle firms) are closing their recruitment timeline earlier than international and the US counterparts.
•
Your calendars: Whether you are students or professionals, you might have clashed schedule with the scheme dates, so be aware to look at which dates you can't attend, particularly during exam week or critical day when you can't take a leave. For example, not all UG and PG university students both local or overseas can attend
summer schemes on 8-19 June 2026 as it's still in your term dates, precisely among RG universities, except Bristol, QMU, Kings, UofM, and few.
•
Their open days: If the firms among your top choices, it's highly recommended to attend their ODs, before submitting your final VS applications. It's unlikely the Open Day will fall after the deadline
(except for winter), so don't rush your submission. OD isn't essential to secure VS, but it gives you glimpse of views about the firms and industries, especially if you are non-law that helps you in the written to mid application stage.
•
The firm's recruitment stages and ACs: The only thing you could consider is the recruitment stage, if the firm's rolling and has shorter phase
(without VI, SJT), then you should apply earlier than those non rolling with bunch of tests and later ACs.
•
The firm's rolling and rolling: This is the
last thing to consider, I've seen many asked for the methods of evaluating candidates. As Abbie said, don't worry too much. I started to relieve after each submission and pause I made.
Why am I thinking like this?
• After PW PFO, I don't care if my app takes
days even weeks to complete, as long as it's quite polished and confident, I should not be worried.
• If you are able to create a list of your top firm, now you should do what I suggested to check
their dates and your calendar, so you would not missed any classes or potentially turn down offer because of clashed schedule or multiple VS at the same dates.
