2020-21 Open Days and Insight Events Applications Discussion

[HCY]

Hey!

Many open days have workshops in which GR goes through how to make strong applications for them, so if your upcoming open day has that then those can be super useful. Some firms even take the time to give you personalised feedback on your open day application and so you would be able to use that information to craft a stronger one for the vacation scheme.

Most importably though, you should use open days to ask any questions that may be helpful with writing your application. Before the open day, I would already strongly recommend that you have a draft version of your "Why X firm?" question and that you already do extensive research into the firm. At the open day, you can ask targeted questions that relate to your reasons for wanting to work at the firm. This will fill in some of the things you didn't find online and give you more material to reflect on. The added benefit is that by asking informed and thoughtful questions, you might be able to stand out to GR.

Also, just in general, it's a good practice to have questions prepared even about aspects of the firm that you might not be writing about. Having lots of questions prepared will also be useful for when you do interviews at the firm. And be sure to note down any new questions you have as the open day goes on, and ask them (if appropriate) or keep them for later.

You can also use the open day as a way to build contacts at the firm that you can later ask additional questions from. Lawyers are super busy so not everyone would be happy to receive unsolicited messages. But sometimes people explicitly tell you that you may contact them with further questions.

Finally, many open days have skills sessions, like negotiation exercises and interactive workshops on practice areas. Make sure you note down what you learnt and how you felt when partaking in these. These will be important for when you describe what you did on open days on applications and also give you a chance to reflect on whether commercial law is for you. (Also, generally just take good notes throughout and then type up a write up soon after the event so that you understand your notes!)

Thank you for such a detailed response. I will definitely make notes and ask lots of targeted questions!

 

[Kablahc]

Invited to Dentons MK open day this morning!!

 

[Numerius Negidius]

Rejection from Weil insight day but said they would strongly encourage a vacation scheme application. they did invite me to a webinar on 26th November (short presentations and application advice) so kind of good news!

Just received the same.

 

[Legal_rawn]

Hi everyone, does anyone happen to know when the Skadden Open Day deadline is?

 

[Gracie]

Has anyone applied for the women in law conference at Shearman before? Does anyone know how competitive it is. I can’t make their December open day so would like to get to know the firm a bit better & I like the fact it’s a conference on women in law!

Yes - I attended it in person last year. Was genuinely a really good event I thought, not hugely Shearman specific but the partners there were really interesting and had a lot to say - I thought the male partners in particular gave an excellent contribution considering it was Women in Law! I remember Sonny Udovicic being one of the panel members and she just blew my mind. Obviously will be different this year being virtual, but would definitely recommend!!

 

[Mo M]

Anyone heard back from Mishcon yet for their open day?

 

[em311]

Hi everyone, does anyone happen to know when the Skadden Open Day deadline is?

25th November

 

[syw]

I'm on the Skadden open day application however there doesn't seem to be a word limit. I'm not sure if mine is just loading incorrectly. Can someone please confirm this for me?

 

[PhoebeL]

I'm on the Skadden open day application however there doesn't seem to be a word limit. I'm not sure if mine is just loading incorrectly. Can someone please confirm this for me?

When I submitted my application there was no word limit. I wrote a similar amount to what I have submitted on other open day applications so about 250 words.

 

[Sekani Wraith]

Anyone still waiting to hear back for the White & Case open day, its in 2 days and I haven't heard anything...

 

[NadineBusty]

Anyone still waiting to hear back for the White & Case open day, its in 2 days and I haven't heard anything...

same

 

[PhoebeL]

Anyone still waiting to hear back for the White & Case open day, its in 2 days and I haven't heard anything...

I haven't heard anything about the 11th but I noted the OD on the 25th as my second choice so hoping that pulls through.

 

[Sekani Wraith]

I haven't heard anything about the 11th but I noted the OD on the 25th as my second choice so hoping that pulls through.

I thought of doing the same but I have the HSF open day on the 25th so I couldn't.

 

[PhoebeL]

I thought of doing the same but I have the HSF open day on the 25th so I couldn't.

Fair dos!

 

[Edward]

Invite to Dentons Scotland Open Day today.

 

[NadineBusty]

Rejected for Dentons Open Day but invited to their virtual workshop.

Did they invite all rejected candidates to their virtual workshop or only those who fall short?

 

[reedyboy]

Rejected White & Case

 

[PhoebeL]

Rejected from White & Case for the OD tomorrow. No word regarding the 25th so I have emailed the grad rec to enquire.

 

[em311]

Rejected from White & Case's open day tomorrow I worked so hard on my application and really thought it was good...feels horrible when your best efforts don't feel enough

 

[syw]

Has anyone who has applied to DWF's open day heard back at all? I submitted my app in what feels like a life time ago..