2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[whisperingrock]

From what I heard, firms aren’t increasing the number of people interviewed etc.
Personally, I do wonder why in light of vac schemes being done online, firms don’t do more vac schemes or offer more places? I do understand that the number of TC in the end are most likely the same as previous years, but vac schemes are so important that firms could have easily increased their capacity at least until things go back to what they used to (if they ever do).

If you increase numbers, you'd still have to find the people to supervise students attending the scheme which may be even more difficult logistically with everyone working from home.

 

[Andrew M]

He then said in the booth that a large proportion of their TCs go to internal staff members... if you’re passionate about their areas of specialism though, none of that matters as you will get through if you try hard enough

A good event overall!!!!

On a separate note, I am BUZZING for all of you with Kirkland ACs Congrats!!!

Oh really? That's surprising actually. Did he indicate what the % is roughly?

I made the interview stage last year and fluffed it with nerves, so I'm hoping I can at least get to the scheme this time.

 

[Lawgrad]

Still haven’t heard from gowlings post VI

 

[Lily721]

Surely a lot of firms would be trying to cut costs at the moment meaning they’d lower the number of vac scheme places? Sidley winter vac scheme was lowered in numbers and I suspect a similar thing to happen for spring but I’m not 100% sure

Yes, but I assume running them online is much cheaper than it is in person when firms usually organise many more activities such as trips etc.

 

[OB]

Kirkland dishing out those ACs! Congrats everyone!!

 

[M0723]

Anyone still waiting for CMS post VI, Sidley, Weil, W&C, Shearman, Latham?? It's been radio silence for the longest time

 

[33c]

Anyone still waiting for CMS post VI, Sidley, Weil, W&C, Shearman, Latham?? It's been radio silence for the longest time

nothing from shearman and latham. not too hopeful about shearman as people who applied on the deadline got ACs. holding out hope for latham tho!!

 

[bibss]

Anyone still waiting for CMS post VI, Sidley, Weil, W&C, Shearman, Latham?? It's been radio silence for the longest time

Still waiting for Latham post-app and White & Case...

 

[Lily721]

nothing from shearman and latham. not too hopeful about shearman as people who applied on the deadline got ACs. holding out hope for latham tho!!

Still waiting for Latham post-app and White & Case...

Latham said candidates should hear back by mid-February.
White & Case has started to slowly get back to people.....though it seems to be taking a while, considering they are on a rolling basis.

 

[ellensdaleoriginal]

Has anyone heard back from Akin Gump post-WG? Did the test over 3 weeks ago and radio silence since...

I did the test in early December and haven't heard back either. Sent a follow up email too and got no reply so not sure what to think now...

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

I did the test in early December and haven't heard back either. Sent a follow up email too and got no reply so not sure what to think now...

Someone on this forum said they weren't very good at responding to emails so I wouldn't read too much into it! I'm in a very similar position - I guess all we can do is sit tight!

 

[M0723]

nothing from shearman and latham. not too hopeful about shearman as people who applied on the deadline got ACs. holding out hope for latham tho!!

I didn't know shearman had started giving out ACs! That sucks to hear

 

[packhorse]

Fantastic, well done!

Back in the day, in my Kirkland AC, the interviewer told me that she cried every night for the first few months at the firm. She then asked me how I'd cope

It's probably changed now but we also had to pick a person/fictional character and justify why they were best equipped to run a company (to the rest of the group).

How did you answer ?? Is working for Kirkland really that bad ?

 

[Lily721]

I didn't know shearman had started giving out ACs! That sucks to hear

Yep, literally the day after the deadline people started receiving interviews.

 

[Mea]

Is it worth chasing mishcon if people have been invited to case study and I still haven’t heard post app? Someone reassure me pls

I'm in the same boat as you. I applied on 21 December and haven't heard back post app. People applying before and after me have received both rejections and invites. I'm so confused.

 

[Grace_winter9]

@Jaysen by any chance do you have any Shearman interview advice/areas to focus on?

 

[ellensdaleoriginal]

Just to know, has anyone heard anything from Milbank?

I haven't heard anything post application

 

[Jaysen]

How did you answer ?? Is working for Kirkland really that bad ?

I don't think she meant it as a criticism of the firm. What she was trying to say was that working at Kirkland means long hours and a lot of pressure. She wanted to know that I'd really thought about what I was getting myself into.

I can't remember how I answered now, but the key is to prove, with examples, that you know what working at Kirkland is like and that you have the resilience/stamina to meet those demands.

 

[cmaj]

From what I heard, firms aren’t increasing the number of people interviewed etc.
Personally, I do wonder why in light of vac schemes being done online, firms don’t do more vac schemes or offer more places? I do understand that the number of TC in the end are most likely the same as previous years, but vac schemes are so important that firms could have easily increased their capacity at least until things go back to what they used to (if they ever do).

It’s expensive and time consuming to hire vac scheme students. If the end goal is to recruit high quality trainees, the firm’s have a thorough and rigorous enough recruitment process to do so already.

I will just say as well, more applications does not always correlate to more high quality applicants. You could have 1000 applications with 200 of them ticking all the boxes, or 2000 applications with only 50 decent candidates.

 

[ellensdaleoriginal]

Congrats to everyone receiving Kirkland AC invites!! Is anyone else still waiting to hear back post application? Starting to think they might have forgotten about me...