2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Andrew M]

You said PE, Olivia....

On a Monday morning too.

 

[Etudierlaw2022]

Praying for any kind of news from W&C

 

[Celestie]

Praying for any kind of news from W&C

Same but also scared

 

[Elle W]

Did anybody else who applied for the OC London VS not get a response on Friday? I have nothing on my portal either and am wondering whether it is appropriate to email to ask

 

[OB]

On a Monday morning too.

 

[CL218]

Congrats!! I completed the VS there last year so I'm happy to give any advice on the AC!!

I have the 'Open Day'/Assessment Centre coming up so any advice would be amazing. Specifically, it would be very helpful to know whether there is an interview portion of the day, what the group task and written exercise actually entail, and any tips for success? Thank you in advance

 

[manchunited]

Does anyone know how long is the interview at Ashurst AC?

 

[ofm]

Has anyone heard anything from BDB Pitmans? Did the SJT but radio silence since then.

 

[MizM]

Hi all, I am looking for some advice please. In the long run, I want to secure a TC at a MC/US firm. I have applications from this cycle that I am still waiting on but I am, admittedly, planning for most to be rejected. This is my first cycle and I have yet to secure a VS. Given my long-term aspirations, would securing any VS (e.g. from smaller national firms) be helpful for me at the moment or would MC/US firms 'look down' on it?

I personally believe any experience is better than no experience but law firms could see it differently. I would appreciate your insight on the matter Thank you!

 

[Matt_96]

It's the beginning of a new week chaps. Good luck with all the apps and here's to us all getting some kind of positive response from the firms we have left. This has been a very difficult cycle for many of us, but the important thing is to keep your eye on the prize! It will all lead somewhere in the end.

 

[Georgina Evans]

Has anyone heard anything from Trowers?

 

[Celestie]

It's the beginning of a new week chaps. Good luck with all the apps and here's to us all getting some kind of positive response from the firms we have left. This has been a very difficult cycle for many of us, but the important thing is to keep your eye on the prize! It will all lead somewhere in the end.

Sounds like we are going off to war ahhaha

 

[josemourinho]

Very polite PFO this morning from Farrer & Co. They said I was 'pipped to the post'. Does anyone know if, when firms tell you to apply for the TC even if you were rejected from the VS they actually mean it? Or are they just being very nice?

 

[LEL]

Hi all, I am looking for some advice please. In the long run, I want to secure a TC at a MC/US firm. I have applications from this cycle that I am still waiting on but I am, admittedly, planning for most to be rejected. This is my first cycle and I have yet to secure a VS. Given my long-term aspirations, would securing any VS (e.g. from smaller national firms) be helpful for me at the moment or would MC/US firms 'look down' on it?

I personally believe any experience is better than no experience but law firms could see it differently. I would appreciate your insight on the matter Thank you!

I don't think they would look down on it; any legal experience would be greatly valued, considering how hard it is to obtain. I would just make sure the national firm is commercially focused, as that's what the MC/US firms focus on. I would also say be prepared (at interviews) to justify why you are interested in such large, international firms if you undertook work experience at a smaller firm.

But definitely go for it - you might even end up preferring it to MC/US firms

 

[Dheepa]

Hi all, I am looking for some advice please. In the long run, I want to secure a TC at a MC/US firm. I have applications from this cycle that I am still waiting on but I am, admittedly, planning for most to be rejected. This is my first cycle and I have yet to secure a VS. Given my long-term aspirations, would securing any VS (e.g. from smaller national firms) be helpful for me at the moment or would MC/US firms 'look down' on it?

I personally believe any experience is better than no experience but law firms could see it differently. I would appreciate your insight on the matter Thank you!

You're right on the any experience is good experience point. No firm will look at a VS at a different firm as a bad thing. I don't think securing a VS is necessarily any easier at smaller national firms than it is at US/MC firms however. If your goal is to be at a US/MC firm then you should focus on making good quality apps to these firms. If you feel like you lack legal work experience, you don't need a VS to secure a TC with MC/US firms. Any legal work experience at smaller high street firms will count for just as much as long as the work you're doing and the things your learning are substantive. Hope that helps!

 

[Veep9]

What “supporting documentation” do people offer if you need adjustments in an AC and you have a physical disability? I haven’t been in uni for a while and don’t actually know how to find confirmation that I received extra time in exams. Would my PIP letter suffice?

 

[Celestie]

What “supporting documentation” do people offer if you need adjustments in an AC and you have a physical disability? I haven’t been in uni for a while and don’t actually know how to find confirmation that I received extra time in exams. Would my PIP letter suffice?

I would send the uni stuff if it's chronic and/or any medical letters if you are comfortable. Don't let a firm make you feel uncomfortable - send what you are happy with. They accommodate you, not the other way round.

 

[Legalmel_99]

I would send the uni stuff if it's chronic and/or any medical letters if you are comfortable. Don't let a firm make you feel uncomfortable - send what you are happy with. They accommodate you, not the other way round.

I totally agree with this!!! I sent my extra time plan to one firm which was enough for them to grant me the extra time due to my disability, I had additional supporting evidence but I didn’t feel comfortable sharing that part

 

[panzerfahrer]

Hi all,

Has anyone who applied to HFW in January, heard back anything yet? I saw they were doing ACs in November/December, so just wondering if all January applications are a no by no

I applied on deadline and had my AC 2 weeks later. When I spoke to HR they said they were running ACs until end of March so there is still hope!

 

[Veep9]

I totally agree with this!!! I sent my extra time plan to one firm which was enough for them to grant me the extra time due to my disability, I had additional supporting evidence but I didn’t feel comfortable sharing that part

I would send the uni stuff if it's chronic and/or any medical letters if you are comfortable. Don't let a firm make you feel uncomfortable - send what you are happy with. They accommodate you, not the other way round.

Thanks, guys! My issue is that I don’t know where to find my extra time plan from uni because it was years ago and I stupidly didn’t think I’d ever need it again.