2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Andrew M]

Out of curiosity, do people recommend only applying to around 10 firms that you really love or trying to apply to like 25+ ? I'm trying to plan ahead for next cycle

My advice would be to do as many *high quality* applications as you can. There comes a point where you can repeat chunks of your answers anyway. It's mainly just the "why this firm" and specific commercial awareness questions which require tailored research.

I only ended up applying for 7 firms this year. I had intended on applying to 12-18. But then I started receiving test/VI/AC invites and I just didn't have the time to spend on new applications. Thankfully, those 7 applications included my favourite firms (not completely intentional - it was how the deadlines fell).

 

[jan28]

Forsters AC !!!!
And they're providing lunch through deliveroo!!!!

congrats!! and that's literally so cool but I'm just thinking about how my area doesn't even have deliveroo cos it's in the middle of nowhere 😭 (could this be a good enough reason when i get asked why a city firm?)

 

[jan28]

anyone not heard from mayer brown since doing the tests?

 

[layla rose]

received 1 AC last year and 9 ACs this year whilst doing the same number of apps. Contribute 100% of my success to this forum and TCLA Premium hahahahah can't recommend it enough!

that is amazing! how do you balance uni work with all the AC prep etc??

 

[djqb]

Spring is this week or do you mean summer.

Ohh alright thanks. Yeah for summer I think somebody mentioned that it was not yet confirmed but will be late june/early july i guess

 

[GK8997]

anyone not heard from mayer brown since doing the tests?

I emailed last week they said they've had loads of apps so they will hopefully get back to us soon!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Ohh alright thanks. Yeah for summer I think somebody mentioned that it was not yet confirmed but will be late june/early july i guess

Are all summer schemes in June or July because BM have their direct tc application assessment centres all in May.

 

[asg]

I may have missed this earlier in the thread but is there any advice on prepping for psychometric tests??
Received an invite for this with Anthony Collins so fingers crossed.

 

[els124]

Hi guys! Longtime lurker!
I have just been shortlisted for a vacation scheme in the summer by a regional firm. They don’t normally have this additional step, but have an influx of applications this cycle.
They have asked me send them a 3 minute video presenting a topic of my choosing. They said not to use PowerPoint etc.
Any idea what I could do? This is the last application of this cycle, and really need to get this vacation scheme!
thanks!!

I'd talk about the thing you're most passionate about. I was asked the question at the end of an interview with a firm and talked about the hobby I've had for the past 8 years and why I loved it. I worried afterwards that they might compare my enthusiasm for the hobby with my enthusiasm for the firm and think I wasn't motivated enough, but they offered me a place.
I think it will be important to talk about something you genuinely love because it will make you stand out. Having a big smile on your face and talking animatedly about something you genuinely care about will make you more personable and rememberable.

 

[John Travoni]

Had anyone received a PFO from Forsters yet?
I’m guessing they’re still going to be sending offers for ACs bc it was quite late today when they sent them, and it was only a couple.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I know this is not an application related but I predict by the end of Friday TCLA vacation scheme forum thread for this year will reach 900 before Friday. Woah and I think congratulations are in order also I remember someone saying last year it was only 300 I think.

 

[Dwight]

Can anyone please help about "where should we open a new office and why"? Really struggling with this question and have an AC very soon. Not sure even where to start - it's for NRF and they have offices everywhere.

@Neville Birdi perhaps you can help here since you have been part of this year's app cycle heavily - I'd really appreciate it!
@Jacob Miller @Dheepa could use some help here since you both done an NRF AC

 

[T]

Got a call from Travers this afternoon inviting me to the partner interview! From what I understand there are quite a few spots left on the latter two schemes so if you haven't heard back I wouldn't worry just yet 🤞

Congratulations @hscd21 I got an invite to the partner interview today too! What makes you think that there are still some spots left on the last two schemes?

 

[Jacob Miller]

Can anyone please help about "where should we open a new office and why"? Really struggling with this question and have an AC very soon. Not sure even where to start - it's for NRF and they have offices everywhere.

@Neville Birdi perhaps you can help here since you have been part of this year's app cycle heavily - I'd really appreciate it!
@Jacob Miller @Dheepa could use some help here since you both done an NRF AC

Hi,

Here's a couple of older discussions which should help as a starting point:

Where should we open up our next office?

Hi All, I have an interview coming up with a well renowned international firm who have offices worldwide. I've heard that at this particular firm, there is a high probability that the question in the title will be asked. However, I have absolutely no idea what to say. As mentioned, they...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Interviews! *Monday Article Series*

In this week's (slightly delayed - sorry!) Article, we take a look at law firm interviews. Introduction Almost every law firm’s application process involves some form of interview. This style of interview is designed to find out about your motivations, experiences, skills and characteristics...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Jessica Booker]

I may have missed this earlier in the thread but is there any advice on prepping for psychometric tests??
Received an invite for this with Anthony Collins so fingers crossed.

There’s some general advice for psychometrics here:

The Watson Glaser Test | Advice from a Graduate Recruitment Specialist

Advice and resources for the Watson Glaser Test by Jessica Booker Jess has spent 10 years working in graduate recruitment, including as trainee recruitment manager for a magic circle firm. […]

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Matt_96]

Has anyone done an AC at Simmons & Simmons this cycle that could give me a few tips?

 

[ofm]

Does anyone have any advice about how to ensure you're prepared for a vac scheme e.g. reading to do, reaching out to people before you start etc? Thanks!

 

[jd3447]

Can someone just tell me something reassuring before my AC this morning

 

[Jacob Miller]

Can someone just tell me something reassuring before my AC this morning

The firm could have chosen any one of hundreds of people to attend an AC.

They didn't. They chose you. Because they think you stand a good chance of success.

You got this.

 

[E1998]

Just explain your situation to them (over the phone if you can!). Firms will be very aware that candidates have multiple vacation schemes so just explain the clash and politely ask if it's possible to be moved to another scheme? If they say no, then I'd ask to be considered for a direct TC but definitely ask to switch schemes first - it happens very often!

PS: massive congratulations! Hope you're able to celebrate in the sunshine

Aw thank you so much!! Still in shock so news hasn't sunk in but hopefully will get to celebrate soon