2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Daniel Boden]

Does everyone get the same 5 pointers as 'feedback' from the BCLP PFO? For example one was attend an open day and I have before lol

I believe so, the pointers are generic and get sent to everyone from my memory

 

[MandyAA]

Yeah there isn't!! My answers range from 200-450 words each, its quite nice having the freedom to write as much as we want!

On the one hand this is great b/c I don’t have to stress about cutting down my words

But then I might start to ramble

I’m going to try and keep them between 250 - 400

Thanks!!

 

[OB]

On another note.. how do people demonstrate their commitment to commercial law without any legal experience? I have a lot of experience in hospitality, retail, admin at city firms, but I have no legal experience- not even any posts in the law society or anything. I think this is what is letting my application down. I know why I want to do law but I find it unconvincing because I don’t have evidence to say ‘I would like it because I’ve experienced it and I enjoyed this aspect of it’. Even though I try to relate it a lot to transferable skills, I still think my application is lacking. Unfortunately though getting legal experience is truly hard

Completing Forage virtual work experiences or online courses on Coursera or EdX are a good way of showing you're actively trying to gain legal knowledge/experience where you can! Volunteering for a local legal clinic or Citizens Advice branch is also good experience - as well as any sort of legal open day/networking event you can get on!

 

[Dheepa]

On another note.. how do people demonstrate their commitment to commercial law without any legal experience? I have a lot of experience in hospitality, retail, admin at city firms, but I have no legal experience- not even any posts in the law society or anything. I think this is what is letting my application down. I know why I want to do law but I find it unconvincing because I don’t have evidence to say ‘I would like it because I’ve experienced it and I enjoyed this aspect of it’. Even though I try to relate it a lot to transferable skills, I still think my application is lacking. Unfortunately though getting legal experience is truly hard

You really don't need legal work experience to demonstrate your motivations. Just drawing on things you learnt attending open days, events, case study workshops with firms (even the ones that don't need a special application) is more than enough. Have you considered doing any of the Forage internships? Also a great way to boost your application and create more tangible links to "why commercial law"

 

[Haz]

Could anybody suggest if it may be alright to email GR asking for an update on an application?

For reference, I'm waiting to hear back from Stephenson Harwood post-app and it's been nearly a month since their deadline has passed.

Many thanks in advance

Hey, if you applied for summer, I'd leave it personally - I've seen people get WG and interview invites for spring but haven't seen anything in relation to summer so I assume they're just prioritising that first! If you did apply to spring though, it might be worth emailing

 

[law230]

I hope we here from Macfarlanes soon! im so tired of waiting.

 

[djqb]

They often ignore emails so you can do but don't expect a response

Hey, if you applied for summer, I'd leave it personally - I've seen people get WG and interview invites for spring but haven't seen anything in relation to summer so I assume they're just prioritising that first! If you did apply to spring though, it might be worth emailing

Thanks! Yeah I've applied for summer so I guess it'd better to wait at this point!

 

[djqb]

I really hope Winston & Strawn gets back to us today

Just under an hour left till end of business today, and it's the last working day of February

 

[Mena M]

Thanks. Isn't there some sort of mentoring scheme or something that you need to actually apply for though? x

EDIT*: I believe it's the Aspire programme - https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/as-aspire/ - is it any good anyone?

You get paired with a recruiter who helps you with your applications. You have a limited amount of calls, I think it's once a months for 5 (ish) months. They just read over your applications, answer any questions, and that's about it. Since there's loads of people taking part, each mentee/recruiter has multiple mentees and so has to limit their calls with you. I was an Aspire candidate and have only managed to reach VI stage this cycle.

 

[Georgina Evans]

Any word from Kennedy’s yet???

The application status on cvmail has changed for me but no email yet

 

[Staples]

Has anyone heard from Mills & Reeve post-AC yet?

 

[Andrew M]

Had my Eversheds AC today... partner interview was beyond awful. Am okay with it because it was my first AC but any advice for how to forget your shocking answers would be appreciated lol

Honestly, I thought my partner interview with Pinsent Masons went badly. I got choked up talking about my childhood (wasn't prepared for the question) and ended up making jokes to lighten the mood, talking about RuPaul and Britney Spears. And yet by some miracle I got the scheme. So don't write yourself off just yet!

 

[Andrew M]

Has anyone heard from Mills & Reeve post-AC yet?

They've had a couple more ACs today, so I don't think they'd have sent invites out just yet. I think they'll probably start soon though.

 

[layk]

OMG I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO INTERVIEW WITH TRAVERS SMITH I MUST BE DREAMING !!!!!

Congratulations!!! Could I ask when you applied?

 

[layk]

Had my Eversheds AC today... partner interview was beyond awful. Am okay with it because it was my first AC but any advice for how to forget your shocking answers would be appreciated lol

I'm in the same boat - if you've found anything that's worked, please let me know

 

[LawGrad2019]

Has anyone heard from Mills & Reeve post-AC yet?

Nope! They send end of today or Monday though, right?

 

[CharlotteLegal]

Has anyone heard from Mills & Reeve post-AC yet?

They told me that it’d be Friday evening at the earliest!

 

[Staples]

They've had a couple more ACs today, so I don't think they'd have sent invites out just yet. I think they'll probably start soon though.

Oh did they? I thought it was 23-24-25 judging from the slots I was offered when booking my AC

They told me that it’d be Friday evening at the earliest!

True! I’m just 1) anxious 2) uncertain as to when “evening” begins

 

[Andrew M]

Oh did they? I thought it was 23-24-25 judging from the slots I was offered when booking my AC

True! I’m just 1) anxious 2) uncertain as to when “evening” begins

I think that Friday was kept as an alternative. A girl in my group had really bad connection and kept dropping out. Then we got told by one of the GR that she would be joining them on Friday instead of continuing with us.

I don't know how many slots they had today though. Maybe just the morning one?

 

[CareerChanger]

The application status on cvmail has changed for me but no email yet

Same here...