General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[arbitracion]

Hi guys! I just saw this on the Cleary Gottlieb page:

"We normally expect candidates to be on course to attain a high 2.1 degree or better from a leading university."

Does this mean that, as a graduate, I can't (or shouldn't) apply?

 

[M1999]

Hi guys! I just saw this on the Cleary Gottlieb page:

"We normally expect candidates to be on course to attain a high 2.1 degree or better from a leading university."

Does this mean that, as a graduate, I can't (or shouldn't) apply?

If the scheme is eligible for graduates then of course you can apply! I think they’ve just implied here without explicitly stating that some have already obtained the grade

 

[Velikilawyer123]

Difficult to say - could easily be either, it really depends on the firm.

Got it, thanks!

 

[Rene]

I’ve always been curious about this, for anyone who has done/is doing the GDL in London, have you found that the grant given to you by law firms enough? £8000 seems low for London so was just curious

 

[arbitracion]

If the scheme is eligible for graduates then of course you can apply! I think they’ve just implied here without explicitly stating that some have already obtained the grade

Thank you! The wording confused me a little

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I’ve always been curious about this, for anyone who has done/is doing the GDL in London, have you found that the grant given to you by law firms enough? £8000 seems low for London so was just curious

Some people work part time

Some people apply for their post-grad loan too (if they can top it up to a masters). A lot of people live with family to keep costs low. A lot of people also get into debt during this time.

 

[Velikilawyer123]

@Jessica Booker A firm I'm applying for has an "Open days, volunteering and law firm presentations" section right after the regular work experience section. It's the same as the work exp, has an unlimited number of entries, though the work descriptions are limited to just 50 words each (whereas it's 250 for the work exp).

How many entries would you suggest mentioning here, since it's a very broad category? In the last 6 months alone I think I've attended 12 - 15 online presentations, but surely that would be too many to mention? If we discount these presentations, I've only got 1 open day and 1 volunteering experience, so I'd like to include at least a couple of presentations alongside that, just not sure which ones / how many to pick. Would law fairs (even if online) also count?

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Hi guys! I'm having a bit of a crisis! I was planning on applying to Baker McKenzie's summer vac scheme but I just realised it's only open to penultimate year students and, as I'm a final year student, I must apply to the spring vac scheme. But the deadline for this is tomorrow, it's rolling basis, and I have not started the application at all! What do you guys think I should do? Just whack out an application that may not be the best? or give up now?

 

[LS12]

Hi guys! I'm having a bit of a crisis! I was planning on applying to Baker McKenzie's summer vac scheme but I just realised it's only open to penultimate year students and, as I'm a final year student, I must apply to the spring vac scheme. But the deadline for this is tomorrow, it's rolling basis, and I have not started the application at all! What do you guys think I should do? Just whack out an application that may not be the best? or give up now?

Having done the application, I would say it definitely took me a while. I’m sure it could be possible if you really tried to get it done, but realistically I think rushing applications is never a good idea. If the firm is one you’re certain you want to apply to, it might be worth a shot. But I’d say if it’s not top 3 maybe use the time to start prepping for an application that isn’t due so soon!

 

[em311]

Hi guys! I'm having a bit of a crisis! I was planning on applying to Baker McKenzie's summer vac scheme but I just realised it's only open to penultimate year students and, as I'm a final year student, I must apply to the spring vac scheme. But the deadline for this is tomorrow, it's rolling basis, and I have not started the application at all! What do you guys think I should do? Just whack out an application that may not be the best? or give up now?

It says it is open to final years too so I think you're good to apply for summer!

 

[websterl]

As I did not hear back from Travers Smith about my application, I emailed to ask to withdraw my application from the Winter Vac Scheme so that I could reapply to the Summer Vac Scheme. I received a reply from Grad Rec saying this was fine and that I would have to reapply. I take this to mean they haven't actually looked at my application at all...? I had a similar experience last year, in which they emailed me months after the Vac Scheme to say it was already full. Has anyone had the same experience?

 

[Rene]

Hi guys, I’m really scared of the WG test since I got 25/40 in my linklaters application and got in the 14th percentile which I know is really bad. I’ve been working non stop since and I did the clifford chance practice test and got 80% overall. with 60% in recognising assumptions. Does anyone know how to improve on recognising assumptions/has any tips, I want to make sure I am as best as I can be in every aspect of the test because I don’t want another application to go to the bin because of this test

 

[Rene]

Hi guys, I’m really scared of the WG test since I got 25/40 in my linklaters application and got in the 14th percentile which I know is really bad. I’ve been working non stop since and I did the clifford chance practice test and got 80% overall. with 60% in recognising assumptions. Does anyone know how to improve on recognising assumptions/has any tips, I want to make sure I am as best as I can be in every aspect of the test because I don’t want another application to go to the bin because of this test

On a more positive note, if anyone is really bad at these tests don’t lose hope! As shown I was so bad at the WG but still managed to get 2 vac scheme offers from firms that don’t use the WG and even improved with enough practice !! )

 

[A.C]

Has anyone filled out a vacation scheme application for Gibson Dunn? Their online portal isn't letting me select 'no' to applying to the training contract and I can only get to the next page of the firm if I tick yes to vac scheme and TC. Is this a tech glitch or do we have to apply for both?

 

[Imababysolicitor]

On a more positive note, if anyone is really bad at these tests don’t lose hope! As shown I was so bad at the WG but still managed to get 2 vac scheme offers from firms that don’t use the WG and even improved with enough practice !! )

Hey, on an even more positive note, last year I believe I got around the same percentile in the WG as you and still was offered an AC with linklaters so don’t loose hope!

 

[cmaj]

Hi guys. Just thought I'd say - if you haven't signed up for Vantage already, go and do it! I was contacted by them today to say that they'd seen my profile and wanted to invite me to a webinar on Digital Media Law with Lewis Silkin this week.

I'd never actually read much about Lewis Silkin but having looked into it today, its specialisms perfectly align with my background! I was shocked that it had flown under my radar in the past! If anyone has any advice for me in making a future application, please do message me!

 

[conniekatherine]

As I did not hear back from Travers Smith about my application, I emailed to ask to withdraw my application from the Winter Vac Scheme so that I could reapply to the Summer Vac Scheme. I received a reply from Grad Rec saying this was fine and that I would have to reapply. I take this to mean they haven't actually looked at my application at all...? I had a similar experience last year, in which they emailed me months after the Vac Scheme to say it was already full. Has anyone had the same experience?

Yep - this happened to me for the summer scheme last year. It seems Travers are notoriously bad at looking at apps / getting back to people. I applied to the winter scheme this year which was obviously unsuccessful as it must be full by now, and it has really annoyed me as I actually really like the firm. I'm unsure whether to do as you say and withdraw then re-apply?

 

[Polzovatel]

As I did not hear back from Travers Smith about my application, I emailed to ask to withdraw my application from the Winter Vac Scheme so that I could reapply to the Summer Vac Scheme. I received a reply from Grad Rec saying this was fine and that I would have to reapply. I take this to mean they haven't actually looked at my application at all...? I had a similar experience last year, in which they emailed me months after the Vac Scheme to say it was already full. Has anyone had the same experience?

Do you know what their email address is

 

[MzM]

Has anyone filled out a vacation scheme application for Gibson Dunn? Their online portal isn't letting me select 'no' to applying to the training contract and I can only get to the next page of the firm if I tick yes to vac scheme and TC. Is this a tech glitch or do we have to apply for both?

Yeah its an automatic thing. They consider you for the Vac scheme first.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker A firm I'm applying for has an "Open days, volunteering and law firm presentations" section right after the regular work experience section. It's the same as the work exp, has an unlimited number of entries, though the work descriptions are limited to just 50 words each (whereas it's 250 for the work exp).

How many entries would you suggest mentioning here, since it's a very broad category? In the last 6 months alone I think I've attended 12 - 15 online presentations, but surely that would be too many to mention? If we discount these presentations, I've only got 1 open day and 1 volunteering experience, so I'd like to include at least a couple of presentations alongside that, just not sure which ones / how many to pick. Would law fairs (even if online) also count?

I'd put the open day and volunteering experience as seperate entries and then group the presentations together. Personally I wouldn't include law fairs (whether virtual or not).