• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →
  • Ace Your Vacation Scheme Applications with Reed Smith
    10 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Join Reed Smith for this practical session on how to write a strong vacation scheme application ahead of key deadlines. Understand what recruiters look for and how to get past the application review stage.
    Register on Zoom →
  • Write Winning Vacation Scheme Applications with Osborne Clarke
    11 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Hear from Recruitment Advisor Patrick Fermin Ryan at Osborne Clarke on how to write a successful vacation scheme application. Gain expert advice on what makes applications stand out and how to approach yours with confidence.
    Register on Zoom →

Jones Day Vac Scheme

JJP

Star Member
Aug 4, 2020
33
38
Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone can offer any insight for the best way to approach the Jones Day vac scheme application.

The only free text section asks you to complete a covering letter with maximum 300 words. Normally, I'd follow a standard formula of:
  • Why law?
  • Why me?
  • Why this firm?
In this case, it is possible to do it justice with just 100 words on each? Is there one that should take more priority over the other?

Thanks for your help!
 

Jaysen

Founder, TCLA
Staff member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Premium Member
M&A Bootcamp
  • Feb 17, 2018
    4,830
    8,988
    Hi all,

    I'm wondering if anyone can offer any insight for the best way to approach the Jones Day vac scheme application.

    The only free text section asks you to complete a covering letter with maximum 300 words. Normally, I'd follow a standard formula of:
    • Why law?
    • Why me?
    • Why this firm?
    In this case, it is possible to do it justice with just 100 words on each? Is there one that should take more priority over the other?

    Thanks for your help!

    There's a fair amount of flexibility here and if you wanted to leave it to 100 words each, I don't see a problem with that.

    If it was me, I'd lean towards using most of the word count for 'why Jones Day?' and 'why me?'. I think your motivations for 'why commercial law?' can be summarised in fewer words.
     
    • ℹ️
    Reactions: JJP

    Alice G

    Legendary Member
    Future Trainee
    Forum Team
    M&A Bootcamp
    Nov 26, 2018
    1,731
    4,184
    Hi all,

    I'm wondering if anyone can offer any insight for the best way to approach the Jones Day vac scheme application.

    The only free text section asks you to complete a covering letter with maximum 300 words. Normally, I'd follow a standard formula of:
    • Why law?
    • Why me?
    • Why this firm?
    In this case, it is possible to do it justice with just 100 words on each? Is there one that should take more priority over the other?

    Thanks for your help!
    to echo what Jaysen has said, I would say it is most important to have a 'why Jones Day?' response in there but there is probably flexibility with the rest!
     
    • ℹ️
    Reactions: JJP

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.