2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[NikkiT]

I think midnight tonight!

A general rule I have for myself when completing applications is to assume the earlier deadline, for example, Addleshaw Goddard's is 5th Jan 2020, but I would always assume it's midnight 4th Jan 2020. I think it's best to send an application earlier to avoid disappointment especially if you've spent all your time writing it to have missed the deadline by hours.

I have just checked their Instagram and I think it is tomorrow, 5th January 11.59 pm

 

[s.manc786]

anyone else done the video interview with Mishcon de Reya? think i absolutely scuppered my chances feel free to dm and share in the sorrow if you have haha

 

[Eliza9999]

I have just checked their Instagram and I think it is tomorrow, 5th January 11.59 pm

My bad! Glad you found the deadline

 

[M1999]

anyone else done the video interview with Mishcon de Reya? think i absolutely scuppered my chances feel free to dm and share in the sorrow if you have haha

When did you submit your application?

 

[Angeliki]

The question “tell me about yourself” confuses me. I don’t want to mention why law/why commercial law because it will probably come up later in the interview but I can’t mention anything personal. So what I am supposed to discuss?

 

[Jessica Booker]

The question “tell me about yourself” confuses me. I don’t want to mention why law/why commercial law because it will probably come up later in the interview but I can’t mention anything personal. So what I am supposed to discuss?

why can’t you mention anything personal?

 

[Dheepa]

Does anyone have advice on the Mishcon VI? Not on the specific questions, but whether they were competency or firm focused. Thanks!

Bakers take awhile to get back post-VI. I only heard back almost a month later

 

[Dheepa]

The question “tell me about yourself” confuses me. I don’t want to mention why law/why commercial law because it will probably come up later in the interview but I can’t mention anything personal. So what I am supposed to discuss?

I'd mention anything personal that you think is appropriate! Any of your hobbies, interests, passions. Anything you're particularly proud of or any interesting experience you've had that you'd like your interviewers to ask you about!

 

[Dheepa]

Has anyone heard back from HSF yet? This is only my second cycle of applications- I applied fairly early and am quite stressed as I haven't heard anything yet? When is it normal for firms to respond about ACs?

For context, last cycle I sent out my app for the Spring VS in mid November, got the confirmation that I passed the test end November, and then radio silence before the AC invite I got at the end of Feb! So especially in HSF's case, no news is definitely good news

 

[Dheepa]

I'm just prepping for an interview and wondering what you should say to this question: Why do you want to be a solicitor and not a barrister? Little unsure as to exactly what to say.

I agree with what everyone else has already said. Your answer to this would sound most convincing if you had personal experiences to back it up and if you were able to really explain how your choice to be a solicitor aligned better with your own personal career goals. My own reason, although I'm not sure how convincing it was, was that I believed my career as a solicitor would be far more flexible than that of a barrister. Depending on what kind of clients you deal with could become expert in laws in multiple jurisdictions and could potentially be drafted to give advice on industries that weren't strictly your field of expertise. Contrast with barristers who get called in to firms to advice on niche aspects of laws in deals but may not necessarily be able to see the wider deal/case through to the end while solicitors get that visibility. For me at least the wider picture makes things more interesting.

 

[Clach555]

Anyone heard back from Baker McKenzie re. Spring VC post VI? I've just noticed my interview has now been 'reviewed' on the portal.

Mine just says finished next to it! Did yours change from finished to reviewed?

 

[syw]

Mine just says finished next to it! Did yours change from finished to reviewed?

Yes it did. I have a feeling mine was reviewed yesterday, because prior to that it was 'finished'. I only did it the week prior to Christmas. When did you submit yours?

 

[Clach555]

Yes it did. I have a feeling mine was reviewed yesterday, because prior to that it was 'finished'. I only did it the week prior to Christmas. When did you submit yours?

I completed mine a few days before Christmas! Perhaps it means my video responses haven't been viewed yet!

 

[Andrew M]

Has anyone heard back from DLA post-WG for summer VS? Do we even find out whether we've met the WG benchmark?

They started sending AC invites just before Christmas. I think they've been sending them in batches each week. I have my AC next Tuesday (eek) - I applied back in October. They didn't mention the WG at all - they don't release your scores - so I guess the only way of knowing for sure if you passed the benchmark is if you get an invite?

Good luck!

 

[Tariq Kioumji]

Has anyone heard back from BCLP?

 

[Andrew M]

The question “tell me about yourself” confuses me. I don’t want to mention why law/why commercial law because it will probably come up later in the interview but I can’t mention anything personal. So what I am supposed to discuss?

The way I look at it is that you might not get to an interview. So you need to showcase your absolute best on the application. I held back last year and it resulted in me not getting past the application for many firms. Don't make that mistake - use every opportunity to stand out.

Tell them what motivates you, tell them what makes you different from other candidates (hobbies, achievements). If it's something really interesting, chances are that they will simply ask you to expand on it in the interview.

 

[FC]

Has anyone heard back from BCLP?

I haven't heard anything since receiving my feedback report on Dec 16th.

 

[Tariq Kioumji]

I haven't heard anything since receiving my feedback report on Dec 16th.

Hopefully we'll hear back something soon!

 

[JW]

There isn’t. Unless there is and I couldn’t find it lol. No but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone who has put their module breakdowns in, AG is taking a new approach to academics and not putting as much emphasis on grades

I attended a webinar with them and they said that this was a new form this year and that they still wanted to see our module scores. I included mine because of this but honestly cannot remember the format anyhow I put them in as I done the application a while ago so it worries me now how I've done it but too afraid to go back and look at it haha! I know so many people having this issue with the application so I would hope that it won't affect the outcome for anybody who has or hasn't included them!

 

[Celestie]

Online tests stage for Mayer Brown - jesus I really wanted a break but I guess not