2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[M1999]

Is there any reassuring reason for those of us who applied earlier than those who have invites but didn’t get any reply?

Really wanted Skadden, thought I stood a good chance having done their open day, networked with their staff, and attending one of few uni they actually visit

On the telephone interview thing, for me there was only 8 or so slots lol.

 

[layla rose]

Does anyone know how long it takes for Simmons & Simmons to respond after their [situational] judgement test?

I completed it on 17th Dec and heard back on 4th Jan

 

[legalCheek27]

Question regarding the White & Case VS deadline. By 15th Jan, is that to be interpreted as the end of Thursday at 11:59pm, or the end Friday 11:59pm?

Considering they review applications on a rolling basis, I fully appreciate that applying this late is far from ideal. I also understand that applying by the end of Thursday is the safer option. However, if there is an extra day, I feel I could significantly improve the quality of my app.

 

[NikkiT]

Hi all, I know NikkiT raised this before but I've not seen anything else on it--Stephenson Harwood appear to ask a very similar question twice, how have others approached this? I'm guessing that I'll just answer it twice with different examples? Not sure if it's an error, has anyone spoken to them about it?

Did you get an answer on this?

 

[Staples]

Question regarding the White & Case VS deadline. By 15th Jan, is that to be interpreted as the end of Thursday at 11:59pm, or the end Friday 11:59pm?

Considering they review applications on a rolling basis, I fully appreciate that applying this late is far from ideal. I also understand that applying by the end of Thursday is the safer option. However, if there is an extra day, I feel I could significantly improve the quality of my app.

In my experience, “apply by day X” means “apply by the end of day X” (i.e. day X is included in the application window). Not sure this applies to W&C, but can’t see why it shouldn’t.

 

[Dheepa]

Hi everyone,
I got a rejection from B&B and Slaughters and May today And these were the only firms that I've applied to, as I am seeing now many firms have already closed their applications for VS.

Do you think I should still try to apply to different firm's TCs? Granted, I have no legal work experience. Or wait and apply for VS next year?
I know that my question is stupid, but I don't really know what to do, I am proper gutted!

Hi Kat,

I'm really sorry to hear about the rejections. Every single person on this thread has been there, and we're all rooting for you. I hope you take some time out to just relax and recover from it. And your question is not stupid at all! I think 99% of people applying go through the should I do TC or VS apps conundrum. I would really recommend applying to TC apps anyway, especially since you also have the upcoming summer TC application window coming up. Many people get made TC offers with little to no legal work experience so I definitely don't think that puts you at a disadvantage.

 

[Pallatablelawyer]

Having a pretty bad day haha.. just got told by a firm I did a virtual vac scheme with that they’re cancelling trainee recruitment entirely for my cohort (2022). They said they cannot consider us for 2023 TCs as it would be unfair to people who are scheduled to complete a vac scheme this year. Feel absolutely demoralised but hey that’s life. Gotta hope tomorrow will be better.

 

[Dheepa]

Honestly! It’s nice to engage in these theories because it gives a timeline which is comforting when you literally have no info. Because the waiting around is AWFUL. But at the end of the day, it doesn’t mean much. Grad rec will get to you when they get to you. Wish we had more of a timeline tho.

Me and my friends used to speculate theories like this all the time too! It's so unhealthy though, and I know its tough to resist checking the forum/emails every few minutes but if I were you I'd find a series on Netflix to binge watch and just shut off for a day. That's what I used to do to block things out when it triggered my anxiety.

 

[Dheepa]

Having a pretty bad day haha.. just got told by a firm I did a virtual vac scheme with that they’re cancelling trainee recruitment entirely for my cohort (2022). They said they cannot consider us for 2023 TCs as it would be unfair to people who are scheduled to complete a vac scheme this year. Feel absolutely demoralised but hey that’s life. Gotta hope tomorrow will be better.

I hope you know that your VS is proof you are TC material and that if anything this firm is the one that has clearly lost out on you and a brilliant pool of future trainees. Whenever something out of my control ruins things for me I try to tell myself that maybe it wasn't meant to be anyway. I know it sounds cliche and honestly I wish I had something better to say but there is better out there for you and I hope you find it in yourself to push past this. We're all here for you and we're all rooting for you.

 

[sarah96]

Has anyone received a DLA AC invite for the London Office?

 

[KerC14]

Has anyone received a DLA AC invite for the London Office?

Still waiting after completing the WG, need to stop refreshing my emails!

 

[leolegal]

Having a pretty bad day haha.. just got told by a firm I did a virtual vac scheme with that they’re cancelling trainee recruitment entirely for my cohort (2022). They said they cannot consider us for 2023 TCs as it would be unfair to people who are scheduled to complete a vac scheme this year. Feel absolutely demoralised but hey that’s life. Gotta hope tomorrow will be better.

This happened to me last year too. A firm I had work experience with and was really set on applying to decided to last minute pull their applications for TCs due to Covid and the upcoming SQE. Absolutely heartbreaking, but you will get through it!!! Just know that there is always another opportunity around the corner, even if it doesn't seem like it right now

 

[packhorse]

Having a pretty bad day haha.. just got told by a firm I did a virtual vac scheme with that they’re cancelling trainee recruitment entirely for my cohort (2022). They said they cannot consider us for 2023 TCs as it would be unfair to people who are scheduled to complete a vac scheme this year. Feel absolutely demoralised but hey that’s life. Gotta hope tomorrow will be better.

That's awful. I am so sorry to hear about your experience...!

Which firm was it out of interest?

 

[Dheepa]

Question regarding the White & Case VS deadline. By 15th Jan, is that to be interpreted as the end of Thursday at 11:59pm, or the end Friday 11:59pm?

Considering they review applications on a rolling basis, I fully appreciate that applying this late is far from ideal. I also understand that applying by the end of Thursday is the safer option. However, if there is an extra day, I feel I could significantly improve the quality of my app.

Usually means Friday by 11.59.

 

[Iris best]

Does anyone know what VRT Osborne Clarke uses?

 

[Phoebe]

Does anyone know what VRT Osborne Clarke uses?

Yeah they use SHL

 

[Lawyer101]

Bristows have started replying to TC apps! Just received a VI invite

 

[Kablahc]

Having a pretty bad day haha.. just got told by a firm I did a virtual vac scheme with that they’re cancelling trainee recruitment entirely for my cohort (2022). They said they cannot consider us for 2023 TCs as it would be unfair to people who are scheduled to complete a vac scheme this year. Feel absolutely demoralised but hey that’s life. Gotta hope tomorrow will be better.

Hey I just want you to know this happened to me last year. I got a VS at a firm that cancelled grad recruitment before I could even go on it and I was so disappointed in everything - the system, myself, the world... Etc. And it really got to me and I felt just awful because I loved the firm and was so excited to go - plus the fact that it meant there was no chance of me getting a 2022 TC and go straight to the LPC.

But the only advice I can give you is absolutely don't give up. This year I was expecting to get loads of rejections in a row just like last year, but I've actually got to 2 ACs and final stage for another firm. Tomorrow will be better having been through this I can tell you that 100% is true. Our cohort has been screwed by covid pretty badly but when we show em it's only made us stronger we'll come out on top in the end

 

[Ella98]

Anyone heard back from Eversheds?

No still waiting!

 

[Adrian_Healey]

Bristows have started replying to TC apps! Just received a VI invite

Did you get a screen after the VI saying they’ll get back by the 23rd Jan?
That’s horrendously fast given it’s partners who are reviewing them
Good luck and hope to see you at the AC!