2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[ellensdaleoriginal]

PFO from Milbank...
Does anyone know if you can apply for a TC in the same cycle? Probably one of my favourite firms so not quite ready to give up on the dream

 

[relentlesspursuit]

I applied on 29 jan, still ain’t heard anything.

Seen that a quite a few people on here got VI invites so keeping my fingers crossed

 

[whisperingrock]

PFO from Milbank...
Does anyone know if you can apply for a TC in the same cycle? Probably one of my favourite firms so not quite ready to give up on the dream

Even if you can they REALLY don't consider direct TC apps at all.

 

[eveh1784]

Did anyone hear back from Willkie more than 10 days after the initial application? I applied 10 working days ago on 26 Jan and was expecting to hear back today as per the confirmation email.

I also applied on the 26th and haven’t heard yet - I expect it’s just down to more apps than predicted

 

[Rob93]

Actually just checked and I applied a day before, but yeah I'm gonna stick it out. Just hoping its not a bad sign.

Everyone waiting on Willkie - I applied 29 Jan and got the PFO within like... 3 business days. So if you've not heard back yet, that's probably a good thing.

 

[Tarnjeet]

Are direct TCs generally reserved for graduate changers/graduates? Also can you apply for a direct TC after you've failed to get VC with a firm- in the same application window?

 

[relentlesspursuit]

Everyone waiting on Willkie - I applied 29 Jan and got the PFO within like... 3 business days. So if you've not heard back yet, that's probably a good thing.

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for the info. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[Rob93]

Are direct TCs generally reserved for graduate changers/graduates? Also can you apply for a direct TC after you've failed to get VC with a firm- in the same application window?

To your first question, what I have usually been told by grad rec is that if you are applying direct TC they will be more concerned that you have prior relevant legal work experience. They want you to know what you're getting into. If you've done, say, a couple of vac schemes that will generally tick the box, as might a lengthier period as a paralegal although I think in that case it depends a lot on the nature of the work.

Second question, that very much depends on the firm. Check with grad rec if you're unsure.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I got a question that I don't know how to phrase to sorry.

I recently attended a law firm fair with White and Case. They said that they look at the application as a whole and if you don't meet the A Level requirements of AAB you can still apply as we look at the application as a whole. As I don't meet those A-Level requirements but am on course to achieve a 2.1 in my degree with achieving 1st in 3rd year of my law degree. I wanted to ask should I still consider White and Case application. I know law firms use the Rare Recruitment contextual thing so I wanted to know what do people think of this. What do you think @Jessica Booker have you ever seen someone one with not meeting A Level requirements with no mitigating circumstances progressed.

I can’t say for W&C specifically.

I think you have to look at firms wording carefully. Saying candidates “must have achieved” something is very different to “candidates typically will have achieved” or “we usually look for”.

For instance, at one firm I worked for it was a strict requirement that only people with extenuating circumstances were considered who didn’t have those grades

At Freshfields, I recruited people with CCD and even no A-levels (with no ext circs), but they used to not have a minimum A-level criteria and would just say “strong academics” which could be evidence by degree results instead.

 

[Rob93]

Sorry to hear that, but thanks for the info. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Haha nah, Willkie was my last-minute 'I should turn out one more' application this year, I was not remotely surprised.

 

[Tarnjeet]

To your first question, what I have usually been told by grad rec is that if you are applying direct TC they will be more concerned that you have prior relevant legal work experience. They want you to know what you're getting into. If you've done, say, a couple of vac schemes that will generally tick the box, as might a lengthier period as a paralegal although I think in that case it depends a lot on the nature of the work.

Second question, that very much depends on the firm. Check with grad rec if you're unsure.

Thanks!

 

[Jaysen]

Just a random post to share how grateful I am for this forum, especially on a day with two PFOs. It is SO nice knowing that you guys get this process and know the struggle of landing that one TC. Sometimes it's hard explaining this to fam/friends who think a CV, a cover letter and a good law degree should be all you need to succeed (which it is in some countries lol). Not sure how I'd stick to this process without being able to have these chats with you all ♥️ 🤝

Completely echo this - it's so important to have a tight-knit community given how tough the process is and the current circumstances. Thank you to each of you for continuing to support one another during all of this. We think you guys are amazing.

 

[Rob93]

@Jessica Booker I realise it's hard to generalise this across firms, but how much weight is really put on the university at which applicants completed their undergrad? As a follow-on, I studied in Canada at a university which is mid-tier in national/global rankings, but on a course of study for which the university is particularly well-regarded. Would it be worth contextualising that in future applications, or no?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker I realise it's hard to generalise this across firms, but how much weight is really put on the university at which applicants completed their undergrad? As a follow-on, I studied in Canada at a university which is mid-tier in national/global rankings, but on a course of study for which the university is particularly well-regarded. Would it be worth contextualising that in future applications, or no?

It’s generally not that important for vast majority of firms. There might be some very elite firms that do care, and so in those rare circumstances it might be worthwhile mentioning.

 

[Rachel H]

I can’t say for W&C specifically.

I think you have to look at firms wording carefully. Saying candidates “must have achieved” something is very different to “candidates typically will have achieved” or “we usually look for”.

For instance, at one firm I worked for it was a strict requirement that only people with extenuating circumstances were considered who didn’t have those grades

At Freshfields, I recruited people with CCD and even no A-levels (with no ext circs), but they used to not have a minimum A-level criteria and would just say “strong academics” which could be evidence by degree results instead.

Hi Jessica, thanks for this. Can I ask how true you think this attitude to lower A levels at Freshfields is now, if you had to speculate at all? Sorry if it's been asked before!

 

[Rob93]

It’s generally not that important for vast majority of firms. There might be some very elite firms that do care, and so in those rare circumstances it might be worthwhile mentioning.

Thanks very much!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Your daily reminder to proofread, proofread, proofread: "swiftly" somehow ended up as "sexily" in one of my (thankfully unsubmitted...) answers

Good lord how quickly I would have been rejected

I once was copied into an email to a lot of senior people in a firm about them attending a networking event and it clearly mixed up Bs for Ps which said:

“Drinks and nipples”

But the one that literally had me laughing all day (I couldn’t stop laughing about it - in fact just thinking about it now is still making me giggle) was a candidate talking about a change in the global economy and they missed the F out of the following phrase

“substantial global shift”

 

[Lawbour]

Can I just say - if you're in a group exercise and someone gives a great idea, don't shoot it down just because he/she did well for the other exercises. Just came out of a group exercise where my idea was shot down and I was utterly bullied by everyone on the basis that it "wasn't interesting" when the criteria we were supposed to judge the idea against were all objective, business factors. I have never seen such unprofessionalism in the few AC group exercises I have attended thus far. If you want to win a slot on the scheme, win it on the basis of your strength and don't win it by putting others down. To the others who just sided with the bully and said "yeah" with some grunts of affirmation - shame on you.

This sort of thing honestly scares the hell out of me! I've worked so hard over the years to appear more 'confident' and 'outgoing' in situations like this and at networking events and just the idea of this sort of thing happening to someone has made me quite (probably unreasonably) upset... I really hope you're ok and end up getting that VS! ❤️💜

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, thanks for this. Can I ask how true you think this attitude to lower A levels at Freshfields is now, if you had to speculate at all? Sorry if it's been asked before!

Suspect it is still there (but that is speculation). You do need to show academic excellence elsewhere though - poor A-levels with no ext circs and an average degree grade probably isn’t going to be sufficient

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Just received BCLP PFO for TC. Gutted! But I applied for VS as well, so not sure if I'm rejected for both as my letter only stated rejected for TC. Is anyone else in the same boat? Does this mean I am still being considered for VS?

Also re the 'considered strong application', I did not receive that this time. But did the year before. So well done!

I thought BCLP review TC applicants after the deadline in May!

Can someone please provide some insight on when we should hear back for BCLP TC?