2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Andrew M]

DWF PFO
The email said:

We were extremely impressed with your application however, so we highly recommend that you apply for the direct training contract if you have not already done so.

And now I’m so annoyed I applied for the vac scheme and TC at the same time 💔

Will DWF still consider my application for the TC even though I was rejected from the VS and applied at the same time??

I asked last year and they said that you could. They do tend to offer TC's to vac schemers though, so there may not be too many positions leftover afterwards. Last year I applied for the direct TC after being unsuccessful and I don't think that they even reviewed any of the applications for that office...

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Guys, I have a Reed Smith assessment centre next week and appreciate some help on the strength-based interview. Anyone done it this year or last year I would appreciate some advice on it and whether I would also get competency questions in the strength-based interview and should I use STAR in the interview for my answers. Thank you in advance.

 

[Haz]

sitting here crying bc I got a VI for BCLP - I keep looking at the email to double check that I didn't just dream it up out of sheer willpower
does ANYONE have any tips bc this is my first ever VI and BCLP are probably my favourite ever firm and I don't want to screw it up
also, just wanna say thanks to everyone on here - I 100% used tips and advice from here in my app so thank you all ♥️

for those wondering - I applied on 28/01 so like 3 days before the deadline

Congrats!!! For some reason I was under the impression that BCLP's 2nd stage was a telephone interview with a member of GR, has this changed to a VI? Hope you smash it.

 

[KS94]

I asked last year and they said that you could. They do tend to offer TC's to vac schemers though, so there may not be too many positions leftover afterwards. Last year I applied for the direct TC after being unsuccessful and I don't think that they even reviewed any of the applications for that office...

Last year DWF were hit hard by COVID. They reduced their intake drastically so yep - they didn't even look at direct TCs as they filled their positions from their vac scheme.

However, they are in a different position now and I would encourage people to try the direct route!

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Congrats!!! For some reason I was under the impression that BCLP's 2nd stage was a telephone interview with a member of GR, has this changed to a VI? Hope you smash it.

Thank you!! I'm not entirely sure if they changed it, but just double checked the email and it's definitely a video one it's still with a member of GR though!

 

[MandyAA]

I asked last year and they said that you could. They do tend to offer TC's to vac schemers though, so there may not be too many positions leftover afterwards. Last year I applied for the direct TC after being unsuccessful and I don't think that they even reviewed any of the applications for that office...

I really hope there are spaces left over this year. I also applied for the direct TC last year and they had filled all the places 😭

 

[Zay]

Thank you!! I'm not entirely sure if they changed it, but just double checked the email and it's definitely a video one it's still with a member of GR though!

Hey- congrats!! I can help if you PM me!! It's a live video interview (i.e. interview with grad rec) and then an AC

 

[JayC]

I know this is the vac scheme thread and maybe I haven't paid close enough attention, but have people heard anything from direct TC apps to Freshfields? Like a Watson Glaser or AC

 

[Alisha S]

PFO from DWF! Just wondering if everyone got the 'we were impressed with your application and encourage you to apply for a direct TC...'

I ended up with a standard PFO, so that does sound hopeful!

 

[Lumree]

sitting here crying bc I got a VI for BCLP - I keep looking at the email to double check that I didn't just dream it up out of sheer willpower
does ANYONE have any tips bc this is my first ever VI and BCLP are probably my favourite ever firm and I don't want to screw it up
also, just wanna say thanks to everyone on here - I 100% used tips and advice from here in my app so thank you all ♥️

for those wondering - I applied on 28/01 so like 3 days before the deadline

Well at least you’re staying true to your username! Well done on the VI

 

[Legal Chick]

Is anyone else still waiting for Reed Smith Spring vacation?
many idea when they’ll let us know ?

 

[Hamilton]

Covington PFO at application stage. Swift turnaround.

 

[Adrian_S]

Friends, a question.

One of my applications is asking me to discuss "something many people don't know about me." I'm sort of unclear how to approach this. At first, I thought maybe I should talk about my struggles growing up as a RAGING HOMOSEXUAL in a largely conservative family. But I worry that might actually be too "personal." This leads me to ask: how personal can we get here? The whole "tell us something people don't about you" seems like it gives us space to do so. I'm just worried it'll seem unprofessional. @Jessica Booker do you know if this is something recruitment teams find off-putting?

 

[cryingoverTCs]

Well at least you’re staying true to your username! Well done on the VI

haha I knew I'd be crying either way! and thank you!

 

[KADELE]

At this point I'm assuming it's a PFO from DLA, but I'll ask anyway! I applied close to the deadline and haven't heard anything (London 1st pref, Leeds 2nd)- I've logged onto my portal and it says that the submission status is "Completed", updated around mid-January. Does anyone who's had a PFO from them know if "completed" equates to a rejection?

 

[21wajsz]

At this point I'm assuming it's a PFO from DLA, but I'll ask anyway! I applied close to the deadline and haven't heard anything (London 1st pref, Leeds 2nd)- I've logged onto my portal and it says that the submission status is "Completed", updated around mid-January. Does anyone who's had a PFO from them know if "completed" equates to a rejection?

Typically if you can no longer withdraw your submission, it means they've made a decision! I'd say just to email the Grad Rec and get a definitive answer. They respond rather quickly as well

 

[KADELE]

Typically if you can no longer withdraw your submission, it means they've made a decision! I'd say just to email the Grad Rec and get a definitive answer. They respond rather quickly as well

Will do, thanks!

 

[arbitracion]

PFO from Covington post-app

 

[Staples]

In today’s least surprising news, Covington PFO post-app!

 

[Jacob Miller]

Jacob’s Monday articles really came in clutch during the interviews.

Ngl this absolutely made my night

I'm so pleased you guys have enjoyed them!