2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[ibs97]

Anyone who applied for Shearman Spring Scheme still waiting? I understand that Paul has made it clear the large amount of application reviews and interviews that the Grad Rec are conducting but the Spring Scheme is very soon! Seems likely it will be a PFO

haven't heard back either and would appreciate the pfo by now

 

[GK8997]

Yes US firms are more strict towards grades and they want people with top grades but I guess not every US firm takes that approach.

I didn't actually know this about US firms! (mildly surprised as my grades in first year uni were slightly questionable to say the least!)

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I didn't actually know this about US firms! (mildly surprised as my grades in first year uni were slightly questionable to say the least!)

I have heard this but don't take my word for it.

 

[law230]

haven't heard back either and would appreciate the pfo by now

I mean they have sent some rejections already so I am kind of hopeful that they will send out some Acs still. Also once you get the AC the turnaround is pretty quick apparently. So there is still hope maybe? im still expecting a pfo tho.

 

[Alex PB]

Has anyone heard back from Reed Smith Post-AC? Not expecting a positive outcome as the strength-based questions part of the interview went terribly but would be good to know when they roughly they get back to people!

 

[Sebastian Clark]

I agree with that some MC firms are not strict with grades for example Linklaters I know people with 2.2 got a VS there.

Thank you Jessica and I think some firms are more strict with grades I mean having a 2.1 overall but one 2.2 is okay but do US firms take a stricter approach on grades.

Thank you guys and I agree with that certain modules like contract law grades matter more.

There definitely does seem to be a rule of thumb with grades in regard to overall % per year. I had a 2.1 (non law) from decent RG but I had 2.2s overall in my first and second years, so ended up having to pull the rabbit out of the hat in my final year to get the 2.1.

I also agree certain modules matter more. I did a part time job alongside my GDL (and was also far too relaxed in my approach to the course and it’s demands I won’t lie) and ended up with a high pass. Not a killer in itself but I ended up with a 44 in contract law.

Fast forward 20 months and despite having a lot of legal/professional experience under my belt I’m still yet to get to the AC stage of any application.

I’ve had good/great feedback on my apps and my practice VIs - at this point I’m wondering how much experience I’ll need to offset my poor grades.

 

[C]

So I personally discuss a specific headline initially to answer the 'commercial story' bit- I give brief details of the article I read. I then link it back to general trends in the market/ specific industry. Following this, I talk about its impact on law firms i.e. if these sectors are being impacts how will this affect law firms and I make sure to link it back to the firm I am interviewing at specifically (I pick a commercial story that links back to the firm's practice areas or industries). This is my approach but by no means is it the right one!

thanks for your reply! and yep, I've so far been doing the exact same thing - lets hope its the right approach lol. do you feel its necessary to link it back to the firm you're applying to? I have so far been doing this, but recently been thinking that they may deem it irrelevant or not totally answering the Q.

 

[djqb]

Hi - does anybody know if it's possible to get free access to The Lawyer? There's some really interesting information about a firm I've applied to but it's all behind a pay wall. Thanks!

 

[GK8997]

Has anyone heard back from Reed Smith Post-AC? Not expecting a positive outcome as the strength-based questions part of the interview went terribly but would be good to know when they roughly they get back to people!

My AC is only next week so don't quote me but they may be waiting for all the ACs to let people know? But again not sure!

 

[jan28]

Hi - does anybody know if it's possible to get free access to The Lawyer? There's some really interesting information about a firm I've applied to but it's all behind a pay wall. Thanks!

i get it through my uni so if you give me the link I can copy/paste it to you?

 

[Dheepa]

thanks for your reply! and yep, I've so far been doing the exact same thing - lets hope its the right approach lol. do you feel its necessary to link it back to the firm you're applying to? I have so far been doing this, but recently been thinking that they may deem it irrelevant or not totally answering the Q.

Don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this one but this is generally the same approach I took as well. In terms of whether you should link it back to the firm, I would always recommend doing this because you want to show the firm you understand you these developments will impact its won business strategies. It can really be as simple as mentioning an increase in work for particular practice areas or more cross border work involving certain regions.

 

[iamJW]

Finally some amazing news! Just got off the phone with Travers Smith GR Team and I have been invited for an Interview for the Summer VS 🥳🥳

 

[GK8997]

thanks for your reply! and yep, I've so far been doing the exact same thing - lets hope its the right approach lol. do you feel its necessary to link it back to the firm you're applying to? I have so far been doing this, but recently been thinking that they may deem it irrelevant or not totally answering the Q.

I personally think that linking back to the firm shows that you're aware of what the firm is about and their particular strengths!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

There definitely does seem to be a rule of thumb with grades in regard to overall % per year. I had a 2.1 (non law) from decent RG but I had 2.2s overall in my first and second years, so ended up having to pull the rabbit out of the hat in my final year to get the 2.1.

I also agree certain modules matter more. I did a part time job alongside my GDL (and was also far too relaxed in my approach to the course and it’s demands I won’t lie) and ended up with a high pass. Not a killer in itself but I ended up with a 44 in contract law.

Fast forward 20 months and despite having a lot of legal/professional experience under my belt I’m still yet to get to the AC stage of any application.

I’ve had good/great feedback on my apps and my practice VIs - at this point I’m wondering how much experience I’ll need to offset my poor grades.

I know how you feel about not reaching an assessment centre.

 

[djqb]

i get it through my uni so if you give me the link I can copy/paste it to you?

Sure thanks a lot! Can I PM you?

 

[cloud9]

Finally some amazing news! Just got off the phone with Travers Smith GR Team and I have been invited for an Interview for the Summer VS 🥳🥳

Amazing, congratulations! When did you apply?

 

[jan28]

Sure thanks a lot! Can I PM you?

sure

 

[E.A]

Don't think there's a right or wrong answer to this one but this is generally the same approach I took as well. In terms of whether you should link it back to the firm, I would always recommend doing this because you want to show the firm you understand you these developments will impact its won business strategies. It can really be as simple as mentioning an increase in work for particular practice areas or more cross border work involving certain regions.

How important would you say it to always link it back to the particular firm? Just thinking in case it is difficult to make it relevant to the specific firm and it comes across very forced in terms of trying to find relevance?

 

[Legalmel_99]

Finally some amazing news! Just got off the phone with Travers Smith GR Team and I have been invited for an Interview for the Summer VS 🥳🥳

This is soo good! Congratulations 🥳 what a great Friday 🥰

 

[C]

How important would you say it to always link it back to the particular firm? Just thinking in case it is difficult to make it relevant to the specific firm and it comes across very forced in terms of trying to find relevance?

(just pitching in) I'd say you can negate that by just picking a story you know will be relevant to the firm and their work ? not sure though