2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[xht]

Does anyone have any advice at all for the Dechert VI? 😅 I have done a few VIs in the past and haven't managed to pass this stage! 😟

is this for spring or summer?

 

[Dheepa]

Hi guys, could anyone please provide some advise on how to go about choosing a department for a vacation scheme? Or point me towards the right thread and people?

thanks a ton!

I have slightly different advice for this than what’s already been said. I tended to pick at least one seat in a department which I knew I had some experience in. Basically playing to my strengths because I thought it would help that I had background knowledge for any of the tasks I was given.

Obviously am aware that this isn’t the most relevant if you’ve never had experience at a law firm but if you have it’s something worth considering. During my first ever VS because of my prior banking knowledge my supervisor gave me loads more work than she admitted herself she would normally give a student without that knowledge. Although I didn’t get a TC from it the knowledge I gained from all the work I did was super useful when applying again. On my Latham vac I can definitely say that what I already knew about banking terms made my life a lot easier when it came to one of the tasks we were being assessed on.

There’s very little you can control about a VS but I think skewing things in your favour where you can helps at least slightly. Just something extra to think about!

 

[Emily K]

Rejection post interview with Shearman completely gutted, I think I let nerves get the better of me!

 

[Nathan Hayes]

Macfarlanes said end of feb for VS replies?

They said end of Feb to mid March to me when I asked.

 

[Holly]

Rejection post interview with Shearman completely gutted, I think I let nerves get the better of me!

Really sorry to hear, that’s not nice news at all! Definitely request feedback if they offer it

 

[law230]

They said end of Feb to mid March to me when I asked.

same! bit concerned that there not handing out any more Acs

 

[Nathan Hayes]

same! bit concerned that there not handing out any more Acs

I was told they still had space on spring and summer schemes going into March! I do fear that some of us that haven’t heard may just be in a maybe pile.

 

[law230]

I was told they still had space on spring and summer schemes going into March! I do fear that some of us that haven’t heard may just be in a maybe pile.

When did you apply if you dont mind me asking? I sent mine in mid jan!

 

[M777]

anyone heard back from willkie post written exercise yet?

 

[frow3n]

anyone heard back from willkie post written exercise yet?

Nope! Sounds like they're still going on judging by some of the posts here - I'm thinking it'll be a few weeks until we hear.

 

[Dheepa]

I've yet to hear back from Freshfields post-app either.

I did my Vac Scheme interview with HSF yesterday and still waiting to hear back from them - I heard that if they want you they let you know very quickly so I'm getting nervous :S

If it makes you feel better, HSF didn’t want me and let me know super quickly as well. Try not to stress about the wait. They have back to back ACs so maybe they’re waiting to finish this week’s up before letting people know. ☺️

 

[applesnapple]

Does anyone feel like they f'd up their Willkie written exercise??

 

[jan28]

shearman pfo for summer. slightly late to the discussion about this year being quite abysmal for application success but I'm truly baffled by it now. last year when i was still quite an amateur had 7 apps get past the initial stages and eventually a vac scheme and this year it's the complete opposite. idek

applied early Jan if anyone's wondering !

edit - tempted to write them a poem now

 

[law230]

shearman pfo for summer. slightly late to the discussion about this year being quite abysmal for application success but I'm truly baffled by it now. last year when i was still quite an amateur had 7 apps get past the initial stages and eventually a vac scheme and this year it's the complete opposite. idek

applied early Jan if anyone's wondering !

I agree. I think this year, law firms are particularly oversubscribed. Its getting harder and harder to get past the app stage.

 

[jan28]

I agree. I think this year, law firms are particularly oversubscribed. Its getting harder and harder to get past the app stage.

Exactly. Makes me think what is the point at times but then on the other hand, can't let all this time invested go to waste. Either way, this sucks.

 

[Lillith]

I've yet to hear back from Freshfields post-app either.

I did my Vac Scheme interview with HSF yesterday and still waiting to hear back from them - I heard that if they want you they let you know very quickly so I'm getting nervous :S

I did my interview with HSF on Tuesday and haven’t heard back either, so hopefully they’re waiting until the end of the week and we’ll hear back today! I think (but not sure) the last interviews were this week and people from previous ACs have already received offers, so it might be that there are limited spaces and they want to interview everyone before making decisions (at least that’s what I hope!). Good luck!

 

[CareerChanger]

Anyone heard from PMC today? Was kinda hoping they might get back after ACs before the weekend...

 

[Leen]

Shearman PFO post app.
On a more positive note, I have an AC with A&O in a few days and wanted to ask if you guys take a different approach to partner interviews than GR interviews? Ofc I understand they're contextually different, but I mean more like how you speak if that makes sense?
Currently self-isolating with all of my family too, so that should be interesting…

 

[els124]

Shearman PFO post app.
On a more positive note, I have an AC with A&O in a few days and wanted to ask if you guys take a different approach to partner interviews than GR interviews? Ofc I understand they're contextually different, but I mean more like how you speak if that makes sense?
Currently self-isolating with all of my family too, so that should be interesting…

I base my interview style more off the interviewer's vibe than formal positions. I'd say you need to be formal but friendly no matter who you're speaking to.
However, you should definitely be asking GR different questions than the ones you ask partners. I think that's the only big difference.

 

[whisperingrock]

I agree. I think this year, law firms are particularly oversubscribed. Its getting harder and harder to get past the app stage.

Both of the firms I had ACs with said their application numbers had increased by about 80%. Which is insane to me.