2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[jessie5681]

Has anyone heard back from Boodle Hatfield about the vacation scheme after the interview round?

 

[cmaj]

Guys random question but when exactly does the GDL term usually start at BPP/ULaw? What day/week did it start in 2020?

 

[Rashida]

On Sunday?! Fingers crossed for you!

It was on Friday evening but I only just listened to the voicemail!

 

[Rashida]

Oh a Sunday?!

That's fantastic! Is this pre- or post- AC?

It was on Friday but I only just listened to the voicemail! Reckon they’ll call again tomorrow maybe

pre-AC so fingers crossed I get one ahah

 

[aspiring112]

I haven't heard back from Dechert since I sent my summer vac scheme app. Is anyone else in the same boat?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Guys random question but when exactly does the GDL term usually start at BPP/ULaw? What day/week did it start in 2020?

I am LLB Law student at BPP and we started somewhere around 26th September and GDL students started a week or 2 befpore that.

 

[Daniel Boden]

Guys random question but when exactly does the GDL term usually start at BPP/ULaw? What day/week did it start in 2020?

Induction week was 28 September at ULaw and teaching started the following week on 5th October

 

[S87]

I haven't heard back from Dechert since I sent my summer vac scheme app. Is anyone else in the same boat?

Same

 

[Legal_Hawk]

Just wondering if anyone has completed the Gateley assessment / VI yet? Was curious how long the automated interview is?

 

[ZaraB]

In terms of strategies for the next cycle of VS applications, does anyone prepare their answers or covering letters in advance of the deadline opening for firms knowing they ask the same questions or if they use a cover letter?

 

[G P]

yep did mine on monday

How did it go? do you have any tips?

 

[Nicktim]

Guys random question but when exactly does the GDL term usually start at BPP/ULaw? What day/week did it start in 2020?

The BPP PGDL induction week started on Monday 7th September 2020 and teaching started on 14th September.

 

[hlos14]

has anyone heard further from DWF Leeds post VI yet?

 

[33c]

Hey guys! I would really appreciate some advice.

I'm feeling very very burnt out by this process. I received 6 AC invitations (which I am truly grateful for) but I am finding myself becoming more and more exhausted by each one. I have three coming up this week (Monday Tuesday and Wednesday) and I am tempted to drop out of one as I think doing all three will not only have a negative impact on my performance but also my mental health. I wake up each morning in a panic, am exhausted throughout the day and am starting to develop really bad self doubt. However, I do not want to regret my decision of not attending the AC.

If anyone has any experience with this please let me know

 

[Badawy]

Hey guys! I would really appreciate some advice.

I'm feeling very very burnt out by this process. I received 6 AC invitations (which I am truly grateful for) but I am finding myself becoming more and more exhausted by each one. I have three coming up this week (Monday Tuesday and Wednesday) and I am tempted to drop out of one as I think doing all three will not only have a negative impact on my performance but also my mental health. I wake up each morning in a panic, am exhausted throughout the day and am starting to develop really bad self doubt. However, I do not want to regret my decision of not attending the AC.

If anyone has any experience with this please let me know

I've never been in this specific position - and ultimately, you know what is best for you. But when I have been in similar ones, I take refuge in the fact that by the end of the week, it'll all be over. Sometimes you just have to push through, but at the same time, be cautious of your mental health. I'd hate to give you such a stoic piece of advice otherwise.

Exercise can be a great distraction as well! Have you spoken to your friends/family about how stressed you are? That also helps me.

 

[Andrew M]

Hey guys! I would really appreciate some advice.

I'm feeling very very burnt out by this process. I received 6 AC invitations (which I am truly grateful for) but I am finding myself becoming more and more exhausted by each one. I have three coming up this week (Monday Tuesday and Wednesday) and I am tempted to drop out of one as I think doing all three will not only have a negative impact on my performance but also my mental health. I wake up each morning in a panic, am exhausted throughout the day and am starting to develop really bad self doubt. However, I do not want to regret my decision of not attending the AC.

If anyone has any experience with this please let me know

I can relate completely because this was exactly how I felt this time last week. I did five VIs, assessment centres and partner interviews in a period of just over a week. It was feeling like a full time job and I was on edge for much of the time.

The only thing I can really say is that you are *almost* there - you just need to push a little further and then you can enjoy a break from the process. Just try to keep up the intensity and remind yourself of what you are trying to accomplish. As for dropping an AC - if you feel that you would be better prepared and ready doing that then go for it.

At the end of the day, you wouldn't have gotten to this stage if you didn't have a lot to offer. Don't forget that

 

[AspiringSol]

Hey guys! I would really appreciate some advice.

I'm feeling very very burnt out by this process. I received 6 AC invitations (which I am truly grateful for) but I am finding myself becoming more and more exhausted by each one. I have three coming up this week (Monday Tuesday and Wednesday) and I am tempted to drop out of one as I think doing all three will not only have a negative impact on my performance but also my mental health. I wake up each morning in a panic, am exhausted throughout the day and am starting to develop really bad self doubt. However, I do not want to regret my decision of not attending the AC.

If anyone has any experience with this please let me know

Ahh I completely know the feeling, honestly doing 3 in a row does sound quite exhausting and i think you have valid concerns about doing so many having an impact on your performance.

i would personally try to be strategic…

consider cancelling tuesday’s as it might be more helpful to have a day’s break

do any of the exercises seem to overlap? is there anything new you would have to do lots of prep for? on one hand it might be good for your development to try something new but on the other, might just mean you have to spend more time on preparation

ofc consider the timings of each one, some ACs start early morning and end quite early, others can drag on for the whole day !

if it’s for a VS: have you looked at all the VS dates and whether you can make them? do you know anything about their conversion rates as some firms recruit more from VSs than others? probs more worth trying to go for one where you have an 80% chance of getting a TC rather than one for which you would only have a 20% chance - (obv generally evaluate which firms you like the most and would be the “best fit”)

i think it’s always hard to give up opportunities but if you feel like you’re struggling, it’s best to prioritise your health!

also enthusiasm and passion are so important in coming across well to an interviewer - perhaps be honest with yourself n decide whether you would be able to convey that fully for each AC

there are times when you’re tired and adrenalin kicks in n everything’s fine but over 3 days, it might be a bit much

 

[Jaysen]

Hey guys! I would really appreciate some advice.

I'm feeling very very burnt out by this process. I received 6 AC invitations (which I am truly grateful for) but I am finding myself becoming more and more exhausted by each one. I have three coming up this week (Monday Tuesday and Wednesday) and I am tempted to drop out of one as I think doing all three will not only have a negative impact on my performance but also my mental health. I wake up each morning in a panic, am exhausted throughout the day and am starting to develop really bad self doubt. However, I do not want to regret my decision of not attending the AC.

If anyone has any experience with this please let me know

In addition to the great comments the others have added, as a last resort consider trying to reschedule an AC, as opposed to dropping out. If you were honest about the stresses you are under next week, perhaps with the law firm that you are less fussed about, it may be possible that they could fit you in at a later date.

 

[FL0011]

In addition to the great comments the others have added, as a last resort consider trying to reschedule an AC, as opposed to dropping out. If you were honest about the stresses you are under next week, perhaps with the law firm that you are less fussed about, it may be possible that they could fit you in at a later date.

Agree with this! I was in a similar position - I had 6 ACs within a space of 10 days. I contacted three of the firms and they were more than happy to interview me at a later date - I was given a choice of dates in a few weeks’ time. Maybe it’s worth a try to ask?

I know how stressful this time is - I hope you’re okay and hang in there - you’ve done amazing to get this far @33c

 

[InNeedofaTC]

Just wondering if anyone has completed the Gateley assessment / VI yet? Was curious how long the automated interview is?

It literally feels like everyone that has got
is waiting for someone to give it a go first 🤣