2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[202023r]

I got an AC invite 2 days after completing the VI

Hi, was this for their summer scheme?

 

[Alice G]

this might be a very general question, but does anyone have any advice on how to go about structuring cover letters? i have submitted a few cover letters in my time but i havent been successful in those applications. i was wondering if anyone is willing to look at mine and let me know whats wrong with it/give any feedback. thank you guys!

The key things most firms want to see covered are the following:

Why commercial law?
Why the firm?
Why you?

Do be mindful of law firm advice available on their websites etc but this is a general rule of thumb. I know Slaughters like people to address mitigating circumstances and any reasons for lower grades etc in theirs.

In terms of structuring the above, I tend to approach it in the order I have given but I tend to try to have a linking point between all three sections to ensure flow and some logic for the reader. I read an application this week where a candidate did why commercial law, and then they had alternate paragraphs addressing 'why them?' and 'why the firm?' which just didn't work. There was no link and it just read quite chaotically in my opinion. There are no hard and fast ways of structuring as such but just make it clear, logical and easy to follow. Note as well that the three points I have given here are not mutually exclusive - because of the need to give personal examples and tie things back to you personally, 'why you?' should really feature throughout every paragraph in some way, when addressing 'why the firm?' and 'why commercial law?', these personal points will just not be the sole focus of the paragraph.

 

[lawgirl1234]

The key things most firms want to see covered are the following:

Why commercial law?
Why the firm?
Why you?

Do be mindful of law firm advice available on their websites etc but this is a general rule of thumb. I know Slaughters like people to address mitigating circumstances and any reasons for lower grades etc in theirs.

In terms of structuring the above, I tend to approach it in the order I have given but I tend to try to have a linking point between all three sections to ensure flow and some logic for the reader. I read an application this week where a candidate did why commercial law, and then they had alternate paragraphs addressing 'why them?' and 'why the firm?' which just didn't work. There was no link and it just read quite chaotically in my opinion. There are no hard and fast ways of structuring as such but just make it clear, logical and easy to follow. Note as well that the three points I have given here are not mutually exclusive - because of the need to give personal examples and tie things back to you personally, 'why you?' should really feature throughout every paragraph in some way, when addressing 'why the firm?' and 'why commercial law?', these personal points will just not be the sole focus of the paragraph.

If there's a separate question on the application which essentially is 'why the firm?' would it be ok to put much less emphasis on this part in the cover letter? Obviously I would still make links where appropriate but perhaps not talk about it in as much detail. Thanks in advance!

 

[ruby1]

I completed a CMS VI on 10th December and haven't heard back.. has anyone who completed one around the same time heard anything? The status on the portal says 'reviewed' also

 

[Sekani Wraith]

Just heard back for Jones Day today (application is for both of their schemes), for invite for a late Feb interview. Looks pretty damn intense, chat with an Associate followed by 40 minutes with two "senior lawyers."

I had my initial Mayer Brown telephone interview before, this is my first proper big big interview!

You'd be surprised. I did a winter vac scheme with them last cycle and my interview was a nicer conversation than I have had with some of my friends. They did the whole good cop bad cop thing but luckily for me, the bad cop had to leave to meet a client 5 minutes into the interview, so me and good cop had a great time for 30 minutes. Good luck!

 

[Helpme12345]

I completed a CMS VI on 10th December and haven't heard back.. has anyone who completed one around the same time heard anything? The status on the portal says 'reviewed' also

I’m in the same position as you !

 

[thirdtimelucky]

I feel like this year my applications are much stronger but also feeling anxious that this is not going to translate in more ACs! Guess there’s not much to do but wait

 

[AS2000]

Has anyone heard from Latham & Watkins?

 

[ruby1]

I’m in the same position as you !

Thanks for letting me know! that's good to hear at least.. just a waiting game I guess

 

[OB]

I completed a CMS VI on 10th December and haven't heard back.. has anyone who completed one around the same time heard anything? The status on the portal says 'reviewed' also

I’m in the same position as you !

I completed my VI on 12th November and didn't hear back til 22nd December, so nearly 6 weeks! Don't lose hope Mine also showed as reviewed for a few weeks.

 

[RyanM1]

I completed my VI on 12th November and didn't hear back til 22nd December, so nearly 6 weeks! Don't lose hope Mine also showed as reviewed for a few weeks.

How long after submitting your application did you hear about the next stage?

 

[ruby1]

I completed my VI on 12th November and didn't hear back til 22nd December, so nearly 6 weeks! Don't lose hope Mine also showed as reviewed for a few weeks.

Oh wow okay thank you!! I'll put it at the back of my mind for now

 

[Alice G]

If there's a separate question on the application which essentially is 'why the firm?' would it be ok to put much less emphasis on this part in the cover letter? Obviously I would still make links where appropriate but perhaps not talk about it in as much detail. Thanks in advance!

I think yes you would be fine to make fewer points or maybe even one key one if the word count is tight - if you can offer different points to that in the application form question then that would be a good approach to take

 

[OB]

How long after submitting your application did you hear about the next stage?

I submitted on 25th October and got a WG invite the next day, and then a VI invite 2 weeks after completing the WG

 

[acceleratedlaw]

The key things most firms want to see covered are the following:

Why commercial law?
Why the firm?
Why you?

Do be mindful of law firm advice available on their websites etc but this is a general rule of thumb. I know Slaughters like people to address mitigating circumstances and any reasons for lower grades etc in theirs.

In terms of structuring the above, I tend to approach it in the order I have given but I tend to try to have a linking point between all three sections to ensure flow and some logic for the reader. I read an application this week where a candidate did why commercial law, and then they had alternate paragraphs addressing 'why them?' and 'why the firm?' which just didn't work. There was no link and it just read quite chaotically in my opinion. There are no hard and fast ways of structuring as such but just make it clear, logical and easy to follow. Note as well that the three points I have given here are not mutually exclusive - because of the need to give personal examples and tie things back to you personally, 'why you?' should really feature throughout every paragraph in some way, when addressing 'why the firm?' and 'why commercial law?', these personal points will just not be the sole focus of the paragraph.

Hi Alice, thank you for your response! I was also wondering, how important is it to add the technical stuff such as your address and the firm's address to the cover letter? esp given the word count, i dont wanna be wasting words if that is not necessary.

 

[bibss]

Has anyone heard from Latham & Watkins?

I think it will be a while before we hear back since they are non rolling

 

[RyanM1]

I submitted on 25th October and got a WG invite the next day, and then a VI invite 2 weeks after completing the WG

Thanks Olivia, and congratulations!

 

[Alice G]

Hi Alice, thank you for your response! I was also wondering, how important is it to add the technical stuff such as your address and the firm's address to the cover letter? esp given the word count, i dont wanna be wasting words if that is not necessary.

I think this might vary firm by firm and if there is a word count, I would personally be less inclined to include the address and date etc unless the firm website/grad rec advise explicitly otherwise of course. I do think the addresses and date look good though and if there is not a word count I would always include it. Make sure you research exactly how to present this as I have seen it be done incorrectly many times. You also don't need a line for the 'subject' of the letter - they know it is a covering letter and I would omit this.

 

[manchunited]

Does anyone have any tips for Kirkland’s VI?

Congrats on the VI! May I ask when did you apply?

 

[I.Like.UFOs.Not.PFOs]

Guys - an important reminder that for anyone submitting to Freshfields, there is a template document you need to download when you are in the application portal which you copy and paste your personal statement into before uploading. Good luck to everyone submitting!

Hi! I’ve literally just created a TCLA account now to say thank you for this. I assumed that we were to upload a typical word document etc and only glanced over the instructions (which is a lesson well learned to read more carefully from now on!). Your comment just made me double check and now I’ve uploaded my personal statement using the template, so again, thank you!