2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[M0723]

Also has anyone else heard from Shearman this week? Very anxious about it but I haven't seen anyone getting anything this week as of yet

Same literally sweating in my seat

 

[Celestie]

So uh... someone wanna tell me how to get a high score in the WG?
I literally analyse things for my degree every hour of every day but this test just shoots me in the foot.

 

[Andrew M]

Following on from the discussion of how many apps people have made, I just put together a table of all of mine. This includes vacation scheme and training contract apps but not open days etc. This cycle I have made 16 out of a total of 44.

	2017-18	2018-19	2019-20	2020-21	Total Apps
Allen & Overy			Interview	Written	2
Baker McKenzie			Video Interview	Written	2
Bird & Bird			Watson Glaser	Written	2
BCLP	Assessment Centre	Written	Written		3
Clifford Chance			Written		1
Clyde & Co			Written		1
Dechert			Written	Awaiting	2
Deloitte			Online Test		1
DLA Piper	Written				1
Gowling WLG			Online Test		1
Hassans		Written			1
HSF		Written	Written	Written	3
Hogan Lovells		Written	Written		2
Latham & Watkins				Awaiting	1
Linklaters			Online Test	Awaiting	2
Macfarlanes				Awaiting	1
Mayer Brown			Written	Awaiting	2
Memery Crystal			Interview		1
Norton Rose Fulbright	Written			Written	2
Reed Smith		Written	Interview	Awaiting	3
Skadden				Written	1
Slaughter and May	Written			Written	2
Stephenson Harwood			Written	Written	2
Travers Smith		Written	Interview		2
Weil			Written	Awaiting	2
Willkie				Video Interview	1
				Total Apps	44

Wow - that is a LOT of applications!

It must be very frustrating not to be successful at the application stage, when you've previously gone further. The upside to me doing so badly last year is that there's only one firm where that could happen to me this year! 😆

 

[Naomi U]

Hi folks, if a one-page cover letter simply requests candidates to explain why you're interested in becoming a trainee at the firm, is it recommended to therefore skip the 'why law' section which I have typically included in prior cover letters and instead, tightly hone in on the 'why this firm' dynamic? Perhaps a silly question, but your input would be valuable!

Hiya

Not a silly question at all! From the wording of the question, I think you could incorporate both. I would perhaps lead with my specific interests in the firm, then use my experiences and general motivations to explain why I have these specific interests in particular.

Hope this helps ☺️

 

[H48]

So I have one vac scheme, and I am at various stages with other VS'. Unfortunately, all of them overlap and naturally the anxiety of only having 1 VS is killing me. What do we think about continuing the process in the hopes that I secure more VS', and things are still virtual, and therefore only 1 week. Judging by the vaccine schedule, I don't really see how things could go back to normal by July.

I'd definitely continue, I have a friend who turned down a VS last year due to overlap (by one day only) and naturally they both got moved online/shortened due to COVID so they could have done both anyway.

 

[Naomi U]

Anyone who has applied to Mayer Brown, did you discuss your skills/ why me in the cover letter? I have read they want it to be largely why law/ why MB.

Thanks

Hiya,

I am not that most familiar with Mayer Brown, however I think you could combine both to give greater and more personalised detail to your why MB and why law responses. So almost like a 70/30 split, using your personal experiences and skills as evidence of your specific interests in CL and MB.

Best of luck!

 

[Haz]

Anyone who has applied to Mayer Brown, did you discuss your skills/ why me in the cover letter? I have read they want it to be largely why law/ why MB.

Thanks

I've had similar doubts! I feel like because the cover letter is only 500 words, it's better to focus on why law and why MB, and then for the second question involving 'roles of responsibility, interests, extra-curricular activities', make sure to link back what transferrable skills you've gained from them (and that's essentially answering your "why you?").

 

[Naomi U]

For people with final interviews, do you ask who your interviewer will be? I thought it might be useful but i’m not sure if it’s something that’s done.

Hiya,

I don't see anything wrong with asking. Some firms won't say as sometimes its not known till later on, but similarly I'm sure there are some firms who will.

I would add though that I also agree with Dheepa; it doesn't really change much regarding interview performance, arguably they are interviewing you so I wouldn't alter my prep around who is my interviewer.
Hope this helps!

 

[CalibreX1]

Anyone heard from

• Kennedys - post-SJT (London TC)
• HFW - post-app (London VS)

Thanks!

 

[ellwilsen]

Anyone heard from

• Kennedys - post-SJT (London TC)
• HFW - post-app (London VS)

Thanks!

Nothing from HFW x

 

[Law2022]

I am yet to hear back from PM (I applied to London)!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Anyone heard from

• Kennedys - post-SJT (London TC)
• HFW - post-app (London VS)

Thanks!

Still waiting for Kennedys post SST test but I was told 3 weeks.

 

[MandyAA]

Has anyone heard back from Mishcon recently?

Nope nothing! I’m still waiting for a response post app. I applied on 4th December

 

[Dheepa]

This is a super long shot but does anyone happen to have any tips for professional looking hair styles for ACs and interviews? 😂 I've never quite been able to imitate the neat, professional blow-dry type hair styles or even fancy updos I see most fellow gals wearing on open days because my hair is super thick, wavy textured and ALWAYS seems to look messy (perks of mixed race parent lol). I know firms shouldn't/won't discriminate against me as a candidate for hair texture of all things, but it definitely doesn't make me look very put together! I usually flat iron and try and make it into nice curls but after a while it tends to look a bit fried. Anyone else out here have a similar problem and any tips? 😂😂

Sounds like we have potentially very similar hair types! My hair is super thick and curly and frizzy no matter what I do to it! I don’t like flat ironing just because it dries my hair out massively but specifically for interviews and vacs last year I bought a teeny tiny bottle of hairspray from Boots to keep my flyaways towards the front of my hair down. Did the trick for most of the day with helping my ponytail look sleek. Ofc towards the end of the day it ends up looking a bit tragic but by that point everyone kinda does anyway so you can get away with it! 😆

 

[Jacinta N]

Hi guys, I'm applying to Taylor Vinters and came across this question: If you were asked to advise our management team on one key area for Taylor Vinters to focus on in the next three years, what would that be and why?

I would love to talk about D&I and what I could bring, but the firm specialised in technology so would it be better to focus on that?

Hi, last year I got an AC and for that question I wrote about the importance of ensuring effective communication across the firm and linked it to their international office in Singapore... so, I guess you can choose anything sensible but I would definitely say link it back to the firm

Hope that helps

 

[HorsesForCoursesNeighNeighNeigh]

I like seeing the organised methods everyone uses to keep track of their applications.

However, I prefer the method of receiving rejections and thinking "ha I don't even remember applying to you guys!".

100% effective for overcoming rejections thus far - (until you open up the actual application and realise this was your DREAM firm - this applies to every single firm of course).

Haha this was me, no log or record whatsoever of my applications lol

Oh my god that stresses me out Spent my lunch break today updating my colour coding system, I use three excel sheets for applied, applying and consider applying. Looks better than half of my applications!!!😁

 

[KS94]

Oh my god that stresses me out Spent my lunch break today updating my colour coding system, I use three excel sheets for applied, applying and consider applying. Looks better than half of my applications!!!😁

Hahaha to be fair, are you really interested in a career in law if half your time isn't spent organising notes/timetables/deadlines??

I hope everyone can make one final push for the 31st Jan deadlines!

 

[Dheepa]

So I have one vac scheme, and I am at various stages with other VS'. Unfortunately, all of them overlap and naturally the anxiety of only having 1 VS is killing me. What do we think about continuing the process in the hopes that I secure more VS', and things are still virtual, and therefore only 1 week. Judging by the vaccine schedule, I don't really see how things could go back to normal by July.

You only need one VS and one TC offer. But I can understand and relate to your anxiety very well, and personally I’d say definitely continue applying and progressing with other apps. Make some direct TC apps in the summer too if you want, that’s what I did! Even if your vacs overlap firms are usually very accommodating about moving scheme dates/moving from spring to summer as long as you tell them early enough. Funny story, all three of my vacs last year were supposed to be in the same week in spring (product of me thinking I wouldn’t even get one lol) and I had to do a lot of anxious emailing and calling to get it moved around but like I said firms are usually very nice about it!

 

[breadpitt]

I haven't heard back from Weil for their summer VS since I did the VI in January. Anyone in the same boat?

 

[LS12]

Hi, not sure if this has been answered. Where a firm references themselves with an abbreviation of their name should you still use their full name? For example Orrick reference themselves as Orrick in their own questions but not sure if I should use Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe or not?

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