2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Samantha]

What is up with them? Super annoying.

they are really longing it out.

 

[jan28]

What is up with them? Super annoying.

I think Paul mentioned that they have a 'hold pile' during the open day so it could be that those waiting are in that pile! just a guess though, good luck all!

 

[Andrew M]

Also had a bad experience. Slightly annoying bc as working class students we already have imposters syndrome. TCLA has rebuilt a lot of confidence tho!

Yeah, I absolutely agree with this. It did give me a little bit of pause about whether commercial law is an industry I want to get into. Which isn't great for a network which is supposed to help students like me from underrepresented backgrounds break into the profession...

Fortunately, I've had enough positive encounters with firms and trainees since then not to let it put me off.

 

[Sebastian Clark]

Is it a general rule that law firms prefer vac scheme places to go to students and expect graduates to apply for the straight training contract?

Im only wondering just because with this vacation scheme application cycle having been so competitive I’m wondering if it’s going to be 10x worse for the straight TC route...

 

[Samantha]

I think Paul mentioned that they have a 'hold pile' during the open day so it could be that those waiting are in that pile! just a guess though, good luck all!

What do you mean hold? Like maybes?

 

[jan28]

What do you mean hold? Like maybes?

yeah. so a yes, no and somewhere in between!

 

[GK8997]

Is it a general rule that law firms prefer vac scheme places to go to students and expect graduates to apply for the straight training contract?

Im only wondering just because with this vacation scheme application cycle having been so competitive I’m wondering if it’s going to be 10x worse for the straight TC route...

So as a general rule law firms would only suggest applying for their TC if you have had commercial experience (i.e. done VS schemes before). I've had firms tell me they prefer about 4 weeks of experience. As a graduate, I have always applied for VS as the firms I prefer tend to recruit mostly from VS rather than direct TC

 

[Dheepa]

So anyway in other CC news https://t.co/zlwvQEFuZe 🤣

I have kept this to myself but now I am losing my mind.

I applied to DWF's Ethnic Minority Access Scheme via Aspiring Solicitors. I did not hear back and contacted them, turns out they did not receive my application. I responded and showed them the email confirmation that confirms the submission. Now the easy solution is to admit the mistake but no - AS are not responding to me.

Luckily, I applied directly to DWF and have received a VI invite from them.

The issue I now have is that the AS scheme's next stage in the process is DWF's application form question - which means I theoretically had a very good chance of making the final stage. If I go ahead with the VI and receive a rejection, I may not be accepted into the process by AS.

I am running out of options now that AS have not responded. Does anyone have any advice for me here?

Try reaching out to Harri Davies as well. I was on the Aspire scheme last year and if I remember correctly he headed up most of the liasing with firms for different events and fast track schemes AS have.

I’m really sorry to hear that so many people on the forum have had a less than great experience with AS. The Aspire scheme helped me in so many ways and when I had to cancel attending a Dechert event the night before due to medical reasons they were very understanding about it.

AS sponsorships from these firms must ride hugely on specific numbers showing up to events and I generally get the feeling that they are very understaffed. So I suppose the responses people get from them vary depending on whose in charge of that particular event and how over/under subscribed it is (I know they have wait lists as well for events and send people invites when original attendees cancel)

I’m in no way trying to make excuses on their behalf. I’m shocked to see that they’ve been rude in some instances and I honestly feel pretty disappointed (especially because I rave about them to anyone who does ask me for advice on the process). I really hope they have been improving or are at least trying to improve these things.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it a general rule that law firms prefer vac scheme places to go to students and expect graduates to apply for the straight training contract?

Im only wondering just because with this vacation scheme application cycle having been so competitive I’m wondering if it’s going to be 10x worse for the straight TC route...

No - that’s not necessarily the case.

Different firms have different opportunities and the eligibility for a programme will vary by programme and firm.

 

[Jacob Miller]

Is it a general rule that law firms prefer vac scheme places to go to students and expect graduates to apply for the straight training contract?

Im only wondering just because with this vacation scheme application cycle having been so competitive I’m wondering if it’s going to be 10x worse for the straight TC route...

Not necessarily, it depends on the firm. I would say I've noticed a slight paradigm shift towards placing increased emphasis on VSs in the last few years but that is just a very general observation and is not remotely to say that firms are simply ignoring direct TC apps.

 

[breadpitt]

Completely messed up my Latham VI this really sucks

 

[breadpitt]

Btw is anyone applying to Latham Dubai? Perhaps I should start a thread

 

[castrooo]

Hi, can I know how you found out what your percentile was? Is it possible to email the grad rec and ask for your WG results? I was not invited to an AC but I'd still love to know how I did in the WG.

Yes, just email grad rec and ask for your report

 

[jasonweee]

Btw is anyone applying to Latham Dubai? Perhaps I should start a thread

I kind of want to! It looks cool!

 

[Jessica Booker]

So anyway in other CC news https://t.co/zlwvQEFuZe

CC’s PR team are going to have a nightmare with this thread 😬, although to be fair that is not really anything to do with them, apart from recruiting a wrong-un.

 

[Dheepa]

Is it a general rule that law firms prefer vac scheme places to go to students and expect graduates to apply for the straight training contract?

Im only wondering just because with this vacation scheme application cycle having been so competitive I’m wondering if it’s going to be 10x worse for the straight TC route...

Nope, no general rule like this at all! Your chances at the direct TC route/VS route are pretty much the same as a penultimate or graduate student.

I think for direct TCs it can make your application much stronger if you do have a previous VS or any other commercial law work experience to prove your commitment to the career, but that being said, I know many people who have secured TCs through the direct route without any prior legal work experience.

I think direct TCs are maybe slightly more competitive because there may be less spots open since firms have given out places to vac scheme students already. That and the fact that some firms don’t even look at their direct TC apps if they’ve filled up all their spaces from offers after a VS.

Still think it’s worth applying though! You really never know unless you try!

 

[breadpitt]

I kind of want to! It looks cool!

Maybe someone can advice on this but can I apply to Latham Dubai if I don’t speak Arabic? I also have no connection to the ME so I’m not too sure what my chances are

 

[John Travoni]

Has anyone heard back from Kennedy’s? We were sent an email last week saying that we would hear back by the w/c 15th yet I still have not heard anything

 

[Sebastian Clark]

So as a general rule law firms would only suggest applying for their TC if you have had commercial experience (i.e. done VS schemes before). I've had firms tell me they prefer about 4 weeks of experience. As a graduate, I have always applied for VS as the firms I prefer tend to recruit mostly from VS rather than direct TC

Ok that makes sense - do you mean exclusively VS Schemes? I’ve been working in legal/professional roles for 16 months now so I assume that would easily cover that

 

[nicolewise98]

anyone heard from clifford chance post-AC?

Hi! I heard back today and was offered a TC!