2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[SF1234]

I guess Linklaters is a PFO by this point, been almost 3 months and am seeing a lot of offers on LinkedIn....

 

[MizM]

Do firms generally allow rejected VS applicants to apply for direct TC’s during the same cycle?? Also, is it frowned upon to go down this route? Thank you!

 

[JayC]

Hey Jay,

Hard to say for sure as I've no personal experience of the Debevoise AC. Could be along the lines of a case study, in which case I'd advise checking out my case study article, but could be a variety of tasks. Sorry I can't be of any more help!

Thank you!!

 

[aspiringlawyer004]

I guess Linklaters is a PFO by this point, been almost 3 months and am seeing a lot of offers on LinkedIn....

Not necessarily - I interviewed in March last year for the summer scheme. They might still come through.

 

[JayC]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but what are the differences between strengths and competencies?? Is a strength something you're strong at while a competency is something you're merely competent at lol

 

[Holly]

Do firms generally allow rejected VS applicants to apply for direct TC’s during the same cycle?? Also, is it frowned upon to go down this route? Thank you!

Depends on the firm I think! I know Macfarlanes allowed this last cycle

 

[Jony]

It shouldn’t solely be about the money. I know it’s why most people choose this career but you have to really love the work too. The hours are awful and your entire life becomes your job. If you hate the work itself then that will make it more unbearable. £100,000 + is a phenomenal salary, but after tax and living expenses of living as close to the office as possible and having little time to actually spend your money, is it worth it if you don’t actually like the work?


With all that being said, I don’t think you’d be doing much tort/land law at Dechert?

Adding on to this:

My flatmate had an incredible fast stream internship with the Civil Service - they were supportive like none other company I've seen. My girlfriend also wants to join the Fast Stream - they apparently have incredibly flexible working practices, and once you're in you're able to transfer between departments pretty seamlessly! Needless to say, their pension schemes are top class as well if you get in through the Fast Stream.

Defo give it a good think over, and all the best @Kablahc for making it to the 1.5% (?) of applicants who make it into the FS

* that being said, if one had to join a US law firm for work/life balance, Dechert has the best work-life balances in the city (see chambers and legalcheek) ... apparently because it has a lacking of a social scene lol

**but who joins a US firm for worklife balance?

 

[Andrew M]

I'm sorry if this is a stupid question, but what are the differences between strengths and competencies?? Is a strength something you're strong at while a competency is something you're merely competent at lol

Do you mean the difference between strength and competency questions in interviews, or just generally?

If you're asking regarding interviews, the questions usually require a different structure to the answer. A competency will usually be asking you to describe (using STAR) a time when you've displayed X skill. Whereas a strength based question will try to gage your strengths based on how you respond to the question - e.g. "how do you deal with failures?", "how would you handle a situation if your supervisor asked you to lie?".

 

[ishikam]

Also waiting for Linklaters, Travers, Gibson, Dechert, Latham and Freshfields, just heard back from White & Case.

Hi, W&C for summer or spring?

 

[Crastle]

Anyone else completed their final interview for Mishcon? Just had mine and want to discuss.

 

[rb26]

Hi there,

Has anyone completed the Gateleys assessment/ VI and have any advice?
I am currently so busy with LPC exams/ an internship and preparation for an AC that I just don't know if I can dedicate much time to this

 

[thewaythecookiecrumbles]

Does anyone else have a non-law job offer that they're seriously considering taking over a TC?? I got on the Fast Stream this year and I absolutely hated my 2nd year uni modules (tort/land especially) so if Dechert doesn't come thru with that £100,000 NQ salary I'm not sure what else could possibly motivate me to do the LPC

Just wanted to add my two pence in this, I'm doing the LPC right now and the course really does step away from academic law and focuses more on the application of it in certain scenarios. You also may have an opportunity in choosing electives at the end of the year so you can really tailor the course into what you actually enjoy. I definitely wouldn't worry about the LPC and wouldn't consider it as a deal breaker!

 

[AAA_a]

Hi, W&C for summer or spring?

Summer PFO post app

 

[WannabeSolicitor24]

Does anyone else have a non-law job offer that they're seriously considering taking over a TC?? I got on the Fast Stream this year and I absolutely hated my 2nd year uni modules (tort/land especially) so if Dechert doesn't come thru with that £100,000 NQ salary I'm not sure what else could possibly motivate me to do the LPC

I know this is a forum about applying to law Firms but my honest opinion is that if you don't get a TC this cycle you should take the FS offer. I know loads of people who have been unsuccessful in getting it so you have done super super well to get an offer! Alongside the work/life balance and pensions benefits as mentioned above, you also start work immediately.

If you were sadly unsuccessful in getting a TC this cycle, it could be 2024 before you start a TC and 2026 by the time you qualify, and you will also have LPC debt etc.
The FS you start work immediately and by 2026 you will have 5 years experience which you could then leverage into private practice/business.

Just my thoughts, but imo the FS is a better bet than self-funding the LPC with no guarantee of a TC at the end of it!

Best of luck

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Anyone heard from Cooley today like PFO or WG invite.

 

[Celestie]

Does anyone else have a non-law job offer that they're seriously considering taking over a TC?? I got on the Fast Stream this year and I absolutely hated my 2nd year uni modules (tort/land especially) so if Dechert doesn't come thru with that £100,000 NQ salary I'm not sure what else could possibly motivate me to do the LPC

Yep, I have an offer at an American finance company that I have waiting if law doesn't work out

But it's not about the money, it's about whether the job is for you.

 

[LegalLily]

Just hoping Gibson and Cooley have me chilling in a “maybe” pile....

 

[S87]

I know that this is not the right page..but I was wondering if there is someone who studied music copyright law and can send me some material.
Really appreciate your help!

 

[anon101]

hate to sound like a broken record, but has anyone heard from Baker McKenzie post VI for summer vs. The email they sent me for the VI said we should hear by the end of Feb, with ACs schedule for march 2, 4, 10, 12, 16 (I think).

Yeah, those are the right dates and I haven't heard anything either. I'm guessing we should hear by the end of today or tomorrow, latest? But yes, it's driving me insane too lol

 

[KT]

Yeah, those are the right dates and I haven't heard anything either. I'm guessing we should hear by the end of today or tomorrow, latest? But yes, it's driving me insane too lol

I hope so. I was starting to think I was the only one and that it is a PFO for sure.