2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[kls]

I just received an email from Travers Smith GR stating that "the process is ongoing and we hope to confirm the outcome of your application within the next month".

Has anyone else received this?

I’ve not had anything 🤷🏻‍♀️

 

[Mxkry]

Just received "the process is ongoing " email from travers....

 

[Polyglot]

I'm thinking more of a PhD programme, which involves very little class time and mainly research and writing a thesis. I'm specifically wondering if there's anything disallowing it

Having done both a PhD and GDL/LPC (not at the same time!), I don't meant to be rude but even asking this question shows a certain lack of awareness of what these qualifications entail. And I had jobs/children/other commitments both through the PhD and the GDL/LPC, so I am not saying you can't do other things while studying full time. These course are demanding, but in different ways. You will not be able to have enough head space for both if you are doing all of them full-time.

I'm guessing you are planning a humanities PhD, since a science one would require time for practical aspects of research, which would definitely mean you could not study for another full time degree at the same time.

Nobody will prevent you from doing both course, especially if you are paying for them. Your PhD supervisor will likely try to dissuade you from this idea, unless you do not tell them, in which case you will run into problems when you need to explain why you are not writing your thesis if they do not know that you are doing law at the same time. GDL/LPC course providers will let you enrol and pay the fees too. It is also worth remembering attrition rate for humanities PhDs is 50% - worth considering what it would mean to you if you start a course but don't finish, for whatever reason.

I worked in academia for years after my PhD, then switched to law. PM me if you want a chat and I may be able to offer some more specific advice.

 

[cmaj]

TAYLOR WESSING VAC SCHEME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 GUYS FR I AM SOBBING I HAVE WANTED THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS!!!!

Two years ago a firm called me 'slightly odd and too loud', last year I got no vac schemes and this year.... this year I've had three offers, all with glowing feedback 😭😭😭 Pls never stop trying friends, you will make it ✨

 

[lawyer foru]

Boodle Hatfield VS!!!

hi, i havent heard back, does this mean rejection?!

 

[M&ALawyer]

What is the best way to tell a law firm, which has two vac scheme dates that you have another vac scheme with another firm (with only one date) and the one of the dates clash? Is it best to just be honest about it? I don’t want to seem like I don’t care. Both schemes are in the summer but I feel like it’s best to tell them in advance. Any suggestions? @Jessica Booker @Jaysen

Assuming that you have offers for the two vac schemes I would definitely just be honest about it and tell Graduate Recruitment of the firm with 2 vac scheme dates as soon as you can, so there is a chance they can allocate you to your preferred scheme before they run out of spaces. They will understand that candidates may have more than one vacation scheme they want to attend, and in my experience tend to be as accommodating as possible. It wont be held against you at all.

On your point on seeming that it may come across that you don't care, I would say when your communicating this message ensure that you highlight how enthusiastic and committed you are to that firm, but also mention that you do want to diversify your options/gain more legal experience etc. Thats perfectly reasonable.

If you don't have offers for both yet I would perhaps wait until you are in that position though, in the interest of saving both yourself and Grad Rec time.

 

[M&ALawyer]

TAYLOR WESSING VAC SCHEME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 GUYS FR I AM SOBBING I HAVE WANTED THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS!!!!

Two years ago a firm called me 'slightly odd and too loud', last year I got no vac schemes and this year.... this year I've had three offers, all with glowing feedback 😭😭😭 Pls never stop trying friends, you will make it ✨

Massive congratulations! Very well deserved!

 

[OB]

I'm thinking more of a PhD programme, which involves very little class time and mainly research and writing a thesis. I'm specifically wondering if there's anything disallowing it

You want to do a PhD, GDL and LPC at the same time??

 

[GK8997]

What is the best way to tell a law firm, which has two vac scheme dates that you have another vac scheme with another firm (with only one date) and the one of the dates clash? Is it best to just be honest about it? I don’t want to seem like I don’t care. Both schemes are in the summer but I feel like it’s best to tell them in advance. Any suggestions? @Jessica Booker @Jaysen

Hiya, I would definitely suggest telling the firm- if the firm like you enough to make an offer they will definitely try and accommodate you if they can and the sooner you tell them the more likely they are to be able to! In terms of coming across uncaring, I would just stress how keen you are on the firm because it if perfectly reasonable to want to do both if you can! But saying this, I would not tell the firm until they make you can offer because it's only then that it's worth asking them to accommodate you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

What is the best way to tell a law firm, which has two vac scheme dates that you have another vac scheme with another firm (with only one date) and the one of the dates clash? Is it best to just be honest about it? I don’t want to seem like I don’t care. Both schemes are in the summer but I feel like it’s best to tell them in advance. Any suggestions? @Jessica Booker @Jaysen

What stage of the recruitment process are you at? This will help me understand how best to approach this conversation.

 

[els124]

FF PFO post-AC

 

[Emily K]

TAYLOR WESSING VAC SCHEME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 GUYS FR I AM SOBBING I HAVE WANTED THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS!!!!

Two years ago a firm called me 'slightly odd and too loud', last year I got no vac schemes and this year.... this year I've had three offers, all with glowing feedback 😭😭😭 Pls never stop trying friends, you will make it ✨

This is amazing, HUGE congrats!!!! Hope you're celebrating today!! ☺️

 

[TC4me]

Assuming that you have offers for the two vac schemes I would definitely just be honest about it and tell Graduate Recruitment of the firm with 2 vac scheme dates as soon as you can, so there is a chance they can allocate you to your preferred scheme before they run out of spaces. They will understand that candidates may have more than one vacation scheme they want to attend, and in my experience tend to be as accommodating as possible. It wont be held against you at all.

On your point on seeming that it may come across that you don't care, I would say when your communicating this message ensure that you highlight how enthusiastic and committed you are to that firm, but also mention that you do want to diversify your options/gain more legal experience etc. Thats perfectly reasonable.

If you don't have offers for both yet I would perhaps wait until you are in that position though, in the interest of saving both yourself and Grad Rec time.

Hiya, I would definitely suggest telling the firm- if the firm like you enough to make an offer they will definitely try and accommodate you if they can and the sooner you tell them the more likely they are to be able to! In terms of coming across uncaring, I would just stress how keen you are on the firm because it if perfectly reasonable to want to do both if you can! But saying this, I would not tell the firm until they make you can offer because it's only then that it's worth asking them to accommodate you!

Thank you both, that’s really helpful!

 

[TC4me]

What stage of the recruitment process are you at? This will help me understand how best to approach this conversation.

I have both offers. I just received the second offer today from the firm with one scheme.

 

[Samantha]

Does anyone have any news from Macfarlanes? Are they still running ACs?

 

[Adrian_Healey]

TAYLOR WESSING VAC SCHEME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 GUYS FR I AM SOBBING I HAVE WANTED THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS!!!!

Two years ago a firm called me 'slightly odd and too loud', last year I got no vac schemes and this year.... this year I've had three offers, all with glowing feedback 😭😭😭 Pls never stop trying friends, you will make it ✨

Congrats! Can I ask when was your AC?

 

[thirdtimelucky]

TAYLOR WESSING VAC SCHEME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 GUYS FR I AM SOBBING I HAVE WANTED THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS!!!!

Two years ago a firm called me 'slightly odd and too loud', last year I got no vac schemes and this year.... this year I've had three offers, all with glowing feedback 😭😭😭 Pls never stop trying friends, you will make it ✨

Omg congratulations ⭐️ So incredibly well deserved ❤️

 

[layla rose]

TAYLOR WESSING VAC SCHEME 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 GUYS FR I AM SOBBING I HAVE WANTED THEM FOR SO MANY YEARS!!!!

Two years ago a firm called me 'slightly odd and too loud', last year I got no vac schemes and this year.... this year I've had three offers, all with glowing feedback 😭😭😭 Pls never stop trying friends, you will make it ✨

you are amazing! Well done!!!!

 

[AlRJ]

Does anyone know how many people Travers take for their Vac scheme?

Normally between 45-60 people across 3 schemes. I don't know whether this would have changed due to COVID though!

 

[Dheepa]

Hi all, slightly random but if anyone has done a K&E Open Day could you please drop me a PM? Thank you! ☺️

Just replying to let people know that I’m all good with this now. Thank you to everyone that offered to help, y’all are the best. 💓