2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Num]

Has anyone done a written exercise before for a Vac scheme? It’s my first ever one and I’m not sure what to expect! I didn’t think I’d get this far to be fair 😂🙈

 

[Matt_96]

Trowers AC for London office!

 

[CareerChanger]

Trowers AC for London!

 

[Kubed]

(Random q) How realistic is it to do the GDL full time and while working full time?

I worked full-time and did the GDL part-time on a Saturday. It was just about manageable but I had no life, used up most of my annual leave for revision/exams and lost a bunch of Saturdays because classes were for the full day. I managed a good grade and don't have any regrets but I think it really depends on the nature & flexibility of the job - I had pretty set hours and although there was a fair bit of international travel, I could largely plan these trips to work around my GDL schedule. I don't think I would've managed it if I was doing the full-time GDL.

 

[Matt_96]

Trowers AC for London!

Must have been invited as part of the same batch. Guess I might see you there!

 

[ab1147]

Hey so on the insight scheme it was a letter-writing exercise! Pretty straight forward wasn’t really testing legal knowledge just more on your accuracy etc as they made us switch off all speck check on our Word when we did it. I’ve done one at another firm which was writing an email explaining terms of a contract but the one I did for HD was much more straight forward x

Thank you thats so reassuring! so nothing you can really prepare for I suppose!

 

[Legal_rawn]

Sorry to be a big cloud of negativity today but does anyone else just feel like giving up? I have A*A*A at A-level, go to a top RG uni with a solid 2.1 and some firsts (got an 84% once magically), have loads of extra-circulars including music sport and societies, have worked part time since I was 16, two formal work experience schemes yet still can’t get a TC offer? I know everyone works hard but I can’t help feeling like it’s wasted effort I literally do nothing but my uni work and applications but it feels like I shouldn’t have bothered

 

[M1999]

Thank you! I got an email but I emailed on Tuesday just to enquire about my application because I hadn’t got the standard email saying they were still reviewing and someone from grad recruitment replied to that email offering me an interview- I guess always worth emailing to ask about your application progress?

Congratulations- so happy for you! Could I ask what email you used to ask them? I’m wondering if I should use the cv mail one that they sent me or do a new email with their offiicial address. Thankyou!

 

[tractor12]

Sorry to be a big cloud of negativity today but does anyone else just feel like giving up? I have A*A*A at A-level, go to a top RG uni with a solid 2.1 and some firsts (got an 84% once magically), have loads of extra-circulars including music sport and societies, have worked part time since I was 16, two formal work experience schemes yet still can’t get a TC offer? I know everyone works hard but I can’t help feeling like it’s wasted effort I literally do nothing but my uni work and applications but it feels like I shouldn’t have bothered

Sounds like you have a great profile. Have you been making any progress with your applications?

 

[Legal_rawn]

Sounds like you have a great profile. Have you been making any progress with your applications?

I’ve had a couple of ACs and video interviews with no success but got a VS last year so thought that would make this year easier but that has not been the case at all!

 

[Num]

Thank you thats so reassuring! so nothing you can really prepare for I suppose!

Definitely! Thanks for asking I was just about to post this question haha
I may just look over structure points!

 

[tractor12]

I’ve had a couple of ACs and video interviews with no success but got a VS last year so thought that would make this year easier but that has not been the case at all!

I also had a better cycle last year and I think the general feeling is that it's just been more competitive this year.

The fact you've made it to these stages shows your hard work definitely hasn't been for nothing! The areas you need to improve on are probably not your grades or your experiences but whatever the reasons were for not progressing through your ACs/VS. You've clearly got what it takes so just carry on working hard and trying to work out your areas for improvement and you will get there!

 

[Lawstudent1997]

Congratulations- so happy for you! Could I ask what email you used to ask them? I’m wondering if I should use the cv mail one that they sent me or do a new email with their offiicial address. Thankyou!

I used the email that grad recruitment sent me- I applied in October for the summer scheme so they emailed me to say they wouldn’t be reviewing apps til 17th Jan so I just replied to that email- the email was [email protected] hope that helps!

 

[manifestingaTC]

Does white and case actually go through all of the applications? getting a bit worried now as I’ve seen some people waiting to hear back post AC but I am still yet to hear about my initial application...

 

[MS2000]

Must have been invited as part of the same batch. Guess I might see you there!

Also just got an AC invite for London, so I may also see both of you there!

 

[ola830]

I'd consider this broadly as a cover letter - generally about a page to a page and a half of A4 typed in size 12 is about the acceptable limit

Try not to focus too much on word count in the abstract, though - focus more so on content and style: a succinct, 350-word answer hitting all the key points will be regarded as better than a 600-word answer, of which 250 words are filler. Try to say everything as clearly, concisely and succinctly as possible and then consider your word count as a secondary issue

I think you could go up to around 800 words if you wanted to.

Thank you!

 

[G P]

Sorry to be a big cloud of negativity today but does anyone else just feel like giving up? I have A*A*A at A-level, go to a top RG uni with a solid 2.1 and some firsts (got an 84% once magically), have loads of extra-circulars including music sport and societies, have worked part time since I was 16, two formal work experience schemes yet still can’t get a TC offer? I know everyone works hard but I can’t help feeling like it’s wasted effort I literally do nothing but my uni work and applications but it feels like I shouldn’t have bothered

I know it's hard, but try not to be disheartened. In many ways, I feel the same, I have the same grades, go to a fantastic university where I'm likely to graduate with a first, and like to think I've got some colourful and valuable extra-curricular experiences. However, unfortunately, sometimes this just isn't enough. But never feel like it's a wasted effort - it only takes one application to get you that VS or TC! Be proud and take confidence in your VS last year - you clearly have all the attributes needed to secure one, it might just be a problem of fit for the particular firms you've applied to? It's also worth considering how different this year is, and how many more applications firms have received - this is a very competitive year. From someone who has just received a PFO for their last outstanding application, keep your head up and keep going! I'm sure something will come up

 

[Mxkry]

Simmons and Simmons sent me an email saying they have now reached full capacity on their schemes. Is that just a standard rejection as a result of my VI not being good enough, or they generally didn't have space regardless of my performance?
Disappointing either way

 

[Matt_96]

Simmons and Simmons sent me an email saying they have now reached full capacity on their schemes. Disappointing that I did not hear back from them post VI

Sorry to hear that mate. Which office was this? I'm fully expecting a PFO after my VI anyway, but still curious.

 

[G P]

Simmons and Simmons sent me an email saying they have now reached full capacity on their schemes. Disappointing that I did not hear back from them post VI

I just got this too, seems likely a very strangely worded PFO?!