2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Andrew M]

Yes, it is!!!! I thought the same thing as it's tough from a logistic perspective given the lockdown date but here's hoping. It could very well be strategic!

Yeah, that is strange! I did the AC for DLA too - I thought I heard them mention that they weren't doing the full three weeks if it's virtual (or maybe that they didn't do three weeks last year?). From what I understood, the first week of their scheme is more of a social/networking week, with teambuilding exercises in & around London.

 

[M&M]

I've heard all my AC responses over the phone - good and bad. Think it must depend on the firm!

Does anyone know how Taylor Wessing usually does it?

 

[JayC]

Usually I'm sympathetic on stuff like this (when law firms have a lot of power), but in this case I think it's very reasonable for a law firm not to want their future employees to be doing vacation schemes with rival law firms.

It's different if you haven't accepted their TC offer though.

What about vac schemes that are just for work experience and don’t offer TCs at the end of them? If it’s not part of a firms TC recruitment process then is it ok?

Also do firms talk to each other - if you didn’t reveal the fact you had accepted a TC offer and did a vac scheme with a different firm, is there a chance they both find out and disqualify you from both? I know that firms do this kind of thing in the US

 

[Jaysen]

What about vac schemes that are just for work experience and don’t offer TCs at the end of them? If it’s not part of a firms TC recruitment process then is it ok?

Also do firms talk to each other - if you didn’t reveal the fact you had accepted a TC offer and did a vac scheme with a different firm, is there a chance they both find out and disqualify you from both? I know that firms do this kind of thing in the US

1. I don't see a problem with this.
2. I think this is extremely unlikely. Sometimes grad recruitment move around, but they have better things to talk about. If anyone is in a position to go ahead with this, I just wouldn't go around shouting about it.

 

[LawGrad2019]

Does anyone know how Taylor Wessing usually does it?

I was called with a rejection a few weeks after my AC last year. They give feedback there and then if you're comfortable. I figured it was a no prior to this though, as I knew someone on my AC who was called with an offer soon after the AC itself

Not to say it's the same for everyone or across different years, though!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Massive apologies as I am aware this has been spoken about recently. I received two vac scheme offers yesterday & OVER THE MOON (calls came through legit at the same time hahaha what are the odds)..

But of course the dates clash. I plan on asking one of the firms if alternative dates are available (one of them I know can't change the dates as its like a set time), what I want to know is the best way to go about this... as in the best way to word it haha. Then if they can't change it what should my plan be, I know @Jessica Booker recommends asking to be considered for a TC but should I include that in my original email asking to change dates or only if they respond saying they can't change the dates? If anyone has a recommending wording of this or has done it before please let me know!

Just explain your situation to them (over the phone if you can!). Firms will be very aware that candidates have multiple vacation schemes so just explain the clash and politely ask if it's possible to be moved to another scheme? If they say no, then I'd ask to be considered for a direct TC but definitely ask to switch schemes first - it happens very often!

PS: massive congratulations! Hope you're able to celebrate in the sunshine

 

[Daniel Boden]

Is there a website where you can see a firms recent deals? As the firm I am researching does not have their deals on their own website.

IFLR 1000 is normally a really good one for deals!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Reluctant to post this as don't want to appear tone deaf or anything. I was given a TC offer last week, from my first choice firm. However, I have also accepted a VAC scheme elsewhere. There is no doubt in my mind I will be accepting the TC, but I want to be able to do the VAC scheme, not least because I have very little legal experience (and in the event my TC offer falls through for whatever reason, I want at least something on my CV) and also because, in all honesty, I could do with the money.

Is this acceptable, or should I inform the VAC firm that I won't be able to attend this summer. I haven't received my TC contract yet so don't know if I'd be allowed to accept a VAC elsewhere. @Jessica Booker perhaps you could advise?

P.S. To those reading this who haven't been as lucky: Yes, I say lucky, as luck is such an enormous part of this process, and I think that is often overlooked. I was incredibly down a couple of weeks ago with numerous rejections (24 to be precise) at various stages. Sidenote - I firmly believe it is a numbers game. But, as many have said prior to me, you only need one offer. Keep going, trust the process and you will get there. Best of luck to everyone.

Huge congrats! When you say you will be accepting, what's the deadline on the offer? Because there's nothing wrong imo with delaying your acceptance till you've done the other VS as that way you're keeping your options open and who knows the VS might blow you away!

Obviously though, if you have accepted and have no intention of doing a TC at the other firm regardless of the scheme, then I'd be inclined to withdraw tbh

 

[MD]

Is anyone still yet to hear back from Farrer & Co post-AC?

 

[Daniel Boden]

A purely hypothetical scenario/question relating to this: if a firm offered a TC following an Easter scheme, and I had vac schemes secured for summer (with firms I preferred), would it be better to ask for some kind of extension? Or to accept and then renege, if successful with one of the preferred firms?

Much better to ask for an extension mate as technically a condition of your offer letter would be to withdraw from the processes of other firms. Obviously if that condition isn't there then you technically could accept and renege but much better to ask for an extension first, especially if you explain the circumstances of your situation

 

[JayC]

Willkie Summer Vac Scheme!! (I will inform my relatives that there can be no family emergencies in late June, jk 🤣)

Edit: It was such a challenging interview I really was not confident - we really should try not to make assumptions post-interview, although there is no harm in managing expectations I guess

 

[Binco5919]

8 working days? Or is it just over a full week (including the weekend)?

False alarm, they called with a vac scheme offer! Thanks for your help though Jessica.

 

[21wajsz]

Nope, I sent my research questions on February the 14th...It is really affecting me. Just send me a PFO plse

I get you! It's already over a month!

 

[Lumree]

Holding email from Gateley. Expecting to hear back by the end of next week!

 

[CareerChanger]

Trowers AC complete. Taylor Vinters on Thursday. This forum provides me with some solace because I know it's not just me doing these stressful exercises. 🤣

 

[ofm]

I got a vac scheme offer from them last week, but they base selection entirely off app forms which is a bit weird!

Omg Congrats!! Does that mean that there's no interviews or anything? Just the Apply4Law application? 😳

 

[Deleted member 8227]

Out of curiosity, do people recommend only applying to around 10 firms that you really love or trying to apply to like 25+ ? I'm trying to plan ahead for next cycle

 

[Kitch]

How long after interview do Travers take to get back to you?
Thanks

 

[Matt_96]

Trowers AC complete. Taylor Vinters on Thursday. This forum provides me with some solace because I know it's not just me doing these stressful exercises. 🤣

So you were there too! How did you find it? The written exercise was quite a lot to read in a short space of time, I thought.

 

[33c]

Out of curiosity, do people recommend only applying to around 10 firms that you really love or trying to apply to like 25+ ? I'm trying to plan ahead for next cycle

I personally think 25+ but only if you can afford to do them to a pretty high standard (its likely that your app technique will also improve the more you write) . Like everyone says it really is a numbers game