2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[LegalNim]

Has anyone had adjustments for colourblindness on online assessments where you might not be able to see the questions or the task because of the colours that are set up? Apparently, because colourblindness isn't recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, firms don't have to make any reasonable adjustments. This seems unfair but I'm wondering whether it's that they generally do make adjustments despite no obligation or are you pretty much just screwed if it happens to require the ability to distinguish colours?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Has anyone had adjustments for colourblindness on online assessments where you might not be able to see the questions or the task because of the colours that are set up? Apparently, because colourblindness isn't recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, firms don't have to make any reasonable adjustments. This seems unfair but I'm wondering whether it's that they generally do make adjustments despite no obligation or are you pretty much just screwed if it happens to require the ability to distinguish colours?

I have made such an adjustment previously. We just changed colours in a document which was fairly easy for us to do. However, that wasn’t for an online assessment, it was for a case study type assessment which was easier to do.

Is there anything you can do at your end? Eg filters for your screen or adjusting screen outputs? That is what I know people have done when they are employees and need to make these adjustments on a day to day basis. You can change settings on Microsoft software quite easily as far as I am aware.

 

[lawgeek_301]

Hey, I am in a very stressful situation and I was wondering if anyone else is feeling the same way and how they’re coping with it. I was very lucky to be offered a Spring VS at one of my favourite firms, but my uni exams start two days after the scheme ends, and I only have two weeks to cram everything and also prepare for my VS. I feel like I am going crazy...I’ve never felt this much anxiety in my life but on the other hand, I would never give up on my VS. I’ve asked GR to move me to summer but they said it’s highly unlikely this will be possible. I am working around 12 hours a day to prep for my exams and I can barely sleep, eat etc. It also doesn’t help that my country has imposed lockdown restrictions again and has even closed gyms. Sorry for the rant - if anyone could suggest some coping strategies I would be very thankful! Or even some non prescription pills for stress that work

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey, I am in a very stressful situation and I was wondering if anyone else is feeling the same way and how they’re coping with it. I was very lucky to be offered a Spring VS at one of my favourite firms, but my uni exams start two days after the scheme ends, and I only have two weeks to cram everything and also prepare for my VS. I feel like I am going crazy...I’ve never felt this much anxiety in my life but on the other hand, I would never give up on my VS. I’ve asked GR to move me to summer but they said it’s highly unlikely this will be possible. I am working around 12 hours a day to prep for my exams and I can barely sleep, eat etc. It also doesn’t help that my country has imposed lockdown restrictions again and has even closed gyms. Sorry for the rant - if anyone could suggest some coping strategies I would be very thankful! Or even some non prescription pills for stress that work

I don’t think “prepping” for a vac scheme is necessary in this instance. My advice is to focus on your exam preparations until your scheme starts.

 

[Dheepa]

Hey, I am in a very stressful situation and I was wondering if anyone else is feeling the same way and how they’re coping with it. I was very lucky to be offered a Spring VS at one of my favourite firms, but my uni exams start two days after the scheme ends, and I only have two weeks to cram everything and also prepare for my VS. I feel like I am going crazy...I’ve never felt this much anxiety in my life but on the other hand, I would never give up on my VS. I’ve asked GR to move me to summer but they said it’s highly unlikely this will be possible. I am working around 12 hours a day to prep for my exams and I can barely sleep, eat etc. It also doesn’t help that my country has imposed lockdown restrictions again and has even closed gyms. Sorry for the rant - if anyone could suggest some coping strategies I would be very thankful! Or even some non prescription pills for stress that work

I'm sorry to hear how stressed and difficult you've been finding it but don't feel bad about wanting to just focus on your exams. Any advice I given on prepping for vacs is always prefaced by the fact that there's actually no definitive way to prep for a VS at all - so please don't feel the need to sacrifice on your sleep just to cram in meaningless prep. You're also much better off focusing on exams and feeling like you've done as much studying as possible before the vac, so that you can really give your all during the actual vac. I also want to add that you're most definitely not alone in feeling like this! There are going to be so many other spring VS students also feeling completely overwhelmed with exams and vacs being lined up so closely. My honest suggestion for coping would be to dial down on the 12 hour days (maybe consider doing 8 hour days?) at least for two or three days and give yourself a breather. I always find that my stress and anxiety acts up the most when I'm putting pressure on myself to work constantly.

 

[Dheepa]

I can't believe I'm writing this...

After my AC yesterday for a summer VS, the partner who interviewed me just calling me letting me know that they were so impressed THEY'RE OFFERING ME THE TC STRAIGHT AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I literally would not have had even an OUNCE of success without the forum and this INCREDIBLY supportive community and I hope desperately that there's some way for me to give back to all the people that've helped and anyone else that might be struggling with getting a VS/TC in the future. Please let me know if there's something I can do - I'd love to stick around here in some form for next cycles!!!!!

now back to crying my eyes out lol

Not sure how I missed this but huge huge huge congrats! ☺️ It's always so nice to see the most active and helpful users on forum get all the success they deserve! Live footage of you walking out into the world knowing you are THAT amazing candidate:

 

[CJM.UC]

Does anyone have any tips to score highly on the inferences section on Watson Glaser tests? I've done quite a few of the Assessment Day Practice tests and I usually score 10/11 out of 15. Feeling quite dejected because I did quite well on the WG in the last cycle but for this cycle, I've almost always failed to pass this section

I notice that if the inference statement uses 'probably' or 'may', I usually negate the 'probably true' and 'probably false' options. This is usually the correct method but I don't know how else to improve my analysis of those questions!!

Thank you kindly! (And thanks to the people who suggested Assessment Day for the prep!! It's been truly helpful and I've been trying to do as many as possible!!)

 

[Veep9]

Was the Fox Williams error checking test really time pressured or is that just me? I think I wasn’t able to answer two questions before the timer ran out.

 

[Kubed]

Hi all, I returned a vac scheme offer letter stating a scheme preference just over 2 weeks ago. I've now found out that I'm also available for the other scheme dates, so have no preference. Would it be worth letting the firm know (just in case it is helpful for them when they are allocating schemes) or just leaving it?

 

[Jacob Miller]

Hi all, I returned a vac scheme offer letter stating a scheme preference just over 2 weeks ago. I've now found out that I'm also available for the other scheme dates, so have no preference. Would it be worth letting the firm know (just in case it is helpful for them when they are allocating schemes) or just leaving it?

Yeah I think this is always a good thing, shows a bit of good faith towards the firm and other candidates.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, I returned a vac scheme offer letter stating a scheme preference just over 2 weeks ago. I've now found out that I'm also available for the other scheme dates, so have no preference. Would it be worth letting the firm know (just in case it is helpful for them when they are allocating schemes) or just leaving it?

Worth letting them know you can do both.

 

[Daisy D]

For anyone with a V&E AC invite, when you selected and submitted your date preferences, did the form then take you to their main website page?

I did it twice but I'm a bit concerned it didn't go through properly.

 

[33c]

For anyone with a V&E AC invite, when you selected and submitted your date preferences, did the form then take you to their main website page?

I did it twice but I'm a bit concerned it didn't go through properly.

Do you mean the VS invite? When I completed the form, I was brought through to their main website too. Checked with grad rec if they received the form and they did so should be ok

 

[Kubed]

Yeah I think this is always a good thing, shows a bit of good faith towards the firm and other candidates.

Worth letting them know you can do both.

Thanks both!

 

[C]

Was the Fox Williams error checking test really time pressured or is that just me? I think I wasn’t able to answer two questions before the timer ran out.

What are they like / are they really hard? :/ I'm about to do them.

 

[Celestie]

Has anyone had adjustments for colourblindness on online assessments where you might not be able to see the questions or the task because of the colours that are set up? Apparently, because colourblindness isn't recognised as a disability under the Equality Act 2010, firms don't have to make any reasonable adjustments. This seems unfair but I'm wondering whether it's that they generally do make adjustments despite no obligation or are you pretty much just screwed if it happens to require the ability to distinguish colours?

Hi I actually spoke to a trainee who was visually impaired and he recommended that you emailed the firm before the assessment as they are usually able to:

• Send you a print out copy (depending on the assessment ofc)
• Ask their provider to add a tint on the screen/change the colour (edit: and/or text size!)
• Add extra time to the clock in case you have any issues
• To put a little note on your application to contextualise your responses (this is particularly for GBA)

I really recommend a charity called Employ-Ability. Their staff tell you all about your rights and will often advise firms on how to help you, even recommending exemption. If you have any other Qs, let me know

 

[Celestie]

Also I love how Shearman sent their lawyers eggs

 

[LegalLordLox]

My Sunday morning currently consists of, Financial Times morning brief, reading through TCLA, Lisrening to the cricket on the radio and taking notes from my module content.

what a lovely Sunday morning.

 

[S87]

I don't think your approach is unusual at all tbh. It just feels less common probably because of the 'prestige' and competition for places at these big firms. If I end up having to make a choice between one of the bigger firms I've applied to and one of the boutiques that is very specialist in what I am interested in (e.g. Peters & Peters), it's going to be an absolute no brainer for me. I value having a quality life as much as a quality workload, and I understand the exit opportunities are pretty much the same anyway if you're good enough.

Also, FWIW there are a few firms that are a bit less transactional than K&E if you look closely. Brown Rudnick, which I'm interviewing at tomorrow, is technically full service, but has a huuuuge practice in contentious insolvency, regulatory and corporate crime work. I think Arnold & Porter and Covington are also very focused on IP and in particular life sciences in London, which is more advisory and contentious (at times) than transactional. Although it does have a formidable reputation for corporate/finance work, Skadden also arguably has one of the strongest arbitration practices in the UK - it has 3 QC's!

Hi congrats on your interview!

could I pm you regarding Brown Rudnick?

thank you 🙏 in advance

 

[Georgina Evans]

Was the Fox Williams error checking test really time pressured or is that just me? I think I wasn’t able to answer two questions before the timer ran out.

I'm glad I'm not the only one!! It was such a short amount of time to answer all the questions - especially the ones with numbers!