2020-21 Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion

[Celestie]

Anyone heard a peep from Gateley or WBD?

Tbf I have so much sympathy for WBD, they seem so snowed under

 

[ilovetheDLR]

Does anyone know how to withdraw from an already submitted app on apply4law? Would really appreciate any help

 

[E1998]

Hi everyone, was just wondering if people have been applying to Faegre Drinker this cycle and whether they have heard back anything yet?

I did apply but haven't heard anything

 

[Haz]

Has anyone else still not heard from Stephenson Harwood post-app for Summer VS?

 

[Anon 11031]

Tbf I have so much sympathy for WBD, they seem so snowed under

Yeah, I'm not confident they'll get back to us today - they're going to be so busy!

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Has anyone else still not heard from Stephenson Harwood post-app for Summer VS?

I emailed them for an update and they said my app was still under review but that it takes them a while as each application is reviewed by several people so I guess we just have to wait and see lol!

 

[ZaraB]

My 2 cents on commercial awareness... A few weeks ago I asked whether people recommended becoming a paid subscriber with Watsons Daily and I received some great responses from @Daniel Boden @FM302989 @lozza_2 and @MzM. After 2 weeks of subscribing, I wholeheartedly recommend it. The daily newsletter groups together categories of news so it is much easier to remember and recall, the format itself is very engaging too and the daily podcast goes into a bit of detail on two pieces of news already mentioned in the daily newsletter. The weekly roundup reinforces everything you have read in the daily newsletter too. The Zoom call is also amazing and surprised me that you can ask Peter (the guy who writes the newsletters) any commercial awareness questions - e.g someone last week asked him to explain SPACs. Personally I think all of this is great value for £5 a month and I have learnt more in the last two weeks than a year before listening to the Economist/ daily FT podcast.

I also listen to the Wake up to Money podcast after reading Watsons Daily as in most cases they mention the same stories but expand on them by getting people's opinions on the story.

 

[LegalLordLox]

Definitely recommend Watson's Daily

Thank you! Never heard of this before. Do you pay for the premium? Just trying to figure out if I am getting good value for money. Deloitte told me I can get it FT for free as they already pay for it. So may cancel that and get it through work.

 

[CharlotteLegal]

Every applicant did a VI? :O Assuming people may not make it to the next stage on the basis of their application as well then, as the app must count for something

Its probably a lot of pages ago now but I’m fairly sure someone on here was in contact with GR and they said everyone was given a VI (unsure if it was benchmarked and thats how the apps were used but I think they said it was everyone). Its their first year doing it so maybe they didn’t realise how much work it’d be? 😂

 

[FM302989]

My 2 cents on commercial awareness... A few weeks ago I asked whether people recommended becoming a paid subscriber with Watsons Daily and I received some great responses from @Daniel Boden @FM302989 @lozza_2 and @MzM. After 2 weeks of subscribing, I wholeheartedly recommend it. The daily newsletter groups together categories of news so it is much easier to remember and recall, the format itself is very engaging too and the daily podcast goes into a bit of detail on two pieces of news already mentioned in the daily newsletter. The weekly roundup reinforces everything you have read in the daily newsletter too. The Zoom call is also amazing and surprised me that you can ask Peter (the guy who writes the newsletters) any commercial awareness questions - e.g someone last week asked him to explain SPACs. Personally I think all of this is great value for £5 a month and I have learnt more in the last two weeks than a year before listening to the Economist/ daily FT podcast.

I also listen to the Wake up to Money podcast after reading Watsons Daily as in most cases they mention the same stories but expand on them by getting people's opinions on the story.

Can't remember if I chucked this into the convo as well, but I'd recommend getting a Lexology account. You get morning emails on practice areas of interests (corporate, real estate, private client etc.) including articles put out by law firms on those topics.

These are written to be client friendly, but a lot of them will be quite high level and some articles aren't worth reading, but can be very helpful to stay in the know. I personally find this helpful as some articles are directly applicable to work I do in my current Paralegal role

Lexology

Lexology delivers the most comprehensive source of international legal updates, analysis and insights for law firms and in-house counsel.

www.lexology.com

 

[ZaraB]

Can't remember if I chucked this into the convo as well, but I'd recommend getting a Lexology account. You get morning emails on practice areas of interests (corporate, real estate, private client etc.) including articles put out by law firms on those topics.

These are written to be client friendly, but a lot of them will be quite high level and some articles aren't worth reading, but can be very helpful to stay in the know. I personally find this helpful as some articles are directly applicable to work I do in my current Paralegal role

Lexology

Lexology delivers the most comprehensive source of international legal updates, analysis and insights for law firms and in-house counsel.

www.lexology.com

Thank you so much, this is great, I'll definitely sign up, sounds like a great application resource too!🙂

 

[Ryan B]

Thank you! Never heard of this before. Do you pay for the premium? Just trying to figure out if I am getting good value for money. Deloitte told me I can get it FT for free as they already pay for it. So may cancel that and get it through work.

Yes, I pay for premium. I agree with what @ZaraB said further up - great value for money

 

[Kablahc]

Is it worthwhile emailing graduate recruitment for some application feedback after getting rejected post application?

Honestly, I'm just sick of being rejected at this point. I've spent months on researching and writing applications, attending events, months spent gaining legal work experience through cold emailing firms, going for open days, networking, and its just fucking frustrating at this point.

It's a bloody draining process that makes you question your self worth, and when you get rejected, firms simply tell you that "rejections are made on very small margins" or "you were a very strong candidate, but unfortunately...".

If firms want to show that they truly care about D&I, all they need to do jot down a couple points with every rejection they send out, and spend some more money on GR and employ more people to read applications (instead of bragging about having concierge services or fancy new offices). That's it. Not everybody has hundreds of £ to spend on application review services, just to find out what "small margins" they are being rejected on.

Sorry for the rant but I'd appreciate it if anybody could answer my question. Thank you.

It can be - it honestly may be just luck in some cases whether or not a firm gets back to you. If you're sure you don't want to work there in the future you can always try a SAR as well

 

[lawyer foru]

I got an email from Forsters saying that they have filled their AC places up but they are still considering my app for a TC. What does this mean? Was I not good enough for the vac scheme?!

 

[OB]

Re Reed Smith: email says they're still in the process of screening and will be in touch by week commencing 12th April with an outcome. They aim to hold interviews w/c 3rd May and virtual vacation schemes will take place during week commencing 28th June and 5th July.

 

[Emily Kate]

I've just got an email from Jones Day saying they were impressed with my performance but they've just filled up all their places for the Summer Scheme so are going to put me on the reserves list. Does anyone know how likely it is that anyone will drop out last minute?

 

[Legalmel_99]

I've just got an email from Jones Day saying they were impressed with my performance but they've just filled up all their places for the Summer Scheme so are going to put me on the reserves list. Does anyone know how likely it is that anyone will drop out last minute?

Is this post AC?

 

[Elle W]

I've just got an email from Jones Day saying they were impressed with my performance but they've just filled up all their places for the Summer Scheme so are going to put me on the reserves list. Does anyone know how likely it is that anyone will drop out last minute?

I was on the reserve list for a different firm and a month later they called me to say a spot had become available! Even though they have now filled their places, they are probably giving the candidates some time to confirm their place and other candidates may drop out later due to clashing dates etc! The fact that they even have a reserves list suggests that they have used one in previous years, so I wouldn't lose hope

 

[Emily Kate]

Is this post AC?

Yeah post-interview

 

[JoeyTr]

I've just got an email from Jones Day saying they were impressed with my performance but they've just filled up all their places for the Summer Scheme so are going to put me on the reserves list. Does anyone know how likely it is that anyone will drop out last minute?

ha! if you've never prayed before... this is the time to start