Are Open Day Applications reviewed for Vac Scheme Applications?

[AdiKhurana]

Hi Everyone,

So I'm writing applications for Vac Schemes and just had a question about (re)using examples for one of my apps. I attended an open day for a firm and definitely want to apply for their vac scheme, but I was wondering if its a bad idea to re-use the example I wrote about for my open day application for the vac scheme? I'm planning on writing about it in a different way as the questions are different but I wasn't sure if its a bad idea incase both applications are viewed by the recruitment team?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @AdiKhurana! I do not think it is an issue to reuse an example, provided that the final answer is sufficiently different from the initial one. Generally, you want to change your answers between the applications, both because (i) the VS application is substantially more competitive than the open day application process and therefore your writing will be held to a higher standard; and (ii) you want to show improvement over time and you want to avoid looking like you do not want to put in the effort. However, recruiter are also aware that there is a limited number of relevant examples form your experiences that you can draw upon. As such, even if the same recruiters who reviewed your open day applications review your VS application, they should not have an issue with reusing an example if the rest of your answer is not too similar.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Everyone,

So I'm writing applications for Vac Schemes and just had a question about (re)using examples for one of my apps. I attended an open day for a firm and definitely want to apply for their vac scheme, but I was wondering if its a bad idea to re-use the example I wrote about for my open day application for the vac scheme? I'm planning on writing about it in a different way as the questions are different but I wasn't sure if its a bad idea incase both applications are viewed by the recruitment team?

Thanks for any advice

Even if both forms are reviewed by the same person, in all honesty they won't remember the specifics of what you wrote and are unlikely to compare the two forms. Even if they did, they wouldn't expect a huge amount to change, especially if the applications are a few weeks apart.