My TC Journey through Vac Schemes

[LegallyRequired]

Just an introduction to myself, I’m currently a penultimate year law student at the University of Bristol applying for vac schemes this application cycle! I aim to apply to 5-6 law firms for vac schemes and most of the firms that I am applying to have non-rolling deadlines. The firms that I am focusing on are Magic Circle law firms, international law firms with a structured & formal training during TC as well as international law firms with sector focus in media&entertainment to explore my interests in media& entertainment!

Current progress:
- Drafting an application for Reed Smith
- Preparing for an AC with A&O
- I’m going to work on a cover letter/personal statement for Freshfields this weekend.
- attending events to gain deeper understanding of each firm

 

[Jaysen]

Just an introduction to myself, I’m currently a penultimate year law student at the University of Bristol applying for vac schemes this application cycle! I aim to apply to 5-6 law firms for vac schemes and most of the firms that I am applying to have non-rolling deadlines. The firms that I am focusing on are Magic Circle law firms, international law firms with a structured & formal training during TC as well as international law firms with sector focus in media&entertainment to explore my interests in media& entertainment!

Current progress:
- Drafting an application for Reed Smith
- Preparing for an AC with A&O
- I’m going to work on a cover letter/personal statement for Freshfields this weekend.
- attending events to gain deeper understanding of each firm

Great to see that you have a sense of the practice areas you are interested in @LegallyRequired and well done on your AC with Allen & Overy!

I'm curious to know why you are planning to apply to five to six firms, is this because they are the only ones you are interested in?

 

[LegallyRequired]

Great to see that you have a sense of the practice areas you are interested in @LegallyRequired and well done on your AC with Allen & Overy!

I'm curious to know why you are planning to apply to five to six firms, is this because they are the only ones you are interested in?

Thank you!

And yes, I have around 8 firms that I am currently interested in. And I don't think I would be able to submit great quality applications if I apply to more than 5 firms which is why I decided to keep the number small!

 

[Jaysen]

Thank you!

And yes, I have around 8 firms that I am currently interested in. And I don't think I would be able to submit great quality applications if I apply to more than 5 firms which is why I decided to keep the number small!

That's fair enough! How did you get on with your assessment centre?

 

[LegallyRequired]

Just an update on my Vacation Scheme application process:

The last two weeks had been quite hectic as I was busy preparing for the A&O AC, but here is my current progress:

- Completed A&O AC, it was the first AC I've ever done and it was SO difficult (if anyone is doing an AC with A&O, make sure you know how to read a profit/loss statement and know what is minority shareholding), just waiting to hear back now (I don't think it's going to be a good news)
- Attended an Open Day with Reed Smith, will be adding my experience into my application
- Re-draft Freshfields cover letter
- Start Bird & Bird application

 

[LegallyRequired]

Monday update:
- Completed my first draft of Reed Smith application, will be scheduling review for my application and I am aiming to send this application of before the week of 21 November
- Just found out I messed up Freshfields application deadline. I did not have time to get started on the cover letter so will be doing that this week

What I will do this week:
- Wait to hear back from Allen & Overy with feedback on how I can improve
- Begin the Why commercial law section for Freshfields CV
- Draft ideas for Bird & Bird application, aiming to complete the first draft for all of the questions by the end of this week
- Try to do at least 1 Watson Glaser test this week

 

[AvniD]

Monday update:
- Completed my first draft of Reed Smith application, will be scheduling review for my application and I am aiming to send this application of before the week of 21 November
- Just found out I messed up Freshfields application deadline. I did not have time to get started on the cover letter so will be doing that this week

What I will do this week:
- Wait to hear back from Allen & Overy with feedback on how I can improve
- Begin the Why commercial law section for Freshfields CV
- Draft ideas for Bird & Bird application, aiming to complete the first draft for all of the questions by the end of this week
- Try to do at least 1 Watson Glaser test this week

Hi @LegallyRequired! These seem like achievable and realistic goals- well done for setting them!

How have you found application writing so far? And how have Watson Glaser tests been going for you?

 

[Jaysen]

Monday update:
- Completed my first draft of Reed Smith application, will be scheduling review for my application and I am aiming to send this application of before the week of 21 November
- Just found out I messed up Freshfields application deadline. I did not have time to get started on the cover letter so will be doing that this week

What I will do this week:
- Wait to hear back from Allen & Overy with feedback on how I can improve
- Begin the Why commercial law section for Freshfields CV
- Draft ideas for Bird & Bird application, aiming to complete the first draft for all of the questions by the end of this week
- Try to do at least 1 Watson Glaser test this week

Great to see the specificity of these goals. I hope you managed to send off Bird & Bird!

 

[LegallyRequired]

Long overdue update:
- Got the Summer VS for A&O!
- Finished drafting application for Reed Smith, will send it off after I get it reviewed.

I will now focus my application for firms that offer spring schemes (as I am an international student and some of the scheme's dates clash with my uni dates).