It will be highly unlikely for most firms. They will typically say you can only apply once for the same opportunity in either a calendar year or a recruitment cycle (and a vacation scheme is the same opportunity, just across different date).
That makes sense if they are considered part of the same recruitment cycle. I am guessing that most firms recruit on a rolling basis for these schemes?
It does vary unfortunately - some will be on a rolling basis while others, will wait for the deadline and then review applications.
Hey! I completed a summer vac scheme with A&O recently, as well as other programs with the firm. As I had little previous experience, I was recommended by grad rec to pursue the vac scheme route. Others who had significant experience were encouraged to apply direct, as they already had a good foundational understanding of what a career at a top commercial law firm is like.
I think that they ask for work experience only after you've cleared the SJT/Reasoning hurdle.
I think that's fine to say. Ultimately you're applying for the vac scheme with the aim of becoming a trainee (if that is your case), and during the scheme you will be assessed for the training contract too, so yes it makes sense.
Any logic I would have as to why they would exclude law finalists would also apply to graduates, so I don't understand the logic.
Here is some advice on SJTs, more generally, that I have previously provided:
www.thecorporatelawacademy.com
Depends how much time you have and how effectively you actually focus on just one application (+ complexity of the application questions).
I think it also depends where you are in the recruitment cycle (or cycles). I think you definitely learn as you go through the process, and therefore if you are coming into this as your first cycle and your first few applications, it may take longer than if you are at the end of the cycle or already made a good number of previous applications.
