Hi
@PlimptonWeld
I have undertaken a couple of insight and open days, and it is my view that they are
somewhat important. In some cases, I have undertaken insight days at firms where Graduate Recruitment have specifically mentioned how the insight day would likely boost our chances of getting past the application stage for vacation schemes and TCs. I think if you have firms you deem to be your favourites/top priorities, an insight day is a fantastic way to highlight your motivation to apply to the firm from the outset to graduate recruitment.
An insight day/open day can also be an opportunity to indicate your interest in law to graduate recruitment. Through taking on an insight day, you are showing that you are proactively engaging with law firms (which can be beneficial in instances where candidates feel they would like to have more work experience on their CV). You can also sometimes learn more about the firms, their strategies and engage with their members, getting that 'personal feel' that you may not be able to get through online research. Attending an open day can also help further down the line at interview stage - you can discuss at interview your takeaways from the open day and how these may have incentivised you to apply to the firm. This can be a convincing way to show your in-depth engagement with the firm.
That said, I now hold a training contract at a firm where I did not attend their open days. I would therefore say that whilst an open day/insight day can be very useful and help your application stand out, it is not necessarily essential. Therefore, if it is difficult to extend your stay in the UK in Easter, rest assured that not undertaking an insight day/open day will not count against you at all.