Vac Schemes 2012: The early bird catches the firm!

I have applied to five vac schemes this year, and have been rejected from all of them.

To summarise, I applied with the following:

5 GCSEs
No A-Levels (I took the Open University equivalent of A-level Spanish and a couple of first year English linguistics modules in lieu of A-Levels to get to University)
A high 2.1 from a Russell Group Uni in languages.
Work experience in retail.

I was wondering whether I could be given some tips as to what might be counting against me, I haven't applied for the GDL yet, does this indicate a lack of seriousness? Is my lack of A-Levels or poor GCSEs the main problem? Lack of relevant work experience?

Got a call from Mayer Brown yesterday but missed it; the HR lady left a voicemail and I called back twice but she was either away or on the other line. It's 11am and they haven't called still! I interviewed for a VS. Should I call again or am starting to look desperate already? I can't live with this suspense!

Um it's been a week since my interview so if your friend heard back 'pretty soon' then I doubt it's good news as a week isn't 'pretty soon'. Or is it? Interview was ok, nothing caught me out really, except she asked random things like what frustrated you about your degree and what makes you happy- bit unconventional but not all that hard to answer!

EDIT: what I really want to know is if they reject by email and offer just by phone, or if they reject and offer by phone...

You sure?

The impression I get of how firms view people with unconventional academic backgrounds is that having some professional experience - either in law or something that could be related to law - is important.

Hi. Yep, I have done one. Was a couple of weeks ago now so I'm trying to remember the format. The competency questions were fairly standard - teamworking, building relationships etc.

On the commercial front they asked about the origins of the recession. Can't remember if they asked anything else on the commercial front but if they did it was quite general stuff.

One thing I would say is that you really do need to know about AG. Check out their key facts section on the website as they fire some questions about AG's profits, numbers of partners etc which it's easy to come unstuck on as you can't blag them. Also check out a couple of their clients and deals, and think about what makes AG unique - e.g. what sort of innovations have they come up with recently.

I thought my interview had gone terribly as the interviewer was quite severe but I got through to the next round so don't be put off if you think it's going badly as I think it's just the interview style they adopt.

Um it's been a week since my interview so if your friend heard back 'pretty soon' then I doubt it's good news as a week isn't 'pretty soon'. Or is it? Interview was ok, nothing caught me out really, except she asked random things like what frustrated you about your degree and what makes you happy- bit unconventional but not all that hard to answer!

EDIT: what I really want to know is if they reject by email and offer just by phone, or if they reject and offer by phone...

Hmmm I hope they aren't full up because I did interview on the 30th of January... so hope they still have places! If the lady doesn't call in the next ten minutes then I am calling her because I can't take this anymore!!!!!

Clifford Chance call to reject for a TC...

This just happened to me. Good thing or bad thing? FML

Mayer Brown have no places on their spring VS so fast tracked to me to a TC interview.

couldn't they give you a summer vc offer?

couldn't they give you a summer vs offer?

They said that is only for undergrads! IT even said on their website...

I have an interview at an American law firm coming up, can you help me please? Thanks!

I also have one coming up next week. Can you share what it was like afterwards? No idea what to expect

Interview with Olswang

any tips would be very appreciated!