Vac Schemes 2011: Because when you're a lawyer it's never too early!

well done on the offers. In terms of value, it depends where you see yourself applying for TCs and a trade off against time taken out of uni/study time. In your shoes, i guess the lovells open day might be the one i'd drop. on the other hand, you might end up gagging for lovells like someone on in my GDL class.

I did the Freshfields winter workshop and really enjoyed the experience but it was my first "in office" encounter with big law.

The other people on the workshop were quite Oxbridge heavy, so the "supper" (we still call it tea up north) did divide on those grounds (a fair bit of braying oh you're at z college you must know x! no! I row with her!). the rest of us at the far end of the table having a good time were from places like york, birmingham and exeter. probably typical of any MC firm but this wasn't true to the same extent at a HS open day i attended.

Maybe that sounds a bit chippy but I offer it in light of your comment about the less than supportive atmosphere you find at uni.

It was an intense couple of days, magnified by having the flu. I would do it again.

I would definitely have applied for a TC there based on the workshop had I not got lucky with an earlier application.

good luck

I've just recieved my 7th or 8th rejection. Perhaps it's a sign?

I've just recieved my 7th or 8th rejection. Perhaps it's a sign?

I've just recieved my 7th or 8th rejection. Perhaps it's a sign?

Jairaj - congratulations on all of those offers! When did Simmons get in touch with you? I applied last Tuesday but haven't heard anything apart from that they've received my application.

I'm really thinking about doing my training contract in Bristol so I'm hoping to get a vacation scheme placement there (as well as, ideally, one in London to compare the two). I've put together a list of ones to apply to but I was wondering if I'm missing anyone from my list. Here it is:

Bevan Brittan LLP
Bond Pearce LLP
Burges Salmon
CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
Clarke Willmott
Osborne Clarke
Pinsent Masons
TLT Solicitors
Veale Wasbrough Vizards

Beachcroft LLP told me that they would prefer I waited until I was on the GDL before applying for a vac. scheme and Ashfords didn't seem like the right fit for me.

You received a rejection on a weekend? I thought we were safe then...

LOL apparently not

I spoke too soon - make that four rejections... Two of them received in the last fifteen minutes! Good thing I'm developing a thick skin about these things.

I heard from A&O on a Saturday morning so weekends definitely aren't safe.

I'm up to three rejections now. I've realised I'm only waiting on two now and a selective open day so perhaps it's a sign I should put in a few more applications. I'm just not sure what I need to do differently! Would anyone with an offer of a vacation scheme (or at least an interview) mind sharing one of their successful forms with me? If not, I'm happy to share one of my unsuccessful ones for your opinion. I believe my grades, extra-curricular activities, and non-legal work experience are acceptable but I have a feeling I'm not selling myself the way I should. Alternatively, my lack of legal work experience might be letting me down but I've a feeling that it might just be that I'm not answering the questions the 'right' way.

Hey, which ones where the rejections from if you don't mind me asking? I had fair success getting interviews, so if I can find them, can pm you forms from travers, norton rose, jones day, and links that got through. Although having said that all but on of those got rejected at interview and and there are a good few more that got straight rejections ....

I'm waiting to hear from Baker & McKenzie. I applied in October for their open day in December but I've not heard from them yet. Their web site says they are no longer accepting applications so I assume that I have either been unsuccessful or that I will hear soon. A friend who attended last year sent me his application and, with that as a guide to what to discuss, I wrote mine accordingly.

I have been rejected from A&O, Bristows, Herbert Smith, and Simmons & Simmons so far. Bristows and A&O were the first applications I did and I have certainly improved my technique since then. In some ways, those rejections were to be expected. I think it was the tests for HS that let me down. I'm perhaps most disappointed by the Simmons rejection as I thought I had improved my application a lot these last few weeks but obviously I have a long way to go! I'd be really grateful if you could send me some of your applications!

Has anybody heard from Dentons yet? Frances, we seem to be very similar in terms of where we applied and where we have received rejections! I just got my Bristows PFO this morning too However I'm telling myself that this is because I'm not a scientist! Are you at COL Bristol on the GDL- I'm on the 2 day option (just seen that you are looking at Bristol firms so wondered!)

I'm planning to start the GDL in September. I'm not sure where yet though. How are you finding CoL, Bristol? I'm looking at Bristol firms as I'm from South Wales and want to live closer to home. I've spent the last few years studying and now working in the East of England so I'm ready for a change!