Official Vacation Scheme Thread 2013 GET ON IT EARLY!!!

Although I like your economic reasoning, I don't think the additional cost of non-law students really affects the decision-making process. HR don't care and often the partners interviewing you don't even know your background.

If you don't have any work experience I can thoroughly recommend going the 'informal route'. As well as applying for open days/vac schemes, email partners to ask for informal, unpaid internships. They like it because it shows entrepreneurial flair, ambition and boldness. Plus, you get to see the firm's true colours rather than some fancy masquerade that they normally show budding applicants. Plus plus, you don't have to compete with loads of other budding applicants. Plus plus plus, emails to partners are a much more economic use of your time: you can look up individuals' CVs online and find someone who will be sympathetic to your background to maximise your chances of success.

Hello everyone

I'm just about to go into my second year at Loughborough University studying English, and I really want to apply for some vacation schemes next year, even though I am aware there are only a few who allow penultimate year non-law students to apply. I am also trying to get informal work experience with high street firms.

I've done a fair bit of research and I am just worried that most of the firms in the top 100 wouldn't be interested in me, due to my university or something. I'm confident in my extra-curricular activities, I've had several part time jobs (sometimes all at once) and I do a lot of volunteering. I achieved A*AA at A-Level, however my 2 A's were in Psychology and Sociology - not exactly well-respected subjects. I achieved 64.1 in my first year, so a mid 2:1 almost... Does anyone have any idea if there is any point in me applying to top firms at all for Vacation Schemes and/or Training Contracts?!

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This is going to sound really bad, but MC/SC and any others I've heard of, probably going to go for the scattergun approach, despite an associate at Norton Rose advising me to apply for one firm

Nah, he advised me and my mate to apply for one firm that we really liked, which would show loyalty to that firm or some BS like that, and that applying to lots of firms would mean that other firms would get "jealous". We honestly thought he was high.

Are you applying for vac schemes too? I've always had the feeling you were many years older than me.

Hi, I will be going into 2nd year in September. I have a 2.2 average this year (56%). Should I still go for vacation schemes this year ?
My A level grades are A*ABB

I am now a graduate (well actually just graduates from my LL.M after a 4-year LL.B), and will be applying for Vac Schemes this year. I applied for TC's this cycle, but have not had too much luck- interviews at 2 MC firms, but not TC offer. I think some good legal experienc ein the form of a Vac Scheme is the only thing really "missing" from my application, so I will be giving it a shot to try add at least 1 Vac Scheme.

However, I am spectical as to whether firms really take graduate applications seriously. Any other gradutes applying?

I am now a graduate (well actually just graduates from my LL.M after a 4-year LL.B), and will be applying for Vac Schemes this year. I applied for TC's this cycle, but have not had too much luck- interviews at 2 MC firms, but not TC offer. I think some good legal experienc ein the form of a Vac Scheme is the only thing really "missing" from my application, so I will be giving it a shot to try add at least 1 Vac Scheme.

However, I am spectical as to whether firms really take graduate applications seriously. Any other gradutes applying?

I know we've already talked about this but I'm now waiting on 5 firms and I'm not very hopeful.

I think it depends on the firm. I've had a look at Freshfield's website and it doesn't look like their vac schemes are open to graduates. I've also emailed Edwards Wildman and their schemes are open to grads. Also it looks like Norton Rose and Allen and Overy's winter schemes are open to grads.

I think it depends on the firm so I'll have to contact the firms I'm interested to find out.

The fact that you thought he was talking about a training contract makes me chuckle.

Your A-Levels are good, and you're on track with a 2.1 and from what you're saying, you have a handful of good extra-currics - I would say there is absolutely no reason why you should be discouraged to apply to top firms. Why would your research suggest that top 100 firms would be against you?

I think the next step would be to research individual firms you're actually interested to apply to.

I've done A LOT of research haha, and worked out what firms actually take penultimate year non-law and what ones I am actually interested in. I've emailed about 10 high street firms too, only got replies from 3 saying that their work experience is full or they don't take any informal placements. I'm just worried that because I don't have any previous work experience it will majorly hinder my application. :/

Is anybody else in a similar position, non-law second year or not!?
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I seem to be the keenest on here at the moment

Been researching Baker & McKenzie, CMS Cameron McKenna, Accenture and Pinsent Masons, going to try and apply fairly near the deadline before I get tied up in freshers and starting year 2. Anybody else applying to those (especially penultimate year non-law?)

Accenture isn't law