The Official Vacation Scheme Thread 2016

Hi gang,

Good to see this thread up and running already! People might call you keen, but having gone through the process last year I cannot emphasise the advantage that being prepared early can give you.

I wanted to check in to wish you all the best of luck and share some of my (personal) top tips when applying. A targeted approach is your best bet!

1) Use your summer. You've got a rare free 3 months so utilise them to the full. Get a retail job, volunteer locally or abroad, run a marathon! It really doesn't matter, just enjoy yourself and get some ammo to make your app a bit different.

2) Start drawing up "THE LIST". Narrow down what type of firm you want - type of work, location, size, international opportunities. Get it down to 6-12. Find out the dates these firms open and close for apps, whether they recruit on a rolling basis, when they open for TCs. Using this info, prioritise and order accordingly.

3) Get in the loop. Book onto as many relevant open days, campus events, law fairs, and workshops as you can. Read the legal/business press. Immerse yourself. Not only will you meet the people who will likely be reading your applications, they'll actually remember you.

4) Google "Aspiring Solicitors" - super helpful website/community where you'll meet a diverse range of applicants and experts who can help you.

5) Seek out experienced advice. Take any and every advantage for feedback. This is a learning process, and your apps will get noticeably better along the way.

6) J-SP is your friend! Look out for his/her posts in the forums - s/he is an ex-recruiter and knows exactly what s/he is talking about. Take J-SP's opinions over most others'

7) Stay positive! Don't get hung up on a rejection, a module percentage, or the wealth of legal experience others seem to have. Treat "THE LIST" as if you're already on a vac scheme and you've been given a list of work: complete all the apps to the best of your ability, impress whoever is reading them by allowing your best qualities and motivations to shine through, draw on all the advice you've got, and don't you dare give up until you've got through it all. The interviews will come.

8) Enjoy it. It's a grueling process but you'll meet great people along the way and get some awesome opportunities. Good luck with everything!

Earliest tends to be 1 October, some will be later, sometimes the 1 November. But it will vary unfortunately, so you will need to check.

The applications tend to not really kick off until December though. Most firms have to wade through a load of different events on campus through October and up to mid to late November, so it isn't really a case of first come first served until these events are finalised.




Posted from TSR Mobile

4th paragraph

http://www.nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com/en/united-kingdom/join-us/what-we-look-for




Posted from TSR Mobile

Hello Everyone,

I've got a feeling that this thread is going to be extremely helpful for me this year, so I thought that I would introduce myself now.

My first year average is 74.2%, but I have no idea yet as to what area of law I want to possibly look at. Is anybody else the same? Would it be wise to just apply for a variety of VS's in a number of different area's?

Mostly SC and US ones with a couple of international niche ones as well. I had zero interest in magic circle.


Posted from TSR Mobile

what were the names of the firms? if you don't mind me asking

For Slaughter and May, we apparently need to fill out a breakdown of our percentages in each exam module. I can't quite do this as I didn't receive my percentages, just a hint in a feedback sheet as to my class mark. Would I need to send an email to S&M when applications open about this, or would I need to send them a letter from my supervisor or something?

You will need to give individual module percentages for all law firms you apply to, not just Slaughter and May. Unless someone on here has more experience applying from a non-law background, my suggestion would be to email grad recruitment and ask how they usually require non-law students to declare their grades.

Hey guys. I scored 66 in my first year with 67 in contract, crim and C&A, with 64 in legal foundations, and 62 in advocacy, studying at the university of Exeter. By the time of applications I should have shadowed a partner at Dentons, and attended a Simmons & Simmons open day as my relevant legal work experience. My ambition is for magic circle firms, do you think this is realistic?

Hi guys, I want to introduce myself too! Im starting my 2nd yr (law) in september; averaged a 2.2 for first yr :/ We are all in the same boat, most of us are probably reapplying this year and many of us are probably thinking of applying for VCs this November- i want to wish everyone all the best this cycle!
Pls do not be disheartened if you get a rejection, it just means the firm wasn't the right one for you - if you look hard enough, you will find a firm that fits your ethos
My mentor at DLA Piper told me that applying to VCs is a good way of finding out if the firm is right for you (e.g. atmosphere of the firm, the 'vibe' you get when you're actually there) - its sort of like a two way interview - the firm is looking for potential in you but don't forget you are also interviewing the firm to see if the firm is right for you.

Hey, do you have an idea of what sort of firms you'll apply to? I've also averaged with a 2:2 but don't really know what to do anymore, especially since a lot of firms have a cut off point of 2:1.