Official Vacation Scheme Thread 2015!!!

Hi everyone,

I have an assessment day at Macfarlanes on the 6th Jan. It states that there will be a group exercise, a written exercise and a partner interview. Although this appears similar to most other assessment days that I have done, has anyone got any specific advice relating to the Macfarlanes one? Has anyone done one before?

Thanks very much for your help.

The Macfarlanes application asked for a cover letter as well as numerous questions.

I tried to provide a brief description of my relevant experience and skills that would help me be a success at Macfarlanes without providing the detail that I gave in the other questions.

Try to avoid repeating too much information that you have previously given as it's redundant and I'd imagine it's rather frustrating for the reader.

I focused on:

1) Why do you want to work at the firm?
2) What makes you a good choice?

Hope that helps!

Congrats!! Whilst I'm afraid I can't offer advice, my Macfarlanes assessment day is on the 13th Jan, so I will be keen to hear what you have to say on here after yours - do come back and share your experience! :P

It's also my first ever interview or assessment centre at a law firm, so I have a lot to learn I think!

Thank you! How many words did you write if you don't mind me asking?

Has anyone had any experience with Travers Smith interviews ? Thanks !


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I applied for their winter scheme and summer scheme but quite late on and they had just filled their winter slots but based on my application they offered me a summer scheme interview back in early December


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Yeah mine too.

Yes I shall, hopefully it will have been a positive experience!

Does anyone find with a finished application that they constantly read it before they submit it? I have had one app completed for about a week now! I think it's because I've spent so much time and effort on it, that I want to make sure every little detail is correct and that I am happy with it.

I do this a lot, especially after I find a mistake after the third or fourth reading. You just can't afford to make a minor mistake for these top firms.

Which app was it that took you a week?

My efforts so far, mix of winter and summer vac schemes (I forget exactly which is which..!). I'm a final year non-lawyer:

Hogan Lovells - WG test --> Phone interview --> Final assessment day --> Rejection
CMS Cameron McKenna - WG test done
Jones Day - Interview --> Waiting for result
HSF - Tests done, waiting on outcome
Weil - Waiting
Skadden - Waiting
Cleary Gottlieb - They asked for my results transcript..don't know if that's good or bad
Mishcon de Reya - Video interview --> Assessment day to come probably in the new year
Travers Smith - Interview booked for in a few days time
White and Case - Waiting
DLA Piper - Waiting but they're not rolling so will be a while

If anyone has questions which I might be any help with feel free to ask

Happy to hear that it's not just me it's for Burges Salmon - I went to an event at the firm and really liked what I heard so decided to apply! Where are you applying to?

Oh cool was that in their London or Bristol office? I've only applied to FF and Slaughters so far, but I'm planning on doing one or two more apps before the end of the holidays

Is it still worth applying to Freshfields now or is it too late?