Official Vacation Scheme Thread 2015!!!

Any other vacation scheme applications open at other firms?

PwC Legal

I've been going through the Jones Day application filling in all the standard stuff (personal details, A levels etc) but I'm not sure how to differentiate between work experience and extra-curriculars. I guess the things I do are more extra-curricular, but some do sort of overlap with a work experience context.

Could you give me an example where that problem arises? I wish there was a standard applications that all firms used, would make like so much easier lol.

Like J-SP said above, one example could be volunteering in a legal advice clinic, and I don't know, I guess being on a society committee could be one too depending on what you're doing

I've been going through the Jones Day application filling in all the standard stuff (personal details, A levels etc) but I'm not sure how to differentiate between work experience and extra-curriculars. I guess the things I do are more extra-curricular, but some do sort of overlap with a work experience context.

I'm just going to ease your worries slightly. Here are some of my academic details:

GCSE: 4 A's 6 B's 1 D
AS Level: ABBC
A2 Level: A*A*A (third highest mark in year and highest in each subject)
1st year Psychology: 68% (2.1 and above in all modules)
1st year Law: 67% (2.1 and above in all modules)
2nd year Law: 64.75% (2.1 and above in all modules, highest mark in one module)

My personal tutor often says I'm too negative about my performance. I wanted 66%+ in my second year of law but achieved 60% and 61% in a couple of the modules. You need to demonstrate academic flare and getting the odd 2.2 or low 2.1 doesn't matter. I've been offered a training contract from White & Case. I was also offered a VAC scheme interview with Travers Smith. As long as you achieve a mid 2.1 + there shouldn't be any problems in applying to a mid sized commercial law firm. Recent grades are far more important than earlier ones. It's more important to focus on experience, commercial awareness, demonstrating your enthusiasm for commercial law and yourself as a character. As long as you meet their requirements, which the firm often specifies, there shouldn't be a problem with academic details.

Hey, thanks for the reply! I think you've settled my doubts about my GCSE results but I still feel a little anxious about my degree results as I didn't get consistent 2:1s throughout my course. Also, I agree with your personal tutor: you are negative about your academic performance because some of those results are amazing. Well done. Do you know (or anyone who's reading this post) if firms like Herbert Smith Freehills or other Silver Circle firms emphasize the importance of getting consistent 2:1s throughout your degree?

Thank you for insight and advice!

Firms do look for consistency. How many 2.1s compared to 2.2s do you have?

I only have one 2:2 which was a 58 in my second year. I also, however, got a 61 aswell in my second year. But in my final year, I got 67+ in all my modules and so averaging out at a 66. Do you know if they're more lenient when it comes to non-law degrees?

I don't see any reason why firms would be more lenient towards non-law degrees. They expect a strong level of academic performance no matter what it is you study. Getting one 2.2 and 61% is not an issue in my opinion, however. Especially taking into consideration your strong third year performance.

Hey, thanks for the reply! I think you've settled my doubts about my GCSE results but I still feel a little anxious about my degree results as I didn't get consistent 2:1s throughout my course. Also, I agree with your personal tutor: you are negative about your academic performance because some of those results are amazing. Well done. Do you know (or anyone who's reading this post) if firms like Herbert Smith Freehills or other Silver Circle firms emphasize the importance of getting consistent 2:1s throughout your degree?

Thank you for insight and advice!

Hey, I scraped a 2:1 overall in first year and did a lot better in second year and I still got offers for two vac schemes. I was asked about that in a couple of interviews but I just said I learnt from my mistakes and improved from there. From my personal experience, I think they care more about your answers and work exp than your results, a 2:1 is just a basic filtering requirement. However, there are some firms (Baker & McKenzie I know are one of them) do look for consistent 2:1s. Probably just best to e-mail and ask before starting an application. Hope that helps

Thanks for your reply and your advice! I was wondering, though, how do you know that Baker & McKenzie look for consistent 2:1s?

Also, I also wanted to know if anyone had any experience or insight into Herbert Smith Freehills? I know that they're a SC firm and, in some regards, even rival the MC ones, but I was wondering what they're application process was like and were they just as likely to scrutinise your grades like a firm like Slaughter and May would?

I'm so paranoid about not getting onto any VSs - especially because of my lack of work experience with solicitors