The Official Vacation Scheme Thread 2016

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I was wondering when this thread would be started for us. The thought of applying to vac schemes is honestly terrifying! My first year results were good: 65% average with 2:1's in all. So I will therefore look at applying to a mixture of US and MC/SC firms. One of my main concerns is how many apps I will need to send off. I am thinking around 12-15 max, as many more will definitely hinder the quality of the applications made.

Reply 41

welcometoib

Can someone explain what a VS is? IB/consulting noob here.
Is this like a summer internship, which you can then convert to a full time offer, i.e pupillage (sp)?

Reply 42

welcometoib

Original post by J-SP

Vacation scheme - typically 1-4 weeks long compared to IBs 9-12 week programmes.

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cool, and could you feasibly do more than one or do they overlap? and then if you get a full time offer, whats the training contract length like etc?

Reply 43

RG14

Think this thread will be very useful in the coming months so might as well join in now. First year wise, 67.5% average, a first, 2 2.1's and unfortunately a 2.2 which even more annoyingly was in contract. Due to that I'm looking to stay away from the firms that focus on academics, I know that Slaughters is one can anyone tell any more I should steer clear of? Also do people know of any firms specialising in sport or media, I have a list of few but a few of the more specialised ones are only offering TC and not vac schemes.

Reply 44

lawstudent44

Original post by RG14

I'm in a very similar position grades-wise. I'm thinking of firms like addleshaw Goddard, DLA, nabarro. Olswang are very good for TMT and offer a vac scheme if you haven't looked into them?

Reply 45

SJU1

Original post by RG14

I wouldn't be put off by academic heavy firms because of your 2:2 - a 67.5% average is still brilliant. So long as the rest of your application is half decent I can't see you being rejected due to your grades!

Reply 46

silkysmoothpro

Original post by RG14

I'm starting to think that my uni is unusual for doing 6 modules a year... because of this, no one achieved a 1st overall, and only 20 or so people averaged over 65% - so under 10% of the year group.

It's high up in the Russell Group but it looks like people from other unis like yourself are averaging much higher.

Does anyone know which law firms look at an average across all modules or which are more inclined to focus on the performance of individual modules?

Reply 47

lawstudent44

Original post by silkysmoothpro

I think all law firms ask for a break down and respect that universities do it differently so will take that in to account. My university does 6 modules per year as well

Reply 48

pp93

Original post by iano101

I did 10, got interviews/assessment days at 5 and was made an offer from 3 - interpret that how you will. There's not really a 'correct' number to do. Just make sure that each app you send off is as good as it can possibly be and never do an application at the expense of compromising your uni work.

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Reply 49

lilswot

Just wondering if people think it is best/ a requirement to contact grad recruitment of all law firms you are applying to if you don't meet their grade requirements? I got AAC in my A-levels and although I have recovered academically in my degree (on line for a high 2.1/1st) I wondered if this was something that is likely to hold me back i.e. be filtered out automatically if I don't contact them before submitting my application?

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 50

lilswot

Original post by J-SP

Why not got to your law careers fair in Oct/Nov and ask them in person? Then you get it done all in one go.

But not necessarily. Look for the difference in language. Some firms will say "we normally look for" or "applicants usually have obtained" which means they are more open minded/flexible. Others will say "you must have achieved" which is more likely to be closed off.

You don't have to but the time invested in contact them (I'd do it by phone rather than email as then you don't have to disclose any information about yourself either!) you will get many times back as it could save you the time of not submitting an application that has no chance.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Thank you for your reply - I've never really thought about the language before so that's helpful advice thanks!

Reply 51

iano101

Original post by pp93

Thank you for that useful information. Did you apply for a mixture of MC/SC and US too?

Reply 52

pp93

Original post by iano101

Thank you for that useful information. Did you apply for a mixture of MC/SC and US too?

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

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Reply 53

Kidioteque

FYI, Hogan Lovells also recruit on a rolling basis.

Reply 54

Endless Blue

Couple of questions for those who have already been through the VS process:

1) what would you advise doing now to be in a good position for when applications open? At the moment I'm mainly doing some research into which firms I want to apply to (as well as activities in 2)

2) Do firms typically ask what activities you undertook during summer? Thus far I've mainly been sorting out housing for second year and just having fun with friends, and the only vaguely productive thing I have done is quite a bit of committee work for a role/PoR I have in a society. Away atm but when I get back I'm planning on applying for a job and picking up a summer language course if I can. Any other recommendations EC wise etc?

Thanks

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Reply 55

Kidioteque

Original post by Endless Blue

1) Broadly, I'd say to keep doing what you're doing. You can be strategic about it: first, try to work out what you're looking for in a firm. For instance, would you rather be in a small or large intake? Would you like to experience a firm that is a jack of all trades or a specialist in certain, more niche areas? Are you interested in the possibility of doing an international secondment on your training contract? All of these factors can help you build a shortlist of firms that you might want to apply to. TruePicture is a fantastic resource for this.

2) I've seen some application forms ask about how you've spent your summer(s), but it's not common. I reckon you're more likely to be asked in passing at interview, but I wouldn't stress about it; if anything they'll probably be happy that you have a life and aren't looking to work 24/7, 365.

EDIT: Also, with regard to your first question, it might be a good idea to make a note of which firms recruit on a rolling basis and which ones don't. That way you can prioritise.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 56

bailey95

Hi,

This might seem a stupid question, but what are the chances of securing a MC vacation scheme place without any actual legal experience. I will be attending open days but have no legal work experience and no voluntary work. Will this mean that I stand a very low chance of securing one of these places?

I do have work experience from outside of the Law, i have had a part time job since the age of 16 and this summer have juggled two part time jobs. I am also part of a sports team at university and have loads of outside interests.

I will be a second year Non-Law student come september if this helps.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 57

bailey95

Thanks, that advice is helpful!

Also, would trying to get a mini-pupillage with a barrister or shadowing a high street lawyer help improve my chances? What else would improve my chances of being successful in getting an MC vac scheme place?

Reply 58

dinolove

Hi everyone!

I'm looking to apply for vac schemes this year as a non-law graduate. I got a 2:1 (67) in History from a RG uni (and a 1:1 for third year). Only thing is that I don't have any legal work experience to speak of and will be starting a full time job in a few weeks which makes it a lot harder to sort these things out. I have a host of other work experience in sales, admin and management and worked all alongside my degree, sometimes working two jobs at once while maintaining a 2:1. I should also be training to be a volunteer advisor for CAB in the coming weeks which is great but I'm not sure if it'll be too little, too late. I'm going to attempt to get on to some open days as well.

Has anyone got any recommendations of firms who will give my a chance as I realise I'll be going up against graduates who have had extensive experience since age 18. I'm not so fussed about MC or SC as I'm not sure my academics are up to scratch.

ETA: I have AAA at A level as well, not sure what that equates to in UCAS points

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 59

dinolove

Original post by J-SP

Make time to go to the firms you want to apply to's careers events.

Most will hold them in the evening and they will happen across the country.

If they run open days/workshops, apply to those. Taking a day or two off work will be worthwhile if you get them on your CV.

Then apply for 1 week Winter or Easter vac schemes. Again, taking a weeks holiday from work to attend one will really boost your CV and is probably worth it.

Your work experience will look great - don't discount it. In many ways it will be more impressive than someone who has lined up informal legal work experience every year. You probably have something they don't, so don't assume they are the better candidate.

My university has a law fair in October during the day which I would be taking the day off to attend - is that the sort of thing you mean? Otherwise, I'd totally be willing to take leave should I get onto an open day or vac scheme, even unpaid as I know vac schemes pay at least travel expenses. I'm using my time before I start work to observe in my local courts and research firms but that seems a little pathetic on its own. My worry is getting onto these things to start with as even open days are ridiculously competitive now.

Thankyou for the reassurance though - I've worked so much because my financial situation dictates I must, I wish I'd have been able to not work one holiday to get some shadowing experience or something :frown:

Hopefully CAB will level the playing field slightly and be good for the dreaded "why law" questions.

I've heard that some firms won't even consider applications without explicitly legal experience (Simmons and Simmons and most of the SC) - is that the case?