by Charlie Suzannah Cromwell, Future Trainee Solicitor at Bird & Bird.

Please note: The advice in this guide is intended to be informative and helpful, but following these tips doesn’t guarantee success in the application process. The examples provided throughout are illustrative only; they’re designed to demonstrate key principles rather than serve as complete, ready-to-use application content. Every application should be tailored to your own experiences, the specific firm you’re applying to, and your genuine motivations.

How to Write a Winning Application

Vacation scheme applications can feel like a minefield. You’re competing against hundreds (sometimes thousands) of other candidates, and it’s easy to feel like your application disappears into a black hole. But here’s the truth: most applications fail not because candidates aren’t good enough, but because they don’t understand what graduate recruitment teams are actually looking for. Having successfully gone through this process myself, I’ve compiled the best advice I learned during the process.

The Golden Rule: Quality Over Quantity

Let’s start with the most important advice: you don’t need to apply to 50 firms. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Graduate recruitment teams can spot a rushed or recycled application from a mile away, and the competition is fierce enough without sabotaging yourself with mediocre applications. A realistic target is around 12-20 applications throughout the cycle. Yes, that might sound low, but think about it: would you rather send 50 generic applications, or 15 tailored, well-researched applications where you have a genuine interest?

Here’s how to manage this effectively.

Create a strategic plan: make a spreadsheet to track deadlines, requirements, and your progress. Give yourself realistic deadlines per application, maybe two or three per week maximum. This prevents burnout and ensures you’re not compromising on quality. Prioritise rolling deadlines first, since many firms start reviewing applications as soon as they come in rather than waiting until the deadline. Some firms will interview and even make offers before their official closing date, so getting in early is starting in the best position. For non-rolling deadlines, don’t leave them until the last minute! Little and often is the best policy.

Research the Firm! But Make It About You

This is where most applications fall flat. Here’s what doesn’t work: regurgitating facts from the firm’s website that anyone could find. Saying things like “I’m interested in your market-leading tech practice” or “Your firm has an excellent reputation” tells recruiters nothing. Remember, you’re writing to people who know the firm better than you ever will. They don’t need you to tell them what their firm does, they need you to explain why you want to work there specifically.

So how do you show genuine interest? Be specific and be personal. Maybe you attended a Legal Cheek event where a trainee spoke about working on a fascinating IP dispute, and that sparked your interest in tech law. Perhaps you completed a Forage virtual experience that gave you insight into the firm’s approach to client work. Maybe you reached out to a trainee on LinkedIn who shared their experience of the firm’s open culture, and that resonated with something you value. These details matter because they show you’ve engaged with the firm beyond reading their “About Us” page.

But (and this is crucial) don’t just drop these examples in for the sake of it. This brings us to the most important concept in application writing: the “so what?” test.

Understanding the “So What?” Test

Imagine you’re a graduate recruitment manager reading your application. Every single statement you make should answer the question “so what?” in the reader’s mind. If you’ve left them asking “why does this matter?” or “how does this connect to anything?”, you’ve failed the test.

Here’s an example of what doesn’t work:

“I attended a Legal Cheek event about STEM students becoming lawyers. I also completed a Forage programme with your firm. I have strong analytical skills from my Computer Science degree.”

A recruiter reading this thinks: “So what? Lots of people attended that event. What did you actually take away from it? Why did the Forage programme make you want to apply here specifically? How do your analytical skills relate to what we do”?

Now here’s the same information passing the “so what?” test:

“Attending Legal Cheek’s ‘Why STEM Students Make Great Lawyers’ event fundamentally changed how I saw my career path. Hearing your trainee discuss how their engineering background helped them advise on a complex patent dispute made me realise that legal practice isn’t about leaving my technical skills behind, it’s about applying them in a new context. This was reinforced when I completed your Forage programme and worked through a simulated IP case, where I had to both understand the technical aspects of the technology and consider the legal implications. That combination is exactly what excites me about your firm’s work.”

See the difference? Every statement connects to the next, and more importantly, explains why it matters and links it back to you. The reader isn’t left with unanswered questions; they can see your thought process and understand your motivation.

Make Your Application Personal and Show You’ve Engaged

Law firms care about you as a person, not just your grades. They want to see your personality, your values, and how you align with their culture. The best way to do this is by drawing out the firm’s values and demonstrating how you see yourself reflected in them through real, specific examples.

If a firm emphasises innovation, don’t just say “I’m innovative too”. Show it: “Your firm’s investment in legal tech, like the AI tools you’ve developed for contract analysis, aligns with my belief that innovation improves both efficiency and client service. During my Computer Science degree, I developed a tool to automate data processing, and I’m excited about working somewhere that embraces technology rather than resists it”.

If you’re a non-traditional student, don’t see it as a disadvantage; emphasise your unique strengths. You’ve demonstrated adaptability by navigating a different educational system and culture. You may speak multiple languages. You bring diverse perspectives. These are genuine assets in an increasingly global legal market.

And here’s something that often surprises people: firms often don’t care if you’ve taken time out to travel, switched careers, or had a non-linear path after graduation. As long as you can articulate what you learned and how it’s made you a better candidate, a varied background can actually work in your favour. Just be honest about it rather than trying to hide or minimise it.

The Technical Details Matter

Don’t let basic mistakes undermine your hard work:

• Spell everything correctly: This includes the firm’s name, the contact person’s name, and any legal terms you reference. Spelling errors suggest you’ll miss details in legal work.
• Follow formatting conventions: Use professional fonts like Times New Roman or Arial in size 11, keep to one page if you can, and ensure your formatting is consistent throughout.
• Keep a copy: Save every application you submit. If you get an interview, you’ll need to remember exactly what you wrote so you can discuss it.

The Final Reality Check

Remember: firms don’t just want to see that you’re qualified, they want to see that you’d be good to work with. Be genuinely enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity, but stay authentic. Show them who you are, what you value, and why their firm specifically aligns with your career goals.

Vacation scheme applications are tough, and rejection is part of the process. But every application is practice, and if you focus on quality, research, and genuine engagement, you’ll see the benefits. You’ve got this!