You opened the email.
You already knew.
“Unfortunately…”
A vacation scheme rejection can feel deeply personal. You replay your application in your head. You question whether you’re good enough. You compare yourself to everyone on LinkedIn announcing offers.
But here is the truth: a rejection does not mean you are incapable of becoming a solicitor. It means the strategy needs refining — not that the dream is over.
Let’s talk about what to do next.
First: Understand What a Rejection Actually Means
Most commercial firms receive thousands of applications for a very limited number of places. Even strong candidates are rejected every cycle.
A rejection can come down to:
- Slightly stronger commercial awareness shown by another candidate
- Clearer structure in competency answers
- Better tailoring to that specific firm
- Interview performance under pressure
- Marginal scoring differences
It is rarely about intelligence. Often, it is about polish.
And polish can be built.
What To Do Within the First 7 Days
This is the most important window. Don’t rush into the next application emotionally. Be strategic.
1. Ask for Feedback
Even if you suspect they won’t respond, ask politely:
Thank you for considering my application. I would be very grateful for any brief feedback that may help me improve future applications.
Some firms will decline. Some will give generic responses. Occasionally, you will receive something genuinely useful. It is always worth asking.
2. Audit Your Application Honestly
Ask yourself:
- Was I specific in my examples?
- Did I clearly show impact?
- Did I explain why this firm — not just why commercial law?
- Did I demonstrate commercial awareness with depth rather than surface-level news?
Be honest. Growth starts there.
3. Get a Second Pair of Eyes
A mentor, trainee contact, careers adviser or even a trusted peer can see what you cannot.
Often, what feels “strong” to us lacks clarity to someone else.
The Strategic Reset
Sometimes rejection is not about effort. It is about direction.
Ask yourself:
- Am I applying too widely without tailoring deeply?
- Are my answers too similar across firms?
- Am I relying on the same examples repeatedly?
- Is my “Why this firm?” genuinely differentiated?
- Am I researching practice areas properly?
Strong candidates treat applications like projects. They track them. They refine them. They rewrite from scratch rather than tweak.
Rejection is data. Use it.
What Successful Candidates Do Differently
Across conversations on The Lawyer Files, one pattern stands out: successful candidates refine relentlessly.
They:
- Track applications in spreadsheets
- Practise psychometric tests early
- Speak to trainees before applying
- Rewrite answers entirely instead of editing old ones
- Study one commercial topic deeply each week
- Reflect after every interview
The difference is rarely talent. It is iteration.
Is Rejection Normal?
Completely.
Many future trainees receive multiple rejections before securing an offer. Some receive over ten. Some succeed on their final application of the cycle.
You rarely see those posts. You only see the offer announcements.
Law is competitive. Rejection is part of the process — not proof you do not belong.
Should You Reapply?
Many firms allow reapplication after 12 months. However, you must demonstrate growth.
If you reapply:
- Show new experiences
- Strengthen commercial awareness
- Improve clarity and structure
- Deepen firm research
Submitting the same application with minor edits will not change the outcome.
Growth must be visible.
Consider the Long Game
A vacation scheme is one route — not the only route.
Other paths include:
- Direct training contract applications
- Paralegal roles
- Smaller or regional firms
- In-house roles
- Applying in the next cycle with stronger experience
There is no single timeline to qualification.
Sometimes rejection is not a stop sign. It is redirection.
Final Thoughts
A rejection email can shake your confidence. But it can also sharpen your strategy.
Pause. Reflect. Refine. Apply again — stronger.
Your journey in law will not be defined by one email.
It will be defined by how you respond to it.
FAQs
How many vacation schemes should I apply to?
There is no perfect number, but quality is more important than quantity. It is better to submit fewer, deeply tailored applications than many generic ones.
Does one rejection mean I am not competitive?
No. Rejection is common in highly competitive recruitment cycles. It reflects comparison, not capability.
Can I reapply after being rejected?
Many firms allow reapplication after 12 months. Check each firm’s policy and ensure you can demonstrate meaningful improvement.
Do firms blacklist candidates?
No. Firms assess applications on merit each cycle. However, submitting unchanged applications may result in the same outcome.
