TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[nnt_1304]

If anyone is looking for accommodation for spring or summer vac scheme 2024 in London, feel free to PM me!

I have a spare double bedroom in N1 (within 20 min walking distance to Kings Cross) to sublet for £220 a week, all bills and utilities included, bathroom and kitchen shared with one person (myself). The room will be available from 15 March to 15 June, suitable for spring vac schemers and early summer vac schemers. I am currently a paralegal at a city law firm and a future trainee.

Virtual or in-person viewings would of course be welcome!

PS. Apology to the TCLA team if perhaps this is not the most suitable forum for housing advertisements like this. I have a spare room in need of subletting, and I have also in the past helped fellow vac schemers find accommodation in London, so I thought some members of this forum can benefit from this post.

 

[bangarangbass39]

I think talk about open days/insight day would definitely be helpful. Some firms allow you to put insight day on their application form as work experience. So many people write it on their Linkedin

Lol, I think that's a bit ridiculous but fair enough. I wish there was a separate section. I don't think Open Days/Insight Evenings should qualify - hardly any work involved - but I realise they are "competitive" to get on to.

Am I disadvantaged by not attending open days? I have attended virtual events and campus talks but thought the whole open day was a bit much for travelling to be told the same things.

 

[TC seeker]

Lol, I think that's a bit ridiculous but fair enough. I wish there was a separate section. I don't think Open Days/Insight Evenings should qualify - hardly any work involved - but I realise they are "competitive" to get on to.

Am I disadvantaged by not attending open days? I have attended virtual events and campus talks but thought the whole open day was a bit much for travelling to be told the same things.

I think open day just give you a chance to familiar with the firm. it is a great opportunity to network with trainees/associates，and it also would be helpful when you write about“why this firm”. You can also do this by participate the networking events on campus or virtually.If you familiar with these firms very well，you won't be disadvantaged.

 

[haydararikci]

hey guys did anyone hear back from clearly gottlieb since the application deadline? Like PFO or interview invite

 

[Tiffi2000]

I just completed W&C’s VI and before I completed it, they said they received 4000 applications (I presume that’s across the winter, spring, and summer schemes)?

Out of interest, how many roughly reach each stage?

I imagine maybe 1000 reach the VI, 200 or so the AC and then 75 for the VS to fill the 50 TC spots? Or is that way off?

 

[TC seeker]

I just completed W&C’s VI and before I completed it, they said they received 4000 applications (I presume that’s across the winter, spring, and summer schemes)?

Out of interest, how many roughly reach each stage?

I imagine maybe 1000 reach the VI, 200 or so the AC and then 75 for the VS to fill the 50 TC spots? Or is that way off?

They also has the direct TC route，I think maybe not that much people to participate the VS

 

[Sunshinepink]

You can mention it in sections about your motivations or careers related activities you have been involved in. I don't think it should be in work experience, but it can be leveraged elsewhere in applications to show your interest in or knowledge of the sector.

Okay, thank you so much!

 

[Adamkhattak70]

has no one heard from CMS dubai about the AC?

Had a pleasant experience at a DLA AC last week, really nice people

 

[bangarangbass39]

I think open day just give you a chance to familiar with the firm. it is a great opportunity to network with trainees/associates，and it also would be helpful when you write about“why this firm”. You can also do this by participate the networking events on campus or virtually.If you familiar with these firms very well，you won't be disadvantaged.

For sure! I think I'm just unsure how it's work experience/something I'd list under my work experience section. I would talk about it in the "Why law and why this firm" section (which I have) but work experience? I'm a lil lost still. But it's deffo good for those things you mentioned

 

[laby201]

They also has the direct TC route，I think maybe not that much people to participate the VS

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I saw someone say the other day that they recruited a tiny amount through the direct route? As in 90% come through the VS?

In regard to the OP's question, I would guess those figures are roughly right? Although maybe slightly less at the VI/AC stage?

 

[iwantaTC26]

potentially futile idea but is there a resource with technical/analytical-style interview questions with answers or pointers to answers that a family member/friend with no idea of commercial law could use to practice on me? objective is to be asked questions i've never seen before and see how i manage on the spot, but i am the first person in my family/close circle to do an AC like this (!)

 

[Seven]

For sure! I think I'm just unsure how it's work experience/something I'd list under my work experience section. I would talk about it in the "Why law and why this firm" section (which I have) but work experience? I'm a lil lost still. But it's deffo good for those things you mentioned

Open days at city law firms are essentially condensed versions of work experience, typically spanning from 9 am to 4 pm or a half day. These events encompass a range of activities such as commercial awareness workshops, application masterclasses, case study and negotiation exercises, panel discussions, firm tours, Q&A sessions, networking receptions, and practice area presentations. It's important to note that some open days are competitive and may fast-track you to an assessment day.

From a practical standpoint, participating in these open days qualifies as work experience because you gain invaluable firsthand insight into the firm's operations. While it might not be a traditional full-time job, it still provides a direct and immersive experience within the legal industry. The distinction between employment and work experience is crucial here. According to advice from graduate recruitment, including open days in the work experience section demonstrates a genuine interest and active engagement with the legal field. So, it's certainly worth highlighting as a valuable aspect of your professional development.

From my experience, I've seen demonstrable success including these open days and events in my applications.

Edit: Just to add, if you're struggling on what to put in the work experience section or you need confirmation of putting open days or less relevant work experience in applications. See this article here: https://ukgraduates.shearman.com/2018/05/30/training-contract-work-experience/

 

[EliteWhovian]

potentially futile idea but is there a resource with technical/analytical-style interview questions with answers or pointers to answers that a family member/friend with no idea of commercial law could use to practice on me? objective is to be asked questions i've never seen before and see how i manage on the spot, but i am the first person in my family/close circle to do an AC like this (!)

Scroll down a bit to the technical and commercial questions

As well as this https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/175-training-contract-interview-questions-2/

 

[Gin]

Hi has anyone applied for Simmons&Simmons's spring insight scheme? Any replies?

 

[user7879]

I know exactly who you are talking about. I had the same Partner during my Winter AC :/

Same here for my winter AC :/ Performed the worst on that interview

 

[Future$trainee]

I got an email from K&L Gates last week with a test.

have you heard back since you completed the test?

 

[medy]

has no one heard from CMS dubai about the AC?

Had a pleasant experience at a DLA AC last week, really nice people

was this DLA Dubai?

 

[medy]

I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I saw someone say the other day that they recruited a tiny amount through the direct route? As in 90% come through the VS?

In regard to the OP's question, I would guess those figures are roughly right? Although maybe slightly less at the VI/AC stage?

Do you think the fact that they don't have a cap on the number of trainees they recruit might have an impact?

 

[laby201]

I know exactly who you are talking about. I had the same Partner during my Winter AC :/

If we’re talking about HSF and the case study interview, I’m pretty sure I had the same bad experience with the same Partner (it was a male Disputes Partner).

If 4 people have had the same bad experience with one interviewer, unless it’s designed to be that one and they’re incredibly harsh, that seems off to me.

It was a shame as the other two who interviewed me were really friendly, but it was impossible to gain any sort of rapport was him. Could definitely tell he rated himself highly (and rightly so), but it was a little uncomfortable.

 

[laby201]

Do you think the fact that they don't have a cap on the number of trainees they recruit might have an impact?

Potentially? From what I’ve read on here, it looks like they recruit predominantly from the VS, so if they have a year where everyone on the schemes are excellent and pretty much fill all the spaces, there’s less need to recruit as many directly.