TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[NCTC2025]

Anyone got any advice on how to answer 'What are your weaknesses?' or any tips on what not to say?

In my experience, being honest adds authenticity. The key point is addressing the steps you've taken to improve and work on that weakness and maybe giving a recent example.

 

[jojo23]

I dont know if its just me but I think it's really hard to not be generic in the first paul weiss question....

I just want to secure the bag😭

 

[Bread]

Hi @Jessica Booker, hope you are well. I was just wondering whether you had any guidance on writing a CV for firms that dont have a proper application portal and want candidates to upload a CV (Cleary, Winston & Strawn). For Winston specifically, I cannot find anything on whether to include a breakdown of grades at uni/a-level.
I was also wondering how long these CVs should be. If this were any other job, I would normally have a single A4 page with about three bullet points for each experience entry, is this alright for legal CVs? I am just very used to filling in an allhires/vantage form at this point so this is quite unusual haha
Thanks!

 

[Olivialee15]

In my experience, being honest adds authenticity. The key point is addressing the steps you've taken to improve and work on that weakness and maybe giving a recent example.

Thank you!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Paul, Weiss’ co-head went on record to say that their staff won’t have a work-life balance loollllll

Respect the honesty

 

[Jessica Booker]

I think cutting at the prior stages is more likely than them inviting many to AC. Interviewing hundreds of candidates just seems inefficient for so few slots. Guess we'll find out soon!

I think this is more likely. To interview hundreds of candidates you need hundreds of interviewers and that’s going to be far less likely with a firm with only 150 lawyers across London and Brussels.

 

[BillSikes]

Hi can anyone please provide any insight Reed Smith VI?

Is it all competency or are there also motivations questions re why the firm/why law/news story of interest.

How long to answer also?

 

[BillSikes]

Hi !

Would anyone who has experience with Fieldfisher's Diversity Access Scheme AC or the AC in general be willing to provide any insights on what to expect ?

Thanks in advance.

I did AC last year. Just very generic interview - why firm/law and loads of competency questions. Also a written task - but no group exercise. ACs done online.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

does anyone know at all why ropes & gray doesn't have a work experience section? considering the commercial question doesn't ask for any linking back to ourselves, how can the firm know anything about us other than grades?

 

[BillSikes]

For Reed Smith VI, make sure you have a solid bank of examples that demonstrate your motivation to pursue a legal career. There are sub-questions to each question so you'll need to cover substantial substance in your answers in a relatively short time. Have some prompts ready so you know what to touch on as you record but do not read from it. Try and link everything you say back to how that benefits RS. The VI can be exhausting and nauseatingly nerve-wracking so take mini breaks between each question to calm down. Also, I am a Christian so holding onto the Bible really helps!

This really helps thanks. Can you remember if there was any questions about 'Why RS' or a question about a news story?

 

[legal18]

Paul, Weiss’ co-head went on record to say that their staff won’t have a work-life balance loollllll

Respect the honesty

Where?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Is it necessary to talk about the culture of the firm in the 850 word personal statement? I talk about two practice area of Freshfields that I want to try but because of this much detail, I do not have space for the culture of the firm. Just wondering if it would be detrimental for my application

 

[NJS]

does anyone know at all why ropes & gray doesn't have a work experience section? considering the commercial question doesn't ask for any linking back to ourselves, how can the firm know anything about us other than grades?

Almost as if that's what they care for...

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Almost as if that's what they care for...

even though they don't have a minimum grades requirement, now I am debating whether to apply as i have a mid 2:1

 

[Amakaa]

Congratulations! When did you apply and when did you hear back please.

any white and case vi tips?

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Just realised I referred to 'Paul, Weiss' as Paul Weiss throughout my application after submitting... time to go to sleep :/

 

[Chris Brown]

Just realised I referred to 'Paul, Weiss' as Paul Weiss throughout my application after submitting... time to go to sleep :/

I also made this mistake in a few places so I’ve pretty much prepared for the immediate PFO. 🤣💀

If I get past the first stage it’ll be a miracle. 😭

 

[Shandy101]

In my experience, being honest adds authenticity. The key point is addressing the steps you've taken to improve and work on that weakness and maybe giving a recent example.

Anyone got any advice on how to answer 'What are your weaknesses?' or any tips on what not to say?

I would second that but qualify it by saying don't be too honest and open- balance transparency with tact. Choose something that isn’t critical to the role- that is if your weakness is something like a lack of attention to detail, don't use it. Strategic weaknesses are good e.g. saying that you tend to take on too many responsibilities because you want to help where you can. This sometimes leads to feeling stretched. To address this, you’ve worked on setting clearer boundaries and using task management tools to prioritise effectively. You’ve found that this allows you to make more impactful contributions. In essence, you've realised the importance of ensuring you're doing a great job with ur core responsibilities before u take on extra work. Maybe add at the end: "I'm getting better at it every day, and I think it’s helping me do a solid job all around"

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hey guys, is DAC beachcroft’s personal summary meant to be the same as a cover letter?

 

[Chris Brown]

Almost as if that's what they care for...

even though they don't have a minimum grades requirement, now I am debating whether to apply as i have a mid 2:1

This is why it confuses me when a firm claims it has no minimum grade requirements but then still looks at your grades… 🤨

Almost every single future trainee I have come across at these US firms all have AAA at A-level and a 1st. This is despite having ‘no minimum grade requirements’… 🙃

At least firms like Cleary Gottlieb are honest about their expectations: ‘AAA at A-level and a high 2:1 (68%) from a leading university’ which is pretty much just Oxbridge and RG.

It’s much better for firms to be transparent imo. At least then people know if they stand a realistic chance. 🫡