TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lolololol]

i would love some clarity on this as i am struggling. how would you differentiate between why law and why commercial law? thank you in advance

 

[James Wakefield]

Dechert PFO post written exercise
22 application: 21 rejections, 1 VS

The guy in blue is me right now... Couldn't be happier, as it's a firm in my top 3

View attachment 7039

Congrats!! I feel like this isn’t chance to be honest. I’ve got a VS from a top firm of mine and I think they can sense your motivation!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Which law firms?

Baker McKenzie is one of them.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you, I've done a few AC's where you can use a laptop but it's just programmed to a word doc to avoid all the AI/googling concerns... guess that's just how this firm does it. My handwriting looks like dead spiders so best work on that lol

I wouldn't worry about your handwriting being really tidy - just needs to be easy to decipher/interpret.

 

[thelawstudent]

Was the last nrf ac today?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know if offers are likely to be given by phone or email?

More likely than not it will be by phone unless you are not contactable/not answering your phone, then it can be by email by default.

 

[abbiewhitlock03]

Does anyone know if offers are likely to be given by phone or email?

I think it’s usually phone but I did get a VS offer over email last week and they didn’t try and call first.

 

[Jessica Booker]

is there a database or a thread on here where people talk about their experiences on VCs?

We don't have a thread about experiences on vacation schemes - I suspect where people may feel more identifiable by providing more specific information. However, we do have some good advice on how to prepare for vacation schemes generally and also have our Accelerator Programme running for Gold subscribers, for which one stream of the programme tackles this topic. Please let me know if you would like me to direct you to any of this content.

 

[Jessica Booker]

i would love some clarity on this as i am struggling. how would you differentiate between why law and why commercial law? thank you in advance

In what context is this? Is this for an application or interview?

 

[lolololol]

In what context is this? Is this for an application or interview?

interview! more so in the context of if i get asked both, not sure how i would differentiate them.

 

[Meghna]

Is anyone still waiting to hear from Mishcon post VI? I haven't heard anything yet

 

[HappyHippo]

I have been successful in getting Paul, Weiss vacation scheme 😀

It was my second interview ever and assumed I performed poorly. Keep pushing guys!

 

[James Wakefield]

Does anyone know if offers are likely to be given by phone or email?

I’ve had one over phone and two by email. So can be either.

 

[trainee4u]

Teacher Stern post-app PFO.

 

[tarty23]

Dechert PFO post WE - does anyone know if I can reapply next cycle having reached this stage?

 

[tosin4774]

I have been successful in getting Paul, Weiss vacation scheme 😀

It was my second interview ever and assumed I performed poorly. Keep pushing guys!

The number of Paul, Weiss vacation scheme offers I have seen in this forum gives me hope that I too can secure a vac scheme with them.

 

[trainee4u]

The number of Paul, Weiss vacation scheme offers I have seen in this forum gives me hope that I too can secure a vac scheme with them.

Yeah I've found it quite intriguing, in that I just have a big list of names on a spreadsheet and specifically the period of about 15-25 January I was crazy busy and only applied to 2 of 7 firms on my list closing during that period. This list of 7 included PW, and I missed applying....

They were nothing to me different from any other name at the time, but I've since been interested to see so many VS offers here and I wonder whether they've attracted a different set of candidates applying, specifically perhaps fewer from other sources, because they are new, hence more offers from here. But I have no idea, it could just be confirmation bias....

 

[arando]

Hello all! I have a vac scheme coming up soon and was wondering if someone could please point me towards any previous threads or advise on any key tips on converting it into a TC. I'm not sure where to look and would really appreciate any help )))

 

[Jessica Booker]

interview! more so in the context of if i get asked both, not sure how i would differentiate them.

I think it would be rare for you to be asked both - I think it would be more likely to be one or the other.

However, if there was the opportunity to be asked both, I would focus "why law" on the topic of law and the type of key responsibilities you will have as a lawyer (research, drafting, document review etc) as things like working with legal frameworks and the ways in which you work/tasks you would do could be similar outside of commercial law but in areas like family or criminal law. You can then focus on why commercial topics in the latter question.

But I would listen carefully to the question and the context of what you have been discussing previously as it may be that your interviewer is effectively asking you why commercial law when just asking "why law".

 

[tryingmybestlol]

interview! more so in the context of if i get asked both, not sure how i would differentiate them.

Just to add to this- in a recent interview I was asked both. For why law I focused more on what had motivated me to do a law degree e.g. A level choice, career prospects, found it interesting etc, and then I also mentioned that becoming a solicitor was of interest to me as I felt it aligned with my skill set and I wanted a job that was client facing. Then for why commercial law I focused more on the type of work (e.g. it being international in many cases), the clients, and then also that I had an interest in commercial things in general from previous work experience etc

I am by no means a professional lol but I did get the vac scheme so they must of thought this was ok hahah