TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

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rose0904

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Sep 6, 2021
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For work experience with a word limit of 150, should you just stick to talking about your duties/responsibilities or talk about skills it's given you? E.g., should I write that I serve customers etc which helps with my communication or just stick to explaining the serving?
 

James Carrabino

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Please could anyone shed light on Travers' PFO email:

"We are sorry to inform you that we will not be holding any further interviews. We realise how disappointing this is but we have experienced a higher volume of applications than usual and are unable to interview everyone who has applied. Unfortunately, due to this volume we are also unable to provide feedback at this stage.

If the firm is still of interest, please visit our website for further information about applying for the Summer Vacation Schemes next year.

Once again, please do accept our sincere apologies for the delay you have experienced. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in Travers Smith."


Is this an outright PFO- do I need to wait until next cycle to re-apply? Or is it telling me to do another application from scratch for this cycle's SVS as they couldn't read my WVS app?
I would e-mail them to clarify, but considering that some firms will carry people's applications over from winter until summer if they have too many winter applications, I would not be surprised if this means that you are still allowed to apply for the summer vacation schemes within this cycle.
 
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AvniD

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Is it important to demonstrate an interest in shipping law when interviewing at Stephenson Harwood? Worried that because I know nothing about it I won't be strong candidate as other people may be really passionate about their speciality area - advice please :)
From their website-

Particular areas of strength include:
  • Commercial litigation
  • Corporate
  • Employment, pensions and private wealth
  • Finance
  • Marine and international trade
  • Real estate and projects
Shipping is just *one* of their areas of strength, and one of their many areas of sector expertise. I think you should be just fine talking about the areas that genuinely interest you while being generally aware of their work in sectors of strength 😊
 

Jessica Booker

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Hey, Would anyone who has applied to Hogan Lovells mind telling me how long it took them to receive a Watson Glaser? I applied on Sunday and still haven't received one.
@Jessica Booker Do you think enough time has passed for me to email the firm. (I have received a confirmation from Vantage, but not one from Hogan Lovells directly)
Honestly, no - it’s only Wednesday. I’d follow up middle part of next week if you haven’t heard by then.
 

Jessica Booker

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Please could anyone shed light on Travers' PFO email:

"We are sorry to inform you that we will not be holding any further interviews. We realise how disappointing this is but we have experienced a higher volume of applications than usual and are unable to interview everyone who has applied. Unfortunately, due to this volume we are also unable to provide feedback at this stage.

If the firm is still of interest, please visit our website for further information about applying for the Summer Vacation Schemes next year.

Once again, please do accept our sincere apologies for the delay you have experienced. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank you for the interest you have shown in Travers Smith."


Is this an outright PFO- do I need to wait until next cycle to re-apply? Or is it telling me to do another application from scratch for this cycle's SVS as they couldn't read my WVS app?
It’s an outright PFO unfortunately, just an exceptionally apologetic one. It seems to suggest you can apply for a summer scheme - although the “next year” suggests you could only apply in 2022 (not sure when applications open/close).
 
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Jessica Booker

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Davis Polk Open Day (evening) invite! :D not exactly a vac but they're sending us something in the post...wonder what it could be
Congratulations! Probably a little goody pack of merch and a few treats to keep your sugar levels up for the day. Many firms send these packs as it’s the stuff they would have given you if you were doing the event in person.
 

Nicole15

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    It’s an outright PFO unfortunately, just an exceptionally apologetic one. It seems to suggest you can apply for a summer scheme - although the “next year” suggests you could only apply in 2022 (not sure when applications open/close).
    I have emailed GR and they confirmed that we are eligible to apply for the summer vacation scheme in 2022 (deadline 17 January 2022). Hope this helps.
     

    Asil Ahmad

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    For Weil vacation scheme application on the question why Weil is it okay to talk about pro bono work as they do count pro bono work as billable work. I know it is good not to talk about pro bono work in the why this firm question as it is not billable work for most firms.
     

    Nicole15

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    For Weil vacation scheme application on the question why Weil is it okay to talk about pro bono work as they do count pro bono work as billable work. I know it is good not to talk about pro bono work in the why this firm question as it is not billable work for most firms.
    Hi Asil,

    Good question. The way I see it is that pro bono is the icing on the cake when it comes to conveying your motivations for applying to the firm. The large bulk of your answer should focus on the work that you’re going to be doing. Although pro bono will consist of some of your billable hours like you say, it won’t be what you will be doing for the majority of your time. Mention it by all means but it shouldn’t take up the majority of your answer.

    Happy for others to provide their input, of course! :)
     

    Asil Ahmad

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    Hi Asil,

    Good question. The way I see it is that pro bono is the icing on the cake when it comes to conveying your motivations for applying to the firm. The large bulk of your answer should focus on the work that you’re going to be doing. Although pro bono will consist of some of your billable hours like you say, it won’t be what you will be doing for the majority of your time. Mention it by all means but it shouldn’t take up the majority of your answer.

    Happy for others to provide their input, of course! :)
    Thank you very much for this it is really helpful and I agree with you it is not majority of lawyer work.
     
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