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

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker
@Jaysen

Apologies for the duplicate post - I just had a couple of questions about the Skadden application form, and am fairly desperate to send off the application by the end of today (given the rolling basis on which applications are reviewed):

1. It asks students to give "secondary schools" attended - given that there is no point in the form where it asks students to list their sixth form, I assume that "secondary schools", for this purpose, includes the sixth form where I took my A Levels?
2. On the question asking for "significant gaps in your academic/employment history", does a gap year count as such a gap, and if so, do you think candidates would be expected to write anything other than the fact they had a gap year, and the dates this gap year took place?
3. On the cover letter, given that there's a word limit of just 300 words, do you reckon it'd be okay to leave out the sender's and recipient's address, the paragraph at the start where I state my name and my degree, and the paragraph before the "yours faithfully" bit where I thank the recruiter for taking the time to read my application?

Cheers in advance - I'd be really grateful for some pointers!

1) Yes - I would assume this is your A-level education as well.

2) I would include a gap year in this. You should explain what you did in that gap year as well as when it was. Because many people take gap years and don’t actively work or study, it’s good to cover off what you did during that time to show you made the most of that period.

3)Skadden asks you to address their application to either to Graduate Recruitment or to Mathieu Pinto Cardoso, so although it’s ok to not include addresses, I would make sure you include an appropriate introduction.

 

[Jessica Booker]

This question has probably been asked to death but I couldn't find the answer on the various forums aha. When listing work experience, should you list in reverse chronological according to start or end date? For example, if listing by end date, an experience you started in 2015 but still doing right now would come before an experience you did last year and ended last year?

Yes - reverse chronological order with the most recent entry first is the most appropriate way of doing it, and you calculate this by end date.

 

[golden99]

I got 63% percentile in Linklaters watson glaser. Do you guys think that could be enough? (Be great to hear from people who have applied before/already applied this year)

Really annoying as I got 96% in Hogan lovells last year😭

 

[John Travoni]

I got 63% percentile in Linklaters watson glaser. Do you guys think that could be enough? (Be great to hear from people who have applied before/already applied this year)

Really annoying as I got 96% in Hogan lovells last year😭

What were your strengths in the Capp assessment ?

 

[hopefullylaw2000]

I got 63% percentile in Linklaters watson glaser. Do you guys think that could be enough? (Be great to hear from people who have applied before/already applied this year)

Really annoying as I got 96% in Hogan lovells last year😭

I got 56% last year (got 30/40) and got through toAC! Think they put a lot of it on your CAPP test!

 

[kat_]

Linklaters can take between 30 minutes to 75 minutes. Would recommend taking your time as it consists of scenarios and you will need to read couple emails, briefs etc..

Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I got 63% percentile in Linklaters watson glaser. Do you guys think that could be enough? (Be great to hear from people who have applied before/already applied this year)

Really annoying as I got 96% in Hogan lovells last year😭

Percentiles will often vary even in the same test. For instance, even if they are identical tests, for Linklaters you can be benchmarked again partners in law firms, while at Hogan Lovells you could be benchmarked against 16 year olds with no legal training. This would result in different percentile rankings (rather than a % pass mark). Firms tend to have slightly different weighting on different sections of the WG test though which could also result in very different results.

From previous posts, it seems people with a percentile ranking in the high 20s have got through to interview before with Linklaters, so I don't think it is anything to worry about.

 

[pfoapplicant]

1) Yes - I would assume this is your A-level education as well.

2) I would include a gap year in this. You should explain what you did in that gap year as well as when it was. Because many people take gap years and don’t actively work or study, it’s good to cover off what you did during that time to show you made the most of that period.

3)Skadden asks you to address their application to either to Graduate Recruitment or to Mathieu Pinto Cardoso, so although it’s ok to not include addresses, I would make sure you include an appropriate introduction.

Thanks for the advice! By "appropriate introduction", would you say that Dear Graduate Recruitment would suffice, or are you talking about a sentence following on from that?

 

[S87]

Thanks for the advice! By "appropriate introduction", would you say that Dear Graduate Recruitment would suffice, or are you talking about a sentence following on from that?

That's a good question,

@Jessica Booker would write something like "Dear Mathieu, I am a paralegal with x years experience applying.." or just Dear Mathieu I am applying to Skadden because xyz"

 

[Palmerme1]

CMS Video interview ! 😃

 

[M777]

Anyone else still waiting to hear from CC 2023?

 

[djqb]

Would it be suitable to mention achievements in a 250-word application question that only asks for extracurricular activities? @Jessica Booker

There doesn't seem to be any other place in the application to mention achievements, so I'm thinking I might just try and squeeze it in there

 

[bibss]

Anyone heard anything from A&O Direct TC recently?

 

[vacschemeapss]

CMS Video interview ! 😃

Same! Any tips from anyone would be appreciated, what type of questions to prep. I'm so scared never did a VI before

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for the advice! By "appropriate introduction", would you say that Dear Graduate Recruitment would suffice, or are you talking about a sentence following on from that?

Yes, that’s what I meant by an introduction.

 

[Jessica Booker]

That's a good question,

@Jessica Booker would write something like "Dear Mathieu, I am a paralegal with x years experience applying.." or just Dear Mathieu I am applying to Skadden because xyz"

It should be in an appropriate letter structure - eg

Dear Mathieu,

Whatever your opening sentence wants to be.

 

[vacschemeapss]

Hi! Might be a stupid question but CC apps close at midnight on 9th December 2021.

Does that mean that the day of 9th is included and apps only close on 11:59 PM UK time on 9th?

 

[Samir_O]

CC pfo just came through 😓 thought my app was really strong, not sure where i went wrong

 

[hopefullylaw2000]

CC pfo just came through 😓 thought my app was really strong, not sure where i went wrong

I think you just have to remember that so many people apply for CC and its not a reflection on you at all! If anything, the amount of time you spent on the app will only help you in the future when applying to other roles, and there will be something out there for you !!

 

[Tcapplicant]

Has anyone who received the WG email from CC just received an update email?