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

[James Carrabino]

CC 2023 AC!

CC AC OMGGGGGGG

Hi guys, just got through to my first ever assessment centre (CC). Feeling overwhelmingly anxious alongside the happiness so would be grateful if anyone could lend their expertise on how to prepare! Thanks!

got a CC AC too 😭😭😭

Wow everyone sorry I missed this, congratulations!!! Excellent to see our members getting ACs. I hope the ACs have gone/go well

 

[James Carrabino]

Hi All,

Just wondering re places like Weil who offer both a Spring and Summer Vac Scheme. It is to be noted that there are two different slots for the Summer session whereas just one for Spring. Does this make the Spring Scheme more selective?

Thank you

Usually I would avoid second-guessing things like this. Often they will progress everyone through the process together and ask which scheme you want to do again when they make you an offer

 

[James Carrabino]

Hi guys,
I'm unsure what the best way to order/list work experiences is. I've completed a few legal internships, worked with a startup on their business development and owned a business.
I'm confused as to whether I should
A] Mention non legal experiences first, followed by legal experiences - to show transferable skills and commercial experience; or
B] Mention the legal experiences first, followed by non legal ones - to demonstrate an understanding of what working in law entails (I'm a non-law applicant)
I'd be grateful if you could share your thoughts
@Jessica Booker @James Carrabino @George Maxwell @AvniD would love to hear your perspectives

PS am I overthinking this?

The main way I ordered my work experience was simply by reverse chronology. That also happened to involve having my legal work experience (vac schemes) up top, just because I was in the midst of an application cycle and so that was all I was doing work-wise. Nevertheless, I quite like having legal work experience at the top because if firms see one thing, they will see that

 

[James Carrabino]

Thanks, I had been told via an automated email to get in contacted with grad Rec about extra time in watson glaser. So I mentioned it when requesting the extra time but in the reply they gave the extra time but completely ignored the part about the additional masters? Not sure what to read into this @AvniD

Probably because it's not an issue!

 

[James Carrabino]

As I am currently applying to vacation schemes, I wanted to ask a question regarding my first-year grades. I’m currently in my third year.

My first-year grades were terrible. Overall I received a 2:2. My highest grade was 60 and lowest was 42. There are multiple reasons for this, Including some personal circumstances regarding my health.

Though, in my second year, my grades improved significantly. My overall grade was a high 2:1.

I just had a meeting with my personal tutor and he said that “If I’m applying to big city firms, I have to be realistic as they won’t take me because of my first-year grades”. I know full well that firms look at first grades and it could be a reason for a firm to reject me. But does that mean I shouldn’t apply to city firms like HSF? There are so many reasons as to why I want to become a city lawyer but it just feels like those 1st-year grades could hold me back.

I wanted to ask have people with low first-year grades but good 2nd and 3rd-year grades gone on to successfully join big city firms?

Thank you for your help.

Hi @Anonymous28377, it is great to hear from you and welcome to the forum!

First of all, congratulations on your second-year grades!! I have explained elsewhere that starting university with lower grades and bringing them up is absolutely the right way to be doing things. It is much more concerning when candidates seem to be struggling as their courses get harder. That said, it is possible that low first-year grades could concern a law firm, although you say that you have mitigating circumstances for this. If your mitigating circumstances are compelling (law firms may ask for evidence, although I think that a big improvement in grades in second and third year would be enough for many firms if you provide honest reasons for the circumstances) then law firms will absolutely take this into account.

If you go on to do well overall, then low first-year grades accounted for by mitigating circumstances should not jeopardise your chances of success with most firms. I can of course never say with certainty that this is the case for all firms, but I sincerely believe that you are not wasting your time by applying to the firms that you are applying to, especially as you have already been invited to complete a range of tests. Well done!

Candidates with all sorts of backgrounds obtain TCs at city firms like HSF. I have certainly heard of many who were very disappointed with their first-year grades getting top training contracts (as to how bad the grades were or which firms they were accepted at I am not quite sure). At the same time, some candidates with top grades really struggle to get TCs at big city firms due to the other components of their applications.

If you feel that you are able to make up for your low grades with strong experiences and motivations elsewhere then I see nothing preventing you from progressing with top firms. Not all firms will give you the time of day, but if you work on building up your work experience and then craft enough really excellent applications, I think that you should be in with as good a shot as anyone!

I hope that helps

 

[selfcarequeenzzz1]

Anyone heard from Reed Smith and the VI?

 

[James Carrabino]

I don't think the SST at Reed Smith is sent automatically. The website FAQ section says that if you are successful at the online application form you will then be asked to complete the SST. I think that's what Holly Allen (Grad recruitment) said at the open day as well. So you might have to wait for a while.

I disagree with this as everyone receives the test that applies.

Their faq says:

“The first stage of the process is an application form, which is completed online. If successful at this stage, you will then be asked to complete a situational strengths test (SST), again online. If you meet the standard on the SST, then you will be invited to undertake an on-demand strengths based video interview. Should you be successful at this stage, you will then be invited to undertake a case study exercise. The location of the case study exercise (virtual or in person) will depend on the Covid-19 situation and government guidelines at the time of interview.”

Have more faith in yourself. If you got to that stage you have progressed.

Reed Smith reviews first to make sure that you have met the correct benchmarks throughout your application, but does give the test to the vast majority as far as I am aware

 

[James Carrabino]

Hey do reed Smith and Ashurst take peeps from direct TC apps?

Ashurst does!

 

[Samir_O]

I think the delay is because they might be changing the WG test to an SJT. They told in one of their events that they are currently working on a bespoke test for summer schemes. Maybe that's being applied to spring too who knows

Oh interesting, I didnt actually know about this. Thanks for the info, hope we hear sometime soon!

 

[James Carrabino]

CC AC!

BCLP video interview for the 2023 training contract. Does anyone have any experience/tips for it?

Excellent stuff, congrats!!

 

[M777]

is weil WG automatic

 

[BM99]

is weil WG automatic

No

 

[M777]

No

Thank you for letting me know - I received a WG invite today, so I think they are starting to reply to apps. I applied mid october

 

[BM99]

Thank you for letting me know - I received a WG invite today, so I think they are starting to reply to apps. I applied mid october

That's great. I think I might still need to wait for a while though. I applied on Dec 1 (Assuming I pass their review stage)

 

[M777]

That's great. I think I might still need to wait for a while though. I applied on Dec 1 (Assuming I pass their review stage)

Good luck! Hope you hear positive news.

 

[bibss]

From people's experience, how long does it take to hear from Reed Smith post-SST test?

 

[John Travoni]

From people's experience, how long does it take to hear from Reed Smith post-SST test?

Like 2 weeks or so

 

[Asil Ahmad]

For the Skadden cover letter do you have to state dear graduate recruitment or dear Mathieu as it is only 300 words the cover letter.

 

[manchester12]

How long do you hear back after cms wg?

 

[GK8997]

As I am currently applying to vacation schemes, I wanted to ask a question regarding my first-year grades. I’m currently in my third year.

My first-year grades were terrible. Overall I received a 2:2. My highest grade was 60 and lowest was 42. There are multiple reasons for this, Including some personal circumstances regarding my health.

Though, in my second year, my grades improved significantly. My overall grade was a high 2:1.

I just had a meeting with my personal tutor and he said that “If I’m applying to big city firms, I have to be realistic as they won’t take me because of my first-year grades”. I know full well that firms look at first grades and it could be a reason for a firm to reject me. But does that mean I shouldn’t apply to city firms like HSF? There are so many reasons as to why I want to become a city lawyer but it just feels like those 1st-year grades could hold me back.

I wanted to ask have people with low first-year grades but good 2nd and 3rd-year grades gone on to successfully join big city firms?

Thank you for your help.

I can't speak for every firm but my first year results weren't very strong either, I also received a 2:1 in my second year and managed to pull my grades up to a first when I graduated (my first year grades didn't count towards my degree). I didn't have any extenuating circumstances but I managed to get a TC last cycle and none of the firms I interviewed with last cycle seemed phased by my first year grades so I think as long as you are improving year on year and your applications are strong, you can still attain a TC at a city law firm. A lot of these firms are doing CV blind interviews now and for me, only one firm cycle before last asked about my grades and once I explained it briefly we moved on so I wouldn't hold yourself back from applying!