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

[SCN]

The problem is that I have literally done that. I have gotten my apps reviewed by so many people - as I said - who themselves have secured these roles. And I have applied every single piece of advice and corrected every single mistake found.I know the power of introspection and I really do have tried to use that to improve my application strength.

Getting your applications reviewed is helpful, but have you taken the time to self-reflect on the more fundamental aspects of what goes into these applications? Specifically, are your motivations convincing? Are they entirely unique to you, well-thought out, and targeted at the types of firms you want to work for?

Too many people fall into the trap of thinking an application is just a checkbox exercise - if they say the right things like everyone else says or does, they’ll get through. The reality is all that does is make your application generic. The people who stand out, and get through, do so because their applications are a true representation of themselves, their experience, and what motivates them in their career.

That’s not to say your applications aren’t strong - evidently they are as you have had made it through to the final stages before, but my advice to anyone who is struggling at the application stage is to ensure you taken the time to dig deep into your motivations rather than simply replicate what is considered ‘successful’.

I think getting your apps reviewed by people is really great - helps to get a fresh pair of eyes to look over for grammar, spelling mistakes etc. At the same time, just because they have secured the roles, it doesn't suddenly make them an expert on application writing. Chances are, they themselves also don't know why their application was successful, they can only guess. So unless you get grad rec to read it and give you feedback, everything is just a speculation as to why this app was successful and this app wasn't.

But I think @Lumree expressed it so well. If you style your app in a similar way to successful applications, you lose originality

 

[stemlawgal]

Does anyone know what kind of percentiles Ashurst look for in their psychometric tests? Completed mine earlier today and can't tell if I should be pleased with my results or not.

 

[Rob93]

That’s what they’ve done so far tbf, but they don’t seem to have rejected anyone yet. Plus deadline was a couple of weeks ago, so you’d imagine this was final set of offers.

At least in this thread, everything pre-Xmas was to do with their Open Day.

And their deadline was immediately before Xmas holidays, so I really would more expect this to be the first flight of invites.

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

HSF AC for spring scheme😭😭

 

[M777]

I imagine this was the first set of offers - I haven't seen anyone on this forum confirm a response from Skadden prior to today, and I very much doubt that multiple batches of probably ~20+ TI invites have gone out in the past months without anyone active on this forum amongst the recipients.

Skadden was always a longshot for me so I'm not clinging to hope here or anything, but I don't see it as time to throw in the towel yet.

There were only around 15ish slots for TI when I checked (TI invite arrived at 7am, checked slots 4 hours later), both on 10th January and 11th January. They said to me that they'll be doing their AC split across a few days the week after - the group and written exercise will be on 19th or 20th January, followed by interview on 24th.

They get like 1500 applications and invite like 80 people to AC (according to chambers student). Given the deadline wasn't that long ago, I doubt it's the end of the line for people who haven't heard back.

 

[M777]

HSF AC for spring scheme😭😭

Congratulations! HSF are nigh-impossible to impress so that's a mega achievement. Go into the AC with your head held very high.

 

[Kubed]

Another cycle, another streak of rejections. People are getting ACs at HSF, HL, Links, S&M and I applied ages ago, which most likely means a bunch of PFOs for me. Have also already been rejected from 9 other firms. I have a CV with a vac at an MC, two insight schemes, citizens legal advice volunteering, full-time work in restaurants over the summer, internship at a famous think tank, leadership positions, a 1st class degree, speak 4 languages, but to no avail. I even get my apps reviewed and edited by friends who work at the firms I am applying to - several of them are shocked I am not even getting VIs/WGs/TIs. I definitely don't think I am entitled to a job, but it does feel a bit strange I don't at least get a chance to show what I am capable of in an interview. If they want to reject me at that stage - fine, at least then I know they rejected me after giving me a fair chance.

I see the alt-right trolls lurking in the Legal Cheek comments going on about reverse racism and preferences always being given to women and minorities for jobs. I don't believe in that bull at all, but as a white, working-class Northerner male it is sadly quite tempting to make your mind wander towards cynicism when your peers with far less impressive CVs and worse grades seem to breeze through the application process (many of them have shown me their apps, so I am not throwing wild assumptions here).

First of all, I'm sorry to hear about your difficult circumstances during your MC vac scheme, that can't have been easy at all.

As others have said, I think you really need to focus on yourself and truly figure out where you might be going wrong. You clearly have a great CV and lots of strengths but quite frankly, looking good in paper is not enough. It's about how you 'sell' your story, your motivations and why you are right for the job.

Being completely honest, your post comes across as though you expect to get interviews because of your CV. This might be stopping you from actually putting in an holistically strong application. I wouldn't leave anything to chance - make sure you are demonstrating depth of research and genuine motivation for the career & each firm you are applying to. As others have said, I also wouldn't rely too heavily on other people's opinions of your applications - they are not recruiting and they don't really know what recruiters are looking for. I would also avoid comparing yourself to others - how do you know that others people's applications are objectively worse than yours in the eyes of the recruiter? Grades are no longer the most relevant factor in a lot of cases with some firms ditching minimum requirements.

Veering towards the idea that inclusive practices are somehow contributing towards your lack of success is also dangerous - your focus should be on how to make your applications stand out that little bit more than they already do so that you're able to progress.

 

[sibs23]

I'm a bit worried about the answer I have drafted for this question for Osborne Clarke: Please outline the reasons why you wish to pursue a career in commercial law at Osborne Clarke. Within your answer you should also include details of how you have developed your interest in the profession through your non-academic experiences. Max 300 words.

Does work experience count as non-academic experience? I'm starting to think that they might be looking for me to link in my extra-curriculars, but I think it would be a bit of a stretch for me to link most of them to my motivations for commercial law and the firm.

 

[Law2021vacschemer]

I'm a bit worried about the answer I have drafted for this question for Osborne Clarke: Please outline the reasons why you wish to pursue a career in commercial law at Osborne Clarke. Within your answer you should also include details of how you have developed your interest in the profession through your non-academic experiences. Max 300 words.

Does work experience count as non-academic experience? I'm starting to think that they might be looking for me to link in my extra-curriculars, but I think it would be a bit of a stretch for me to link most of them to my motivations for commercial law and the firm.

Hi I included work experiences in this question- I spoke about both legal and non-legal experiences to make it a bit more varied.

 

[_Lolly]

Does anyone know how CMS is structured?

 

[GXA123]

Anyone received ES VI invite?

 

[John Doe]

Fellow A&O applicants, if you have been ghosted by A&O regarding Summer VS. It may be useful to know that I just received a PFO. So new news might be coming through to you all fairly soon.

Good luck all!

 

[AL123456]

VI invitation for the Bristows IP workshop! 🥳 would be grateful for any tips/advice!

Hi ZaraB, I have to record mine for the TC. Do you have any advice. I'm am a bit lost and incredibly nervous so anything would be really really really appreciated

 

[Amanpreet Kaur]

Hi, I am preparing for an upcoming Jones Day interview and am currently researching the firm. I've seen that the firm is 'fully integrated' what does this mean in practice?

Also, if anyone has any interview insights could you please PM me, it would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[Rob93]

Hi, I am preparing for an upcoming Jones Day interview and am currently researching the firm. I've seen that the firm is 'fully integrated' what does this mean in practice?

Also, if anyone has any interview insights could you please PM me, it would be greatly appreciated!!

What's the context? JD makes a great fanfare about 'one firm worldwide' and seamless work across offices, so it might be this. May also be to do with the integration of complementary practice areas, as I believe they also bill themselves as full service.

 

[Amanpreet Kaur]

What's the context? JD makes a great fanfare about 'one firm worldwide' and seamless work across offices, so it might be this. May also be to do with the integration of complementary practice areas, as I believe they also bill themselves as full service.

It is under the 'one firm worldwide' ethos homepage, stating that the firm has no satellite office/headquarters as an integrated office

 

[alice_28]

For the White & Case VS app, it just says "please provide a covering letter in the space below". Do you still set it out as a letter or is that not necessary? There doesn't seem to be a word limit either, does anyone know roughly how long it should be? Thanks!

 

[law2561]

CMS VI!!! 🥰
Any advice would be massively appreciated - the last VI I did went awfully!!

How did it go?

 

[law2561]

Anyone heard back from HSF on their summer VS?

 

[maw1887]

Still no word from Linklaters? I haven't even got my Watson Glaser feedback yet. Normally they respond very promptly with the feedback and outcome email, but I've heard nothing and it's been almost a month since I sent off my application. Can anyone else relate? (I applied for the Spring VC btw)