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

[Asil Ahmad]

Anyone know which firms actually prioritise RG/Oxbridge grads?

I understand that there is a huge misconception that firms prioritise RG candidates when in reality this is largely incorrect. However, does anyone know of firms that actively do engage in this practise?

i.e. Sherman and sterling have 4% non RG trainees.

Legal Cheek is a good place to find out this but I will say that most US law firms do this and Kirkland I think to do this but I may be wrong here.

 

[violeta]

Yes it was automatic but I had completed the actual VI itself about a month before I would have completely missed it though it was in my spam for like 3 days 🤣

as in, you got feedback on the actual video responses? or the situational judgment ones that weren't recorded on video?

 

[anon123456789]

as in, you got feedback on the actual video responses? or the situational judgment ones that weren't recorded on video?

It didn't specify to be fair, it was just a strengths and weaknesses feedback report like one that would usually follow from an online test

 

[CorporateLaw101]

Legal Cheek is a good place to find out this but I will say that most US law firms do this and Kirkland I think to do this but I may be wrong here.

I understand the Legal Cheek percentages, but they are often misconstrued as favouritism.

for example less non RG universities apply, arent lectured on how to apply well to firms, and less non RG students wish to peruse careers in commercial law. In fact it’s been stated many times than non RG applications are just weaker than RG students in general.

I was wondering whether anyone knew of any firms that do specifically cherry pick universities.

I come from a high ranked in law (but not so high overall) non-RG university and want to maximise my time applying to firms where I will actually be considered for my abilities, not the name of my university so just looking for the last few before this cycle ends!

 

[Arche172372]

I

Anyone know which firms actually prioritise RG/Oxbridge grads?

I understand that there is a huge misconception that firms prioritise RG candidates when in reality this is largely incorrect. However, does anyone know of firms that actively do engage in this practise?

i.e. Sherman and sterling have 4% non RG trainees.

The thing is RG is not really an equal playing field in itself. There is quite a gap in ‘prestige’ or whatever you want to call it between UCL/ LSE law compared to less known RG’s for example. I’m not saying it’s right or correct but it’s just about reputation and probably difficulty of admission.

 

[CorporateLaw101]

I

The thing is RG is not really an equal playing field in itself. There is quite a gap in ‘prestige’ or whatever you want to call it between UCL/ LSE law compared to less known RG’s for example. I’m not saying it’s right or correct but it’s just about reputation and probably difficulty of admission.

Indeed, Re my reply above; there are many factors at play. My universities admission standards are absolutely atrocious!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I understand the Legal Cheek percentages, but they are often misconstrued as favouritism.

for example less non RG universities apply, arent lectured on how to apply well to firms, and less non RG students wish to peruse careers in commercial law. In fact it’s been stated many times than non RG applications are just weaker than RG students in general.

I was wondering whether anyone knew of any firms that do specifically cherry pick universities.

I come from a high ranked in law (but not so high overall) non-RG university and want to maximise my time applying to firms where I will actually be considered for my abilities, not the name of my university so just looking for the last few before this cycle ends!

I umderstand what you mean.

 

[Arche172372]

Indeed, Re my reply above; there are many factors at play. My universities admission standards are absolutely atrocious!

Yeah like where I go is tough to get into but ranked highly. Yet, I’m sure if my app is crap it’ll be rejected just like anyone else’s 😂.

 

[CorporateLaw101]

I umderstand what you mean.

I haven’t been put off applying to firms because of legal cheeks university breakdowns but in these last few days of applications I need to maximise my productivity.

I.e. Goodwin, Shearman, Osbourne, Trowers.

anyone know whether grad recruitment have ever specified a preference to certain universities?

 

[emilyrose99]

Feel like I keep asking this but is anyone still waiting to hear from HSF re Spring VS? Seems they are sending out ACs and PFOs for summer and wondering if maybe they’ve forgotten to send me a PFO lol

 

[sxw517]

Baker McKenzie VI for spring VS!

Have you heard back since doing the VI? I did mine late December and haven't heard anything yet.

 

[Rob93]

Anyone know which firms actually prioritise RG/Oxbridge grads?

I understand that there is a huge misconception that firms prioritise RG candidates when in reality this is largely incorrect. However, does anyone know of firms that actively do engage in this practise?

i.e. Sherman and sterling have 4% non RG trainees.

Few, if any, will say outright that they prioritise RG/Oxbridge. Others have noted that there is a self-selection element, and that is responsible for a lot of the discrepancy.

However - and I don't have data to support this, this is entirely anecdotal - the US firms with very small footprints in London are, in the round, probably more inclined to place a high premium on prestige. By this I mean the firms that are taking on like... 2-6 trainees per year.

 

[NaimK]

Akin Gump critical thinking test rejection. These firms gonna force me to pay for extra Watson Glaser practice...
😭

Skadden slapped me with the denial too.

Pretty successful day so far, I'd say.

 

[Rob93]

Akin Gump critical thinking test rejection. These firms gonna force me to pay for extra Watson Glaser practice...
😭

Skadden slapped me with the denial too.

Pretty successful day so far, I'd say.

Day of reckoning for the Long-Name firms

 

[SemperParatus]

Has anyone heard from macfarlanes today?

 

[lawful_neutral216]

I have still not heard anything from Skadden ugh!! I wish they would just put me out of my misery

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Akin Gump critical thinking test rejection. These firms gonna force me to pay for extra Watson Glaser practice...
😭

Skadden slapped me with the denial too.

Pretty successful day so far, I'd say.

My friend told me that their WG test benchmark is really high.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I haven’t been put off applying to firms because of legal cheeks university breakdowns but in these last few days of applications I need to maximise my productivity.

I.e. Goodwin, Shearman, Osbourne, Trowers.

anyone know whether grad recruitment have ever specified a preference to certain universities?

Good luck with applications and don't think too much into this as law firms are changing their approach to this.

 

[awd1998]

Has anyone heard back from Clyde post-VI? Did they also provide a feedback report?

Yeah received a feedback report today and they said they would get back shortly regarding outcomes. Not optimistic as hated the whole exercise

 

[awd1998]

Which office did you apply to?

Edinburgh