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

[Miki3999]

wow, that's super interesting. Quite disheartening, also.

I do 8 apps max (because I want to have some life as well) and sometimes I get 6 progressions and sometimes I get zero. I remember in my first cycle I sent an app to SM (my first app ever) and got to the AC, I thought at that time that I was the God's kid, but well, I wasn't . What I find v v good is that some firms ditched the dull written app questions and now rely on CAPP coupled with VIs, which I think are much more personal, less dull, and give you more chances to show how good you are. Anyone can research the firm, but not everyone can answer questions about the firm under pressure.

 

[thirdtimelucky]

wow, that's super interesting. Quite disheartening, also.

In my first round I applied to 5 firms, progressed to 1 AC and 1 VI. Last year, I applied to 10 firms and only got to VI at one firm. This year I‘ve applied to 16 firms and have an AC invite and a VI and I’m waiting on 8 firms post app. It really just depends on how much time you have, your confidence in yourself (it’s made it so much easier to sell myself) and sheer luck!

 

[S87]

Hi guys,

I was looking at HL application and I was wondering how to approach a question where I need to give an example of something that shows my innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Do you have any suggestions?

 

[Rob93]

Hi guys,

I was looking at HL application and I was wondering how to approach a question where I need to give an example of something that shows my innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Do you have any suggestions?

Haha I ditched the app on the basis of this question alone.

I think broadly though if you've ever done anything in a work context where you improved a process in some way, or helped kick off a new initiative with a student society or something, that should be fair play

imo the question framing is a bit janky because it reads like it's about starting a business or coding an app or something but obviously most people haven't done that, so I imagine that can't be exclusively what they're getting at - though for some people of course it will apply.

 

[Rob93]

Hi guys,

I was looking at HL application and I was wondering how to approach a question where I need to give an example of something that shows my innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Do you have any suggestions?

It might help to bear in mind that 1) entrepreneurship and innovation are fundamentally about using initiative to remedy some defect or deficiency, and 2) the problems which entrepreneurs and innovators set out to solve are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, fairly marginal and stunningly banal - problems that lots of people in whatever context deal with but which it wouldn't even occur to them to solve.

Loads of innovation comes from someone being annoyed about some part of their job and thinking up ways to make it less annoying. It can be surprisingly prosaic

 

[OB]

Hi! Congratulations, you did amazing! Could you please detail your experience regarding the AC at BCLP, tasks involved, and any tips? Thank you!

Hey can I ask when you did your interview? Trying to gauge when I should expect a response from mine

 

[S87]

Haha I ditched the app on the basis of this question alone.

I think broadly though if you've ever done anything in a work context where you improved a process in some way, or helped kick off a new initiative with a student society or something, that should be fair play

imo the question framing is a bit janky because it reads like it's about starting a business or coding an app or something but obviously most people haven't done that, so I imagine that can't be exclusively what they're getting at - though for some people of course it will apply.

I feel like the question cuts off a wide range of candidates, my job does not allow me to really move things around and show how innovative I am.
I think that I need to make a decision by the end of the day...I cannot be stressed anymore. Covington sucked the life out of me lol!

 

[sxw517]

Has anyone heard back any more regarding AC for summer VC, after getting the email off of HSF saying they've passed the benchmark in the test?

 

[Arche172372]

I don't think that's really quantifiable in a useful way. Average apps is probably like 10-20 per cycle, but I've done as few as 3 in my first cycle and have seen people do like 40 (built different). I know someone who did I think 3 - to the Magic Triangle PE firms - got 1 interview and nabbed the TC. That's probably an outlier but there's something to be said for intensity of focus.

Conversion from app to AC alone is variable but anecdotally I'd say that like 2 progressions per 10 apps is a pretty impressive conversion rate - Jessica or other TCLA staff might have a more nuanced view on this. 1 or nil per 10 is, unfortunately (not least for me) quite common, but there will also be candidates with golden profiles and a winning application strategy that have much higher conversion rates so it's v hard to generalise

Yeah fair I guess it’s different for everyone. I’ve applied to 13 - got one spring vs offer. 4 interviews for summer (don’t know outcome yet) have been rejected by some and not heard from others. Though as this is my first cycle I just felt like shooting my shot!

 

[Rob93]

Yeah fair I guess it’s different for everyone. I’ve applied to 13 - got one spring vs offer. 4 interviews for summer (don’t know outcome yet) have been rejected by some and not heard from others. Though as this is my first cycle I just felt like shooting my shot!

Yeah that's a really good return.

 

[Arche172372]

Yeah that's a really good return.

I guess you only need the one when it comes down to it though

 

[Rob93]

I feel like the question cuts off a wide range of candidates, my job does not allow me to really move things around and show how innovative I am.
I think that I need to make a decision by the end of the day...I cannot be stressed anymore. Covington sucked the life out of me lol!

It is an awful question (in my opinion) and definitely a stumbling block for candidates who haven't come across the right opportunities to build out that sort of thing. Hope Covington went well and best of luck with HL!

 

[Rob93]

I guess you only need the one when it comes down to it though

Exactly

 

[CorporateLaw101]

Has anyone ever had success applying to direct TCs with NO legal work experience?

Ive only been applying to summer VACs and was thinking of switching things up a bit but I don’t know whether there’s any point?

 

[unserious candidate]

I applied to 12
1 rejection post-app 😍
4 currently airing me post-app 😍
5 currently airing me post-VI 😍
2 AC

 

[Rob93]

Has anyone ever had success applying to direct TCs with NO legal work experience?

Ive only been applying to summer VACs and was thinking of switching things up a bit but I don’t know whether there’s any point?

Think someone here the other day mentioned getting to AC at A&O without legal work experience? Probably easier if you study/studied law at uni, I presume eyebrows would be raised at an English grad applying for TCs right out the gate

 

[AvniD]

HL AC for summer!! OMG the first response in this cycle & my first AC ever I was so shocked??
b

Does anyone have any advice for Skadden AC!! much appreciated <3

Congratulations @YUKI1201 and @Korina! Such good news 👏 👏 👏

Linking my post on ACs here for my best tips. All the best- please let us know how you get on!! 😇

 

[Rob93]

I applied to 12
1 rejection post-app 😍
4 currently airing me post-app 😍
5 currently airing me post-VI 😍
2 AC

Stellar, very well done

 

[CorporateLaw101]

I applied to 12
1 rejection post-app 😍
4 currently airing me post-app 😍
5 currently airing me post-VI 😍
2 AC

Lemme guess,

being aired post interview by Reed Smith, Clyde and Co?

post app airing by White and Case and Linklaters?

- it’s been a lovely Christmas break but I need to get my head in the game. Out of 5 applications:

1 VI

3 post SJT/Watson that I haven’t heard a peep from

and one PFO from A&O

 

[h1]

tbf to RS, they said we'd hear back late-Jan post-VI and we've only just hit mid-Jan so I wouldn't say they're airing so sit tight if you're waiting to hear back from them