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

[RachelLouise22]

My first cycle I didn’t make it past app stage once, I went away and really focused on improving my skills but it definitely took a lot of resilience. Just remember the competition is crazy, it can be around 1 in 50-100 make it to the next stage with popular firms. The market is oversaturated and there’s so many strong candidates, but with practice it is possible!

Also my first cycle I didn’t make it past application for both of these firms, this cycle I’ve made AC for one and waiting on VI result for the other. You aren’t defined by your past results but the efforts you put in to improve!

 

[RkRk0681]

Did anyone else get a mini-heart attack from Reed Smith's VI update email? 😅

 

[ssolicitorz]

Once you meet the benchmark (2:1), do you guys think firms place a lot of importance on where you fall within the 2:1 range? As in could your position on the range be a reason you aren't selected for the next stage even though your application is a strong?

 

[I.Like.UFOs.Not.PFOs]

Once you meet the benchmark (2:1), do you guys think firms place a lot of importance on where you fall within the 2:1 range? As in could your position on the range be a reason you aren't selected for the next stage even though your application is a strong?

Hi! I’m no expert but from recent experience, I feel like once you’ve passed the benchmark, most firms will not really consider it? For example, my grades are pretty average (I have some low 2.1s and one 2.2 for some modules, and an average of 2.1 overall) but I was able to get to the next round at a firm which is notoriously picky about academics. However, I wouldn’t doubt that where firms have to choose between very similar candidates (and even then it may be rare) that grades come into consideration, even if both have passed the benchmark. I wouldn’t take this personally though, because even if you have a brilliant application and academics, you may just be unlucky and not get selected.

Also just some general advice for anyone that needs it, but personally, I find that if you have objectively tried your best, and there’s nothing more you can do, it feels destructive to obsess over every possible reason why you didn’t make it through to the next step with a firm (as I used to do😅)- best just to move on and keep improving however you can!

 

[Orhsnxuozns]

Slaughter and May interview invitation 🥳

When did you apply?

 

[Law2021vacschemer]

If a video interview says it’s due Saturday (00:00) does that mean the end of Saturday or the end of Friday?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Once you meet the benchmark (2:1), do you guys think firms place a lot of importance on where you fall within the 2:1 range? As in could your position on the range be a reason you aren't selected for the next stage even though your application is a strong?

Consider it more like a collective weighting. Someone with a low 2.1 will probably need more evidence elsewhere compared to someone with a high 2.1. But both candidates need to show other evidence - and where academics tend to be a relatively minor element in an application, that other evidence is far more important.

What specifically that evidence is will vary massively between firms though.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If a video interview says it’s due Saturday (00:00) does that mean the end of Saturday or the end of Friday?

If the video is on the Launchpad platform, it means 23.59 on Saturday

 

[Law2021vacschemer]

If the video is on the Launchpad platform, it means 23.59 on Saturday

Thank you so much!!

 

[CorporateLaw101]

Anyone heard from Links or White and Case summer VAC yet?

 

[AspiringIPLawyer]

When did you receive the email that your VI has been sent to the Partners for review?

Monday 17th Jan. I’d assumed that email was automated but not sure. If you haven’t heard yet, hopefully no news is good news! Good luck 🤞🏼

 

[djqb]

Anybody else not receive a holding email from Reed Smith post-VI?

I had the technical difficulty (surrounding the deadline and early expiration of the VI link) that a lot of other people also faced. Would this have anything to do with not receiving the holding email?

Arghhh seems like not receiving the email might be a precursor to a PFO 😂😭

 

[Law2021vacschemer]

Anyone heard from Links or White and Case summer VAC yet?

I got a VI invite today for White & Case summer. Applied mid October

 

[anon123456789]

Anybody else not receive a holding email from Reed Smith post-VI?

I had the technical difficulty (surrounding the deadline and early expiration of the VI link) that a lot of other people also faced. Would this have anything to do with not receiving the holding email?

Arghhh seems like not receiving the email might be a precursor to a PFO 😂😭

I would definitely email just to double check! You never know it might have been a sending list error or something like that

 

[CorporateLaw101]

Anybody else not receive a holding email from Reed Smith post-VI?

I had the technical difficulty (surrounding the deadline and early expiration of the VI link) that a lot of other people also faced. Would this have anything to do with not receiving the holding email?

Arghhh seems like not receiving the email might be a precursor to a PFO 😂😭

I had the same issue but received email - I’d bet money that you’ll receive the holding email by tomorrow, it’ll probably just be backlogged. I doubt they would only send it to select applicants.

 

[CorporateLaw101]

I got a VI invite today for White & Case summer. Applied mid October

Congrats! October feels like years ago! I guess they’re going through them in chronological order. Good luck!

 

[djqb]

I had the same issue but received email - I’d bet money that you’ll receive the holding email by tomorrow, it’ll probably just be backlogged. I doubt they would only send it to select applicants.

Thanks that's reassuring to hear - I hope so too!

 

[jessicamcnamara]

Thanks that's reassuring to hear - I hope so too!

Have you checked spam or the other email folders? I got the email

 

[djqb]

Have you checked spam or the other email folders? I got the email

Yeah - I've even checked the application portal as well. Unfortunately nothing there

 

[h1]

Yeah - I've even checked the application portal as well. Unfortunately nothing there

I got the email but it's not in my portal so not a sign that you've been left out! Maybe see if you get anything through tomorrow, if not, email grad rec to get it resent. I'm sure it's just a glitch