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

[SOAS22]

Also, has anyone heard from BLM?

 

[anon123456789]

Has anyone heard from Bates Wells?

was invited to WG at the beginning of Jan and haven't heard anything since completion, they may be waiting for after the deadline to pass any news on interviews

 

[MN3334]

How could I justify a poor/lower module grade? My lowest module was based of a group project work, and the firm looks for skills like teamwork and communication in their trainees. Not sure how to approach this as a possible interview question ;/

 

[thelovelygiraffe]

how many people are there usually in AC group tasks?

 

[reesal98]

Has anyone heard from white and case?

 

[thelovelygiraffe]

if there is a trainee lunch in a virtual AC, would you say it's meant to be formal and as scrutinised as the group tasks or is it more casual and it's okay if you don't talk as much?

 

[Jessica Booker]

how many people are there usually in AC group tasks?

Usually will be from 3-6

 

[GXA123]

'Access my profile' on the right hand side, then scroll down a bit.

I found it but what it does it mean! could anyone please help, this is stressing me out LOL

 

[Jessica Booker]

if there is a trainee lunch in a virtual AC, would you say it's meant to be formal and as scrutinised as the group tasks or is it more casual and it's okay if you don't talk as much?

Typically more casual, and even if it is “assessed” it will only have a very light weighting. You can always ask at the beginning of the day if it is assessed.

 

[Aga123+]

How could I justify a poor/lower module grade? My lowest module was based of a group project work, and the firm looks for skills like teamwork and communication in their trainees. Not sure how to approach this as a possible interview question ;/

[I had a similar situation with a module mainly with group work]

One way you could answer this is to spin it into a learning experience. For example, you could talk about what went wrong/could have been improved and then maybe how you used this situation in later experiences to better your teamwork skills and communication.

You could also identify any positive steps you took during the group project work, ie keeping the line of communication clear, working under pressure etc. This helps show that you took initiative/positive action despite the outcome of the module

 

[S87]

Hi guys,

I am applying to Dechert and the second question asks to identify a number of reasons why the firm is retained by its clients.
Besides talking about their expertise, I wanted to underline how the diversity of the firm’s hires reflect the diversity of their clients. What do you think?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

how many people are there usually in AC group tasks?

My friend in WBD AC had 2 people in total in his 1

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hi guys,

I am applying to Dechert and the second question asks to identify a number of reasons why the firm is retained by its clients.
Besides talking about their expertise, I wanted to underline how the diversity of the firm’s hires reflect the diversity of their clients. What do you think?

Yes good point I am thinking of discussing that also. Also to add what do you lot think about discussing CSR and link it to pro bono for this question.

 

[Kubed]

Yes good point I am thinking of discussing that also. Also to add what do you lot think about discussing CSR and link it to pro bono for this question.

For me personally, I think I would focus more on the range and quality of services that the firm can offer to clients. CSR/pro bono can be a small part of a client's attraction to a firm but if we're being honest, clients hire firms to do work for them so this should probably be the priority in any answer too. I think diversity & ESG can be considered increasingly important factors, with the recent emphasis on social responsibility. Others might have different views but this would be my approach.

 

[GXA123]

'Access my profile' on the right hand side, then scroll down a bit.

@gracelaw_

 

[LawInTheNorth]

How do you politely ask a firm when you will hear back from them?

 

[vacschemesforeveryone]

anyone know hsf stats for ac invites vs final vs offers?? thanks )

Would like to know also

 

[James Carrabino]

I posted this question earlier today but it was a Sunday and no one was available to offer me advice so I thought I’d try again today!

To cut a long story short. I’m a final year law student and I’m applying to a particular firm which asks me to detail the positions of responsibility, sports, and other achievements both at university and at school.

these are two separate questions (300 words each). other questions on the application form look great! However, I genuinely have zero achievements to speak of both in school and at university.

I’ve worked full time jobs (as a business owner) at university, and I moved schools mid-way through my GCSEs due to a troubled childhood.

to put it bluntly, I haven’t engaged with any societies at university, nor do I have any particular achievements I.e. winning a debating competition.

this is my first cycle and I’ve got through the initial application stage for every single firm that I’ve applied to, but these two questions have completely stumped me.

Do you guys think I should bother applying since a genuinely can’t prose a meaningful answer to the question at hand?

I could really use your advice!

Edit: And when I say nothing in terms of positions at school/university, I genuinely mean nothing! The firm asks 4 other questions, PLUS a 300 word cover letter which I feel confident I can answer. I just don’t know what to do about the 600 word gap in my application that will likely make any grad recruiter automatically reject me.

In my mind, the only component of the question you mention which I think is too specific for you to address is the 'sports' component. If you haven't done sports then there's no need to mention it (although if you even enjoy running in your spare time, for example, then you could mention that).

On the issue of achievements, I will start by saying that an achievement is not necessarily an award! Working a full-time job as a business owner whilst at university is an achievement and a half!! It is also reasonable to talk about because it was something that you did whilst at university. I review applications for TCLA's application review team and I can guarantee that this could be construed as a very impressive achievement. People have offered compelling answers about many issues where the achievement is something very personal to them, but is not officially recognised by some kind of prize.

Similarly, 'positions of responsibility' can be very broad. Again, you have huge responsibility when running a business - although this may be less related to university or school and it may be better to think of a different answer from that which you are using to discuss your achievements. So have you ever been involved in an important academic project, or worked at your university in any capacity? I am sure you can come up with not just an okay, but a very good answer to this question!

 

[James Carrabino]

Thank you so much for this! He's a partner in employment and I've just completed an employment law module at university so I wanted to ask something related to this. I was only going to briefly mention that I had done this module and ask at the end about a deal he's done in an aspect I found interesting, but I wasn't too sure if this was a bad idea.

I also realised that I attended an event with the firm about 2 months ago where he was one of the speakers regarding an affinity group. Is it safe to relate the question to something he mentioned at that event?

Of course, assuming it's not something too controversial I would suggest giving some background about how you attended the event and really enjoyed it (flatter them), and when you then mention their comment I am sure they will be impressed that it stuck in your mind all this time later!

Your ideas sounds great - the only thing I also used to bear in mind was that I did not want to make any other interviewers feel like I was less interested in them or their career. Obviously most lawyers will not take it personally if you are less interested in their practice area, but it can always subconsciously help if you make all of your interviewers feel proud to talk about their work - which they will be if you ask about it!

 

[therealellewoods]

Does ‘ Wednesday ‘ as the deadline mean Tuesday midnight? Saw elsewhere ‘ Wednesday midnight ‘ but does that still mean Tuesday midnight or Wednesday midnight? For Morgan Lewis