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

[Jessica Booker]

I am currently finishing my Travers Smith cover letter and was wondering if it was ok not to mention their ‘best friend’ system as a reason for applying.

Definitely ok not to mention it if it's something that hasn't influenced your decision to apply

 

[GXA123]

It'll be watching videos which form the scenarios that the questions are based on - I assume this is A&O?

yes it is

 

[OB]

yes it is

There's videos to show the scenarios which are quite well done to make you feel like you're actually working there. So basically the same as any other you've done, except A&O added some numerical and verbal parts this year

 

[GXA123]

There's videos to show the scenarios which are quite well done to make you feel like you're actually working there. So basically the same as any other you've done, except A&O added some numerical and verbal parts this year

Thanks a lot

 

[Sebastian Clark]

Anyone heard from Travers yet?

 

[M777]

anyone heard from nrf winter vs?

 

[Rob93]

Curious for people's thoughts on the Sidley Q 'In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?' (250w). The wordcount is quite tight, so it's difficult to properly substantiate more than maybe 3 personal qualities. That said, of course there are more than 3 qualities worth mentioning - is it appropriate to rattle off some of the more obvious ones (e.g. attention to detail, communication skills) the reasoning for which almost goes without saying, and then dedicate the bulk of the space to going in-depth on just a couple? Or better to go for a laundry-list approach with limited detail/substantiation?

 

[kat_]

This is a strange story/'question', and I am not sure whether this is the 'right' place on the forum to post it. If it is not, my apologies (I'll delete it).

Yesterday, I had a call with one of the London Partners at a big US firm (through personal connections). Basically, he looked at my CV and said the following (I noted it) 'You did not attend Cambridge/Oxbridge (I am non- RSG), you do not have 4 A* A-levels, in addition, I cannot see any relevant legal work experience' He then went to say that If he was me he would contact firms at my home country, because he doubts that there is a place for me in City.

Needles to say, I found those comments very disheartening because if that indeed is how they view my situation, is there even a point in me spending the time and applying? Also, I found the point about 'going to my home country' a bit confusing (?) I'm from the EU but I've been here for the past 15 years ( and I'm 20).

 

[OB]

This is a strange story/'question', and I am not sure whether this is the 'right' place on the forum to post it. If it is not, my apologies (I'll delete it).

Yesterday, I had a call with one of the London Partners at a big US firm (through personal connections). Basically, he looked at my CV and said the following (I noted it) 'You did not attend Cambridge/Oxbridge (I am non- RSG), you do not have 4 A* A-levels, in addition, I cannot see any relevant legal work experience' He then went to say that If he was me he would contact firms at my home country, because he doubts that there is a place for me in City.

Needles to say, I found those comments very disheartening because if that indeed is how they view my situation, is there even a point in me spending the time and applying? Also, I found the point about 'going to my home country' a bit confusing (?) I'm from the EU but I've been here for the past 15 years ( and I'm 20).

Honestly I would urge you not to get disheartened by his very backward views?? You do not need to have attended Oxbridge and have 4A*s at A Level to get a TC, I'm sure many on this forum can attest to this! The fact you organised this call shows your proactively looking for a career in the City and you should not let this one conversation put you off.

Also if you haven't watched this already, this also shows as proof as to why you don't need to have attended Oxbridge or even a RG uni to get a TC: https://ukgraduates.shearman.com/2018/09/24/does-it-matter-what-university-you-go-to/

 

[Rob93]

This is a strange story/'question', and I am not sure whether this is the 'right' place on the forum to post it. If it is not, my apologies (I'll delete it).

Yesterday, I had a call with one of the London Partners at a big US firm (through personal connections). Basically, he looked at my CV and said the following (I noted it) 'You did not attend Cambridge/Oxbridge (I am non- RSG), you do not have 4 A* A-levels, in addition, I cannot see any relevant legal work experience' He then went to say that If he was me he would contact firms at my home country, because he doubts that there is a place for me in City.

Needles to say, I found those comments very disheartening because if that indeed is how they view my situation, is there even a point in me spending the time and applying? Also, I found the point about 'going to my home country' a bit confusing (?) I'm from the EU but I've been here for the past 15 years ( and I'm 20).

That's really awful, I'm so sorry. It's a pretty outdated mentality, but one that still has adherents in some corners of the London legal market. Fortunately, what that partner said isn't true in general terms. It is more true at some firms, particularly - and I am wary of over-generalising - at some smaller US outposts who lean heavily on pedigree to draw clients, although that is not to say by any means that all small US firm offices are like that.

For what it's worth, I've heard things like that before - as have many others, including quite a few people who have successfully launched careers at City law firms. For any firm you're interested in, I'd recommend looking through associate profiles and see the backgrounds of juniors - of course there are still quite a few Oxbridge grads, but at most firms you'll see a healthy smattering of non-RG and internationally-educated lawyers, which I find helps to defuse some of that anxiety.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Curious for people's thoughts on the Sidley Q 'In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?' (250w). The wordcount is quite tight, so it's difficult to properly substantiate more than maybe 3 personal qualities. That said, of course there are more than 3 qualities worth mentioning - is it appropriate to rattle off some of the more obvious ones (e.g. attention to detail, communication skills) the reasoning for which almost goes without saying, and then dedicate the bulk of the space to going in-depth on just a couple? Or better to go for a laundry-list approach with limited detail/substantiation?

I’d go with quality over quantity.

 

[Aspiring Solicitor 007]

Personally I never got one. Someone on here said they were going to manually go through the SJT outcomes due to all their issues with it this cycle so they’re probably just going round resending them to everyone!

Thanks so much

Same for me - I received a second SJT outcome email yesterday and still no change to the outcome of my application 😭

Glad to know I'm not the only one!

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is a strange story/'question', and I am not sure whether this is the 'right' place on the forum to post it. If it is not, my apologies (I'll delete it).

Yesterday, I had a call with one of the London Partners at a big US firm (through personal connections). Basically, he looked at my CV and said the following (I noted it) 'You did not attend Cambridge/Oxbridge (I am non- RSG), you do not have 4 A* A-levels, in addition, I cannot see any relevant legal work experience' He then went to say that If he was me he would contact firms at my home country, because he doubts that there is a place for me in City.

Needles to say, I found those comments very disheartening because if that indeed is how they view my situation, is there even a point in me spending the time and applying? Also, I found the point about 'going to my home country' a bit confusing (?) I'm from the EU but I've been here for the past 15 years ( and I'm 20).

Just remember this is one person’s opinion out of nearly 150,000 qualified lawyers in the UK.

And they clearly are a bit over opinionated and naive. Hopefully you just got them on a bad day.

 

[Aspiring Solicitor 007]

Anyone heard from Travers yet?

Earlier this week grad rec said they hadn't begun reviewing the apps for winter VS yet.

 

[M777]

Anyone else heard from a&o yet winter vs?

 

[syw]

For the question ''If you could bring into force any law, what would that law be and why?'', do you think it would be acceptable to suggest a reform to current legislation. Would this technically be a new law?

 

[Jessica Booker]

For the question ''If you could bring into force any law, what would that law be and why?'', do you think it would be acceptable to suggest a reform to current legislation. Would this technically be a new law?

Yes, that is fine.

 

[Mxkry]

Does anyone have any experience on the AC for SEO Corporate Law Programme? How can I best prepare and what sorts of questions do they ask?

 

[BioSTEM]

Does anyone have any experience on the AC for SEO Corporate Law Programme? How can I best prepare and what sorts of questions do they ask?

If they're using the same format as the AC's from last month then learn some key terminology surrounding banking & finance, basics of the energy industry and basics on how law firms function as businesses e.g. how they are structured and their consequences.

 

[33c]

This is a strange story/'question', and I am not sure whether this is the 'right' place on the forum to post it. If it is not, my apologies (I'll delete it).

Yesterday, I had a call with one of the London Partners at a big US firm (through personal connections). Basically, he looked at my CV and said the following (I noted it) 'You did not attend Cambridge/Oxbridge (I am non- RSG), you do not have 4 A* A-levels, in addition, I cannot see any relevant legal work experience' He then went to say that If he was me he would contact firms at my home country, because he doubts that there is a place for me in City.

Needles to say, I found those comments very disheartening because if that indeed is how they view my situation, is there even a point in me spending the time and applying? Also, I found the point about 'going to my home country' a bit confusing (?) I'm from the EU but I've been here for the past 15 years ( and I'm 20).

Just wanted to give my two-cents. Like others have said you absolutely do not have to have those accolades to get a TC at a top firm. Personally, I got A*AB, didn't get top grades at uni or go to Oxbridge and I am a future trainee at a US firm. Further, there are people in my intake with no legal experience whatsoever. That partner's view is both outdates and incredibly inaccurate.

Please don't let their words impact your drive to get a TC! Focus on your own journey and do whatever you can to prove him wrong!