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

[A.Diane01]

Hey @Jessica Booker

how are AC scored? I’ve been told that they shouldn’t be viewed as competitive as assessors are just looking to see if you meet a benchmark… or is it in fact that it is a competitive activity and you are judged against other people?

 

[thirdtimelucky]

I am sure you are very well prepared and nerves will get you through the interview!

Depending on how sick you are, firms are supposed to offer accommodations or the opportunity to reschedule if you provide enough notice, although not all firms do this. Covid could be a reason that they do however, especially if it is due to be held in person!

Also, you may be concerned about sounding congested during a virtual interview - I would recommend not having any dairy products on the day of the interview as that can exacerbate this and I am also a personal fan of vaporub ointments as I think they're really effective at clearing congestion for several hours. Having a hot drink with you is also a good idea 😊

You could always mention it to your interviewers when they make small talk at the beginning of your interview so that they take it into account in the back of their mind when assessing your interview (assuming the interview is not in person)!

We are all here for you and I am sure you will ace it - good luck!

Thank you @AvniD and @James Carrabino ! My AC is tomorrow so I guess there really isn’t much I can do in way of preparation besides the things I’ve already done! I’ve woken up feeling a bit better so I am hoping the trend continues for tomorrow. I am a bit worried because it’s from 10-4 and I have been quite exhausted but fingers crossed I’ll be able to use the adrenaline to push my through! Ofc I feel like I’ve not been able to prepare as well as I would have hoped as I’ve been sick for the last 5 days but I have to just have faith in what I know 🙏🏼 I’ve already let graduate recruitment know that I tested positive but given the assessment centre is virtual I don’t think there is much they can do especially given that it involves a group exercise!

 

[Deleted member 11671]

I received an offer from a US firm but am still waiting on slaughter and may to reply post interview. Their email to me says if I receive another offer to call or email them and it provides the number to call - but every time I call this number it just rings out. Any idea what I should do? I’ve emailed too but they haven’t replied to that either

It could be that they're working from home? Maybe you can reach out to the grad recruiter on LinkedIn and drop a message if you are not receiving a response. There could also be a main office number you could call and say that you would like to be re-routed to the grad recruitment team.

 

[Deleted member 11671]

Thank you @AvniD and @James Carrabino ! My AC is tomorrow so I guess there really isn’t much I can do in way of preparation besides the things I’ve already done! I’ve woken up feeling a bit better so I am hoping the trend continues for tomorrow. I am a bit worried because it’s from 10-4 and I have been quite exhausted but fingers crossed I’ll be able to use the adrenaline to push my through! Ofc I feel like I’ve not been able to prepare as well as I would have hoped as I’ve been sick for the last 5 days but I have to just have faith in what I know 🙏🏼 I’ve already let graduate recruitment know that I tested positive but given the assessment centre is virtual I don’t think there is much they can do especially given that it involves a group exercise!

Hi there, I actually did my AC while having covid so I can understand how you must be feeling. I ensured that I was well-fed, took some paracetamol and had anything I might need - water, snacks - at hand while completing the different components. The group exercise will usually have 30-45 mins prep with 5-7 minutes of presentation. I switched off a bit after my group finished presenting because that was the only way I could conserve energy.

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Hi there, I actually did my AC while having covid so I can understand how you must be feeling. I ensured that I was well-fed, took some paracetamol and had anything I might need - water, snacks - at hand while completing the different components. The group exercise will usually have 30-45 mins prep with 5-7 minutes of presentation. I switched off a bit after my group finished presenting because that was the only way I could conserve energy.

Omg thank you for this! Makes me feel a bit better that someone else (I imagine lots of people) have gone through the same thing! I hope it all went well for you in the end

 

[gt1465]

I've called reception and they redirected me but the grad rec line just keeps ringing out I've left a message for them so fingers crossed they call me back...

It could be that they're working from home? Maybe you can reach out to the grad recruiter on LinkedIn and drop a message if you are not receiving a response. There could also be a main office number you could call and say that you would like to be re-routed to the grad recruitment team.

 

[LegalNim]

1) could be anything from fairly immediately or until the end of the summer recruitment window. It should be one question to ask each firm.

2) Some firms will give you four weeks to accept the offer, some may give you to mid September (in line with the code of best recruitment practice). It is completely up to you whether you want to renege your summer vacation schemes but it is something you can do if your preferred firm is one of the spring VS firms. You don’t have to renege and in most cases will be able to continue to complete the remaining schemes. A few firms have a clause in their VS contracts stating you cannot have accepted a TC elsewhere, but this is rare. As your employment with the TC firm does not start until the first day of your TC, there should not be any restrictions from your TC provider to complete VS elsewhere.

3) several options: 1) accept and then renege ; 2) decline the offer from the outset and take the risk you don’t secure another offer; 3) ask the firm whether the deadline of your TC offer can be extended until you complete your summer VS

Thank you so much. As always, this is incredibly helpful.

 

[GeorgieW]

has the application process of a firm (whether that be interactions with grad rec or issues with the process itself) put anyone off any firms? Also out of curiosity, what's everyone's top firm and why

absolutely!
i remember last year looking at ropes & gray's three proposals to partnership question and just closing the application page. like if you want to ask an idiot classicist who is 21 how to better run your firm you're clearly not the one for me. my first proposal would be ask an expert, honestly

 

[Deleted member 11671]

I've called reception and they redirected me but the grad rec line just keeps ringing out I've left a message for them so fingers crossed they call me back...

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I received an offer from a US firm but am still waiting on slaughter and may to reply post interview. Their email to me says if I receive another offer to call or email them and it provides the number to call - but every time I call this number it just rings out. Any idea what I should do? I’ve emailed too but they haven’t replied to that either

Call switchboard and ask to speak to a named person in the graduate recruitment team.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you @AvniD and @James Carrabino ! My AC is tomorrow so I guess there really isn’t much I can do in way of preparation besides the things I’ve already done! I’ve woken up feeling a bit better so I am hoping the trend continues for tomorrow. I am a bit worried because it’s from 10-4 and I have been quite exhausted but fingers crossed I’ll be able to use the adrenaline to push my through! Ofc I feel like I’ve not been able to prepare as well as I would have hoped as I’ve been sick for the last 5 days but I have to just have faith in what I know 🙏🏼 I’ve already let graduate recruitment know that I tested positive but given the assessment centre is virtual I don’t think there is much they can do especially given that it involves a group exercise!

They might be able to move you to another AC date (if you haven’t asked this already). They will prefer to assess you when you are well, as they can’t really account for how your illness may impact your performance.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

absolutely!
i remember last year looking at ropes & gray's three proposals to partnership question and just closing the application page. like if you want to ask an idiot classicist who is 21 how to better run your firm you're clearly not the one for me. my first proposal would be ask an expert, honestly

I think their questions is testing your commercial awareness and your knowledge of the firm about their research.

 

[eleven14og]

Withers Capptivate Assessment invite!

 

[George Maxwell]

Hi there, I actually did my AC while having covid so I can understand how you must be feeling. I ensured that I was well-fed, took some paracetamol and had anything I might need - water, snacks - at hand while completing the different components. The group exercise will usually have 30-45 mins prep with 5-7 minutes of presentation. I switched off a bit after my group finished presenting because that was the only way I could conserve energy.

Omg thank you for this! Makes me feel a bit better that someone else (I imagine lots of people) have gone through the same thing! I hope it all went well for you in the end

Hey @thirdtimelucky,

I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling unwell, but glad to hear you are doing a little better this morning.

To add to what @curious_cat said, I actually did the Akin Gump (virtual) vacation scheme with covid! Just try your absolute best and be kind to yourself. I felt completely exhausted and was honest with myself about my limits. In the end I was successful, so you can do this!

Please update us on how the AC goes this morning. Will be thinking of you 🙌

 

[zidoeslaw]

Was your friend a participant on Pathfinder? I’ve seen quite a few people gain places on the summer VS from previous schemes offered by Linklaters. Perhaps I’m just coping with being ghosted haha

No he wasn't!

 

[ZaraB]

PFO from Bristows post VI partner review

 

[Civ457]

Has anyone had any updates from Withers after doing their Capptivate assessment ? I did it a month ago now

 

[EVjuji]

Has anyone had any updates from Withers after doing their Capptivate assessment ? I did it a month ago now

I have a feeling that the Withers Capptivate assessment is automatic and everyone gets it.

 

[Civ457]

I have a feeling that the Withers Capptivate assessment is automatic and everyone gets it.

yeah i did receive the test invite the day after submitting the application

 

[futuretraineecity]

I was recently asked ‘why are you applying for this scheme’ in an interview straight after being asked ‘why the firm’. At the time I just answered what I hope to get out of the scheme, but I wasn’t asked about my motivations for commercial law throughout the rest of the interview. Now I’m wondering whether that question was trying to tease out my answer for why commercial law?