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

[AspiringTrainee]

Willkie Vacation Scheme offer!

 

[Jessica Booker]

how do you go about sorting accommodation for a 2 week scheme in London, looking at budget hotels but they aren’t very budget friendly🥲

Please see this post I wrote a week or so ago:

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

I just finished an AC with one firm yesterday for a summer vac scheme but the dates coincide with TWO of my other summer vac schemes. Although I really liked the firm from yesterday (over the other one) and I felt it went quite well, I believe that the experience I'll gain over the other two...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[TCApp2021]

Living very centrally will be expensive for short term lets, especially if you are only looking at Barbican (there won’t really be any need to be that close to the office in all honesty).

The cheapest tends to be the halls of residence, particularly Queen Mary or City University.

Alternatively look at major transport hubs outside of Zones 1 and even 2. For instance, places like East Croydon will be cheaper and will have fast trains going into Victoria and London Bridge every few minutes. Stratford will be another major transport hub to consider, especially if the firms are based at the east end of the City/Canary Wharf.

Airbnbs can be a good shout, especially outside of zones 1 or 2.

I know some people who have contacted major budget hire chains like Premier Inn and have seen if they can get a discounted rate for a 2-3 week stay and in some locations, that can sometimes be the cheapest option.

Edit - just had a look at Premier Inn at East Croydon vs the one in Farringdon, and it was less than a third of the price for a week of that in Farringdon (about £320 a week instead of £1050). I suspect if you called them up you might get a cheaper rate for a long stay too.

I live in zone 6 so it would take me an 1.5 to get in.. am considering staying somewhere closer for the week of my vs. Has anyone living in London but far out from central done this before/think it would be worth it? If the places in zone 2 etc take around 30mins anyway not sure if it’ll make much difference.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I live in zone 6 so it would take me an 1.5 to get in.. am considering staying somewhere closer for the week of my vs. Has anyone living in London but far out from central done this before/think it would be worth it? If the places in zone 2 etc take around 30mins anyway not sure if it’ll make much difference.

I know people who have commuted in from outside of London zones and from as far as Cambridge/Brighton. It won’t be for everyone, but unless I was staying with someone for free or money was no object, I’d prefer to save the money and put up with the commute for a few weeks (and I hate commuting!!).

 

[TCApp2021]

I know people who have commuted in from outside of London zones and from as far as Cambridge/Brighton. It won’t be for everyone, but unless I was staying with someone for free or money was no object, I’d prefer to save the money and put up with the commute for a few weeks (and I hate commuting!!).

Ahh it’s not the commute itself.. but was just considering if the extra rest would help me perform better during the vs.

 

[S87]

Guys what do you usually ask to an associate of a firm where you want to apply to? I have the opportunity to have a chat tomorrow.

 

[AspiringTrainee]

Guys what do you usually ask to an associate of a firm where you want to apply to? I have the opportunity to have a chat tomorrow.

I would necessarily ask them things you may have wanted to know but you haven’t found out online. Their own personal experiences with the training and development at the firm (if that is something that is a important factor for you).

Honestly speaking, I’ve never really used information I gathered from talking to trainees and associates in my application, unless it added huge value. I would just use your time to just have a conversation so you can build on your personal motivations for the firm really. But that’s my personal opinion.

 

[Deleted member 11671]

Guys what do you usually ask to an associate of a firm where you want to apply to? I have the opportunity to have a chat tomorrow.

I have used this as an opportunity to understand the firm's culture, particularly with regard to diversity and inclusion. Sometimes they might have also worked with competitor firms and they can provide insights on differences.

 

[S87]

I would necessarily ask them things you may have wanted to know but you haven’t found out online. Their own personal experiences with the training and development at the firm (if that is something that is a important factor for you).

Honestly speaking, I’ve never really used information I gathered from talking to trainees and associates in my application, unless it added huge value. I would just use your time to just have a conversation so you can build on your personal motivations for the firm really. But that’s my personal opinion.

Thank you so much!

 

[S87]

Guys, I usually complete free classes on Coursera but it is mainly American. Do you know any free UK provider?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Ahh it’s not the commute itself.. but was just considering if the extra rest would help me perform better during the vs.

I personally don’t think it would have that much of an impact for me (and I hate commuting), but everyone is different. I might just make the most of the commute - use it to read things, update a journal of my work etc.

It depends really whether you think you’ll get a seat on the train though. My energy was zapped when I had to stand in a packed commuter train, and changed massively when I moved and would get a seat most mornings/evenings.

 

[TCApp2021]

I personally don’t think it would have that much of an impact for me (and I hate commuting), but everyone is different. I might just make the most of the commute - use it to read things, update a journal of my work etc.

It depends really whether you think you’ll get a seat on the train though. My energy was zapped when I had to stand in a packed commuter train, and changed massively when I moved and would get a seat most mornings/evenings.

Thank you

 

[unserious candidate]

Mishcon case study invite!
really thought I was done with this cycle, because my Mishcon VI went so poorly so I'd ruled it out. I guess Im back in the game 😂

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Mishcon case study invite!
really thought I was done with this cycle, because my Mishcon VI went so poorly so I'd ruled it out. I guess Im back in the game 😂

Congrats! That's a great achievement! I did Mishcon's case study way back in 2020 and it was one of the most enjoyable case studies I ever did! Really interesting and very focused on their unique sectors (think PR/Reputation/Private Client). It was just such good fun and a really calm environment, the senior associate helped out a lot and pointed me to the right responses and I found out same day that I had progressed to AC. Just an FYI they will throw in a piece of information mid-way through the case study that will likely change your recommendations.

 

[unserious candidate]

Congrats! That's a great achievement! I did Mishcon's case study way back in 2020 and it was one of the most enjoyable case studies I ever did! Really interesting and very focused on their unique sectors (think PR/Reputation/Private Client). It was just such good fun and a really calm environment, the senior associate helped out a lot and pointed me to the right responses and I found out same day that I had progressed to AC. Just an FYI they will throw in a piece of information mid-way through the case study that will likely change your recommendations.

Thank you so much, I really appreciate these pointers. They gave really short notice and I have exams next week so I have very limited time to prepare unfortunately. Thank you again!

 

[ssolicitorz]

Anyone else still waiting for White & Case & Dechert post VI? Any clue as to if they have more AC's etc?

 

[Homer]

Mishcon case study invite!
really thought I was done with this cycle, because my Mishcon VI went so poorly so I'd ruled it out. I guess Im back in the game 😂

May i ask when you did your VI?

 

[sami.rehman]

Anyone else still waiting for White & Case & Dechert post VI? Any clue as to if they have more AC's etc?

I'm still waiting on Dechert post written exercise!

 

[unserious candidate]

May i ask when you did your VI?

of course
21/02

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate these pointers. They gave really short notice and I have exams next week so I have very limited time to prepare unfortunately. Thank you again!

Honestly, you really only need a basic understanding of commercial terms. A lot of it is just common sense but I'd recommend understanding the basics of M&A and especially the pros and cons of M&A (share and asset purchase). Also understanding what is on a balance sheet is helpful (I didn't know what a balance sheet looked like before my case study and although it wasn't terribly complex, it might be a good idea to get to grips with it beforehand!) Hope this helps and best of luck