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

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rightletsdothis

Distinguished Member
  • Jan 30, 2022
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    Is it just me or is the word count for Withers' application really restrictive? The online form is basically saying I have 60ish words to answer each question (T_T)
    Agreed. I get the idea behind it. Makes you focus on the things genuinely important to you. But I think 60 is a little extreme... At that point, you might as well go full Skadden and just stop asking any competency questions lol
     
    Reactions: Asil Ahmad and Adrian_S

    rightletsdothis

    Distinguished Member
  • Jan 30, 2022
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    out of curiosity, what did Skadden ask??
    When I applied it was 2 questions. "any awards or scholarships" and "Your hobbies" - I felt like it was slightly elitist in that obviously the guy from Oxbridge with 2 scholarships and who participates in 15 societies would beat out the guy who can barely find any time out of school or uni because they have to work all week lol. It didn't feel like you could really tell the firm about who you truly are and your passion/skills clearly enough in my opinion.
     

    Abii

    Legendary Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Feb 1, 2021
    280
    871
    When I applied it was 2 questions. "any awards or scholarships" and "Your hobbies" - I felt like it was slightly elitist in that obviously the guy from Oxbridge with 2 scholarships and who participates in 15 societies would beat out the guy who can barely find any time out of school or uni because they have to work all week lol. It didn't feel like you could really tell the firm about who you truly are and your passion/skills clearly enough in my opinion.
    I would disagree that it is elitist - I think its about how you position yourself. I am the guy who could barely find time outside of school or uni because they had to work all week but I answer the hobbies questions by being very honest and saying I am limited to time because of the fact I worked 30+ hours a week alongside a full time LLB so I don't partake in sports or societies. However I would show how my part time job aligned to my interest in tech as I worked for a tech company and how it was quite a social job as I was in sales and working in London meant I spent my days talking to people of all different backgrounds and hearing some fantastic stories, I say how I would use the time commuting to read the news and listen to podcasts as I like to know what's going on in the world. IMO when law firms ask for your hobbies they aren't so bothered by what they are they are more thing to find out what motivates you.
     

    rightletsdothis

    Distinguished Member
  • Jan 30, 2022
    71
    247
    I would disagree that it is elitist - I think its about how you position yourself. I am the guy who could barely find time outside of school or uni because they had to work all week but I answer the hobbies questions by being very honest and saying I am limited to time because of the fact I worked 30+ hours a week alongside a full time LLB so I don't partake in sports or societies. However I would show how my part time job aligned to my interest in tech as I worked for a tech company and how it was quite a social job as I was in sales and working in London meant I spent my days talking to people of all different backgrounds and hearing some fantastic stories, I say how I would use the time commuting to read the news and listen to podcasts as I like to know what's going on in the world. IMO when law firms ask for your hobbies they aren't so bothered by what they are they are more thing to find out what motivates you.
    I agree to certain extent but that still passes over the scholarships and prizes question. Plus I have attended skadden open days and met with skadden associates and the diversity is pretty appalling. Part of that is the size but it’s definitely a reflection of the firms hiring practices being tailored to those who had a plan of action earlier on in life/had more recourses. You’re story is super impressive and honestly amazing in my eyes. But I really don’t think asking for scholarships or prizes is a great way of judging character or ability in my opinion. Nor is it a great way to diversify a firms hiring. Just my opinion though
     

    Zubin

    Distinguished Member
    Premium Member
    Junior Lawyer
  • Dec 17, 2020
    63
    364
    Just received an offer from Baker McKenzie for their Summer VS!

    They said I performed the best they've seen this cycle and received the highest marks for the group exercise, partner case study, and associate interview out of every AC they've conducted this year!!!!!!!!!!!! When finishing the AC, I thought I wouldn't get it because I didn't finish the document checking exercise within the allocated time. I guess this goes to show that even if you mess up in one part, you can still smash the others!

    Having been rejected from each of my 45+ applications over the past three cycles, securing three schemes at top city law firms this cycle really validated Rocky's "it ain't about how hard you can hit" quote for me. Honestly over the moon and can't thank everyone on this forum who helped me enough. Here to chat if anyone needs any application, interview, or AC tips!

    Much love, TCLA, hope to update you with a TC offer at some point soon!
     

    Abii

    Legendary Member
    Junior Lawyer
    Feb 1, 2021
    280
    871
    I agree to certain extent but that still passes over the scholarships and prizes question. Plus I have attended skadden open days and met with skadden associates and the diversity is pretty appalling. Part of that is the size but it’s definitely a reflection of the firms hiring practices being tailored to those who had a plan of action earlier on in life/had more recourses. You’re story is super impressive and honestly amazing in my eyes. But I really don’t think asking for scholarships or prizes is a great way of judging character or ability in my opinion. Nor is it a great way to diversify a firms hiring. Just my opinion though
    Yes I would agree that the entire hiring process is better suited to those that knew what they wanted earlier, I feel incredibly behind in AC's for VS's in particular being in my late 20s when so many of the other candidates are second year law students at 19/20. I didn't even start university until I was older than some people I meet in ACs. I also think although you don't need a RG/Oxbridge degree you do receive much better access to firms and careers advice at those universities so you have to do less work yourself to find the information out.

    There is only so much a law firm can do to diversify hiring, a lot of people self-select out of the process as they don't think they are the right fit so it becomes somewhat of a self-fulfilling prophecy that only oxbridge etc are hired by certain firms. I think perhaps more needs to be done to recognise the achievements of people in context, and contextual recruitment is going some way towards that.

    I personally like when a law firm asks for scholarships/prizes, but that is somewhat selfish on my part as I have been awarded two competitive scholarships so have something to put in that box.
     
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