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

[kat_]

What are some of the strengths people got in the Linklaters Capp to progress to the next step? How are they weighed?

last year I had resilience and critical thinking and was unsuccessful

 

[GXA123]

Can anyone recommend good courses or certificates to take that would be beneficial for paralegal roles?

 

[skmx]

Can anyone recommend good courses or certificates to take that would be beneficial for paralegal roles?

I wouldn’t spend money on courses/certificates (unless they’re free ofc). But look at firms that prefer to take on graduates i.e DAC beachcroft and widen your area of interest. Areas like family/corporate/real estate always tend to require experience but you could have less entry requirements for more niche areas

 

[Jessica Booker]

Can anyone recommend good courses or certificates to take that would be beneficial for paralegal roles?

I don’t think there is really anything like this, unless it’s the GDL/LPC/SQE. Some paralegal roles may require specific knowledge related to that practice area, but I really can’t think of any certificates/courses outside of the legal training that have been required for general paralegal roles.

 

[hellovacschemes]

For Reed Smith, am I correct in thinking that the deadline (today) is just for the application form and not the situational strengths test?

 

[S87]

For Reed Smith, am I correct in thinking that the deadline (today) is just for the application form and not the situational strengths test?

I think it is both

 

[ellwilsen]

I submitted my BCLP test over a month ago and am still yet to hear back. Is anyone else in the same boat?

 

[F99]

For Linklaters Capp what have been people who got through to the AC had as their lowest scoring attributes? It seems like there are some skills from their framework which they value more than others?

 

[Kubed]

I submitted my BCLP test over a month ago and am still yet to hear back. Is anyone else in the same boat?

Is this for their summer vac schemes? I was in the same boat last year - did the tests in November and then heard back right at the end of the cycle (March), at which point the first interview and AC were in quick succession. So don't give up hope yet!

 

[Anonymous28377]

As I am currently applying to vacation schemes, I wanted to ask a question regarding my first-year grades. I’m currently in my third year.

My first-year grades were terrible. Overall I received a 2:2. My highest grade was 60 and lowest was 42. There are multiple reasons for this, Including some personal circumstances regarding my health.

Though, in my second year, my grades improved significantly. My overall grade was a high 2:1.

I just had a meeting with my personal tutor and he said that “If I’m applying to big city firms, I have to be realistic as they won’t take me because of my first-year grades”. I know full well that firms look at first grades and it could be a reason for a firm to reject me. But does that mean I shouldn’t apply to city firms like HSF? There are so many reasons as to why I want to become a city lawyer but it just feels like those 1st-year grades could hold me back.

I wanted to ask have people with low first-year grades but good 2nd and 3rd-year grades gone on to successfully join big city firms?

Thank you for your help.

 

[Jessica Booker]

As I am currently applying to vacation schemes, I wanted to ask a question regarding my first-year grades. I’m currently in my third year.

My first-year grades were terrible. Overall I received a 2:2. My highest grade was 60 and lowest was 42. There are multiple reasons for this, Including some personal circumstances regarding my health.

Though, in my second year, my grades improved significantly. My overall grade was a high 2:1.

I just had a meeting with my personal tutor and he said that “If I’m applying to big city firms, I have to be realistic as they won’t take me because of my first-year grades”. I know full well that firms look at first grades and it could be a reason for a firm to reject me. But does that mean I shouldn’t apply to city firms like HSF? There are so many reasons as to why I want to become a city lawyer but it just feels like those 1st-year grades could hold me back.

I wanted to ask have people with low first-year grades but good 2nd and 3rd-year grades gone on to successfully join big city firms?

Thank you for your help.

If you have extenuating circumstances, these will be taken into account with your first-year grades, especially if they are clearly a blip in an otherwise strong academic profile. You will need to claim the mitigating circumstances though, and ideally need your university to verify that they were aware of the circumstances.

 

[SCN]

Bit of a weird question, but how have law firms adapted to virtual vac schemes? I've heard some using a mixture of Teams and Forage... do you think it works?

 

[OB]

Just got an invite to the Gowling test

 

[ellwilsen]

Gowling test despite claiming to have strong attention to detail in my application, only to discover a million mistakes after i submitted it

 

[ZaraB]

Arctic Shores invite for Gowling 🥰🥰🥰

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bit of a weird question, but how have law firms adapted to virtual vac schemes? I've heard some using a mixture of Teams and Forage... do you think it works?

Forage isn't really a vacation scheme as it is open to everyone (you don't need to apply or go through a recruitment process). It is just a virtual work experience simulation that can be completed at any time by anyone.

Vacation schemes (especially winter schemes now) are likely to run on either Teams or Zoom. They haven't really got much choice given the "work from home" rules set by the UK government now. It is not ideal, but it is better than the programme not running at all!

 

[Favour]

Gowling test invite too

 

[Favour]

How do you prepare for the test for Gowling

 

[Tony Stark]

A&O PFO post- sjt!

 

[Hele25]

Is the Gowling assessment automatic?????