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

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AvniD

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Hello @Jessica Booker. Hope you're well.

One of the questions in an application I am currently working on asks about a practice area I am interested in. I was planning on mentioning a case that representatives from the firm talked about during a case study workshop I attended around a year ago - I found it very interesting. However, I have just found out that the firm eventually lost the case and they do not mention it anywhere on the website. Therefore, I am not sure whether I should mention it, or rather not as it could seem like I have not been following the subsequent developments... I don't know. Maybe I am just overthinking it :D
@michael98 it's absolutely alright to mention the case because you're using it to substantiate your interest in the practice area, not to demonstrate your knowledge of the case itself. Focus on how the firm went about the case, their strategy, which expertise and offices were engaged, their standout arguments etc. rather than the outcome- it's a part of a lawyer's life to win some and lose some as rightly put by @Jessica Booker 😇

Hi all! I'm applying to Ropes & Gray and attempting to draft an answer to their application question-

What three proposals would you make to the Partnership if you were Chair of Ropes & Gray? (500 words)

I haven't come across a question like this before, any tips on how I can proceed? :) I don't want to rush it by adding generic points since the word count is also substantial.
@lawful_neutral216 I think @Rob93 has done a FANTASTIC job of breaking down how you can approach this question!

My only input is to think of any proposals pertaining to the firm's culture as well, especially in the wake of the pandemic and the enhanced focus on wellbeing, agile working, firm-wide support groups etc.

There's so much you can talk about, really. As @Rob93 put it, as long as you can demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the firm's business and its role in the wider industry, you should be good. Let us know how you get on with this question!
 

sibs23

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Jan 15, 2021
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Looking for some advice on whether it would be worth making a reapplication to BCLP. I got to AC for a VS in 2018 whilst I was in my second year. I haven't reapplied since then, but I have now graduated and work as a paralegal so I think that my application could definitely be stronger this time around. From BCLP's website it appears that you can reapply, but would I have a realistic shot?
 

GXA123

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    Looking for some advice on whether it would be worth making a reapplication to BCLP. I got to AC for a VS in 2018 whilst I was in my second year. I haven't reapplied since then, but I have now graduated and work as a paralegal so I think that my application could definitely be stronger this time around. From BCLP's website it appears that you can reapply, but would I have a realistic shot?
    of course apply, considering you have developed as well and will work on your app. I think you defiantly should!
     
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    George Maxwell

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    Looking for some advice on whether it would be worth making a reapplication to BCLP. I got to AC for a VS in 2018 whilst I was in my second year. I haven't reapplied since then, but I have now graduated and work as a paralegal so I think that my application could definitely be stronger this time around. From BCLP's website it appears that you can reapply, but would I have a realistic shot?

    of course apply, considering you have developed as well and will work on your app. I think you defiantly should!
    Hi @lellie23,

    I agree with @GXA123 on this one. Definitely give it a shot.

    Did you get feedback from your AC last time too? If you can, demonstrating specifically how you build on that feedback would suggest you are willing to listen and improve.

    I know people who were in a similar position to you who were unsuccessful first time (even after a VS) who then later got a TC in a later application cycle!

    Feel free to tag me if I can be of any help when you are applying 🚀
     

    m2001

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    Jan 24, 2021
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    Can anyone advise whether firms tend to use the same case study for both winter and spring/summer vacation schemes in the same application cycle? Or do they tend to differ the topic between the winter AC's and spring/summer ones?
     
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    Jessica Booker

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    Can anyone advise whether firms tend to use the same case study for both winter and spring/summer vacation schemes in the same application cycle? Or do they tend to differ the topic between the winter AC's and spring/summer ones?
    Firms tend to use different case studies within the recruitment for the same vacancy. They often have a suite of different versions that they vary among candidates to ensure a level of fairness. So it’s not necessary that they will be different between vacancies, they are likely to use the same suite (they may retire some of the older versions and replace them at any point though).
     

    rose0904

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    Sep 6, 2021
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    Has anyone done the Eversheds question about delivering a piece of work where quality was important? Last year I wrote about a waitressing shift I did but that was in July 2019 so a while ago and I also wanted to have a whole new answer this year. Would talking about a uni essay be enough for this?
     

    The Surviving Lawyer

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    Dec 15, 2021
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    Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well and had a lovely Christmas break🥰 I’d like some advice if anyone has any and I’d first like to preface that I am EXTREMELY grateful for obtaining a VS. So, I have been successful in A&O’s VS and was wondering if I should just..stop applying for more firms? On one hand, I don’t want to count on A&O giving me a TC whereas on the other, I don’t think I could face another app, interview and AC!

    thank you in advance🥰
     

    sibs23

    Legendary Member
    Jan 15, 2021
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    Hi @lellie23,

    I agree with @GXA123 on this one. Definitely give it a shot.

    Did you get feedback from your AC last time too? If you can, demonstrating specifically how you build on that feedback would suggest you are willing to listen and improve.

    I know people who were in a similar position to you who were unsuccessful first time (even after a VS) who then later got a TC in a later application cycle!

    Feel free to tag me if I can be of any help when you are applying 🚀
    Thanks both for your responses! I've almost completed a first draft today :)

    I got feedback at the time and the main thing which let me down was the written task, mostly due to timing issues. It was my first ever AC so they also said that I lacked confidence at times. I'm not sure if there's any space on the Vantage form to add detail about my previous application, but as you said, I think it is worth another try :)
     
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