TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[DimpledHopper]

Sorry, this might sound like a bizarre question! I have never done a VI before and was wondering - do people typically use split screens with notes or do platforms prevent this?

I am thinking I probably won't, as I think it would distract me anyway, but was wondering how people typically approached the VIs!

Thanks!

I have a piece of paper next to me with the Qs I prepared with bullet point headings for my main points and if a Q I prepared comes up I quickly refer to it during the prep time and answer. If it's a Q I haven't prepped before I jot down quick notes of the main points I want to cover and then refer to it when I answer. Hope that helps!

 

[pax]

me too

What dates did you get if may ask?

 

[daisy_yawn]

Sorry, this might sound like a bizarre question! I have never done a VI before and was wondering - do people typically use split screens with notes or do platforms prevent this?

I am thinking I probably won't, as I think it would distract me anyway, but was wondering how people typically approached the VIs!

Thanks!

I did this for two VIs but found that it looks too rehearsed because your eyes keep shifting to the notes so I used minimal to no notes for the Willkie one just now and it was much better

 

[Arf1309]

HSF summer vac scheme PFO 😔 I applied early November

 

[pax]

I was fast-tracked after the open day, but I just got the link to book Linklaters AC for summer VS.

Around how long do you have until the last date?

 

[lw2000]

Is it ok to reference an upcoming work experience placement (not vacation scheme) in a cover letter to show commitment/interest in a specific area of law? Its not a placement where you can get a training contract out of it.

 

[DimpledHopper]

you may have misheard, the threshold is definitely the 18th percentile (not top 18%)

Oh okok. But GR definitely said 32 or above so I guess base your practice off of that rough benchmark

 

[CorpLawyer00]

has anyone contacted baker grad rec to get a WG score?

 

[F99]

thank you, was this for spring or summer scheme? also did you ask for your result?

Spring and no I didn't. Good luck!

 

[F99]

I applied for Linklaters Direct TC and just logged on to my portal - is says candidate review is complete and the status of my application is 'on hold'.

Does anyone know what this all means?

Same here. No idea what it means, I'm guessing we can probably expect a response either way soonish though...

 

[gw9]

Around how long do you have until the last date?

I think the last date was around the 2nd Feb.

 

[HLL]

Has anyone heard back from HL re summer vac scheme? I thought they are rolling so approximately how soon can we expect to hear back post WG?

 

[Momo]

Hello @Jessica Booker and everyone, hope everyone is well. I d like to ask a question. When applying for a place on a vac scheme, is it fine to talk about the training contract structure as well? I wasn't sure since this is an application for a VS rather than TC directly. Thanks in advance!

 

[kokothemagicdragon]

Hello @Jessica Booker and everyone, hope everyone is well. I d like to ask a question. When applying for a place on a vac scheme, is it fine to talk about the training contract structure as well? I wasn't sure since this is an application for a VS rather than TC directly. Thanks in advance!

I would say so! You are essentially applying for the TC in the end. The VS is just a means to the end in that process and often, if not invariably, the TC structure/content is what will differentiate firms.

For example Jones Day doesn't have TC rotation, while Freshfields has an 8 seat training contract and a firm like S&C only has transactional seats. All of this can help you choose which firm(s) is for you and especially convince the firm on why them!

TL;DR IMO its a huge reason why to pick a firm and important to talk about in the written app and interview(s).

 

[Sachin Chandra]

I have messed up so many VIs - as an international student with the most laughable, unintelligible accent, I feel like all my recordings are in HR's "Let's Laugh At This Maniac" folder. I simply can't get over this, should I just fake an accent

Just be yourself but the best version of yourself. I'm no VI interview expert and I am prepping for my first ever one this week, but having done five 2 minute freestyles yday and five more today there is a huge improvement. My first ever one was the most awkward thing I've ever seen in my life. I had to delete it straight away because it was so bad and embarassing. But I have hope that I can keep on practicing speaking to myself in the camera, speaking to myself on voice memo and making solid and easily learnable responses to generic questions.

 

[Adrian_S]

WFW AC invitation - my first ever AC 😭. Thank you to everyone who helped me!

Edit: completed the VI on 2 January!

 

[Uvaia]

WFW AC invitation - my first ever AC 😭. Thank you to everyone who helped me!

wohoo!! so happy for you 🥳 best of luck with it!

 

[Momo]

I would say so! You are essentially applying for the TC in the end. The VS is just a means to the end in that process and often, if not invariably, the TC structure/content is what will differentiate firms.

For example Jones Day doesn't have TC rotation, while Freshfields has an 8 seat training contract and a firm like S&C only has transactional seats. All of this can help you choose which firm(s) is for you and especially convince the firm on why them!

TL;DR IMO its a huge reason why to pick a firm.

Great! Thank you very much for the response, I appreciate it.

 

[SCM]

has anyone contacted baker grad rec to get a WG score?

I emailed them to ask for the feedback report, but they said that they don’t provide individual feedback for the WG test. Hope that helps!

 

[F12M34L]

any tips for RS VI?