TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[confusedlawstudent]

Hi,

I'm probably not the best example as I graduated a few years ago, but I was in the same position as you in my final year (except I finally figure out the process in April with one month left to go lol). Don't put yourself down, if I could go back and talk to final year me, I'd tell her that it's still possible to get legal experience and gain other transferable skills whilst chasing the Vs or TC! Delay is not denial!!

Firstly, change your mindset! It's November and Spring and Summer Vac Scheme applications are still open. A lot of Direct TCs haven't even opened yet (although some firms recommend doing their Vac Schemes if you don't have legal work experience). Take the time to research firms of interest, build on your commercial awareness etc. Feel free to put a post on the TC journey thread on the forum to hold yourself accountable! (https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/forums/my-training-contract-journey.81/)


Secondly, just because your experience isn't the same as others, doesn't mean it's any less valuable. In terms of your experiences, don't count them out, you have an impressive range of experiences that prove you will have the skills firm desire. At a glance:

• Worked as a receptionist in a local family law firm for over a year (2019-2020) - Experience that exposed you to the legal industry. What tasks did you do here that you may need to do as a trainee?
• Mooted in my university mooting society for 2 years - You probably gained skills that will help you in a dispute resolution seat! Plus doing it as an extracurricular proves your commitment!
• Wrote articles for my university newspaper (which recently have included law related topics) - Demonstrated commerical awareness here and probably attention to detail! Did you have deadlines? Did you balance this with other commitments? You probably displayed good time-management skills!
• Played violin in an orchestra from 2016-2020 - This shows you have creativity and other passions, as well as being able to learn new skills and work in a team!
• Worked as a waitress in a restaurant - Shows you are good at working under pressure, attention to detail when remembering orders, being personable when talking to people which translates to good client relationship skills, did you have to show flexibility or deal with difficult customers? This is great too!
• Worked as a barista - As above
• Year abroad - Were you, working or studying? If you're planning to apply to global firms, this proves you are willing to try new/unfamiliar things and can be used to demonstrate your global outlook! Did you try to pick up a local language to help you get around?

I typed a lot, but I'm sure you get the point. This forum is amazing with lots of resources and people willing to help. Don't count yourself out before you've started! Best of luck 💞

Wow reading this has made me feel A LOT better. THANK YOU !!!

 

[T.]

Hi everyone.
So I got invited to write a WGT for CMS, I'm wondering if anyone knows if the test is timed.
Thanks in advance.

Heyy! How did it go? I have one coming up

 

[ALYH]

@ALYH those are super relevant issues to talk about. My top tips for picking current issues is researching the right sources that are well-suited to aspiring solicitors, like the FT, Watson's Daily, the TCLA newsletter etc.

The impact you discuss abolsutely does not have postive, as @Jessica Booker said, and the focus has to be both on the impact and how the firm can mitigate it or draw opportunities from it.

If you can find the link from past stories, you can definitely mention it!

Thank you @AvniD and @Jessica Booker !!

Those are really helpful tips! Another question I have on current issues is, apart from those macro issues, would it be appropriate to also pick current issues that are quite specific and relatable to the firm. So for example, one of Reed Smith's core practice groups is Entertainment and Media. I was thinking to talk about the Google Privacy Sandbox as a current issue. Do you think that is too specific?

 

[HarmonyN]

Heyy! How did it go? I have one coming up

Quite similar to the Links WGT. But it was timed. Still waiting to hear back.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you @AvniD and @Jessica Booker !!

Those are really helpful tips! Another question I have on current issues is, apart from those macro issues, would it be appropriate to also pick current issues that are quite specific and relatable to the firm. So for example, one of Reed Smith's core practice groups is Entertainment and Media. I was thinking to talk about the Google Privacy Sandbox as a current issue. Do you think that is too specific?

Sometimes specific can be impactful - it sometimes helps your application form stand out as not a lot of other candidates highlight the same topic.

You just have to make sure it isn't too niche and that it will be something that does answer the specific question being posed.

 

[HarmonyN]

Has anyone been invited to the Taylor Wessing online 'games'

 

[Donuttime]

Any tips for White & Case VI?

 

[kokothemagicdragon]

Anyone gonna apply to Debevoise? And if so does anyone know their turnaround time regarding invites to their open day.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, I am just looking for some advice and insight. I am a final year law student, and I feel like I have absolutely no hope of getting a vacation scheme, let alone a direct training contract by the time I graduate. Most of my friends have had positions of leadership like committee roles in university societies and stuff like that, whereas I have nothing. I'm going to list all of my "experiences", and please tell me what you think. While this may seem surprising (since I am literally a law student), I actually only just fully decided I wanted to be a solicitor this summer, so I haven't really had the chance to go out and get experiences and stuff. But anyway, as it stands, this is what I've got:

• Worked as a receptionist in a local family law firm for over a year (2019-2020)
• Mooted in my university mooting society for 2 years
• Wrote articles for my university newspaper (which recently have included law related topics)
• Played violin in an orchestra from 2016-2020
• Worked as a waitress in a restaurant
• Worked as a barista
• Year abroad

Since I am fully committed to becoming a solicitor now, I have signed up for commercial awareness workshops and open days etc. but I just don't think it's enough to get me a training contract at the moment. Will it be at all possible?

You don't need positions of leadership - you have excellent extra curriculars with your mooting and university newspaper work.

You also have a great mix of work experience that you can build upon with open days, insight programmes and vacation schemes.

All of what you have said makes it very possible!

 

[refy]

Any tips for White & Case VI?

hey, when did you apply?

 

[lw2000]

Did you guys get confirmation from Dechert that the written task was completed and they received your submission? And when can you expect confirmation?

I got it for the video interview but not for written task - I think this is normal tho, p sure someone else asked grad rec about it

 

[sxw517]

Does anybody know of anyone that has had success with Milbank from a non-Oxbridge uni?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anybody know of anyone that has had success with Milbank from a non-Oxbridge uni?

Just did a search on LinkedIn of current and future trainees.

Bristol, Durham, Exeter, UCL are all represented.

 

[average_jo123]

Should I assume Ashurst winter vac pfo? Or are they still offering ACs?

Hiya, I applied for Ashurst winter vac too.

Applied: 07/10/22 (deadline day)
Took Revelian values fit, emotify and cognify: 10/10/22 (scored 69% for cognify and 82% for emotify)
Received AC invite: 20/10/22
Took written case study assessment: 27/10/22 (this was held remotely and I did it from home connected to a Zoom meeting with a few other candidates)
Interview (in person - London office): 01/11/22

They told us that they would review AC performance and let us know final results by end of next week (between 07/11/22 and 11/11/22). I think grad rec also mentioned that there are a few candidates who have booked in for the written tests/interviews next week but haven't sat for them yet. But grad rec didn't tell me whether they are still sending out invites.

 

[refy]

This may seem like a silly question, but how do GR go about selecting people to interview in terms of order? Do they split law/non-law? I've noticed that I tend to get invites quite late compared to people who've applied earlier, even when I've applied for early rolling deadlines, and I'm non-law?

 

[S87]

Does anyone know how to get in touch with BPP? I need to speak to a current tutor for an academic reference. Thank you in advance😀

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Does anyone know how to get in touch with BPP? I need to speak to a current tutor for an academic reference. Thank you in advance😀

Ring them up

 

[S87]

Ring them up

I call the general number (033) but they are not able to help me expeditiously.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I call the general number (033) but they are not able to help me expeditiously.

Oh I see

 

[daisy_yawn]

This may seem like a silly question, but how do GR go about selecting people to interview in terms of order? Do they split law/non-law? I've noticed that I tend to get invites quite late compared to people who've applied earlier, even when I've applied for early rolling deadlines, and I'm non-law?

I don't know how GR select people but I'm non-law and I've received interviews fairly quickly so don't think it's necessarily that! It may just be random and it's best not to read too much into it (I think)!