TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[lawstudent5533]

Has anyone heard back from Reed Smith post AC?

yes got a phone call yesterday

 

[JessicaIsabelle]

yes got a phone call yesterday

Hope you got good news!

 

[Samir_O]

If anyone is on Mayer Brown's spring scheme dm me too, would be great to know people beforehand!

oh dear.. guess i should be expecting a pfo if i havent heard post trainee simulation test (( anyone think it would be worth emailing grad rec to follow up?

 

[ria030]

BCLP VS offer!! 😭🙌🙌

 

[Ambs123]

yes got a phone call yesterday

I heard back too! Was it good news for you?

 

[Lord Sumption]

BCLP VS offer!! 😭🙌🙌

On a Saturday?! Congratulations though!

 

[Lily721]

I actually think this is the right approach. I would just keep the how you would manage the challenges fairly brief and focused on really practical solutions. I’d probably keep the answer balanced - if you had two factors that make successful lawyers, id probably only do two challenges.

Thank you!

 

[ria030]

On a Saturday?! Congratulations though!

Thank you Got it yesterday, just saw it in my inbox today!

 

[SAA]

Hi all, does anyone know who Fieldfisher's competitors are in general? Or in any particular sector/practice area?

 

[SAA]

Hi all, does anyone know how to approach a written case study exercise in an assessment center, in which we are asked to advise on a commercial issue in a memo or email format? I'm especially confused on how to approach the language (whether it's addressed to a lawyer or non-lawyer) and the structure of a memo (particularly) and email. @Jessica Booker can you please advise if possible? Thank you!

 

[jamesbaillie]

Not heard after VI for Mischon de Reya ( done mid Jan 2023). Anybody received an AC for Mischon for summer VC?

I haven't received an AC but I know of people who have, strange isn't it, wish they would just give an answer or indication

 

[gabynosaure]

Was this for the Vacation scheme or TC? How long after submitting your application did you get an email to do the test? Thank you

It was for the vacation scheme. I think I received the email for the test a few weeks after I submitted my application but that's because I sent it close to the deadline.

 

[rosec]

I haven't received an AC but I know of people who have, strange isn't it, wish they would just give an answer or indication

Fr… it’s been 2 months since I did my VI 😭

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, does anyone know how to approach a written case study exercise in an assessment center, in which we are asked to advise on a commercial issue in a memo or email format? I'm especially confused on how to approach the language (whether it's addressed to a lawyer or non-lawyer) and the structure of a memo (particularly) and email. @Jessica Booker can you please advise if possible? Thank you!

Language (and content) needs to be appropriate to the audience. Think about what your reader would already know/what they would care about.

In terms of structure, I’d usually suggest some form of executive summary to start with and concluding with any actions that need to be undertaken at the end. Depending on the length of the exercise, structuring the body of your writing with headlines and/or numerical bullet points could be helpful to create a structure.

 

[SuccessfulSolicitor]

Waiting is so annoying cause all I want is this one firm and yet on LinkedIn I see people posting about having 5 vacation schemes lined up and it’s just like… 😐

I would love my biggest issue to be which magic circle/ top US firm should I choose 💀

 

[SAA]

Language (and content) needs to be appropriate to the audience. Think about what your reader would already know/what they would care about.

In terms of structure, I’d usually suggest some form of executive summary to start with and concluding with any actions that need to be undertaken at the end. Depending on the length of the exercise, structuring the body of your writing with headlines and/or numerical bullet points could be helpful to create a structure.

Thank you Jessica. In terms of the language, I am assuming that in an exercise where I am emailing/writing to a head of a non-legal function, I should not use legal jargon and should keep the language basic (but still professional).

When it comes to exercises that ask us to choose between recommending options, is the below structure good enough?:

Dear X,

[Intro] (It would say something along the lines of 'I hope this email finds you well, following from our conversation earlier, please find attached below my assessment of Options One (which is x) and Two (which is x) and my recommendation on the best course of action.

Executive Summary:
. Option One + advantages and disadvantages
. Option Two + advantages and disadvantages
. Concluding Recommendation.

1. Option One: (What the option is)
Advantages:
· X

Disadvantages:
· X

2. Option Two (option I am recommending): (What the option is)
Advantages
. X

Disadvantages
. X (however I will mention how these disadvantages can be mitigated by offering a solution, or mentioning how the firm can possibly assist with these disadvantages - if applicable)

Concluding advice: [key recommendation to head of x is x, because of x]

Yours sincerely,

Name

In addition, Is there any resource on TCLA that you can please redirect me to that addresses written exercises, especially memo/email formats?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you Jessica. In terms of the language, I am assuming that in an exercise where I am emailing/writing to a head of a non-legal function, I should not use legal jargon and should keep the language basic (but still professional).

When it comes to exercises that ask us to choose between recommending options, is the below structure good enough?:

Dear X,

[Intro] (It would say something along the lines of 'I hope this email finds you well, following from our conversation earlier, please find attached below my assessment of Options One (which is x) and Two (which is x) and my recommendation on the best course of action.

Executive Summary:
. Option One + advantages and disadvantages
. Option Two + advantages and disadvantages
. Concluding Recommendation.

1. Option One: (What the option is)
Advantages:
· X

Disadvantages:
· X

2. Option Two (option I am recommending): (What the option is)
Advantages
. X

Disadvantages
. X (however I will mention how these disadvantages can be mitigated by offering a solution, or mentioning how the firm can possibly assist with these disadvantages - if applicable)

Concluding advice: [key recommendation to head of x is x, because of x]

Yours sincerely,

Name

In addition, Is there any resource on TCLA that you can please redirect me to that addresses written exercises, especially memo/email formats?

I wouldn’t overthink this too much. Most of how you would write something is common sense. What you have listed above would be suitable (assuming the instructions are aligned to this particular format).

There are a couple of free mock written case studies here:

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

I emailed a firm to cancel an upcoming AC but haven't had a response yet. I emailed on Wednesday, and the assessment centre/interview is next Tuesday. Do I need to send a follow-up email, or should I just wait it out? (any advice is appreciated) If you are cancelling and do not want to...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Lawstudent52]

Hey I wondered if anyone had any tips/info regarding how to find london accommodation for vacation schemes. I unfortunately do not have any family/friends that live there during the period so wondered what others do to live in london without paying a fortune for a hotel for the duration. Thank you.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey I wondered if anyone had any tips/info regarding how to find london accommodation for vacation schemes. I unfortunately do not have any family/friends that live there during the period so wondered what others do to live in london without paying a fortune for a hotel for the duration. Thank you.

I have mentioned the following in earlier posts:

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

Do you think the online assessment will be a pass/fail situation or whether it’ll be viewed holistically with the rest of the application (written app) On their FAQ they say they operate on a tiered system where each stage gets you to the next. From what I can tell, the application and...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

You may also want to look at the train/tube lines that come into near the office (such as Thameslink/Metropolitan line/Elizabeth Line) but that take you outside of London quickly. You’ll find cheaper accommodation but can often find quick ways to get into London. Just always worthwhile checking the peak day return train fare and adding that to your weekly spend to see if it is worthwhile.

Some of the private student halls tend to do reasonable deals for short term summer let’s - like this one: https://prestigestudentliving.com/s...don/charles-morton-court/premier-ensuite-plus

 

[law1234]

Hey I wondered if anyone had any tips/info regarding how to find london accommodation for vacation schemes. I unfortunately do not have any family/friends that live there during the period so wondered what others do to live in london without paying a fortune for a hotel for the duration. Thank you.

In addition to the suggestions above, I’d also look at AA4S. It was recommended to me on this forum and I’ve booked it for this summer - it looks comfortable enough, it’s a 25-30min bus away from the City, and it’s a pretty good deal (for London) at £200 a week!