TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[S87]

Hi @Jaysen,

I hope you are well.

I bought a review package for an application but never received a response to my email.
How can I directly get in touch with you or @Erin? Thank you in advance.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jaysen,

I hope you are well.

I bought a review package for an application but never received a response to my email.
How can I directly get in touch with you or @Erin? Thank you in advance.

I’ll flag this to Jaysen and Erin but they are unlikely to pick it up until Monday now.

 

[S87]

I’ll flag this to Jaysen and Erin but they are unlikely to pick it up until Monday now.

Thank you @Jessica Booker

 

[lawapplicant]

Do Ashurst send the test straight after app is submitted.

They do yes, but another user said the system they use won't send them until next week.

 

[Tintin06]

Milbank (not open yet!) have the best website of any law firm I’ve seen. Covington’s and Shearman’s are equally user-friendly. It’s like Steve Jobs made it.

 

[EM23]

White & Case on their winter vac scheme initial application don't seem to have any specific questions other than a cover letter and extracurricular activities question. Should I be aware of anything before I submit this off?

 

[S87]

White & Case on their winter vac scheme initial application don't seem to have any specific questions other than a cover letter and extracurricular activities question. Should I be aware of anything before I submit this off?

A question about events (open days, workshops, etc..) you attended

 

[webberwerter]

This new mishcon shapers campaign is such a disaster lmfao

 

[Jessica Booker]

This new mishcon shapers campaign is such a disaster lmfao

Why do you think that?

 

[nma123]

This new mishcon shapers campaign is such a disaster lmfao

Tangentially agree in terms of the question on the application form about demonstrating where you’ve been a “Shaper”. I understand what they’re doing but honestly it puts me off massively when firms ask questions like that, I’m not sure I can word it well but it feels very disingenuous. Don’t know what’s wrong with just a cover letter, all these awful weird questions take so much time and in my opinion invite exaggeration and insincerity from candidates. Most of us are uni students just trying to get by and secure ourselves a future - not all of us have the time or energy to be ‘Shapers’ even if we wanted to. Perhaps I’m just being pessimistic though - would love to hear other opinions!

 

[mkt]

They do yes, but another user said the system they use won't send them until next week.

Thank you

 

[lawapplicant]

Tangentially agree in terms of the question on the application form about demonstrating where you’ve been a “Shaper”. I understand what they’re doing but honestly it puts me off massively when firms ask questions like that, I’m not sure I can word it well but it feels very disingenuous. Don’t know what’s wrong with just a cover letter, all these awful weird questions take so much time and in my opinion invite exaggeration and insincerity from candidates. Most of us are uni students just trying to get by and secure ourselves a future - not all of us have the time or energy to be ‘Shapers’ even if we wanted to. Perhaps I’m just being pessimistic though - would love to hear other opinions!

I think from Mischons perspective it is good to have a unique question as it will make selecting candidates for the VI easier - no copy and paste 'why law' question.

About it being disingenuous - whatever the question is that appears in a law firm app - don't we all lie in law firms applications? Whatever the competency is we make up a scenario, why we are interested in the firm and especially why commercial law.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If you are making up stuff to write an application, I would strongly recommend you reconsider whether this career is for you.

 

[spamelinazoid]

Can anyone provide any experiences they've had with the Travers Smith interview process? It looks to be very unique with the moral/ethical debate interview style without any actual assessments and Im not sure how to interpret the hardship levels of this style of interview and application process. Anyone have any experience?

 

[jnice]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone knew how many days Links gives to complete the test after submitting the application.

You have to complete the short application form and the Capp assessment by the deadline and you’ve got 5 days to complete the Watson Glaser test.

 

[Deleted member 27336]

Does anyone know what Jones Day's application process is? One part of their website says there's just an interview before VS, another part says there is a TI plus an in-person assessment centre.

 

[EM23]

In terms of White & Case's open days questions I do not want to simply list the events I have been to so would listing a few I found helpful and explaining why be a simple structure to follow?

 

[lawstudent23237]

Was just wondering people's thoughts on this. When firm deadlines are rolling, how early is too early to apply where it wouldn't be in your favour? For instance, Skadden opened vac scheme apps for sept 1st with the deadline being dec 10th, but I think I am ready to apply now (sept 10th). Is this too early or can you not be early enough with rolling deadlines?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Was just wondering people's thoughts on this. When firm deadlines are rolling, how early is too early to apply where it wouldn't be in your favour? For instance, Skadden opened vac scheme apps for sept 1st with the deadline being dec 10th, but I think I am ready to apply now (sept 10th). Is this too early or can you not be early enough with rolling deadlines?

It depends when you are ready.

I don’t think you are at a disadvantage just because you apply on the first day. But the reality is too many people rush their application in thinking applying early gives them an advantage, when actually they could have done more research, networked with the firm, spent more time reviewing and refining your application. This won’t be the case for everyone, but for many people it will be.

From my experience, even with rolling recruitment, if you apply in the first two-thirds of an application window you will be ahead of more than two-thirds of applicants.

 

[hannah04]

Looking for input on how long you usually spend per application?

I usually take at least a week or two, and up to 3 weeks on some applications which have had 4-5 questions. I've had 2 successful vac scheme apps last year but also a tonne of rejections, so now I am reconsidering my strategy of taking a long long time to research the firm and make sure every question is perfectly answered, and whether I need to find strategies to be more efficient - so curious how long you usually spend on each app?