TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[crt1s]

Does Baker's assessment include a VI?

 

[Connfc12]

Can I just ask how you know? the email they sent said its just a research exercise and presentation, and we basically did a watson glacer test for the previous stage

"This half-day session runs virtually and involves a commercial exercise and a Watson Glaser test (an aptitude test which assesses your critical thinking ability). These exercises allow us to find out more about your communication skills, commercial understanding and problem solving ability."
Taken from their website, hope this helps👍

 

[Tonye]

Congratulations on your interview! Can I ask when you applied?

Thank you ! I applied in November

 

[Tonye]

I applied for summer and haven't heard back post app. Did you apply for spring?

I applied for summer

 

[J53]

For a in-person AC, are you generally allowed to bring in pre-written notes? Also, will you be able to write notes during the AC day itself (written exercise/case study/partner interview etc)?

What sort of notes do you want to bring in?

 

[LLB0711]

Has anyone done the Willkie written exercise?

 

[lawstudent15]

What sort of notes do you want to bring in?

Like notes about the firm, some bullet points for questions like why law etc

 

[futuretrainee2025]

Can I just ask how you know? the email they sent said its just a research exercise and presentation, and we basically did a watson glacer test for the previous stage

oh wait, now I'm confused. The email only mentions research but the website says both. Does anyone know?

 

[futuretrainee2025]

Like notes about the firm, some bullet points for questions like why law etc

I personally wouldn't as it makes your answers seem ungenuine. If you have to read notes on why you want to work in commercial law, its less convincing then someone who can fluently express their reasons. Just my opinion

 

[amy2602]

Clyde & Co PFO. I was told in my rejection email to apply again in in 12 months and that it was my Cappfinity assessment that 'didn't quite hit the mark' for their benchmark.
So far all i've received is PFO's and im in my second year at uni- do we think that the lack of vacation scheme acceptances can have a bad impact on applications next year and make it harder for me to secure a training contract? I'm really starting to stress out ://///////
Does anyone also have any advice/been in a similar situation ?

 

[NW Law]

Like notes about the firm, some bullet points for questions like why law etc

I personally wouldn't as it makes your answers seem ungenuine. If you have to read notes on why you want to work in commercial law, its less convincing then someone who can fluently express their reasons. Just my opinion

I am going to softly disagree with the above post (of course acknowledging it is just an opinion!). I will say as a caveat, I am probably slightly different due to being neurodivergent so it helps me as a prewarning! However, I have found for all my ACs - I have asked whether it would be appropriate/okay for me to bring in my CV to hand, some prompts and notes, and reference points I can use mid-interview. I have never received a negative response to that (in fact, I have had one interviewer feedback who said it seemed like I was incredibly well-prepared!). But I do think it depends. Although I have that information to hand, I may quickly take a look but I will deliver an answer that is quite coherent while building rapport with interviewers. So, I would say it is fine to do - but - only if you know you're not going to spend about 30 seconds looking at the paper before issuing a response to a question.

Good luck!

 

[axelbeugre]

I’ve seen conflicting thoughts about this, but is it ill-advised to mention pro bono as a motivation for “why this firm?”

I’m genuinely drawn to the firm’s pro bono practice, the fact they have a pro bono secondment, and a particular initiative. It does seem like a “big” part of the firm.

However, others have said to focus more on culture and work and pro bono is a weak point because all firms offer it in some way.

It would be my last of three points so far from my main reason but would you stray from this and find alternative points?

Tagging @Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre as figured you might know!

I think it is totally fine to mention it as your last reason, I used it plenty of time myself when I was applying and it worked. For my Gibson interview, they actually were impressed by the amount of research I have done based on something I said about pro bono which is not advertised anywhere so it helped me massively. I would say it is definitely something you can mention provided it makes sense to what you want to say about the firm and you link it back to you explaining why it is important to you.

 

[wannabesheridansmith]

Addleshaw Goddard assessment centre invite 🎉
GLASGOW/EDINBURGH | SUMMER VS | APPLIED 01/01/24 | VIDEO INTERVIEW 05/01/24

 

[bella98]

Like notes about the firm, some bullet points for questions like why law etc

If it helps you definitely can, I’ve seen candidates bring them in

And yes, you’re definitely allowed to take notes for the case study interview during your prep time - you then go into the interview with your notes and it’s advisable that you take good notes so you can present or work through the case study effectively. You’re also allowed to take notes for the written exercise if you want to structure your thoughts before writing

But for interviews like the partner interview which is more motivational/competency-based, I don’t think it’s advisable to take notes e.g. write the questions down

 

[futuretrainee2025]

I am going to softly disagree with the above post (of course acknowledging it is just an opinion!). I will say as a caveat, I am probably slightly different due to being neurodivergent so it helps me as a prewarning! However, I have found for all my ACs - I have asked whether it would be appropriate/okay for me to bring in my CV to hand, some prompts and notes, and reference points I can use mid-interview. I have never received a negative response to that (in fact, I have had one interviewer feedback who said it seemed like I was incredibly well-prepared!). But I do think it depends. Although I have that information to hand, I may quickly take a look but I will deliver an answer that is quite coherent while building rapport with interviewers. So, I would say it is fine to do - but - only if you know you're not going to spend about 30 seconds looking at the paper before issuing a response to a question.

Good luck!

I've never taken the initiative to ask! I think this makes sense with commercial answers particularly. If asked on the spot where I'd invest a million £ (real question btw lol) I'd want a second to think and gather my thoughts.

 

[yasmars]

Addleshaw Goddard assessment centre invite 🎉
GLASGOW/EDINBURGH | SUMMER VS | APPLIED 01/01/24 | VIDEO INTERVIEW 05/01/24

You are on a roll, well done!

 

[law2022x]

Clyde & Co PFO. I was told in my rejection email to apply again in in 12 months and that it was my Cappfinity assessment that 'didn't quite hit the mark' for their benchmark.
So far all i've received is PFO's and im in my second year at uni- do we think that the lack of vacation scheme acceptances can have a bad impact on applications next year and make it harder for me to secure a training contract? I'm really starting to stress out ://///////
Does anyone also have any advice/been in a similar situation ?

Sorry about your situation, I know how you feel. Lots of firms do offer winter schemes with some only open to graduates or finalists so you still have a chance to get one to start immediately after graduation. But honestly lots of law students get TCs after graduation so it’s ok to do be a paralegal or something else until you get one. You will eventually get one but there is no timeline, don’t feel like you are behind, lots of trainees are in their mid to late 20s.

 

[Legalstalker]

Addleshaw Goddard assessment centre invite 🎉
GLASGOW/EDINBURGH | SUMMER VS | APPLIED 01/01/24 | VIDEO INTERVIEW 05/01/24

Wow congratulations!! how many AC’s have you got this cycle now? 😅

 

[VacayScheme]

Freshfields VS!! I thought I tanked literally every element of it😭. So shocked

 

[wannabesheridansmith]

Wow congratulations!! how many AC’s have you got this cycle now? 😅

Thank you! This is somehow number 4 and they're all taking place within one week so I'm considering having to turn 1 down to try manage which is a really privileged thing to be able to do, but also so risky as they could all go awful 🫠