TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[ssssmme]

How long do people usually take to prep for
an AC?

 

[Heartofglass]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre hi, I have an application question to ask. I'm currently applying for a placement year and in the application form, there are 4 questions each with 500 words max. Should I max out the word limit in all four questions or keep it in the 300 words range? Thank you

 

[Futuretrainee!1!1]

I really don’t want to diminish anyone else’s achievements as know how hard people work, but what I find really difficult on here is when people post that they’re trying to decide between two VS offers or even being in the position to turn down one because of a clash with another.

I would kill for one VS. It’s my third cycle and I haven’t got one, yet I’ve seen people on here have multiple, then get an AC invite. I’ve seen someone on here with about 8 ACs this cycle alone.

I really don’t want to sound bitter or jealous but knowing people can seem to get a VS easily and are in the position to choose between offers while I can’t even get one after years just sucks.

this is so bitter

 

[CHLTC]

Hello All - had a technical question about AC written exercises and AC business case studies.

From peoples experience, how long have people had at ACs to read / answer these sections. What is a normal amount of time?

At my recent silver circle firm AC, we got 30 mins total for the written , 15 mins for the business case study (before then going in to chat with partners)

But I’ve heard places give an hour ! What’s the norm ?

 

[midnightsky990422]

oh my god that gateley update email made me think i had an AC

Omg same here!! Glad I wasn’t the only one ahaha

 

[ah898]

Hello All - had a technical question about AC written exercises and AC business case studies.

From peoples experience, how long have people had at ACs to read / answer these sections. What is a normal amount of time?

At my recent silver circle firm AC, we got 30 mins total for the written , 15 mins for the business case study (before then going in to chat with partners)

But I’ve heard places give an hour ! What’s the norm ?

I imagine there's no real 'norm' and it just changed firm by firm. I did a case study at a US firm and it was 15 minutes prep (but the information was only 1 and a half pages long). So its likely the longer it is the more information you are given to analyse. As for written exercises I did one at a big international firm and it was 65 minutes - so again likely to just change firm on firm.

 

[Seven]

Hello All - had a technical question about AC written exercises and AC business case studies.

From peoples experience, how long have people had at ACs to read / answer these sections. What is a normal amount of time?

At my recent silver circle firm AC, we got 30 mins total for the written , 15 mins for the business case study (before then going in to chat with partners)

But I’ve heard places give an hour ! What’s the norm ?

There is no normal amount of time. Some firms will have a case study that is 1-paged worth of information whereas some firms will have bundles of 10 pages to sort through. You can have anywhere between 15mins to an hour to read your case study exercise depending on the firm.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

this is so bitter

I really don't think it's fair to call the post bitter and the OP literally says that they know how hard people work/they don't want to diminish people's achievements.

I think their point was (which in my opinion is a valid one) that getting a VS seems to come far easier to some than others. In no way does that mean that people who have a VS or multiple haven't worked hard to get in that position, but if you spend hours and hours writing applications, prepping for interviews, have worked hard at university, and done everything else that would make you a "good" candidate, I feel it's fair if you get hurt by seeing people say they've secured yet another VS.

I've had one offer this year on my third cycle, and I know the effort that goes into that. I'm not saying you don't deserve success (and I hope everyone on the forum lands their dream offer), but I also do think the OP's post was a justified feeling. Imposter syndrome is very real in this process.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

How long do people usually take to prep for
an AC?

I think it really varies depending on how much time you have/what the AC entails.

I would say I spent about 4/5 days doing a few hours each day before mine, mostly to refresh on firm research and remembering competency questions

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre hi, I have an application question to ask. I'm currently applying for a placement year and in the application form, there are 4 questions each with 500 words max. Should I max out the word limit in all four questions or keep it in the 300 words range? Thank you

I would try to get at least to 400 words per answer as if they are asking for up to 500, I suspect they want fuller or more detailed/depth of analysis answers.

 

[karennnnnnnnn]

I am applying for a in-house role and there are three supporting questions but there is also space to add a cover letter, I was wondering if I should prepare a cover letter too? The supporting questions are asking for my interest in the company and what skills I have that are relevant. If I do include a cover letter how long should it be? And how do I make it different to the supporting question? @Jessica Booker

 

[lolololol]

does anyone know if you can apply for the cooley diversity fellowship as a second-year (law) student?

 

[bella98]

Should a law firm represent clients engaged in unethical practices? (note: unethical, not illegal)

How can I effectively tackle this type of ethical dilemma? I often struggle with these questions.


@axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

 

[s9111]

I still haven't heard back from Gibson Dunn or Cleary post-app for Summer Vac Schemes. Applied to both Nov/Dec. Should I assume a PFO for both?

 

[trainingcontract]

I still haven't heard back from Gibson Dunn or Cleary post-app for Summer Vac Schemes. Applied to both Nov/Dec. Should I assume a PFO for both?

me neither, assuming PFO but am very eager to be proven wrong

 

[deeja]

does anyone know if you can apply for the cooley diversity fellowship as a second-year (law) student?

I don’t think you can

 

[Jessica Booker]

What is the best way to tackle 'why you?' without boasting? I was told by a Partner at a firm who has worked as a partner in the past for some of the best law firms recently that I have alot of potential and was the kind of person that a specific firm looked for. My experiences were talked about a lot especially because of how fast I have managed to get certain roles and experiences but I feel weird bragging as I am somewhat reserved. How can I brag but not come across as self centred because prior to the 'meeting/session' I had confidence in myself but the behavior and what was said has made me realize that I am really not giving myself enough credit and that instead of 'why me?' I should be answering it as 'why not me?' @axelbeugre @Jessica Booker

i don’t agree that you should be pitching this as “why not me”. What specifically were you told by this partner to do?

 

[s9111]

does anyone know if you can apply for the cooley diversity fellowship as a second-year (law) student?

You can’t, unfortunately

 

[Givemeatcplease]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but when asked what practice areas you're interested in, if the firm has sectors, would that be considered different?

For instance, if I'm interested in the hospitality sector of a firm, that's different to a practice area? Would the practice areas just be the "legal services" part of the website, such as banking, competition, disputes, real estate etc?

Any insight would be appreciated @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

 

[Jessica Booker]

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but when asked what practice areas you're interested in, if the firm has sectors, would that be considered different?

For instance, if I'm interested in the hospitality sector of a firm, that's different to a practice area? Would the practice areas just be the "legal services" part of the website, such as banking, competition, disputes, real estate etc?

Any insight would be appreciated @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

Practice areas will be the different areas of law: corporate, finance, tax, employment, IP, real estate, etc.

While sectors will be the industries the clients work in: Finance, technology, media, hospitality, retail etc.

It is fine to present your interests in hospitality, but I would lead more with in your interest in the practice area first but then explain your interest is more sector led, and that you would like to work across practice areas but within more specific sectors (if that is how the firm works).