TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[aspiringlawyer47]

I did my VI on 7th October and haven't heard back, have you heard back since posting?

Hey! What kind of questions did they ask you?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Anyone heard back from PWC following VI?

Hey! What kind of questions did they ask you?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Has anyone applied to PWC? Any VI invites?

I got mine on Monday

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Does anyone have any insight into the PWC Vi? ( Please PM me)

Please let me know if anyone PMs you

 

[gilo]

Hey @gilo,

The way I had approached it last year when I was applying to places like Goodwin or Dentons who use Vantage was writing my work experience from the most recent to the oldest one. So, start with the ones you have recently completed all the way down to the ones you have done when you were younger. That worked for me as I did not have any issues and managed to progress to the next stages of the application with the two firms I mentioned.

I hope this helps and good luck with the cycle!

Thanks 🙏

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, got a general question about answering the " why this firm answer"

Is it helpful to talk about some of modules you have studied as law student, and link that to why you are interested in certain areas that a law firm specialices in. I do understand that there is a huge difference between studying law at uni and actually working in a legal field, but i think it could be used to show a gerneral understanding of a particular sector (to be backed up with evidence of further research).

@Jessica Booker

I don’t think this needs to be any more than something along the lines of “Having enjoyed X module at university, I am interested in Y practice area” and then really going into more specific detail about why that practice area at that specific firm would work well for you.

 

[Jessica Booker]

for questions like 'Tell me more about yourself/ can you introduce yourself?', do interviewers expect you to give answers about your career motivations and experiences or answers like my hobbies that are something more personal?

They aren’t expecting anything in particular but only for you to identify a small number of things that make you unique/stand out from other candidates. For some candidates that might be more motivational based, for others it might be their hobbies. Really think about your USPs.

 

[Aga123+]

How recent should a 'recent situation where you faced a challenge or problem' be? I'm thinking of an example from 2019 - Is this too long ago to be recent?

(@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre)

 

[Jessica Booker]

How recent should a 'recent situation where you faced a challenge or problem' be? I'm thinking of an example from 2019 - Is this too long ago to be recent?

(@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre)

Given they explicitly state “recent”, I would try to find something in the last 12 months.

 

[Tintin06]

I applied to the Macfarlanes Vac Scheme and was asked to do an online assessment. This is the third time I've applied but all previous incidents have resulted in an outright PFO with no request to do an assessment. Has Macfarlanes changed their application process this year from previous years, so all applicants are now required to complete the online test?

Yes. I did this too. I think everyone gets it as my application could have been a lot better.

 

[lawapplicant]

Yes. I did this too. I think everyone gets it as my application could have been a lot better.

Macfarlane's test is sent to everyone. This is a change from last year where there was no test and after the app stage it was straight to interview for successful applicants.

 

[ruetorubble]

Hi! Long time lurker and honestly still intimidated by TCLA. I recently got a Dechert invite for the pre-recorded video interview round + written exercise. It's my first time doing a written exercise and I am very nervous.

I have been reading Christopher Stoakes' book "All You Need To Know About The City" and it has been really helpful with jargon busting! I really want to improve my knowledge in terms of preparing for interviews, written assessments, case studies, and assessment days. I feel like I have a decent grasp of how to write good applications, so I want to hone in on written assessments and case studies.

I have seen some recommendations on Jake Schogger's books, but he has so many of them and I have limited time and resources. I was wondering if anyone could recommend, if I had to pick one to complement my knowledge from Stoakes' book, which one to get? "Commercial Law Handbook" seems generally quite good, "Application, Interview & Internship Handbook" seems quite focused on application writing so may be limited in my specific goals, "Training Contract Handbook" is quite expensive but the chapters on trainee's role, M&A and transaction documents seem quite helpful.

Any pointers and recommendations would be appreciated! This is my second proper application cycle and I'm studying the SQE in February.

 

[chikajessica]

Hi! Long time lurker and honestly still intimidated by TCLA. I recently got a Dechert invite for the pre-recorded video interview round + written exercise. It's my first time doing a written exercise and I am very nervous.

I have been reading Christopher Stoakes' book "All You Need To Know About The City" and it has been really helpful with jargon busting! I really want to improve my knowledge in terms of preparing for interviews, written assessments, case studies, and assessment days. I feel like I have a decent grasp of how to write good applications, so I want to hone in on written assessments and case studies.

I have seen some recommendations on Jake Schogger's books, but he has so many of them and I have limited time and resources. I was wondering if anyone could recommend, if I had to pick one to complement my knowledge from Stoakes' book, which one to get? "Commercial Law Handbook" seems generally quite good, "Application, Interview & Internship Handbook" seems quite focused on application writing so may be limited in my specific goals, "Training Contract Handbook" is quite expensive but the chapters on trainee's role, M&A and transaction documents seem quite helpful.

Any pointers and recommendations would be appreciated! This is my second proper application cycle and I'm studying the SQE in February.

Hi, I actually have 'Commercial Law Handbook'. I would say it's super helpful in that it covers both commercial awareness and interview prep. For commercial awareness, it goes into detail about how law firms make profit, how contracts are formed, the process of starting and growing a business, the anatomy of an acquisition, etc. It also looks at financial statements like balance sheets which you might be given during an AC. As for interview prep, there's a section dedicated specifically to different stages of an AC, like team presentations or negotiation exercises. All in all, I would recommend because it covers the breadth of the entire application process!

 

[Legalstalker]

Hi, for anyone that’s taken HL WG if you don’t pass the benchmark do you get an automatic email saying you've been unsuccessful?

 

[Lawyerwithadream]

Hi, for anyone that’s taken HL WG if you don’t pass the benchmark do you get an automatic email saying you've been unsuccessful?

No. You will need to email GR and request your score

 

[lawapplicant]

When people say they have 'self-studied' for the SQE, does that mean they've sat the exams without a prep course?

 

[emilyding]

Hey @emilyding, here are my tips:

1. Divide your answer in three parts: what you think you can get out of the day in terms of understanding the nature of the work that the firm does; be exposed to the culture of the firm; get to know trainees, associates and partners and their journeys that brought them to the firm. This structure, in my opinion, is helpful as it allows you to express why you are interested in the firm and explain the benefits you would gain from attending in a way that does sound genuine and enthusiastic. When I was applying to open days/insight days last year, I used to utilise this structure all the time and I was always successful in my applications.
2. Make sure to relate your reasons why you think the open day will benefit you to yourself and your interests in the legal profession. I personally believe that it is paramount to show that there is a connection between wanting to know more about the firm, its work, its lawyers and yourself, your values and your overall goals. This will be quintessential to make your answer personal to you and unique. Remember that a lot of people are applying to open days and the most important thing that you have to show is uniqueness in your application (other than the interest to the firm and its work of course).

I hope these tips are helpful and good luck with the application!

Thank you for your tips! That's really helpful for me.

Also do you have any tips when applying for US law firm? Like how should I address my interest in applying them instead of UK law firm? Could I talk about the salary etc?

@axelbeugre

 

[Untilwinter]

When are ACs held for most spring schemes?

 

[Jessica Booker]

When people say they have 'self-studied' for the SQE, does that mean they've sat the exams without a prep course?

I would assume this is the case. There are self study materials out there.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for your tips! That's really helpful for me.

Also do you have any tips when applying for US law firm? Like how should I address my interest in applying them instead of UK law firm? Could I talk about the salary etc?

@axelbeugre

I would avoid salary for any firm. It may be a reason for applying but it isn’t going to be something that actually makes you enjoy the work that you do, and salaries can be similar across US firms, so you are not really explaining why specifically that firm, just high paying US firms more broadly.