TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[LegallyBrown]

Literally.

I am not going to respond on the Ropes & Gray chat anymore because I honestly cannot deal with another “beat around the bush” answer from the firm that does not make any logical sense regardless of how they spin it.

I am 100% convinced that this decision has been formed off the back of one of their graduate recruitment team saying “how do we reduce applications because it’s taking a long time for us to review them, boo us”

I remember thinking highly of the firm and their vision for their recruitment practices, back when they had a smaller team and in fact had an amazing conversation with the manager where we actually spoke on this particular point. I am disappointed by the U-turn - not just for me, but what this basically means for those that invested in their own studies.

Boo them, their loss guys.

Good luck to those who can apply though (the salary is great, and their meeting rooms have American candy in them - as for business strategy - I’ll leave that open to interpretation).

Scratch that, I responded.

LPC graduates deserve better.

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker

If you are told you’d hear an outcome in 7 working days from today but the 7th day is Christmas Day do I assume the firm would be closed throughout Christmas week and I won’t hear back until January?

In addition if an interviewer speaks about the AC and next steps does that mean I’ve done well or is that just a mandatory thing to say. (I am a huge over thinker) 😭

I would not look too much into it and focus on the fact that you have done the interview and should be very proud of yourself! If they said 7 working days, I am assuming they mean before Christmas, otherwise I would assume you would hear back in January. Either way, try to focus on other applications or enjoy your vacation and do not think about what happened or when you are going to receive the feedback.

I am a huge over-thinker as well and I used to do the same things but going out with friends, talking to my family back home and listening to music/podcasts everyday and everytime really helped me distract me everytime when I was applying, so I would recommend doing that.

Good luck with the process and sending you positive vibes!

 

[Zaakir]

I got through to interview / AC stage for W&C WVS and after a rejection they said they "advise only making one application per recruitment cycle"

same- did you get feedback?

 

[Legalstalker]

Judgements welcome 😭

I just stumbled across my cover letter for Slaughter and May first year scheme a few years ago, I think I’ve come a long way since then although they rejected me this year 🤣🤣

“Why me? Why I should be chosen to be a part of a world leading law firm as yourself slaughter and may, well I will explain why. Throughout school I didn't get straight A*'s or A'S but what i did get is a fun personality.”

 

[mfuturetrainee]

Judgements welcome 😭

I just stumbled across my cover letter for Slaughter and May first year scheme a few years ago, I think I’ve come a long way since then although they rejected me this year 🤣🤣

“Why me? Why I should be chosen to be a part of a world leading law firm as yourself slaughter and may, well I will explain why. Throughout school I didn't get straight A*'s or A'S but what i did get is a fun personality.”

theres no way i could be GR, cause from that alone I would have let u thru

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker

If you are told you’d hear an outcome in 7 working days from today but the 7th day is Christmas Day do I assume the firm would be closed throughout Christmas week and I won’t hear back until January?

In addition if an interviewer speaks about the AC and next steps does that mean I’ve done well or is that just a mandatory thing to say. (I am a huge over thinker) 😭

Yes - I would expect an outcome in the new year, and I’d wait until the 3 or 4 January before chasing.

No - that is a standard part of an interview where they will tell you next steps - they will say it to all candidates.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Could someone explain what Bates Wells are looking for with this question: "Please tell us about an outstanding personal achievement which added value to either your academic or working environment. When answering the question, please consider the Bates Wells values."?

I'm not sure whether added value means something that furthered academic/work success, or if they're looking for something which improved the general environment of a work/education setting (i.e. a society position that helped the student body more generally, a place on a network in a job etc).

Either of these approaches would work.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I was looking through the thread w/ Ropes & Gray Grad Recruitment (below) and saw that they won't accept applications from LPC students/graduates...it seems unnecessarily harsh and not logical (especially if individuals are willing to forfeit their exemption and do the entire SQE).

Has anyone emailed them to verify if this is the case or if this rep just got it wrong?

Ask Ropes & Gray Anything! Join Maya Shah to learn about applying to a leading transactional law firm

Hi Maya, Thanks for answering our questions. Could you please explain why this is the case. It doesn’t seem logical nor fair for candidates to be penalised simply because they completed the LPC, even if they are willing to do the SQE at a later time. I don’t know if I haven’t looked hard...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Just for clarity, you can’t forfeit your exemption - that is not for the firm to decide either. You get the exemption outright but a firm could ask you to complete a combined SQE1 and 2 prep course even if you technically didn’t need the SQE1 part (many will suggest it helps you with SQE2 anyway).

 

[Jessica Booker]

When talking about achievements, is it okay to talk about non-academic ones/what can actually be considered as an achievement? Apologies for the very broad question but if anyone has any examples, I would appreciate it!

Yes, you can include non-academic achievements.

Consider it to be anything where you have had impact outside of the norm or outside what you were expected to do (if in employment/education). For instance, you could have received an “employee of the month” type of award at work; you could have raised a certain amount of money for charity; you could have increased membership for your university society; you could have won an award for a photography competition; you could have run a highly successful side hussle.

There are so many different things it could be (the above are just some examples). The things I wouldn’t include are general academic grades (saying you got a first is not really a distinctive achievement and will be evidenced in your form elsewhere anyway) or anything where you have just done you job (eg “submitted forms that led to our client being successful in court”).

 

[lawapplicant]

CMS VI

 

[CallumJR]

CMS VI

When did you apply?

+ Congrats on the VI!

 

[AspiringSolicitor95]

CMS VI

Same!

 

[AspiringSolicitor95]

When did you apply?

+ Congrats on the VI!

I applied a week after apps opened

 

[F12M34L]

Literally.

I am not going to respond on the Ropes & Gray chat anymore because I honestly cannot deal with another “beat around the bush” answer from the firm that does not make any logical sense regardless of how they spin it.

I am 100% convinced that this decision has been formed off the back of one of their graduate recruitment team saying “how do we reduce applications because it’s taking a long time for us to review them, boo us”

I remember thinking highly of the firm and their vision for their recruitment practices, back when they had a smaller team and in fact had an amazing conversation with the manager where we actually spoke on this particular point. I am disappointed by the U-turn - not just for me, but what this basically means for those that invested in their own studies.

Boo them, their loss guys.

Good luck to those who can apply though (the salary is great, and their meeting rooms have American candy in them - as for business strategy - I’ll leave that open to interpretation).

I don't know why but I feel like their answers on the chat are copied from Chatgpt.... even if someone is copying from there, atleast format it appropriately.. (tells you lot about the firm)

 

[axelbeugre]

CMS VI

Congratulations!

 

[lawyergirl]

Yes, you can include non-academic achievements.

Consider it to be anything where you have had impact outside of the norm or outside what you were expected to do (if in employment/education). For instance, you could have received an “employee of the month” type of award at work; you could have raised a certain amount of money for charity; you could have increased membership for your university society; you could have won an award for a photography competition; you could have run a highly successful side hussle.

There are so many different things it could be (the above are just some examples). The things I wouldn’t include are general academic grades (saying you got a first is not really a distinctive achievement and will be evidenced in your form elsewhere anyway) or anything where you have just done you job (eg “submitted forms that led to our client being successful in court”).

Thank you Jessica!

An additional question, are these sorts achievements not considered here then: for example, running a marathon or something, or learning a new language

 

[lawapplicant]

Mishcon rejection post VI

 

[lawapplicant]

When did you apply?

+ Congrats on the VI!

Few weeks before deadline

 

[Deleted member 31263]

Has anyone completed BCLP's first stage interview? How did you find it?

 

[crt1s]

CMS VI!