TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Asil Ahmad]

If it’s a family member it’s unlikely they will ask for proof of the circumstance (as it’s not your information) but may ask for your academic institution to provide some form of reference that they knew about the circumstances instead.

Thank you for this and did not know about this so thank you for the clarification on this.

 

[Ash2323]

This year I’m doing about 7 but I think it really depends on you as a person and how you work + circumstances ) last year I did loads and got PFOs v early on for each firm, whereas this year I’ve gotten further for everything having spent more time on each one. I work full time so hard to balance but I found that’s the way that works best for me on top of that !

I am also aiming for the same amount and sometimes it feels like its not enough but ive been putting time into apps plus also juggling a full time job! Glad to hear from someone else in the same boat

 

[Ash2323]

General question: what does a firm do if many applicants reach the WG benchmark? Do they prioritise those doing the test earlier to later sucessful applicants?

 

[lawstudent0303]

have there been any pfos for linklaters spring vac scheme?

 

[lawtab]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if Latham’s test had a benchmark score to meet in order to progress to application review stage? Or are scores considered alongside applications?

I was thinking a benchmark may be the reason for the wave of PFOs last week, as I completed the test on evening of 12th Dec and received a PFO two days later - surely they can’t have reviewed applications that fast?

Keeping fingers crossed for those who haven’t heard back from Latham, i’d take it as a good sign!🤞

 

[Izzy1026]

have there been any pfos for linklaters spring vac scheme?

No but expecting one 🤣

 

[Aaj03]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if Latham’s test had a benchmark score to meet in order to progress to application review stage? Or are scores considered alongside applications?

I was thinking a benchmark may be the reason for the wave of PFOs last week, as I completed the test on evening of 12th Dec and received a PFO two days later - surely they can’t have reviewed applications that fast?

Keeping fingers crossed for those who haven’t heard back from Latham, i’d take it as a good sign!🤞

Yes, there is a benchmark that needs to be met.

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Can anyone confirm whether this is correct for TLT’s TC/VS ACs?

 

[laby201]

Yes, there is a benchmark that needs to be met.

How do they determine benchmarks with SJTs?

Where you have to rank 5 scenarios in terms of what you're most likely to do to least likely, do they have a "correct" list which they compare it to and whoever gets the closest to that hits the benchmark?

 

[ADKM]

I am also aiming for the same amount and sometimes it feels like its not enough but ive been putting time into apps plus also juggling a full time job! Glad to hear from someone else in the same boat

I’m in the same boat. Juggling applications with a full time job and spending a considerable amount of time on each application yet still keep getting rejected at the first stage (barring cms where I flopped the wg). Have absolutely no idea how these firms evaluate apps

 

[pb15]

has anyone heard back post-VI from CMS?

 

[Bubbles]

Hey, what was the test like. I am trying to prep but have no idea on what to expect. Also, CONGRATS ON THE INVITE!!!

Hey thanks, it was sjt+Watson Glaser+ some attention to detail
Good luck!

 

[lawyerletsgo]

can u have a sheet of rules uve made urself to help guide u when doing the online assessments?

 

[lawtab]

How do they determine benchmarks with SJTs?

Where you have to rank 5 scenarios in terms of what you're most likely to do to least likely, do they have a "correct" list which they compare it to and whoever gets the closest to that hits the benchmark?

I’d assume so - maybe they got people at the firm to take the test and use that for comparison? But I feel like the whole point of a SJT is that there isn’t a correct answer as it’s dependent on the person.

If I’d known there was a benchmark to meet I probably would have tried to answer in the way the firm would want me to as opposed to answering honestly. But that kinda defeats the point of a SJT doesn’t it.

 

[Amehta1]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if Latham’s test had a benchmark score to meet in order to progress to application review stage? Or are scores considered alongside applications?

I was thinking a benchmark may be the reason for the wave of PFOs last week, as I completed the test on evening of 12th Dec and received a PFO two days later - surely they can’t have reviewed applications that fast?

Keeping fingers crossed for those who haven’t heard back from Latham, i’d take it as a good sign!🤞

The thing is many people didn’t realise that if you go on legal cheek it says the firm does have an A level minimum but it doesn’t mention that on the website. My friend who applied got a PFO 2 days after the deadline too but because she didn’t realise her A level grades didn’t meet their minimum. I’m not sure how accurate the legal cheek information is but it definitely could be a reason for the extremely fast rejections.

 

[axelbeugre]

Cleary is requesting an academic transcript as part of their vacation scheme application - anyone know if they only want your university transcript or do we have to include A-level and GCSE transcripts as well?

I don't currently have access to transcripts for my A-level and GCSE exams, although I do my have my certificates. I've emailed them regarding this issue, but I'm not sure how quick their response will be.

@Jessica Booker, I would really appreciate some insight on this.

I applied to the firm last year and got an assessment centre too and they want your high school grades too yes! I submitted my A-Level equivalent, not GCSE though, however I am an international student (for context). I am sure they will try and reply promptly, but I think that your certificates may be enough (as long as they state the grades you have received.

 

[saj2002]

Hi @Jessica Booker , I'm currently finishing up my Hogan Lovells app and have a question about the Secondary Education section. I'm an international student, completed the IB Diploma (which I put down in the Sixth Form section), however I didn't do GCSEs or equivalent programme when I was 14-16 years old. I went to school (14-16 were my first two years of high school, 9th and 10th grade) and have grades available for those years, but it was just my high school's curriculum with subjects like Physical Education, Art, Biology etc. that I did as opposed to a more standardised programme or something. Do I put those marks down that I got for my finals in grades 9 and 10, or do I click on 'I did not undertake studies between ages 14-16 years'?

I am in the same exact situation. I asked a few firms what their approaches were to not having GCSE results (the likes of Simmons, Forsters, Mishcon and Trowers), and they all said that they mostly didn't look at GCSE results and told me to input blanks if the spaces needed to be filled to move on. I added my World History grade as it is a standardized test similar to GCSEs, but that's it.

 

[clo224455]

Have they sent them out? I completed mine earlier this week and I've not been sent anything?

No I don't think so, was just curious.

 

[Manuchelsout]

Just did simmons test and that was long as had to take multiple breaks

 

[Petallove1]

can u have a sheet of rules uve made urself to help guide u when doing the online assessments?

Most of the time yes ) however some tests make it so you can’t minimise the screen on your computer during the test/leave the page to prevent cheating, sharing answers etc. (I think this is the case a lot of the time for WG especially) - there’s nothing wrong with printing out a set of helpful guidelines or examples and using them to help you work through each answer as that’s just a method that works for u !!