TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Has anyone here done BCLP’s AC for the vac scheme in the past 2 years?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you so much! Just want to clarify your last point

Should I focus on discussing how AI is used by law firms for tasks like document review and predictive analytics, or how AI is used by candidates in the recruitment processes within these firms?

The question is asking you about the recruitment process, so your answer should focus on that.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Also, regarding Freshfields, does anyone know why they review applications in batches? Surely without looking at all of the applications they can't be certain if someone is 'worthy' of a WG/AC invite compared to all the other applicants

Volume. One person can’t review all the applications so different people will be working to different timescales, and if one person did screen all of them, they’d have to do it in batches to keep themselves sane.

They have a scoring system and will mark candidates against that. Candidates that meet their benchmark will be invited to the next stage and that’s actually likely to be fairly stable/predictable.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Please explain your motivations for pursuing a career as a commercial solicitor and why you think Norton Rose Fulbright would be a good match for you (750 words) - should this be answered as a cover letter e.g. dear grad rec... i am a 2nd year law student at x uni... thank u for considering my app etc.?

No need to put this in a cover letter format. You can just start with your opening paragraph.

 

[Jessica Booker]

i reached out to grad rec after submitting an application and made a typo in my email (none in my app itself though) -- is this going to leave a bad taste in grad rec's mouth and send my app straight into the bin? 😭😭😭

They probably didn’t even spot it.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do people prepare for group exercises?
If so, how?

I personally don’t think you can prepare unless you are told the topic of the exercise, and then your prep will be on the topic rather than the exercise itself

 

[Jessica Booker]

My W&C cover letter is about 850 words (1.6 pages). its written extremely concisely and I am really reluctant to cut down more since I think its really good and really links to the firm. However, is this excessively long to the point where it will get rejected for length alone? I know the recommend length is a page (400-600 words). Not sure what to do..

Seen successful W&C letters that are more than 850 words. I wouldn’t worry about this if it is still concise and well structured

 

[bw1012]

Withers test invite! If anyone has any advice I'd be hugely grateful!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I was told that the W&C cover letter should not exceed 1k words. I wrote 950 words for my cover letter, which in hindsight, I regret not shortening. Do you think it is possible that it will be rejected based on that alone?

No - you are within the limit you have been told. You will not be rejected because of the number of words you wrote.

 

[law2022x]

Does anyone know what Jones Day cares about the most application-wise? Are they very academic? I am completing my application for the Summer VS right now and I would like to know whether or not doing their Forage programme will benefit my application. Is it bad if I don't do it given the form has a section where they explicitly ask if you have?

 

[saj2002]

How long after sending app does Mayer Brown test come through?

a few days (like 5)

 

[eleven14og]

Would law firms prioritise external applicants for their vac scheme? I am currently contracting at a firm so cannot go the internal TC route. Having a hard time deciding whether to apply for VS or TC.

 

[Legalstalker]

Withers test invite! If anyone has any advice I'd be hugely grateful!

WELL DONE!!

Is this automatic and are they rolling? I’ve done half my application but quite unsure…

 

[JoannaAHA]

Guys if you botch one VI question COMPLETELY (I literally apologised midway through!!!), but think you did okay in the other questions, is it an instant PFO 😭😭💔

 

[Legalstalker]

Guys if you botch one VI question COMPLETELY (I literally apologised midway through!!!), but think you did okay in the other questions, is it an instant PFO 😭😭💔

I have no advice for you so I’m sorry but to make you feel better I did a VI for Simmons WVS a few months back and farted whilst talking (quite loud).…. I tried to continue but started to laugh😭 I didn’t have time to say sorry. I don’t think grad rec found it funny as I was unsurprisingly unsuccessful! Got invite to apply again through 10K interns did my VI a few weeks ago and I think it went much smoother but its Never a PFO until they tell you😁 good luck!

 

[JoannaAHA]

I have no advice for you so I’m sorry but to make you feel better I did a VI for Simmons WVS a few months back and farted whilst talking (quite loud).…. I tried to continue but started to laugh😭 I didn’t have time to say sorry. I don’t think grad rec found it funny as I was unsurprisingly unsuccessful! Got invite to apply again through 10K interns did my VI a few weeks ago and I think it went much smoother but its Never a PFO until they tell you😁 good luck!

Hahahahahaha omg!!! I would've let that slide clearly HR don't have a sense of humour 🤣

 

[Anaros]

Does anyone know if Linklaters will inform both successful and unsuccessful candidates for Vacation Schemes (23/24). Mine is still on hold. Thanks in advance.

 

[anon12]

Does anyone know if Linklaters will inform both successful and unsuccessful candidates for Vacation Schemes (23/24). Mine is still on hold. Thanks in advance.

Yeah they will, interviews are currently taking place this week and next week for those fast tracked so youll probably know the outcome by next week latest.

 

[BM99]

No idea why firms seem to respond so slow this cycle… has been quite a few days of dead silence

 

[danturner]

How long is the Mills and Reeve assessment? Is an hour long enough to complete it? Thank you!