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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

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tcplease2345

Valued Member
Feb 6, 2024
112
144
I'm not entirely sure but I'd imagine they're considered holistically? If you've performed well on two of the questions, unless the competition was really fierce, it would seem harsh to penalise you if one answer was weaker. Stuttering and repetition is normal (if expected) in a VI because they're unnatural. As long as there was substance to your answer and it was structured well, you probably did better than you think :)

However, I don't think your application comes into it at this stage. You've got through the VI based on the strength of your application so believe the VI is determined on its own merit. Please correct me if I'm wrong on this though!
From what I know the application is not considered.
 

EqualityNonNegotiable

Distinguished Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Nov 1, 2023
70
148
I’m 99% sure it’s to do with when you submitted the VI, just to keep clear communication with the candidates, I think it could even be an automated one as mine was sent about 2 weeks after I submitted! I don’t think it has anything to do with if you’ve progressed or not!
I'm not sure this is correct. I submitted my VI in February yet there are people who did theirs in December and haven't received the holding email. That said, I think it could simply mean they've now reviewed the VI and made their decision either way.
 

axelbeugre

Legendary Member
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Junior Lawyer
Sep 14, 2023
1,273
1,723
When should I expect to hear back post-AC if the vac scheme is rolling?
It depends on the law firm to be honest, with some law firms I heard back two hours after, some people 2 weeks after the final interview with other firms so it is very firm dependent I would say.

But realistically, 1/2 weeks on average I think.
 
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laby201

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Jan 28, 2021
277
795
Sorry I’m confused, where is the contradiction exactly?
I don’t think anyone wants to see this debate to continue anymore, especially because you’re ignoring pretty sound advice, but I think you’re getting confused.

No one is disputing that W&C aren’t competitors with all other US firms. To a degree, all City law firms compete against each other. However, if you were asked in an interview who W&C’s competitors were and your answer was “all US firms”, I can almost guarantee that interviewers would not be impressed. It shows a serious lack of critical thinking and depth, just like if you were asked who Freshfields’ competitors were and you said “all of the MC”. It just isn’t the case when in many regards, HSF or Hogan Lovells will be considered bigger competitors.

I’d say Latham is probably W&C’s biggest competitor but that’s not purely because it’s a US firm, it’s because it’s clearly the firm W&C aspires to be by making its London office its biggest, rather than a satellite office like most US firms in London. It also is increasing its work in the corporate/capital markets sphere like Latham. Skadden is worth a mention too.

However, you wouldn’t say somewhere like Orrick is a bigger competitor than W&C than Clifford Chance, say, who excel in capital markets, insolvency, and other areas that W&C specialises in. If you’re focusing on energy and projects, which W&C is known for, Norton Rose would be a far bigger competitor than Paul Hastings for W&C.

It’s a nuanced answer. It’s fine to say a US firm, like Latham, if you can back it up. Saying Morgan Lewis, Orrick, and Weil are competitors solely because they’re US firms, while ignoring a firm like NRF, who is arguably a bigger competitor, won’t get you far.

Now let’s end this debate here. If you don’t want to take the advice, that’s your choice!
 
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mfuturetrainee

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
  • Sep 21, 2021
    346
    801
    I don’t think anyone wants to see this debate continue anymore, especially because you’re ignoring pretty sound advice, but I think you’re getting confused.

    No one is disputing that W&C aren’t competitors with all other US firms. To a degree, all City law firms compete against each other. However, if you were asked in an interview who W&C’s competitors were and your answer was “all US firms”, I can almost guarantee that interviewers would not be impressed. It shows a serious lack of critical thinking and depth, just like if you were asked who Freshfields’ competitors were and you said “all of the MC”. It just isn’t the case when in many regards, HSF or Hogan Lovells will be considered bigger competitors.

    I’d say Latham is probably W&C’s biggest competitor but that’s not purely because it’s a US firm, it’s because it’s clearly the firm W&C aspires to be by making its London office its biggest, rather than a satellite office like most US firms in London. It also is increasing its work in the corporate/capital markets sphere like Latham. Skadden is worth a mention too.

    However, you wouldn’t say somewhere like Orrick is a bigger competitor than W&C than Clifford Chance, say, who excel in capital markets, insolvency, and other areas that W&C specialises in. If you’re focusing on energy and projects, which W&C is known for, Norton Rose would be a far bigger competitor than Paul Hastings for W&C.

    It’s a nuanced answer. It’s fine to say a US firm, like Latham, if you can back it up. Saying Morgan Lewis, Orrick, and Weil are competitors solely because they’re US firms, while ignoring a firm like NRF, who is arguably a bigger competitor, won’t get you far.

    Now let’s end this debate here. If you don’t want to take the advice, that’s your choice!
    word im waiting for updates on firms and all the notifs i get is about this debate going on from yday 😭 please start a new forum guys, the rest of us jus wanna know if we’re getting rejected or not, leave us be xo
     

    EqualityNonNegotiable

    Distinguished Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Nov 1, 2023
    70
    148
    Sorry I’m confused, where is the contradiction exactly?
    "Just because they try to target different audiences, brand themselves differently, price their cars differently etc."

    That's like saying a fine dining restaurant competes with McDonald's because they both have burgers on the menu.

    I don't want to restart this debate so, please just read other comments and reflect. Good luck with the applications!
     

    TurnbullBR

    Standard Member
  • Jan 4, 2024
    6
    12
    W&C VI invite last night just before 9pm. Even if I pass, I just realised am still a further stage away from actually meeting someone in person......that is a bit soul destroying.

    I've applied to approximately 20 firms, with 9/10 applications still live (either upcoming interviews/AC's or still waiting to hear back post-app).

    Out of curiosity, I'd be interested to speak to anyone who has explored training with a boutique firm, particularly one which specialises in disputes/contentious work.
     
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    impostersyndrome

    Standard Member
    Nov 12, 2023
    6
    9
    I don’t think anyone wants to see this debate to continue anymore, especially because you’re ignoring pretty sound advice, but I think you’re getting confused.

    No one is disputing that W&C aren’t competitors with all other US firms. To a degree, all City law firms compete against each other. However, if you were asked in an interview who W&C’s competitors were and your answer was “all US firms”, I can almost guarantee that interviewers would not be impressed. It shows a serious lack of critical thinking and depth, just like if you were asked who Freshfields’ competitors were and you said “all of the MC”. It just isn’t the case when in many regards, HSF or Hogan Lovells will be considered bigger competitors.

    I’d say Latham is probably W&C’s biggest competitor but that’s not purely because it’s a US firm, it’s because it’s clearly the firm W&C aspires to be by making its London office its biggest, rather than a satellite office like most US firms in London. It also is increasing its work in the corporate/capital markets sphere like Latham. Skadden is worth a mention too.

    However, you wouldn’t say somewhere like Orrick is a bigger competitor than W&C than Clifford Chance, say, who excel in capital markets, insolvency, and other areas that W&C specialises in. If you’re focusing on energy and projects, which W&C is known for, Norton Rose would be a far bigger competitor than Paul Hastings for W&C.

    It’s a nuanced answer. It’s fine to say a US firm, like Latham, if you can back it up. Saying Morgan Lewis, Orrick, and Weil are competitors solely because they’re US firms, while ignoring a firm like NRF, who is arguably a bigger competitor, won’t get you far.

    Now let’s end this debate here. If you don’t want to take the advice, that’s your choice!
    Why are y'all responding, this person just got y'all to answer an interview question for them by instigating your intense need to correct ppl 😂😂😂
     

    laby201

    Legendary Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 28, 2021
    277
    795
    Why are y'all responding, this person just got y'all to answer an interview question for them by instigating your intense need to correct ppl 😂😂😂
    It’s not an “intense need to correct people”. The exact point of my response (and others who have replied) is to help give an answer to an interview question or at least inspire one. This is a forum designed to help people and provide advice on answers because it’s an extremely tough process that we’re all going through. If you can help someone have a better interview answer/understand a topic, that’s a positive and the whole point of why we’re all here: to get support in this community.

    If the OP doesn’t want to take the advice, that’s their prerogative, doesn’t mean we won’t give it. It’s a forum designed to help others, so there’s no need to be rude. Given we’re all in a tough spot, this forum can make your eyes roll at times with attitudes like this.
     
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