TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[tcplease2345]

Its just difficult overall.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

But small firms also received wide range of applications，I don‘t think silver circle has
a lower standard.

The MC will typically get far more applicants than other firms though, which is why they have more TCs. Wouldn't necessarily say it's a lower standard, but I also feel each MC firm looks for a very particular type of person.

It's why someone might receive a TC offer from 3 US firms but not even get past the written stage for MC firms. It's weird.

 

[holz567]

Someone please correct me if I'm being stupid, but is a full service law firm just a firm that has the main City practice areas (i.e. one that has a corporate, banking, employment, tax, real estate etc), rather than a specialist or niche firm (i.e. one that only specialises in family or criminal)?

 

[Jessica Booker]

What's the best approach to the question "if you could introduce a new law, what would it be"?

Would it be best to focus on the firm's practice areas or anything of interest? Any thoughts @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre?

I don’t think you have to focus on the firm’s practice areas - it could be something much more broader around policy that might just impact firms or their clients.

I would choose something that you have an opinion on and can rationalise your logic and thinking as to why that law is needed.

 

[bangarangbass39]

But small firms also received wide range of applications，I don‘t think silver circle has
a lower standard.

They absolutely do! But my point has never been other firms have lower standards therefore you should apply. My point has been don’t just focus on the “best”. Especially if they have more offers.

It’s a fallacy to think more offers = more chance because you’re missing the fact of more applications. The example I gave with what the partner told me is that it was harder for him to get noticed because of the sea of applicants. He probably is of a high standard (I mean he’s a partner in a strong law firm he has to be). It was harder to get the opp though because there’s too many people!

Secondly it’s a silly to think that a firm is the best because it has more money, more recognisable clients, etc. Obviously there are more opps and greater variety in experience and work. However, there’s countless stories of how the culture in Big Law (both in the UK and US) is awful. And many people leave once qualifying because of burnout, lack of interest in what the firm does and toxic personalities.

Honestly I could go on.

the same things can arise in an National/International or smaller/mid size firms. But it’s silly to discount them from the application cycle. I don’t think you can justify solely applying for MCs/US law which was the point that was made. I said I think ppl do this because they wrongly think it’s the only place they should learn and practice law.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

I don’t think you have to focus on the firm’s practice areas - it could be something much more broader around policy that might just impact firms or their clients.

I would choose something that you have an opinion on and can rationalise your logic and thinking as to why that law is needed.

Thanks Jessica If it's something that likely wouldn't impact the firm or its clients but is something I'm strongly passionate about, would that be a mistake? I would want to talk about banning the use of sexual history evidence in trials, but I know this isn't a topic that would be of relevance to the firm at all.

 

[sxw517]

Not Completed - Record or Value is Required

Is this error message coming up for people when they try to submit Winston app?

 

[Callumw123]

Bird & Bird Summer VS offer!

Congrats!! When did you do your AC and when did you get the email? I'm still waiting to hear back

 

[zdi2024]

Just got this assessment invite too! I've not done it before either so would be great to hear if anyone had any tips on how to prepare

Same! I would like to hear anyones experience from past years!

 

[Givemeatcplease]

First post here! Got really lucky and received my fourth vac scheme offer from goodwin after ashurst, weil and HSF!

How is this even possible?? Next you're going to tell us this is only your first cycle 🤣🤣

Congratulations though (and save some for the rest of us!)

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks Jessica If it's something that likely wouldn't impact the firm or its clients but is something I'm strongly passionate about, would that be a mistake? I would want to talk about banning the use of sexual history evidence in trials, but I know this isn't a topic that would be of relevance to the firm at all.

Yes - that would be fine too!

 

[MayaM0921]

Not Completed - Record or Value is Required

Is this error message coming up for people when they try to submit Winston app?

You just need to put in something random under the 'law school' section

 

[NR44]

Hello, just received AC for Mischon Summer VC. Has anyone already done it?

I have but mine was for the Spring VS

 

[axelbeugre]

What's the best approach to the question "if you could introduce a new law, what would it be"?

Would it be best to focus on the firm's practice areas or anything of interest? Any thoughts @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre?

I think the answer can be more general to be honest, it does not necessarily have to relate to the practice areas of the firm. I think that you should find something interesting and catchy and that will spark a nice conversation. To do this, talking about something you are interested in will definitely come off more interesting to the interviewer.

 

[holz567]

For anyone who did a VI with W&C, how long did it take you to hear the outcome after you'd completed it?

 

[Amehta1]

For anyone who did a VI with W&C, how long did it take you to hear the outcome after you'd completed it?

took me two weeks exactly

 

[AlCapone]

Does anyone know the start dates for BPP this September? Sorry if this isn't the forum for this

 

[Givemeatcplease]

I know this is very much a “how long is a piece of string” sort of question, but for those who have been successful at an AC, how much preparation would you say you do?

Would you start say a week in advance with a few hours each day or typically more? It’s hard when trying to balance preparation with other commitments.

 

[DieHard]

I know this is very much a “how long is a piece of string” sort of question, but for those who have been successful at an AC, how much preparation would you say you do?

Would you start say a week in advance with a few hours each day or typically more? It’s hard when trying to balance preparation with other commitments.

I did a few hours each day for the 4 days before an AC. Although, this was after I'd already done a Vac Scheme so it was really just remembering stuff rather than preparing examples from scratch

 

[DieHard]

Does anyone know the start dates for BPP this September? Sorry if this isn't the forum for this

Not sure, but if you can avoid BPP I would. I'm at ULaw, but a lot of friends at BPP who say its shocking. BPP have poor IT systems which either go down or prevent you logging in, they have threatened countless students that BPP would suspend their teaching for failure to make instalments (despite all payments having been made before the deadline), their support team are pretty incompetent requiring you to call up several times to solve the same issues which most businesses figured out a long time ago, more than a few students were actually forced to leave the country (and the first several weeks of the course) as BPP messed up their VISAs through sheer incompetence. Finally, although teaching seems to be relatively what you'd expect, they're owned by a Private Equity firm so cuts and reduced quality of teaching may be likely in the future.