TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[axelbeugre]

Thanks so much for the reply Jessica Following on with another quick query, if a firm has a practice area that it isn’t particularly renowned for, would it not be advised to mention that as one of interest?

Say if I mentioned I was interested in employment but the firm’s bigger practice area strengths are banking/corporate? Or does the fact the firm offers it make it a fine answer?

I think it is important to be interested in one of the main practice areas the firm is known for, otherwise they might question your genuine interest in the firm which might work against you in the application and interview stage.

I would highlight the most important practices of the firm at least in the application stage, and then elaborate your interest in a variety of different stages in a potential interview as then you will be more eloquent in explaining that you are a very curious person and you would like to explore more practices of the firm such as employment, always recognising the importance of the banking/corporate department.

 

[axelbeugre]

Hey guys, when mentioning a firm's awards in an interview, is it ok to mention that a firm is ranked Band 1 in a practice in 2023, and not talk about how that same practice is ranked Band 3 in 2024?

@Jessica Booker

Mentioning awards in interviews is not as effective as you might think in my opinion. I have personally never done it and your answer might not appear as genuine too so I would stay away from mentioning them, at least at interview stage.

Alternatively, if you are mentioning one, make sure it is the most recent one being careful of the changes occurred.

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre hi, I have an application question to ask. I'm currently applying for a placement year and in the application form, there are 4 questions each with 500 words max. Should I max out the word limit in all four questions or keep it in the 300 words range? Thank you

I personally always tried to use the full word count as I always thought that there is a reason why they gave an exact number, however this does not have to be the case. If what you are saying is exhaustive and perfectly answers the question, I do not see why you should use unnecessary words. Being concise is also important too.

As a rule though, I would try to use all the words if possible, this was my personal approach whilst applying.

 

[pineappleonpizza1]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back
from W&C post VI. I’ve tried calling several times but they haven’t yet picked up.

 

[Sharon Wu]

Anyone have any idea when Stephenson Harwood usually get back to applicants with regards to their Spring and/or Summer Vacation scheme?

 

[laby201]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back
from W&C post VI. I’ve tried calling several times but they haven’t yet picked up.

How long have you been waiting?

Unless it’s been an abnormal amount of time, I would never choose to call to chase a response to a VI and would only consider that step if it’s been outside of a specified time after an AC.

They have a lot of VIs to get through and in my experience with W&C last cycle, it took over a month after completing my VI to hear I’d received an AC spot.

I really wouldn’t chase unless it’s been about 2 months and even then I would send an email. You’ve not been forgotten!

 

[LawyeryMcLawyerface]

Russell Cooke pfo

 

[Aga123+]

Morning @Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre: Does TCLA have an example cover and/or CV template that could be used as a base for writing one? Thanks in advance

 

[Happycloud100]

Anyone has advice for ropes AC/interview?

 

[mp2000]

Russell Cooke PFO for the second year in a row 🫠

 

[MG020202]

Has anybody heard back from OC AC yet?

 

[Percypig12]

NRF VI - I must've been one of the last to be invited 🤣

 

[ray_ray]

Anyone else still waiting for Travers? Wondering if they have already sent out all the interview invites

 

[Sharon Wu]

My Application Summary Credits: @Legalstalker
FYI: a mixture of winter, spring and summer vacation schemes + a few direct TCs

• Total applications this cycle ~ 47
• Rejections post app: ~ 10
• Rejections post 1st or 2nd stage: ~20
• Awaiting to hear from: ~15
• SJT/VI’s still to do: 1
• AC's this cycle: 2
• VS offers: 1 (Spring)
• Latest rejection: Goodwin
• Hardest rejection: Gowling WLG (I attended their whole webinar series!!!)
• Easiest rejection: Weightmans (I didn’t want to move up North anyway)
• Ghosted me: Stephenson Harwood, EY and Freeths
• Best Grad Recruitment: Baker McKenzie, Paul Hastings and Ropes & Gray
• Tedious Application Process: EY (I wouldn’t apply again)
• If I had converted my first AC, I would have done only 3 applications
• If I had converted my second AC I would have only done 10 applications
• If I had converted my third, fourth or fifth AC, I would have done 22 applications

 

[dieinabush]

Anyone have any idea when Stephenson Harwood usually get back to applicants with regards to their Spring and/or Summer Vacation scheme?

i did their winter vac scheme and they got back to me around 2 weeks before the start of the scheme

 

[Jaysen]

Hi Jaysen,

I don't think this is working anymore - price comes to £60 when I clicked on it. Is there a coupon code? Thanks!!

Sorry about that! I have extended the deadline to Wednesday for the inconvenience. You can checkout here.

 

[Jaysen]

My Application Summary Credits: @Legalstalker
FYI: a mixture of winter, spring and summer vacation schemes + a few direct TCs

• Total applications this cycle ~ 47
• Rejections post app: ~ 10
• Rejections post 1st or 2nd stage: ~20
• Awaiting to hear from: ~15
• SJT/VI’s still to do: 1
• AC's this cycle: 2
• VS offers: 1 (Spring)
• Latest rejection: Goodwin
• Hardest rejection: Gowling WLG (I attended their whole webinar series!!!)
• Easiest rejection: Weightmans (I didn’t want to move up North anyway)
• Ghosted me: Stephenson Harwood, EY and Freeths
• Best Grad Recruitment: Baker McKenzie, Paul Hastings and Ropes & Gray
• Tedious Application Process: EY (I wouldn’t apply again)
• If I had converted my first AC, I would have done only 3 applications
• If I had converted my second AC I would have only done 10 applications
• If I had converted my third, fourth or fifth AC, I would have done 22 applications

Love this format!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Morning @Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre: Does TCLA have an example cover and/or CV template that could be used as a base for writing one? Thanks in advance

There are some CV templates here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/cv-templates.2296/

There is a general template for cover letters here: https://targetjobs.co.uk/static/dac...5c3/vacation-scheme-cover-letter-template.pdf

 

[elektrajenkov]

Anyone have any idea when Stephenson Harwood usually get back to applicants with regards to their Spring and/or Summer Vacation scheme?

I emailed them about a week or so ago for an estimated timeline (because I'd have to move to London for it so would like a little warning) and they said 2 weeks (so end of this week in theory) is the estimate for hearing about Spring, but I'm not holding out hope that they stick to that 🤣

 

[Aga123+]

There are some CV templates here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/cv-templates.2296/

There is a general template for cover letters here: https://targetjobs.co.uk/static/dac...5c3/vacation-scheme-cover-letter-template.pdf

Thank you 🙏