TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[l789]

Just to spread some good news on W&C - when asked about WVS applicants who haven't heard back yet post-app, GR said they'd still be looking at apps over the next few weeks. Combining this info with the post I vaguely remember where someone said W&C don't have a formal cap, people should still be in the running.
If anyone has any updates on HL Lift Off or Latham's Open Days, please share!

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

 

[ashwright]

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

That's definitely super helpful - thank you for sharing! Hopefully they'll get back soon. Funnily enough, I've had that same experience of GR seeming rushed when (virtually) interacting with HL before.
Much appreciated - I really appreciate the insight 😊

 

[Apple]

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

I had a meeting with HL recruiter last year, and they directly said that after about the middle of October competition increases and the "any additional information you would like to tell us" essentially goes from optional to mandatory to distinguish between applicants. Just smth to bear in mind.

 

[ashwright]

I had a meeting with HL recruiter last year, and they directly said that after about the middle of October competition increases and the "any additional information you would like to tell us" essentially goes from optional to mandatory to distinguish between applicants. Just smth to bear in mind.

Interesting - I'm curious what would be helpful to even include in there to help distinguish candidates. I would've thought it was just a space to elaborate on mitigating/personal circumstances but now I'm thinking they're looking for some substantive writing?

 

[Apple]

Interesting - I'm curious what would be helpful to even include in there to help distinguish candidates. I would've thought it was just a space to elaborate on mitigating/personal circumstances but now I'm thinking they're looking for some substantive writing?

I wrote about my legal work experience in there and they progressed me to AC. I think its just a really flexible question where you sell yourself/your motivations with whatever you want.

 

[Balaton123]

Is the WG for HL automatic? I sent in my application for the SVS two weeks ago, but haven’t received it yet.

 

[l789]

I had a meeting with HL recruiter last year, and they directly said that after about the middle of October competition increases and the "any additional information you would like to tell us" essentially goes from optional to mandatory to distinguish between applicants. Just smth to bear in mind.

Yes you are right!

She did mention the last point about optional information and distinguishing between candidates.

All the info just merged into one, given the speed at which the grad rec was rushing through the presentation.

She also said for the commercial awareness story - split it 50/50

So 50% talking about the commercial news story and 50% talking about the impact on clients or whatever way you relate it to the clients.

I’m so exhausted from yesterday and didn’t feel I got much out of the event. The networking element had barely any trainee representatives and I didn’t leave the firm feeling particularly inspired which is always the case when I’ve visited other firms. Maybe it was just a blip, and everyone was tired or unavailable idk.

 

[l789]

That's definitely super helpful - thank you for sharing! Hopefully they'll get back soon. Funnily enough, I've had that same experience of GR seeming rushed when (virtually) interacting with HL before.
Much appreciated - I really appreciate the insight 😊

Your welcome!

 

[Deleted member 37508]

CMS WG I felt like I was clicking 'assumption not made' and ‘weak argument’ the entire time.

 

[gilo]

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

Reckon that AI policy is more about submitting extremely generic applications than anything else...

 

[l789]

Reckon that AI policy is more about submitting extremely generic applications than anything else...

She was very strict about it, and i made sure to make note of the point on my phone- that was enough to make me think twice about even using AI, in any capacity for an application to HL

Matthieu (grad rec) from skadden said the same and was very blunt about it. Although he didn’t mention if the firm has tools to detect AI, he said that they can tell straight away and in that instance the application is going straight to the bin.

 

[l789]

Reckon that AI policy is more about submitting extremely generic applications than anything else...

She was very strict about it, and i made sure to make note of the point on my phone- that was enough to make me think twice about even using AI, in any capacity for an application to HL

Matthieu (grad rec) from skadden said the same and was very blunt about it. Although he didn’t mention if the firm has tools to detect AI, he said that they can tell straight away and in that instance the application is going straight to the bin.

 

[Apple]

Yes you are right!

She did mention the last point about optional information and distinguishing between candidates.

All the info just merged into one, given the speed at which the grad rec was rushing through the presentation.

She also said for the commercial awareness story - split it 50/50

So 50% talking about the commercial news story and 50% talking about the impact on clients or whatever way you relate it to the clients.

I’m so exhausted from yesterday and didn’t feel I got much out of the event. The networking element had barely any trainee representatives and I didn’t leave the firm feeling particularly inspired which is always the case when I’ve visited other firms. Maybe it was just a blip, and everyone was tired or unavailable idk.

At the very least you will have at least one interaction you can mention, that is always really good!

 

[l789]

At the very least you will have at least one interaction you can mention, that is always really good!

Yes you are right!
Thank you for that encouragement, I don’t mean to be a downer about things

 

[omnium]

anyone know what the WG percentile preference is for Freshfields?

 

[cjwx]

DLA piper have said I reached the threshold for an assessment centre. However, I still may not be invited to said assessment centre as spaces are limited. I dont get why they would tell me this, it’s like saying congrats you passed, but don’t get too excited because we can still snatch all your hopes and dreams away.

 

[Soprano]

Asking for a friend: "I am a third-year engineering student seeking vacation schemes in law firms. I have no legal experience, but I have interned at Barclays as a technology analyst. How should I approach the application questions such as why law, why commercial law etc. what firms do you recommend to me as a non-law student." Thank you

 

[Bbhu19]

Anyone heard from HSF post-AC yet?

You already had an AC with HSF?

 

[Audric_T]

Anyone pass the WG test for DLA Piper last week get the video interview invite? They said to bare with them whilst they review and shortlist and I am unsure what the usual expected time frame is - having done the discovery day in October and applying afterwards I have seen VI been sent out already - with about a week between WG and VI invite - I imagine they get around 5,000 applicants so a lot of candidates to sort through and filter.

 

[Roisin]

An update, I had my AC last Wednesday for HSF and got the vac scheme offer yesterday for the winter scheme !!!