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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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ok thank u for letting me know! hoping no news isnt necessarily bad news lol
Same here! Can I ask when your A/C was? Mine was last week : P
If Travers Smith has a 1000 word limit for its cover letter, can it be over a page long, or is it best to write less to fit the standard one side of A4 for a cover letter?
Hi, currently AC prepping and wanted to ask whether I can use my answer to "Why X firm" that I used in the application and use some of the points mentioned there in the interview when they ask the same question. Thanks!
@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker
I would appreciate any advice on how to best approach the following questions - thank you! 😊
1. If you could choose a career other than law, what would you choose? (250 max)
2. Tell us about your interests and inspirations outside of education/work. (250 max)
I would appreciate any advice on how to best approach the following questions - thank you! 😊
1. If you could choose a career other than law, what would you choose? (250 max)
2. Tell us about your interests and inspirations outside of education/work. (250 max)
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @KBanana
I think @Andrei Radu and @Jessica Booker would definitely have more to say here, but I don't think there’s really any one-size-fits-all answer. Grad rec isn't looking for you to mention a specific alternative career. Rather, they’re interested in getting to know you and what genuinely interests you in a career. When answering this question, I’ve seen successful applicants talk about a range of alternative careers, from journalism to teaching to becoming a police officer. The common thread is that they used this opportunity to showcase their interests and the skills they would enjoy using in the alternative career they're discussing. For example, when asked this question during interview, I once mentioned going into political science and data analysis as an alternative path because I love working with others to understand the causes and data behind big political issues. I also mentioned the importance to me of getting to delve more deeply into big or complex political events to make them more easy to understand for myself and others. Overall, I think the key is to choose something that resonates with you and allows you to highlight the qualities and skills that are meaningful to you in a particular career.
As for the second question, I think it’s really about being genuine and reflective. Again, I really don't think there's a genuine formula or something particular that grad rec is looking for you to mention. Just have a serious think about your interests or hobbies outside work and school. What have they taught you, and how have they shaped you as a person? When I’ve answered similar questions, I’ve mentioned everything from performing in improv comedy, backpacking across over 30 countries, learning a second language, and volunteering with an LGBT+ charity in London. Each of these experiences gave me different skills and perspectives, but they also allowed me to show the reader a bit of my personality. The goal is to not only share what you love doing but to give grad recruiter some insight into how it has helped shape who you are today. This kind of reflection will help answer both questions and leave a memorable impression!
Good luck and I hope this helps!
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Hi , I achieved a mid 2:1 degree ( 65%). And I believe you should honestly just apply to the firms that are interest in you . Because grades are very important , but if you make a good application with good work experience , they are more likely to chose you than someone with a first . So I would just say don't limit yourself . Btw , this is coming from someone who has reached a couple of AC stages / video interview/ general post - application stages from various firms , from my second year of university x
I've got a mid 2:1 and interviewed at a range of SC/MC/US Firms. Even JD which I believe says they look for a "high 2:1".
If you're interested its worth applying, I nearly didn't apply to JD because of those concerns, yet I got an interview.
Hi all,
I have an AC coming up that has a situational interview. Does anyone have any resources that I can use to help me prepare?
Moreover, @Jessica Booker if successful for the TC post a WVS (and assuming I get an offer before the end of December), has it been seen that a firm enrolls its future trainees on a PGDL course that January (a months after the scheme finishes) and then the SQE for a September 2026 start date? For context, the firm uses BPP as their course provider and their PGDL course is 8 months long.
Unsure if thats too tight a turnaround for candidates. Would be great to get any other insights!
I have an AC coming up that has a situational interview. Does anyone have any resources that I can use to help me prepare?
Moreover, @Jessica Booker if successful for the TC post a WVS (and assuming I get an offer before the end of December), has it been seen that a firm enrolls its future trainees on a PGDL course that January (a months after the scheme finishes) and then the SQE for a September 2026 start date? For context, the firm uses BPP as their course provider and their PGDL course is 8 months long.
Unsure if thats too tight a turnaround for candidates. Would be great to get any other insights!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hi @Chelsea101
Well done on getting to AC! Ahhh that's great!
I think it’s definitely fine to use some points from your application to answer “Why X firm” in an interview. If you can, I'd encourage you to add further depth to your answer at interview though. There's typically a 250-300 word limit on the application when answering this question, but the interview is a great chance to go into more depth on those initial points.
To add greater depth to your answer, it might be worth asking yourself a few questions. For instance, have you learned anything new about the firm since applying that has deepened your interest? Maybe you’ve come across a recent deal, read up on the firm’s approach in a specific practice area, or connected with someone who shared insights that resonated with you. Expanding on these types of specifics can make a strong impression and show that you've been "doing your homework" even after submitting your written application.
This is generally the strategy that I took when attending ACs and partner interviews, and I found that it allowed me to reformulate my answer ever so slightly. In doing so, I was also able to demonstrate my strong research skills and really double down on my motivations in front of my interviewers.
Best of luck with your AC prep! You’ve got this 🥳
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @Soprano
It’s fantastic that your friend has interned as a technology analyst at Barclays and is studying engineering. Experience like that can really set applicants apart, even without a formal legal background. It's worth saying here that having no legal work experience isn’t a barrier at all. Many people come to the legal profession having studied all sorts of different subjects and from different career paths. To help your friend strengthen their applications, it’s a great idea to attend law firm events, open days, or webinars. This will help shows firms that your friend is genuinely committed to exploring the profession and learning more.
When approaching questions like “Why law?” or “Why commercial law?”, they should seriously reflect on how their experiences and education to date have helped them gain an appreciation for law and the legal side of business. Did working at Barclays spark any interest in how legal teams support large transactions or manage regulatory issues? By reflecting on specific aspects of their experience, they can demonstrate what’s drawing them towards commercial law and how their skills will be valuable as a trainee.
In terms of what firms they can apply to, there really isn't a set answer here. It all depends on where their interests lie. So many firms now take STEM grads. Some firms even have open days dedicated specifically to STEM grads, including Bird & Bird and Bristows. By reflecting on their interests and what practice areas/sectors they find appealing, they will be in a better position to develop an application strategy.
Best of luck to your friend!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @PoliLegal
Just wanted to add to what both @Apple and @lawstudent2002 have brilliantly mentioned. Overall, I always recommend that candidates apply to a range of firms. This isn't just because some might have stricter grade cut-offs (in practice, I've found that many are actually more flexible and forgiving about grades). It's also because applying to a range will allow you to get a better sense of what sort of work and firm appeals to you.
Second, keep in mind that grades are only one part of your overall application, and firms will be looking at the whole picture. Your work experience, extracurriculars, and the quality of your responses to application questions can all make a significant impact. Often, these factors can matter just as much, if not mor, than grades. Strong, well-rounded applications that show commitment, maturity, and genuine reflection about the profession are what firms want to see.
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Mine was on Thursday! Hope we get some news soon, the waiting is killing me lol
- Sep 9, 2024
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Just to add to @Ram Sabaratnam's great response:
1. I agree with Ram here that you can choose any alternative career path to discuss as long as you can provide a convincing analysis of your motivation. However, I also think that, all other things being equal, you want your fundamental motivations for the alternative career path to overlap as much as possible with plausible motivations for choosing to pursue a career in law. The reason is that if there is no or only minimal overlap, this might lead some recruiters to doubt the coherence of your career-selection criteria when you decided to work in the legal field. At the very least, you want to provide motivations for an alternative career that will not directly contradict plausible motivations for working in commercial law. For instance, while of course you could discuss an alternative career path as an academic, I think it would be a mistake to cite a desire to work independently on long-term projects as a motivation - as in commercial law you will always have to collaborate with others in an environment that is also 'fast-paced'.
I would therefore say that if you can talk about a career path that has many overlaps with law that would be ideal, as it will be easier to find common motivations for both. Examples that come to mind include investment banking and consulting, as just like Big Law they involve (1) advisory work for varied clients in varied industries and (2) a focus on the world of large international business.
2. I completely agree with Ram's response here. The only thing I will add is to be exceptionally focused on the clarity and structure of your answer here. In the past recruiters have told me that the main point of this question is to test your ability to effectively convey comprehensive information accurately to an audience with no background in the relevant subject matter - as this is a task lawyers commonly have to undertake when explaining legal matters to business clients.
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