TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[l789]

How many times did you practice the Watson Glaser test- CC deadline is in 2 days or so and I’ve only been relentlessly practicing for about 4 days.

I’m so worried because the WG is valid for two years.

I’m picking up on what the test is looking for but I’m still scared I’ve left it so late - (well it is actually my fault and responsibility)

 

[andrecsaa]

Anyone who has done AG test can you give insights into their test. Deductive and conclusions are confusing as deuctive is beyond as a reasonable doubt and conclusion is based solely on the passage.

I found the practice exams more complicated than the actual assessment.

Reading the comments and reviewing the questions on the practice exams, I was able to understand my mistakes before completing the exam earlier today.

You will have 3 minutes to finish the assessment. I spent 1 minute reading each passage and taking notes before answering the questions.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

CC emailed to say I passed WG. Good times.

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Does anyone have any info re when we should hear from Hogan Lovells?

I was at an event yesterday - they’re holding two ACs per week right up until the end of November, the first being next week. (For WVS) Invites/rejections will start coming from this week onward depending on how close to the deadline you applied

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello everyone,

I have a quick question regarding video interviews. Is it okay to repeat some information from your cover letter when responding to questions from the firm?

Thanks!

It's fine to repeat themes from your application, but in a video interview, I expect a more detailed response unless you have only about 30 seconds to speak. If you read your cover letter out loud that covered the same points, your answer would be quite short, so it will need more depth of thinking to work in a video interview.

 

[Chelsea101]

Question re: Mishcon VS app. When they ask "If we were to invite you to interview, what issue would you most like to talk about and why? This can be a non-legal issue and should be something you genuinely feel passionate about", do they actually mean ANYTHING? Should I take this as a question to demonstrate my non-law passion or an opportunity to demonstrate my understanding of the firm?

Thank you in advance!

Hi, I had a chance to speak with Grad Rec about this a few months ago. They told me that they want applicants to use this as an opp to showcase what they are interested in outside the law but if you have a really niche and genuine interest in a certain area of the law then that would be good to mention too. Two examples they gave is that an applicant spoke about cheese-making in their app and they loved it! But there was also an applicant who spoke about white-collar crime and they found them both to be applicants that stood-out in their eyes, even referring to that applicant as "white-collar crime guy" becuase they found him to be so memorable. I think if you convey your interest enough and you are very genuine, that is what they look for. Hope this helps

 

[Jessica Booker]

Question re: Mishcon VS app. When they ask "If we were to invite you to interview, what issue would you most like to talk about and why? This can be a non-legal issue and should be something you genuinely feel passionate about", do they actually mean ANYTHING? Should I take this as a question to demonstrate my non-law passion or an opportunity to demonstrate my understanding of the firm?

Thank you in advance!

It literally means anything - but at the same time consider what you would be happy to get into a discussion about with your interviewer. That can be on any topic but you must feel comfortable being able to discuss it with someone.

It has no need to connect to the firm. If you feel the topic would show another aspect to your candidacy though, that isn't a bad thing.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Thank you!!
Just out of curiosity, are you drawing from personal experience, and if not, would you recommend any resources to look at (aside from the ones Jessica mentioned) to get a better understanding? Thanks again xx

Experience but not VS experience. When approaching law firms I didn’t look at resources I just went in with an open mind you’re there to learn not know everything. Be yourself and ensure you know your motivations for the career and the firm as people will ask you out of curiosity and this may be fed back to Grad rec. have an elevator pitch as many say. Stage you’re at, why law and why the firm. Ask questions seem inquisitive congrats on the VS.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I was at an event yesterday - they’re holding two ACs per week right up until the end of November, the first being next week. (For WVS) Invites/rejections will start coming from this week onward depending on how close to the deadline you applied

Thank you for the update. Do you know how many per an AC and if it’s virtual or in person.

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Thank you for the update. Do you know how many per an AC and if it’s virtual or in person.

Not sure about how many per AC, but it’s online for vac schemes and in person for direct TC

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

It literally means anything - but at the same time consider what you would be happy to get into a discussion about with your interviewer. That can be on any topic but you must feel comfortable being able to discuss it with someone.

It has no need to connect to the firm. If you feel the topic would show another aspect to your candidacy though, that isn't a bad thing.

Hi Jessica, I am writing an application for Addleshaw Goddard. Would you recommend mentioning their rankings in the Legal 500 as they already know that stuff and is not a good use of the space?

 

[Izzy1026]

It literally means anything - but at the same time consider what you would be happy to get into a discussion about with your interviewer. That can be on any topic but you must feel comfortable being able to discuss it with someone.

It has no need to connect to the firm. If you feel the topic would show another aspect to your candidacy though, that isn't a bad thing.

Thank you for your perspective!

 

[Izzy1026]

Hi, I had a chance to speak with Grad Rec about this a few months ago. They told me that they want applicants to use this as an opp to showcase what they are interested in outside the law but if you have a really niche and genuine interest in a certain area of the law then that would be good to mention too. Two examples they gave is that an applicant spoke about cheese-making in their app and they loved it! But there was also an applicant who spoke about white-collar crime and they found them both to be applicants that stood-out in their eyes, even referring to that applicant as "white-collar crime guy" becuase they found him to be so memorable. I think if you convey your interest enough and you are very genuine, that is what they look for. Hope this helps

Thank you this is very helpful!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, I am writing an application for Addleshaw Goddard. Would you recommend mentioning their rankings in the Legal 500 as they already know that stuff and is not a good use of the space?

Using rankings as evidence is fine as long as there is a reason to you explaining why the ranking is relevant to you and your application. What a lot of people do is just state the ranking in the hope it shows research, but you need to explain why it is relevant to you and your application for it to work.

 

[Tcvspfo]

I found the practice exams more complicated than the actual assessment.

Reading the comments and reviewing the questions on the practice exams, I was able to understand my mistakes before completing the exam earlier today.

You will have 3 minutes to finish the assessment. I spent 1 minute reading each passage and taking notes before answering the questions.

Thank you thids is really helpful.

 

[user9809]

How many times did you practice the Watson Glaser test- CC deadline is in 2 days or so and I’ve only been relentlessly practicing for about 4 days.

I’m so worried because the WG is valid for two years.

I’m picking up on what the test is looking for but I’m still scared I’ve left it so late - (well it is actually my fault and responsibility)

Where did you find info about it being valid for two years?

 

[l789]

Where did you find info about it being valid for two years?

A recent virtual event that the firm hosts-“How to write a winning application”

grad rec mentioned it when going over their application process

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (one more application):

CC* ✅📝
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅
Akin ✅
Sidley ✅
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Dechert ✅
Skadden ✅
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Morgan Lewis ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

 

[hitherelaw]

How many times did you practice the Watson Glaser test- CC deadline is in 2 days or so and I’ve only been relentlessly practicing for about 4 days.

I’m so worried because the WG is valid for two years.

I’m picking up on what the test is looking for but I’m still scared I’ve left it so late - (well it is actually my fault and responsibility)

I thought deadline for TC is 20 November?

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

I was at an event yesterday - they’re holding two ACs per week right up until the end of November, the first being next week. (For WVS) Invites/rejections will start coming from this week onward depending on how close to the deadline you applied

Great info - thanks!