TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Deleted member 37508]

what are some good questions to ask on an open day?

Ask questions you want to know the answer to. everyone priorities different things when asking questions. Neurodiversity, growth, training for trainees, deals etc. what is it about the firm that interests you.
Is there anything in the application you made to the firm that you wish you had a little more knowledge on.
I found my open day was a great time to ask questions people had been asking on the forum like the application process for the VS. I also spoke to partners in practices I was interested in and asked genuine questions to why they chose to work at x firm. Why did they chose the practice they’re in. People like to speak about themselves.

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Does HL still have A level requirements because on their website it just says strong academic but nothing specific on A levels.

Grad rec said they look for at least As/Bs unless you have mitigating circumstances

 

[-legal-]

Grad rec said they look for at least As/Bs unless you have mitigating circumstances

Did they specify if that would be AAB or ABB by any chance?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Sorry @Andrei Radu , my comment/question was intended for question 2 (i.e., "Tell us about your interests and inspirations outside of education/work"), not the alternative career path question - apologies for the confusion!

I would not treat it completely like your standard 'Please tell us about your extracurriculars' section, but my answer would not be very far from that. I think just generally with application form answers the rule is you want depth over breath, so while I would try to choose the experiences strategically (so as to show I am a well-rounded person), I would not discuss more than 3-4 at most. Besides this, I think your focus should be a more on describing your interest and reasons behind it rather than the skills you developed.

As to the headings question, while I know of many example of successful applications where they were used, I personally did not use headings. I just think for short answers a heading does not help that much in terms of structure and it also looks slightly visually unappealing to me.

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Did they specify if that would be AAB or ABB by any chance?

Nothing specific but essentially the higher the better - they still place a big emphasis on A Levels despite not having a specific benchmark

 

[-legal-]

Nothing specific but essentially the higher the better - they still place a big emphasis on A Levels despite not having a specific benchmark

I see, thank you!

 

[Andrei Radu]

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!

Hi, I would say it is fine to repeat information from your CL in a video interview. The main purpose of video interviews is to assess how well you respond verbally to questions or prompts in a high pressure environment. Therefore, while bonus points may be awarded for particularly novel or erudite answers, I would be surprised if they were deducted for a reference to something you'd previously wrote before.

 

[James Wakefield]

Are people who have applied to Osborne Clarke still waiting for their online test?

I got their email saying they were having technical problems two weeks ago now, and have had no follow-up since.

 

[👩🎓]

Hi all, does anyone know whether Penningtons Manches Cooper have a work experience section on their application form?

 

[Tcvspfo]

Are people who have applied to Osborne Clarke still waiting for their online test?

I got their email saying they were having technical problems two weeks ago now, and have had no follow-up since.

I thought they were non rolling.

 

[Jessica Booker]

what are some good questions to ask on an open day?

This post maybe useful on this point:

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

got a Willkie Open Day invite a week ago! first good thing about this app cycle

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does HL still have A level requirements because on their website it just says strong academic but nothing specific on A levels.

Still says AAB on Chambers Student Guide

 

[GV]

@Jessica Booker Hi, If an application has the same question as last year and it is referring to "proudest achievement" can I use the same answer? (Last year I passed the application stage).

 

[km_bntn]

Anyone still waiting to hear back from Sidley Austin post-app?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi, If an application has the same question as last year and it is referring to "proudest achievement" can I use the same answer? (Last year I passed the application stage).

For this specific question, yes, I think it is fine to use the same example. I would still critically evaluate your answer and see if with a fresh pair of eyes you think it can be improved from a drafting perspective though. That doesn't mean everything has to change, it can just mean you recognise a sentence here and there could be presented in an even better way (e.g. more concise, better language/tone etc).

 

[GV]

For this specific question, yes, I think it is fine to use the same example. I would still critically evaluate your answer and see if with a fresh pair of eyes you think it can be improved from a drafting perspective though. That doesn't mean everything has to change, it can just mean you recognise a sentence here and there could be presented in an even better way (e.g. more concise, better language/tone etc).

Okay will do that, thank you

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Got my Linklaters PFO trio of emails I see others got. I also got MB's written assessment email.

 

[LawyerUpPal]

If anyone got Stephenson Harwood vac scheme last cycle, could you please pm me. Thank you🙏

Hey, I did SH VS last cycle.

 

[Tintin06]

Cooley open day is the only 'yes' so far. Linklaters PFO post-Cappfinity exercise.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I wanted to query something. I’ve seen it’s normal to reapply to firms if you’ve been rejected post VS. Why. Especially if this was only last cycle. Why would a firm give you the opportunity again when there are others who have not reached that stage yet. This may be pessimistic of me but I did wonder what the point of putting in an application to a firm that has clearly stated you were not a fit. (Reapplying if you ran out of time for assessed elements is understandable or they’ve encouraged you to)

This also goes for firms who offer an AC after an open day. I know someone who attended Latham open day last cycle and did not convert from the AC. They plan to reapply again for the open day. Why. Utilise the experience and move on. Maybe this contradicts resilience in some way but I find it wastes the time of graduate recruitment as they’re most likely going to reject. If it’s your dream firm move there at qualification. This has rattled me on this fine Wednesday morning after debating with a few friends.