TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

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.

I will also add to @Jessica Booker's comment that different firms have different policies for considering people who reapply after being rejected at different stages. Some will outright not consider people who were rejected in a vacation scheme or AC and some will consider it but advise you to only reapply if you significantly improved your candidate profile. For these firms, I would agree with you that many times it may not make sense to reapply.

Other firms however actively encourage reapplications and make it a point to do so publicly. For instance, I remember White & Case made a special podcast with a trainee who was rejected 4-5 times (including at AC and VS stages) before getting the TC offer and explicitly said they thought reapplying shows commitment and resilience. I also personally know someone at White & Case who was rejected during a VS in one cycle but got a TC offer in the next. For these firms, I think there's actually an argument to be made that it is more beneficial to invest time in reapplying rather than making a whole new application at another firm.

 

[Andrei Radu]

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

If you want to be able to reference the answers given to you in a subsequent VS application, I would advise you to ask for more insight about or just general questions around the firm's unique selling points that you think you could connect with your own interests, motivations and experiences. This is because that is likely to form the main subject matter of your 'why the firm' answer in a VS application.

For instance, if you go to Kirkland, it will make a lot of sense to ask about the firm's standing as the world's premier private equity practice or its meteoric growth. However, it would not be sensible to ask a lot about their commercial litigation team. If you were to go to an HSF open day, it would make a lot of sense to ask about their commercial litigation practice, but not so much about their PE practice.

 

[liv.5.rileyyy]

Just had an offer for Sidley WVS!

The interview was yesterday, and was a really good experience- happy to offer any help!

 

[theonecompetant]

Hi. I am about to send off an application for an insight day.

However, they ask in the work experience section if the experiences are 'SQE qualifying work experience'.

The experiences I listed are all paralegal roles I have worked either as a student or graduate, though I am not sure if these are SQE experiences?

Does anyone know what might/might not qualify as an SQE qualifying work experience? Alternatively, should I just leave this blank?

Thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi. I am about to send off an application for an insight day.

However, they ask in the work experience section if the experiences are 'SQE qualifying work experience'.

The experiences I listed are all paralegal roles I have worked either as a student or graduate, though I am not sure if these are SQE experiences?

Does anyone know what might/might not qualify as an SQE qualifying work experience? Alternatively, should I just leave this blank?

Thanks

If you would not use them as QWE, then state no. It is only if you expect the submit them as QWE that you should say yes.

 

[AveragePoster]

Anyone had a BCLP first round interview and still not heard back?

 

[HZP1309]

When do people hear back from A&O post AC?

They said W/C 28th oct so hopefully by Friday

 

[JLaw56]

how long does jones day take post first round interview

I had an interview a week ago from today and still haven't heard back.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Just confirming that there is no place to enter work experience details on the Addleshaw Goddard application form?

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Hi, I would really appreciate some guidance around the BCLP Vacation Scheme Question : Please describe a time where you have received constructive feedback? How did you react and how did you utilise this feedback to ensure your own positive self-development? (500 words). In terms of general structure and ideal examples. Thank you! @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam !

 

[Runsim]

Finally Sidley Austin long awaited PFO for WVS

 

[lawyersum]

Just confirming that there is no place to enter work experience details on the Addleshaw Goddard application form?

Yes, no place for work experiences! Just to add to this point - did you list every module grade in the education section or simply your overall grade?

 

[HelpAStudentOut]

Any W&C WVS offers this week?

Nope still waiting post AC last Friday

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (Sidley rejection)

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

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I would really appreciate some guidance around the BCLP Vacation Scheme Question : Please describe a time where you have received constructive feedback? How did you react and how did you utilise this feedback to ensure your own positive self-development? (500 words). In terms of general structure and ideal examples. Thank you! @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam !

I wouldn’t worry about ideal examples - the example doesn’t really matter, it is more the explanation of how you took the feedback and then acted on it that is important.

In terms of structure I would:

- Explain the context of the situation you received the constructive feedback (what led you to get the feedback in the first place)

- explain your reaction to that initial feedback - how did you feel?

- Explain any steps or activities you took to implement that feedback either into the same environment or also how you have implemented the feedback into wider experiences.

The key to this question is showing a proactive approach to addressing the feedback and being open to the feedback. Good evidence will show people seeking opportunities to develop in the constructive feedback area and taking on new responsibilities to help develop the area identified.

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

I wouldn’t worry about ideal examples - the example doesn’t really matter, it is more the explanation of how you took the feedback and then acted on it that is important.

In terms of structure I would:

- Explain the context of the situation you received the constructive feedback (what led you to get the feedback in the first place)

- explain your reaction to that initial feedback - how did you feel?

- Explain any steps or activities you took to implement that feedback either into the same environment or also how you have implemented the feedback into wider experiences.

The key to this question is showing a proactive approach to addressing the feedback and being open to the feedback. Good evidence will show people seeking opportunities to develop in the constructive feedback area and taking on new responsibilities to help develop the area identified.

Thank you very much @Jessica Booker ! That's really helpful, I'll give that a go

 

[a1024]

hey! has anyone done the macfarlanes assessments? any tips for it?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Yes, no place for work experiences! Just to add to this point - did you list every module grade in the education section or simply your overall grade?

I am just going to add my overall grade as there wasn't any space to list every module (plus there are no minimum requirements as far as I know so makes even more sense to just do overall grade)!

 

[Tintin06]

hey! has anyone done the macfarlanes assessments? any tips of it?

I have advice. Use a calculator!

 

[BM99]

Anyone still waiting Sidley WVS lol