TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AS24]

Hey @AS24 just to jump in before @Ram Sabaratnam and @Amma Usman come back to you, I think since the question does not ask for it explicitly, you do not need to mention how HL could help them. However, if you can, I think it is desirable to do so.

Firstly, the context in which commercial awareness is a useful skill to have in a law firm is exactly that - an ability to connect events impacting clients' businesses with what the firm can do to assist them as a result. This is a direct benefit for the firm, as it is a way to generate more revenues from client mandates and also deepen an existing client relationship. As such, in general I think it makes sense to keep this in mind when interpreting a commercial awareness question. When there is any ambiguity in whether we should add this to the analysis, I have therefore chosen to read this element into the questions.

Secondly, I think the specific request for you to identify one of the firm's clients rather than just any business shows that the firm wants to do more than simply test your general ability to analyze a commercial a story. Simply being able to name one of the firm's clients as part of a category of affected businesses and then going on with a normal general commercial analysis does not add much. As such, I would read into this specific link made with the firm a suggestion that you should add a layer of analysis as to the potential role of the firm in this story.

Finally, I think you should also consider this issue with a view to the downside/upside risk. In the event that the firm did not want you to discuss its potential role in advising a client, it is unlikely this will do much to hurt your progression chances. At most, recruiters would see you as a slightly overeager candidate who wanted to show he can make a connection between the commercial story and the firm's practices. However, in the event that the firm does want you to write about its role and you fail to do so, you will have missed out on scoring well in a key criterion of evaluation.

Thank you @Andrei Radu

You clarified all my doubts and I can keep my answer without changing it!

 

[Optimistic1111]

I received mine and I was in the 71% percentile but still got rejected!

Congrats on the score! I'd imagine perhaps it's a very competitive year, maybe quite a few are scoring high and it seems like from this thread they are allowing others on the summer/spring vacs also. Can I ask, how did you prepare for the WG test and how much preparation time did you dedicate? This is my first year applying for vac schemes.

 

[s9111]

Has anyone heard from Hogan Lovells WVS post-app/post-WG?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Congrats on the score! I'd imagine perhaps it's a very competitive year, maybe quite a few are scoring high and it seems like from this thread they are allowing others on the summer/spring vacs also. Can I ask, how did you prepare for the WG test and how much preparation time did you dedicate? This is my first year applying for vac schemes.

Thank you! But genuinely think I am the worst person to ask for help as I always fail at this stage. I practised on JobTestPrep; watched a few YouTube videos about the inferences and deductions (I still get confused! But there has been some great advice on the forum about this) and also AllAboutLaw have a complete practice test you can practice for free.

I was surprised to receive this score but I think it’s all about practice. It’s also my first proper cycle of applying for vac schemes so spend as much time as you can practising- even 30 minutes a day. Hope that helps!

 

[Optimistic1111]

Thank you! But genuinely think I am the worst person to ask for help as I always fail at this stage. I practised on JobTestPrep; watched a few YouTube videos about the inferences and deductions (I still get confused! But there has been some great advice on the forum about this) and also AllAboutLaw have a complete practice test you can practice for free.

I was surprised to receive this score but I think it’s all about practice. It’s also my first proper cycle of applying for vac schemes so spend as much time as you can practising- even 30 minutes a day. Hope that helps!

This is so helpful, thank you! Going to try and just do them daily and actually try to make sure I understand them lol. I was feeling confident after all my practice tests but I guess now I know what the outcome will be so I can just move on from it.

 

[Interested_In_Law]

Can't believe I am asking this on 4 Nov, but is anyone still waiting to hear from Sidley? This is for post-app...

Have been waiting post interview for nearly 6 weeks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know how to answer the "what do you understand about what we do" question at a vac scheme interview (sidley) ? I'm a bit confused on how to address this point and where to get info for it @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu (if you have any insights too, please do share!)

The firm wants to understand what you know about the firm but not necessarily in a "why are you applying to us manner". For this question, try to summarise the firm's position in the market and broad client work within it - it really isn't about saying everything about the firm. I would focus on the key things you know and try to present it in a way that is a coherent summary rather than a long list of factors.

 

[msclm]

Dechert really be playing with us

 

[Smart water 0403]

Hi, I have a Q regarding one of the BCLP application questions, wondering if anyone could help?

'Q3 - 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?'

I am planning to talk about running a weekly event and using the feedback forms I circulated to attendees, to improve it. However, I am unsure how to link this to 'positive self development'- do I talk about what i learnt from the whole process/ the skills I gained ?

 

[thelegalstudent]

Hi, if I am a final-year international law student graduating next summer, would I still be eligible to work for the summer vacation schemes under my student visa if it has expired? Or would I have to apply for a new one? Thank you!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I have a Q regarding one of the BCLP application questions, wondering if anyone could help?

'Q3 - 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?'

I am planning to talk about running a weekly event and using the feedback forms I circulated to attendees, to improve it. However, I am unsure how to link this to 'positive self development'- do I talk about what i learnt from the whole process/ the skills I gained ?

I would focus on the "you" part of this. If you can link the event feedback to your own personal development, then you can use this example but I would not use it if it was just general improvements to the events that were not necessarily a reflection of your input/ideas.

You don't necessarily have to talk about the skills gained, but it is important to show how you proactively react to feedback and find ways to improve yourself in the area(s) you were given constructive feedback on. This is the key part of the question - it isn't really the feedback that they are looking at, it is how you react to the feedback in a positive and constructive way that leads to improvement of your future input/idea and which leads to (or has led to) greater success in the future.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, if I am a final-year international law student graduating next summer, would I still be eligible to work for the summer vacation schemes under my student visa if it has expired? Or would I have to apply for a new one? Thank you!

You will usually get up to three months after your course is completed where you can stay in the UK on your student visa. So your eligibility for summer vacation schemes will depend on when your course finishes. If your course hasn't officially concluded/finished, eligibility might be tricky as you will be limited to working 20 hours a week. If the scheme starts or ends three months after your course finishes, you would need to secure another visa.

Another student visa would only be possible if you were going on to further study. You can apply for the post-study visa (graduate visa) though that will give you up to two years of being able to work and live in the UK with few restrictions. Many international candidates apply for and secure this visa to allow them to work after their studies have finished: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa

 

[F a v o u r]

I PASSED CLIFFORD CHANCES WATSON GLASER TEST- the test is valid for TWO YEARS!

I’m absolutely over the moon, this is such a huge weight off my shoulders and means I can pour everything into the TC application, knowing that it will be reviewed and I don’t have to do the test for this recruitment cycle or the next!

I will keep practicing the Watson Glaser but HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD!

Huge congratulations!!!!👏👏👏🎉🎉🥳

 

[SamiyaJ]

I’m currently attending the W&C virtual event- grad team said they sent out invites for the first open day (14 Nov) today and will send out outcomes for the 2nd open day (21 Nov) later this week

 

[crt1s]

For Mayer Brown, how soon after taking the test did people receive their feedback report? Thanks

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

What are people’s thoughts on the US firms’ working hours, I’m curious? If I see legal cheek reporting an average finish time beyond 8pm I don’t apply to a firm. I’m not against working hard but I want a life.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

What are people’s thoughts on the US firms’ working hours, I’m curious? If I see legal cheek reporting an average finish time beyond 8pm I don’t apply to a firm. I’m not against working hard but I want a life.

Honestly, working hours are very similar at the top end of firms. Be it US, MC, even SC.

As someone once told me, if you’re working buy-side at 3am, another firm will also be up doing sell-side at 3am.

That said, it depends on the practice area. Contentious / restructuring work is slightly more slow-paced and has potential for better hours.

If you go into something like tax, you can probably get away with leaving the office at 5/6pm most days…

 

[PlimptonWeld]

Does anyone have news of CG whether AC invites have rolled out?

 

[James Wakefield]

Has anyone heard back from Dentons post-app? I think their test isn’t automatic?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

I received mine and I was in the 71% percentile but still got rejected!

I’m sure they place great emphasis on the Capp assessment.