TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[SS21]

I started applying back in 2017. I'll probably be 50 before qualifying.

Graduated in 2020…did a MC VS last year and didn’t convert to a TC. Meanwhile, people I went to uni with are now qualified solicitors lmao

*sad violin noises*

 

[VMS]

anyone know if Latham&watkins is rolling?

Non-rolling based on their email after my application for the Open Day.

 

[member7830]

Non-rolling based on their email after my application for the Open Day.

thank you!!! was also wondering because of the open day app!

 

[rras]

For the A&O application, how much are people writing? I have put down all my work experience and extra curriculars etc., but the word doc is now just over 2,000 words. Is this overkill?
(For context, I graduated 2 years ago so do have a fair amount of work experience to enter)

I was wondering the same, it feels hard to get in all the information they want in less!

 

[Tintin06]

Graduated in 2020…did a MC VS last year and didn’t convert to a TC. Meanwhile, people I went to uni with are now qualified solicitors lmao

*sad violin noises*

I didn’t convert three Vac Schemes. You’ve got time. How do people get TCs at 19, 20, 21 etc? It just makes me think everything is going to be a struggle - SQE, NQ positions etc. I can’t think of anything else to do.

 

[Uch21]

Is there a time limit for Pinsent Masons' online blended assessment from submitting your application to get it done? or must it all just be done before the deadline?

 

[laurenn42]

If anyone has completed the online app for A&O Shearman, what should I do about the undergraduate module section because it only allows 20 entries? (I completed 25 modules)

 

[webberwerter]

Has anyone got a jones day interview invite so far this week?

 

[Tintin06]

If anyone has completed the online app for A&O Shearman, what should I do about the undergraduate module section because it only allows 20 entries? (I completed 25 modules)

Contact the graduate recruitment team, honestly. Send them a transcript - many firms ask for those anyway. You could also send your certificates - if you're successful, they'd probably ask you for those anyway so you're making things easier.

 

[member7830]

this might be a really stupid question ahah, but if a law firm has a graduate open day, is this for graduates only or can I attend if I'm in my final year of uni?

 

[wqueens8]

I was wondering the same, it feels hard to get in all the information they want in less!

it does feel like a lot, I did two of the recruiter insight events and at both they emphasised how important the work experience section is because it's the only part of the application where they can assess written skills, they mentioned being succint, but also gave a laundry list of things to include.

I feel like they're really looking for us to be able to express ourselves with as few words as possible, whilst still getting all the required information in, which is not going well for me 🥲

 

[Trying4aJob]

For the A&O interactive assessment, do you know if the video questions are at the end or mixed with the other questions? I was hoping to do the non-video questions today and then prepare for the video ones tomorrow.

 

[wqueens8]

For the A&O interactive assessment, do you know if the video questions are at the end or mixed with the other questions? I was hoping to do the non-video questions today and then prepare for the video ones tomorrow.

I haven't done it myself so i'm not sure, but in the recruiter insight event yesterday, grad rec said once you close the browser you can't go back on, but she didn't specify if the video questions were a separate browser to the assessment.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Can someone please help me understand the work experience section of vacation schemes- it’s my first cycle.

Is it frowned upon to copy and paste bullet points detailing the role and responsibilities of each work experience? Or is the general consensus to write a paragraph (depending on word limit) about the role, especially if they ask about skills gained?

For Ashurst, it’s 150 words about roles and responsibilities per job (doesn’t mention skills) which format would suit this best? Bullet points or paragraph?

Thanks!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Can someone please help me understand the work experience section of vacation schemes- it’s my first cycle.

Is it frowned upon to copy and paste bullet points detailing the role and responsibilities of each work experience? Or is the general consensus to write a paragraph (depending on word limit) about the role, especially if they ask about skills gained?

For Ashurst, it’s 150 words about roles and responsibilities per job (doesn’t mention skills) which format would suit this best? Bullet points or paragraph?

Thanks!

If there is an option to format bullet points on the application form (rather than copying them in), then you can use them. If there isn’t, I’d generally recommend paragraphs but is a super concise format rather than trying to connect every sentences up like it is a story/competency answer.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

For the A&O interactive assessment, do you know if the video questions are at the end or mixed with the other questions? I was hoping to do the non-video questions today and then prepare for the video ones tomorrow.

Sorry if this is silly but is the video interview and the interactive assessment one and the same? And both are to be completed before the deadline? Or just the interactive interview and the video app is a separate assessment which you are invited to after the deadline?

 

[Moorview]

Graduated in 2020…did a MC VS last year and didn’t convert to a TC. Meanwhile, people I went to uni with are now qualified solicitors lmao

*sad violin noises*

I'm in the same boat, you're not alone.

 

[NJS]

Has anyone got a jones day interview invite so far this week?

Nope, I applied Sunday, when did you?

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Hello,

Anything yet from AG?

PFO a long time ago lol

 

[Tintin06]

Can someone please help me understand the work experience section of vacation schemes- it’s my first cycle.

Is it frowned upon to copy and paste bullet points detailing the role and responsibilities of each work experience? Or is the general consensus to write a paragraph (depending on word limit) about the role, especially if they ask about skills gained?

For Ashurst, it’s 150 words about roles and responsibilities per job (doesn’t mention skills) which format would suit this best? Bullet points or paragraph?

Thanks!

Job description; skill one; skill two. For the 'skills', I refer to Shearman & Sterling (now A&O Shearman) and their then Grad Rec lead Paul Gascoyne's skills you'll need as a trainee solicitor. Try to apply those to your work experience. E.g. resourcefulness, decency, work organisation and planning etc. The video explains it more than I ever could.