TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone have any tips on the Bird & Bird question for industry trends? I've looked at AI etc but don't want to be too basic but also equally confused. If anyone has any advice, could be great!

Hiya @agx

Yep, I think Bird & Bird actually puts out some excellent publications on industry trends across a variety of industries. You can access the report here. It's relatively recent and should give you a good sense of the sort of trends currently affecting the key industries that Bird & Bird is particularly well-known in. Hope this helps and good luck with your application!

 

[lawyersum]

Mishcon spring vs news anyone?

 

[ashwright]

Has anyone heard from HL Lift off?

When I spoke to GR last week, I think they said we'd hear back by Dec 20th. I'm not sure if that's the latest or if that's expected week..

 

[hmarsden]

Just filled in the Taylor Wessing form and now I can’t access it because of the error. 🫠

Has the form come back for anyone or have you had to start again/set up a new account?

I am having this issue as well! I have emailed the early talent team so will keep on trying and wait for their response

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Everyone,
for Jones Day, I'm really struggling to draw the line between work experience and extra currics. Some things like vac schemes and employment are clearly work exp, but what about something like my college law society or student union?
Thanks

College law society experiences for me very much fit into extracurriculars than work. For student union activities, it depends what you are doing. Many positions within a student union will be work experience though, whether that be an "officer" role or working part-time in the SU Bar.

 

[abhuzaifa]

Yes but last year I got it one day after applying so assuming this is going to be a PFO.

I don't think its a PFO, deadline for the SVS is in Jan

 

[cjwx]

These things can sometimes take a little longer than expected unfortunately. Reimbursement processes can be notoriously slow, especially where it is a one off payment.

If you haven't received it again by end of play of Wednesday, I would call them again. If you need the money reimbursed urgently, then call them today and explain that it getting the reimbursement is important or that you may receive additional bank charges etc if its not paid back soon.

Did you attend an in person event for Willkie or was it an interview?

 

[molak202]

Hi! If a firm asks the same application question for a vacation scheme and an open day (achievements and extracurricular activities), is it okay to copy and paste the successful answer?

 

[WillkieGemma]

Did you attend an in person event for Willkie or was it an interview?

HI Cleo

We don't hold any interviews in person until after the application deadline, as our application process is not rolling. We do have video interviews prior to the deadline, but those don't incur a cost. So, @IneedaTCASAP would have been at one of our insight events.

Many thanks
Gemma

 

[jojo23]

When an application asks 'Why have you decided to pursue a career in Commercial Law? 250 words' how do I answer this, is it just why commercial law or does it have to be specific? The next question is why Reed smith in particular, so I thought maybe being specific isn't entirely necessary?

 

[cjwx]

HI Cleo

We don't hold any interviews in person until after the application deadline, as our application process is not rolling. We do have video interviews prior to the deadline, but those don't incur a cost. So, @IneedaTCASAP would have been at one of our insight events.
Thank you Gemma.

Many thanks
Gemma

 

[Amjaya]

Hi all,

Just writing in to ask whether you have any advice on this matter. So I was accepted onto freshfields non law workshop and for some odd reason I ignored this email or completely forgot so never attended the workshop. This was supposed to be on the (5th December 2022).

I have applied to many other open days like the graduate workshop etc and have been rejected every year do you think this is due to me not attending the non law workshop and ignoring the email. ( please keep in mind I completely either forgot about it or didn’t open my emails and read it. This only appeared to me yesterday when I typed in freshfields in my email search bar and found the old email).

Please do let me know what you think because I keep getting rejected to subsequent open days etc. I was recently rejected to attend the graduate workshop 2024 ! I know this matter may be self explanatory but really need other input / advice.

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

 

[Amjaya]

Is the Mayer brown test automatic? I thought they rejected me 😂

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

I am applying to Kennedys and the deadline is on the 29th, I would really appreciate it if you could provide any guidance on how to answer the questions below as they both are very similar. (Please note that I have not interacted with the law firm before at all) Thank you!!

1. Reflecting on your research and any interaction you may have had with the firm, what has encouraged you to apply to Kennedys? 1500 characters

2. What specific aspects of Kennedys' culture, values, or work have inspired you to pursue a training contract with us, and how do you see yourself contributing to our firm? 1500 characters

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all,

Just writing in to ask whether you have any advice on this matter. So I was accepted onto freshfields non law workshop and for some odd reason I ignored this email or completely forgot so never attended the workshop. This was supposed to be on the (5th December 2022).

I have applied to many other open days like the graduate workshop etc and have been rejected every year do you think this is due to me not attending the non law workshop and ignoring the email. ( please keep in mind I completely either forgot about it or didn’t open my emails and read it. This only appeared to me yesterday when I typed in freshfields in my email search bar and found the old email).

Please do let me know what you think because I keep getting rejected to subsequent open days etc. I was recently rejected to attend the graduate workshop 2024 ! I know this matter may be self explanatory but really need other input / advice.

@Jessica Booker

I really don't think this will be the case as I suspect they have not even got the data from the 2022 recruitment cycle anymore due to data retention policies.

 

[Tintin06]

Had a dream I was waiting for a Vacation Scheme interview at Baker McKenzie ... while doing a VS at Baker McKenzie. When I was waiting for one interview in 2019 I had a dream I was eaten by a crocodile, which was actually what the interview felt like. It's funny how you can end up having dreams (or nightmares) about law firm interviews.

 

[studentdelaw786]

anyone heard back re Gibson Dunn open day?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

I am applying to Kennedys and the deadline is on the 29th, I would really appreciate it if you could provide any guidance on how to answer the questions below as they both are very similar. (Please note that I have not interacted with the law firm before at all) Thank you!!

1. Reflecting on your research and any interaction you may have had with the firm, what has encouraged you to apply to Kennedys? 1500 characters

2. What specific aspects of Kennedys' culture, values, or work have inspired you to pursue a training contract with us, and how do you see yourself contributing to our firm? 1500 characters

I'd split this into the first part being more backwards looking - what you have done to learn more about the firm and the career that specifically aligns with the firm. I'd then make the second question more forward looking - what are you looking forward to experiencing within the firm if you were to join, and how you would contribute to the firm's environment.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

I'd split this into the first part being more backwards looking - what you have done to learn more about the firm and the career that specifically aligns with the firm. I'd then make the second question more forward looking - what are you looking forward to experiencing within the firm if you were to join, and how you would contribute to the firm's environment.

Thank you!

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

For Fieldfisher did people put in all of their degree module grades and every GCSE/A Level grade.

Yep, this is what I did