TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Tom smith]

Does anyone have any experience with BCLPs first-stage interview??

 

[Andrei Radu]

If you could choose a career other than law, what would you choose? - For this question, I guess everyone has different approaches but would it be unwise to use personal experience to back why certain aspects of the career chosen, appeals to you. I am a bit unsure how else you write a good answer without it, but then don't want to repeat my work experience unnecessarily I guess.

I think it is completely fine to use personal experiences to illustrate points, as in many circumstances it will be personal experiences that shape our motivations more than professional/academic ones. However, I also do not think repeating work experiences is necessarily a big issue, unless your description of the role is very similar. If you discuss different aspects of the experience or you discuss it from a different perspective to the effect that it is clear you are making an entirely different point, I believe it is unlikely any recruiter will have a problem with it.

 

[Andrei Radu]

My question was with regards to if it is too late as AC's have taken place

I think it is still worth applying. Many firms run ACs through a period of multiple months, and all the people I know who did a Simmons & Simmons AC were applying for a WVS. As such, I definitely think this should not deter you from making a Spring/Summer VS application.

 

[mariistm]

Just did my CMS VI and was calm during preparation but my heart started beating at 200bpm once the video interview started and I WAS NERVOUS AND STUTTERING 😭😭 Im so disappointed but onto the next ig.. hope they don't long out my PFO

Anyone have any tips on the nerves? I feel super confident before but during I lose my composure instantly

I had the exact same problem when I did my VI yesterday!! I could have done so much better on the first question, but they were all so loaded and I got nervous!! Bad thing is the nerves never get better for me... this is my 3rd CMS VI!! Hoping for good news

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Yes I did get it back and managed to submit it!

I am having the same issue now. Can i ask how you got past it?

 

[gazdgazd11]

When have you heard back from CMS post the WG test?

 

[mariistm]

When have you heard back from CMS post the WG test?

I did mine on Sunday and heard back on Wednesday. (Bristol office)

 

[mariistm]

Is Eversheds rolling? Not something I can see on the website so I decided to apply but in the confirmation email they said they are rolling and in previous years they were not. Is there any point in applying now?

 

[legal18]

Anyone else not able to submit TW application?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam Hi guys, I just wanted some advice on the 'why this firm' element of a question. Do you think it is acceptable to talk just about for example training or do you think it could be quite generic. Would you suggest for the 'why this firm' aspect to link it back to a practice area or deal

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam Hi guys, I just wanted some advice on the 'why this firm' element of a question. Do you think it is acceptable to talk just about for example training or do you think it could be quite generic. Would you suggest for the 'why this firm' aspect to link it back to a practice area or deal

Discussing training is a common theme in a “why the firm” question for many applicants. The key to the question is explaining why you think the firms training structure or methods are well suited to you and either how you like to learn or what you want to learn - just saying something is excellent training is not really sufficient, you need to explain why either you think it will be excellent for you personally or how you feel you will personally benefit from that particular method/type/opportunity of training.

 

[lolasparks]

I think it is completely fine to use personal experiences to illustrate points, as in many circumstances it will be personal experiences that shape our motivations more than professional/academic ones. However, I also do not think repeating work experiences is necessarily a big issue, unless your description of the role is very similar. If you discuss different aspects of the experience or you discuss it from a different perspective to the effect that it is clear you are making an entirely different point, I believe it is unlikely any recruiter will have a problem with it.

Thank you!!

 

[James Wakefield]

I am having the same issue now. Can i ask how you got past it?

Cleared all cookies and website data before reopening my browser and accessing it again. It might also take a new browser/device.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Anyone else not able to submit TW application?

Hey! I made a new account in incognito mode and i was able to submit it

 

[affidavid]

what have people written about for the 'introduce a topic you know about' on the HSF app? I have a rather niche one I plan to discuss but I think it might be too academic. What are they actually looking for? I mean obvs non-boring, somewhat curious and well-read people who can enthuse and inform ppl about things. wondering what some successful candidates might have put in the past.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam Hi guys, I just wanted some advice on the 'why this firm' element of a question. Do you think it is acceptable to talk just about for example training or do you think it could be quite generic. Would you suggest for the 'why this firm' aspect to link it back to a practice area or deal

Hey @Unknowncabbage just to add to @Jessica Booker's response and to give you my thoughts before @Ram Sabaratnam and @Amma Usman come back to you: I think for a great 'why the firm' answer you want for your reasons to (i) only apply to the particular firm, as opposed to applying equally to a a large number of firms; and (ii) be particularly relevant for you; as opposed to every other applicant.

For (i) I think you want to identify a firm's unique selling points (USPs). These are features of a firm that differentiate it from most other law firms in a relevant manner, and can be anything from the training approach and seats selection to practice area reputation and business strategy. While it is not necessary for a USP to be completely "unique" in that it does not apply to any other single firm, when taking in conjunction all the USPs you want there to be no other firm to which they apply to to the same extent as the firm you are going for.

For instance, if I were applying for Latham, three USPs I could think of are (a) the firm being a PE powerhouse; (b) making a significant dent in UK corporate M&A market; and (c) developing a full service offering. (a) distinguishes Latham from many firms, as it only applies to the same extent to the likes of Kirkland, Simpson Thatcher and Weil; (b) distinguishes Latham from all the aforementioned three but not from a firm like Skadden; while (c) distinguishes Latham from all US firms with the exception of a White & Case or Jones Day, who however are not equally strong players in the M&A/PE space. As such, taking (a), (b), and (c) together they will only apply to Latham.

For (ii), as Jessica explained, you want to make a link between the firm feature and your personal experiences, motivations, skills, and interests. Essentially, you should show that you have particular reason to care about the identified USPs.

Now, coming back to your initial question, talking about the training could be insufficiently specific as I cannot think of many firms where particularities of the training approach distinguish it from every other competitor. As such, I would consider doing some more research to see what other USPs I can find.

 

[A worried graduate]

Wait - ACs for the SVS have taken place? But the deadline isn't for a month and a bit 😭 😭 I hate rolling deadlines

Someone else here mentioned it unless I got the seasons mixed up

 

[A worried graduate]

I think it is still worth applying. Many firms run ACs through a period of multiple months, and all the people I know who did a Simmons & Simmons AC were applying for a WVS. As such, I definitely think this should not deter you from making a Spring/Summer VS application.

Thanks

 

[A worried graduate]

Someone else here mentioned it unless I got the seasons mixed up

Yeah it was for summer in London around the 11th

 

[BillSikes]

Is anyone going to apply to Bird & Bird? i went to an event with them and they said that if we submit now we might not even get screened, don't really want to waste my time...

This is true they did this last year.