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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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Just recieved the same reply for the early careers team, but I haven't contacted Vantage yet.Hi both! It happened to me too I couldn't submit the application because Vantage crashedThe early careers team asked me to contact the Vantage contact form. Did you get a reply?
Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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Heya I noticed this today- I have no idea how long it’s been there, but imma do it tomo to be safe
This happened to me last year too - I think you have to complete it within 3 days otherwise they withdraw your application.
Anyone got any advice on what one could include in a response to this question - there is no skills/why you question for Addleshaw, so could this be mentioned here ?
Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application.
Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application.
- Sep 9, 2024
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@Jessica Booker might be able to give you a more certain answer, but I think the natural interpretation of the wording of the second part of the sentence allows for 'why you' type answers. Work experiences/extracurriculars/achievements definitely count as 'any other information' as long as they have not been mentioned elsewhere on the form, and if they demonstrate important skills for the role then they are definitely 'relevant to your application'.
- Sep 9, 2024
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This is just my personal view, but I would say to follow instructions and wait for the outcome until the last three-four days before the deadline. In the meanwhile, you can prepare the application and have it ready to go. If they do not respond before the very last few days then I would then submit it. This way, you (i) respect the instructions for as long as possible while (ii) also ensuring you have submitted a summer VS application that still has a good chance of being seriously considered (as the vast majority of applications are sent in the last two days, so you should still be stand out from most of the crowd).
In the confirmation email that I received, mine had a sentence at the bottom saying I had 3 days to complete it, but I needed to log back in to do the test. I did not receive a separate email about the test so I would say read your confirmation email line by line to check.
- Sep 9, 2024
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Perhaps @Amma Usman or @Ram Sabaratnam will know more, but having had a quick look on their website and some other publications with applications information, I could not find any precise figures regarding the distribution of the TC offers across offices. All I could find is that CRS will offer around 25 TCs in London, Guildford and Cheltenham. I would suspect that the reason the firm does not publish more data is that the number of TCs offered by each office is not fixed, but varies depending on their changing needs and market conditions.
All that being said, I would still suspect that generally London gives the most TC offers and also has the most D&I projects - for most firms, London simply is the biggest and most profitable UK market. For a firm with a large private wealth practice like CRS, I would assume that is even more so the case, as a lot of HNWIs reside in London.
sorry to ask again, but has anyone heard from the firm? I still haven’t and the Open Day is this week!!
- Sep 9, 2024
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I unfortunately do not know of any successful short video interview answer links (though I will tag @Amma Usman and @Ram Sabaratnam in case they do), but I completely emphasize with your struggles. Having to respond to "loaded" VI questions (which in fact include 2 or 3 broad sub-questions) is very difficult in such a short amount of time. I think the only way to do so is to sacrifice both the depth and the breadth of your answer. Your can limit breath in the way you mentioned, by mentioning only one point instead of your usual two or three for each sub-questions.
You can then also limit on the depth of explanation of each point. For instance, for a 'why the firm' point, say you would normally go on an elaborated narrative as to how your interest in a given practice area originated, how you went about exploring it, how you then realised what are its substantive features that differentiate it from other practices and also attract you, and then explain who the given firm is a market leader in the practice area and is better than its rivals. Now, considering the time constraints and other questions you have to address, you should instead simply state something like 'The main reason I am attracted to your firm is it's strong X practice area, which is demonstrated by their Chambers and Legal 500 recognition. I am attracted to it because of Y (state distinguishing feature in a few words), as illustrated by Z experience (state the basic subject matter of the experience in a few words)'. This way, you should be able to formulate your point in 15-20 seconds.
Finally, I understand how this type of answer may feel unconvincing and underdeveloped. But given the time constraints, you do not have much choice, just as other candidates won't. Thus, the recruiters reviewing your application will adjust their expectations based on that. I think your answer will be fine as long as you (i) have at least one decent substantive point for each sub-question and (ii) are quite clear when stating the relevant motivation in short form.
- Sep 9, 2024
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Unless (i) this is a quite important work experience and (ii) the description itself would not suffice for the graduate recruitment team to realise the error and still be able to understand your work experience, I would not email them. The only benefit of emailing them is clearing out any important confusion, while the certain downside is that you are pointing out a mistake that they might otherwise not notice.
I spoke to a member of GR a few weeks ago who said that they recommend submitting off the VS app! When I asked about when we can expect to hear back for Lift Off, Dec 20 was the date given. I'm not sure if that was the specific day we'll hear back or if that's just the latest date. Personally, I am thinking of waiting for LiftOff results but I'm still not super sure. 😊
I'll probably just write the app and have it ready to send 2 weeks before the rolling deadline. I don't know why grad rec and their website would say the opposite things, that's not very helpful
At the end of the day if you submit an application and then get the LO programme you can just consider it free practice and a guaranteed assessment day before the other VS applicants get a reply I suppose haha
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @AS24
Great question! Building on what @Andrei Radu mentioned, I can confirm that CRS does take on more trainees in its London office compared to other locations and that trainees in London often have access to a wider range of seat options (which is worth considering when thinking about the kind of work you'd like to experience during your training contract). If you're applying to the London office, it might be helpful to reflect on why this location/office stands out to you, particularly in terms of the practice areas it is known for.
Regarding DEI initiatives, while it's hard to say definitively whether the London office offers more DEI projects compared to other offices, I did get the impression that the London is actively involved with organisations like Aspiring Solicitors. I was also particularly impressed by the number of pro bono matters that London trainees are able to get involved in. If you get the chance, I’d recommend reaching out to current trainees or attending any CRS events to get more insights into what’s available in the London office. I remember doing so when I applied and found many of them to be lovely and very approachable. They were also quite helpful in terms of allowing me to understand the seat selection process and ongoing DEI efforts at the firm. Hope that helps, and good luck with your application!
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hiya @Gg2001! 😊
Just wanted to add to the great advice from @Andrei Radu. He's spot on about keeping your points concise given the time limit!
While I don’t know of any templates for successful video interview answers, I found a really useful tool from ULaw that might help: ULaw Video Interview Practice Tool. It lets you practice actual video interview questions asked by law firms and simulates the format and timing constraints, which is really helpful for getting comfortable with the process. I used it myself, and it was a great way to prepare by creating a realistic interview environment. If you’re looking for another option, you could also record yourself on your phone or laptop. Watching your recordings back is a great way to refine your answers and build confidence in speaking on camera. Best of luck with your vide interview!
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