TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Deleted member 37508]

Weil VI!!

Was the turn around long. I plan to apply

 

[lawyersum]

Mishcon are taking their TIME for the Spring vs lol….

 

[Arbiter141]

Anyone received any word on Paul, Weiss' last Open Day?

 

[helloj]

Was the turn around long. I plan to apply

I applied on the 20th September so very very long! But it should be quicker now as I am assuming people are starting to hear back!

 

[M_m]

I applied to Bird & Bird on Nov 20th, which in hindsight seems too late given they recruit on a rolling basis. Should I just assume a PFO by now? Does anyone know how long it usually takes for them to send out WG invites?

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I applied on the 20th September so very very long! But it should be quicker now as I am assuming people are starting to hear back!

Thank you for the response. good luck for the video interview.

 

[futuretrainee2503]

Anyone received any word on Paul, Weiss' last Open Day?

Nope, I am waiting too.. when did you apply only two weeks left and i hope they let us know by friday

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

A bit random but does anyone know if there's a thread for SQE related questions? I'm currently applying and am not sure whether to go with BPP or ULaw and for which course. Thanks

 

[RSK]

Hey, does anyone know if the SJT + VI needs to be completed by the 8th for Latham, or do we have until the 11th?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi guys I have 2 random questions-
Would it be particularly bad to reuse part of your 'Why commercial law' answer in your 'Why this firm in particular' answer?

When answering why firm x in particular, could you draw comparisons between firms you've attended an open day for and why you're drawn to this form more.. or something like that?

Hey @jojo23 , these are really good questions that often came up for me as well, when I was applying. I don‘t have too much to add to @Ram Sabaratnam ’s wonderful response, but these are a few things I found helpful as well;

I believe it’s totally fine to reuse an answer for both questions, however, do so sparingly and in a way which brings out different variations of the same experience. For example, if I included that working in-house insurance sparked my passion for commercial law due to being able to see things from the clients perspective, my answer to why X firm would be different. For example, I would then cement it with how working in-house insurance and delivering a training on competition law to all personnel at the firm sparked my passion for exploring X firm‘s renowned competition law practice. So you see, I’ve used two different arms of the same experience to solidify both answers in a way which adequately shows demonstrated interest.

In relation to the second part of your question, I believe this is fine as well, depending on how you phrase this. For example, a lot of responses I have read from candidates which implement this approach, often leads to an indirect slandering of the other firms which they attended open days at. Thus, the way in which you tackle this is by referencing the difference in the scope of their work. For example, say you attended open days at X and Y. If firm X is largely transactional and firm Y is more disputes-focused, then when applying to firm Z who is also disputes focused, you will reference the differences in both areas and why the latter appealed more.

Another thing I did often was to include how attending X open day sparked my passion for commercial law, and repeating the contents of the day in more detail when discussing my motivations for that specific firm (or again, a firm which has a strong expertise in its line of work). By expanding on the contents of the day, such as presentations by trainees, the firm’s trainee offering, or even mock case study workshops, I trust that you will be able to approach both questions in a different light and show this breadth of exposure that is needed.

 

[hanz123]

Any advice on how to answer why should we hire you as a trainee for a VI?

 

[legal_student2024]

hi everyone! i got my macfarlanes cappfinity report back - and my low scoring areas was analysis. obvs know it’s hard to draw any definitive conclusions, but do you think this means will likely result in pfo? can’t see myself progressing beyond test stage given how central a trait “analysis” is

 

[yasmars]

hi everyone! i got my macfarlanes cappfinity report back - and my low scoring areas was analysis. obvs know it’s hard to draw any definitive conclusions, but do you think this means will likely result in pfo? can’t see myself progressing beyond test stage given how central a trait “analysis” is

I once emailed GR about a technical difficulty I faced during the online assessment, and they said they would never disregard an application due to a low test score, so I wouldn't worry!

 

[jta227]

Literally same. I was really surprised and somewhat disappointed. Tempted to email their Graduate Recruitment team and ask but I don't want to appear as if I'm on a high horse or anything D:

If you do can you let me know what they say? I would but I'd rather just focus on my other apps at this point haha

 

[Shermel F]

Hi,

I wondered how we should reflect our LPC results that are not graded or only have the grade "Competent"?

The application form says to put all my LPC results, but the answers allow either a grade percentage or a Distinction, Commendation, or Pass. However, certain modules are scored Competent/Not Competent.

How should I reflect the Competent? - [should I put the overall grade for the LPC, for example, Distinction, or just put Pass]?

 

[zq522]

When was your interview?

Last week!

 

[Shermel F]

Hi,

I wondered how we should reflect our LPC results that are not graded or only have the grade "Competent"?

The application form says to put all my LPC results, but the answers allow either a grade percentage or a Distinction, Commendation, or Pass. However, certain modules are scored Competent/Not Competent.

How should I reflect the Competent? - [should I put the overall grade, for example, Distinction, or just put Pass]?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey all, for VI - when responding to the question 'Why our firm?' I struggle to provide a thorough breakdown of 3 arguments (as I would do in a written response). I think all 3 which I want to mention are important, but I run out of time when trying to provide evidence of research/explanation. In a written response, it's easier to cut down the words/redact and make them fit within the word count.

What structure would you recommend for that question? Should we focus on a number of reasons (if so, are 2 sufficient?)?

Hey @CarolineC , this is a good one. I was actually having a chat about this with one of my mentees a few minutes ago!

Personally, I would focus on less than 3 points. In answering why X firm, I usually focus heavily on one major point - the work. The reason I spend a lot of time on this is because with VIs, you have little time to go into detail on your motivations and would not want to be left in a situation where your marker wonders what more you had to say. On a side note, I also believe this is the most specific point of demonstrated interest a candidate can reference. Any practice areas that appeal and why? Focusing on one point, such as the work, is fine if you expand on it in great detail. For example, say you’re drawn to Kirkland for its strong trsanctional practice. Lots of firms have strong transactional practices, so you may want to touch on any intricacies of this practice that are seen at Kirkland more than at other firms. Is it their specialty on advising on both the buyer and lender side? Is it a particular deal? Now just as a mode of warning, mentioning deals also requires another level of high depth and a link of specificity to yourself, so consider if this time is available during your VI. However, if you can adequately show this, then it will elevate your answer.

There would also be some points which could be talked on in less words than, say, the work of the firm. In this case, you will be able to talk about two points strongly. For example, if you’ve properly discussed a practice area you like at Freshfields and why, but you are also drawn to the firm‘s unique training structure, then you could touch on why the 8-seat system appeals. Have you thrived in a similar environment? How do you know it’s for you?

I really sympathise with the feeling of wanting to talk about many points, especially when you know they are all really strong at their core. However, the quality and depth of your answers will be more favoured than high quality in some, but brevity in others.

Hope this helps, and I’m sure @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu and @Jessica Booker will have additional thoughts.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi,

I wondered how we should reflect our LPC results that are not graded or only have the grade "Competent"?

The application form says to put all my LPC results, but the answers allow either a grade percentage or a Distinction, Commendation, or Pass. However, certain modules are scored Competent/Not Competent.

How should I reflect the Competent? - [should I put the overall grade, for example, Distinction, or just put Pass]?

Hey @Shermel Clarissa Francis , I have tagged @Jessica Booker here as I’m sure she’ll have more thoughts.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone know if it is worth still applying for Trowers & Hamlins? I know they recruit on a rolling basis and it is quite late.

Hey @cleojwilliams , I have just checked and seen their deadline is not until the 6th of January. In my experience, you are still in a good place to apply now. Many firms receive the bulk of their applications in the last two weeks so now is a reaosnable time to submit.