TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[mulan0]

Can I ask if you managed to reach the word count? I also don't really have much to say for this section so I'm thinking I'll have to just put the few points I have and hope for the best

Hey, I did! I gave a little extra detail and put in some smaller experiences from sixth form too. I don't think you need to reach it tbh because you don't want to waffle either so I wouldn't worry

 

[Amma Usman]

For the Womble Bond Dickinson application, the work experience section gives 250 words per experience for details. Do I need to link back to the firm and say how the skills will help me as a trainee or just say what skills I learnt?

Hi @mulan0. In my experience, you don’t need to link it back to the firm in the work experience section. This would be more adequately covered and appropriate for the cover letter and/or motivational questions.

 

[mulan0]

Hi @mulan0. In my experience, you don’t need to link it back to the firm in the work experience section. This would be more adequately covered and appropriate for the cover letter and/or motivational questions.

That’s what I would usually do but there’s no questions on the application form so I wasn’t sure!

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

For anyone still drafting their latham app: https://www.ft.com/content/32010275-e063-449e-a52b-0783b826dc23
This might be genuinely all you need lol

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

It really is nonsense but you seem to be in a better position than me so I sure hope you get through!

One of mine seemed like a positive response but didn’t say “good” or anything so I also think the report is written with a very negative tone that might be misleading.

Also I saw someone on Reddit say they got limited for every single one and still passed so don’t give up

 

[BobThebIlly]

One of mine seemed like a positive response but didn’t say “good” or anything so I also think the report is written with a very negative tone that might be misleading.

Also I saw someone on Reddit say they got limited for every single one and still passed so don’t give up

omg thank you! could you please tell me where you saw that reddit post?

 

[Anonymousxyz]

For DLA Piper, what does it mean to have passed the benchmark for the VI? I submitted mine today and I already got a response saying I passed- but it seems unlikely that grad rec watched it in the span of a few hours on a Sunday.

 

[jta227]

One of mine seemed like a positive response but didn’t say “good” or anything so I also think the report is written with a very negative tone that might be misleading.

Also I saw someone on Reddit say they got limited for every single one and still passed so don’t give up

Wait what? I got an even split of moderate and limited and failed, yet their auto-email implies that their report is useful feedback... how useful can it be if it has little correlation with whether you passed or not

 

[Amma Usman]

That’s what I would usually do but there’s no questions on the application form so I wasn’t sure!

@mulan0 . That’s very interesting. In this case where there is no cover letter or applications questions, I suggest tailoring it to the firm in the work experience section then. Perhaps it’s worth looking at WBD’s values on their website, or speaking to future/current lawyers on what they look for by dropping private messages on LinkedIn. You could also link it to general trainee competencies like proactivity, attention to detail, resilience, and so on. Since there is no variation of a cover letter, I’ll also stress the importance of adequately covering your work experiences to showcase the key skills and qualities you possessed from each placement. Further, prose will be best in this instance.

I have tagged the rest of the team in case they have more views on how best to approach this: @Jessica Booker , @Andrei Radu , @Ram Sabaratnam.

 

[tcla02]

hi @Amma Usman I just finished a video interview and I ended my answer on "so yeah". does this mean a rejection ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

For the Womble Bond Dickinson application, the work experience section gives 250 words per experience for details. Do I need to link back to the firm and say how the skills will help me as a trainee or just say what skills I learnt?

I don’t think you need to do this unless the firm explicitly asks.

You can tailor your evidence to the firm by emphasising skills, topics, or values that might be aligned to the firm, but I don’t think you need to explicitly link it back to the firm. If the evidence is there, your reader will be able to see the connection.

 

[SerGo2507]

Does anyone know whether Taylor Wessing provides a feedback report for their test?

Not as a default. If you fail though, I’ve read they quickly tell you, like within hours!

 

[yeezyee]

i can’t stop overthinking my latham video interview answer now… i’m not sure if i was succinct enough i definitely could’ve ended 10 seconds earlier eughhhh 🫣🫣

 

[Papayas9]

I have one!

Congratulations! When were you sent the invite?

 

[kokoprep]

Does Ashurst hire majority of its trainees from the vacation schemes or would applying to the DTC have a good shot? Please share views!

 

[lawyersum]

mishcon be playing with our hearts and minds

 

[hitherelaw]

random but im curious - what law firm do you guys think receives the most applicants for TC+VS and which do you think is the most competitive to get a TC/VS offer from?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

random but im curious - what law firm do you guys think receives the most applicants for TC+VS and which do you think is the most competitive to get a TC/VS offer from?

Every single firm is highly competitive. But you have to put it into context because some firms may receive about 7000 applications but recruit 100 trainees and another may recruit around 5 and receive around 1000. Yet both are ridiculously competitive to land.

 

[Tcvspfo]

Every single firm is highly competitive. But you have to put it into context because some firms may receive about 7000 applications but recruit 100 trainees and another may recruit around 5 and receive around 1000. Yet both are ridiculously competitive to land.

I think Paul Weiss will receive record numbers this year.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Akin PFO!