TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[gazdgazd11]

if you don't mind me asking, how long do you have to complete the VI?

5 days I believe?

I’m currently working on the HL Summer VS application, and one of the questions is “tell us about any open days or events you have attended”.

I did both my schooling and undergrad degree abroad, and moved to the UK only a few months back. I was able to attend a Taylor Wessing in-person open day, but apart from that my experience is limited to Legal Cheek events (the law fairs and firm specific events). Moreover, I haven’t really interacted with HL specifically at these events.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can go about this question?

not sure if this is good advice but I’d talk about virtual events. That’s what I do cause I’ve not attended any in person ones. Had different priorities during uni sadly

 

[Reem2024]

i know people cant share VI questions, but if anyone has done the CC VI before, could they offer some advice?

By any chance has anyone replied to you about this? I'm not sure how to approach the VI

 

[lookingforaTC]

CMS WG came through for me today - applied deadline for regional office.

 

[dxbbilly]

CMS VI!

Hey congratulations! how long after the WG did you hear back? I completed my WG today

 

[Hana ♥]

Passed DLA VI! How long did people wait to be shortlisted (either rejection or invite to AC)?

 

[l789]

Anyone heard from Paul Weiss open day

I’m still waiting for my PFO!

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Would love thoughts on this - A commercial issue for Weil app am thinking of talking about the rise of private credit. This is a commercial issue that affects asset management and PE firms for alternative forms of financing through private credit. My issue is will this still be relevant as interest rates and inflation have be lowered will private credit still be relevant. Any thoughts on this @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

Interesting articles on the subject

 

[Audric_T]

Passed DLA VI! How long did people wait to be shortlisted (either rejection or invite to AC)?

Congratulations- a week and a half but depends on location and they are swamped at the moment I.e London is closed with last ac in January it would appear but Birmingham is open with a few acs to go. However hr has a lot of apps to wade through

 

[carys09]

I’m currently working on the HL Summer VS application, and one of the questions is “tell us about any open days or events you have attended”.

I did both my schooling and undergrad degree abroad, and moved to the UK only a few months back. I was able to attend a Taylor Wessing in-person open day, but apart from that my experience is limited to Legal Cheek events (the law fairs and firm specific events). Moreover, I haven’t really interacted with HL specifically at these events.

Does anyone have any advice on how I can go about this question?

I went to an application workshop last year and they were very clear that you don't need to mention any Hogan Lovells events as they know not everyone can easily attend. I would definitely mention the virtual events and if you can remember the names of any firms that collaborated with Legal Cheek to host these events it can't hurt to mention them. If you attended any events/open days abroad those would also be relevant. From what grad rec said, the point of the question is to test your enthusiasm and genuine interest in commercial law by asking you to provide evidence. As well as describing the events you have attended, I would also try and talk about what you gained/learned and then link that back to your specific interests (i.e. are you especially interested in litigation? or maybe finance? did any of those events spark that interest?)

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Can you apply to both the linklaters direct TC and vacation scheme? I would really prefer not to do a vac scheme as I work full-time but my success rate with direct TCs is awful compared to for vac schemes…

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do mitigating circumstances really get assessed? Starting to feel like they don't

Generally, yes they are.

Although it does depend what the circumstances are and also how long a period you are claiming them for.

It becomes very difficult for recruiters to determine your true ability if the majority of your evidence is impacted by the circumstances.

Put frankly about this, I see too many people trying to claim mitigating circumstances that are fairly innocuous and you question why they would have had such a severe and long term impact compared to people who have had severe circumstances that undoubtedly would have had an impact that seem completely justified, especially when they can show it only led to a blip in performance.

 

[studentdelaw786]

Fried Frank’s application does not have a word limit. How many words should I write for each application answer? Would 250-300 words be sufficient?

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Generally, yes they are.

Although it does depend what the circumstances are and also how long a period you are claiming them for.

It becomes very difficult for recruiters to determine your true ability if the majority of your evidence is impacted by the circumstances.

Put frankly about this, I see too many people trying to claim mitigating circumstances that are fairly innocuous and you question why they would have had such a severe and long term impact compared to people who have had severe circumstances that undoubtedly would have had an impact that seem completely justified, especially when they can show it only led to a blip in performance.

Hi @Jessica Booker, can you advise how firms would look at my extenuating / mitigating circumstances:
I was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD in October 2023 and November 2023 towards the end of my PGDL. My academic grades before that were average at best. However, since my diagnosis I have been taking medication and there has been a notable increase in my academic performance (though I had patchy ‘good’ grades previously). Can I ask that my undergraduate grade is largely discounted and my PGDL and LLM grades are more heavily weighted because of this. It’s difficult I know because every firm seems to lean entirely on A Level and undergraduate grades to filter people in or out of their recruitment process.

 

[charlotte1704]

PWC PFO post-vi

 

[aladdin]

Does anyone know if RPC looks at both WG and application for issuing the AC or just the WG.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Does anyone know if RPC looks at both WG and application for issuing the AC or just the WG.

I'm not sure, have you done a WG, I haven't heard back since I applied in Oct.

 

[AlegalA]

Thoughts on Fladgate? I was excited about them until I saw their app questions and how long they were (500w each) and feeling a bit deflated. They also ask for references which I always find a bit awkward for the academic ones because I haven't been in academia for a little while...
Anyone have a good or bad experience with them to help me sway one way or the other? 😂😂

 

[lala_17]

is it too late to apply for rolling deadlines (esp ones in december or even early jan) like weil, bird & bird, hogan lovells etc? wouldn't wanna hurt my chances in the future by sending off an application that won't even be looked at...
also is davis polk rolling?

 

[lolasparks]

is it too late to apply for rolling deadlines (esp ones in december or even early jan) like weil, bird & bird, hogan lovells etc? wouldn't wanna hurt my chances in the future by sending off an application that won't even be looked at...
also is davis polk rolling?

Wondering about Weil too, but in website it says all applications will be reviewed regardless of when you apply

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, can you advise how firms would look at my extenuating / mitigating circumstances:
I was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD in October 2023 and November 2023 towards the end of my PGDL. My academic grades before that were average at best. However, since my diagnosis I have been taking medication and there has been a notable increase in my academic performance (though I had patchy ‘good’ grades previously). Can I ask that my undergraduate grade is largely discounted and my PGDL and LLM grades are more heavily weighted because of this. It’s difficult I know because every firm seems to lean entirely on A Level and undergraduate grades to filter people in or out of their recruitment process.

If it is clear there is an improvement in grades this will be taken into consideration.

I can't say that A-levels and your undergraduate degree will be completely discounted though - that is five (or more) years of education compared to only two years of your GDL and LLM. It is also tricky if you are also asking them to discount the good grades you did achieve during the pre-diagnosis period. This is why it ultimately comes down to explaining how your circumstances impacted you rather than just claiming them.

It also means that firms have to rely on the other evidence on your application form more, and particularly things like assessments that assess intellect, like Watson Glaser tests, so you have to be mindful that you may need to demonstrate strengths elsewhere in the application.