TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[a1024]

Does the Dentons Assessment have a video question in the end?

 

[Aadilah Khan]

received HL test for summer

when did you apply?

 

[legalxp2]

Does Mayer Brown test contain WG?

Hi is the test automatic seeing as there is no written app?

 

[Bread]

Do you think it's worth sending feedback about SJTs anywhere?

I just did one where I scored 4/9 for digital mindset, whereas I'd say I'm more of a 9/9 kinda guy. I think I know a key reason why - one of the questions had a digital option that just wouldn't work in reality, so I chose the non-digital option, given that there wasn't a 'try the digital option (which will fail), then do this option' - you had to choose ONE answer, and it seems like they want the superficial digital option over the actual knowledge that it wouldn't work.

Or is just a case of move on.

I hate to be That Person, but this is kind of on you, and I don’t think it will help your application to go to Graduate Recruitment and say “well AcShUAllY”
Tbh this is the thing I find most frustrating about SJT — that lots of the options are usually things I would never do irl but we gotta take the L I think

 

[lilymawe1]

What does a PFO mean😅

Please excuse my language, but it stands for please f**k off! But basically it just means a rejection haha

 

[Jessica Booker]

Might be a bit of a silly question, but will other firms be aware of the fact that Paul, Weiss purposefully includes a comma in their name? I want to discuss my Paul, Weiss open day in my work experience section, but I am not sure whether it would be safer to write the firm name without the comma in case they think it's a mistake...

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

Thank you!

Yes - they will be aware of that and will see it across applications commonly enough to know it.

 

[Jessica Booker]

If White & Case asks for a cover letter but where you submit it on the portal it has a word count of 1000 (which is more than one side of A4), do I still need to stick to writing a traditional cover letter with an address and use less words, or fill the 1000 word count?

This can just start with Dear…… rather than have all the formal address format.

I would try to ensure the cover letter is 800-1000 words.

 

[Law queries]

Does Mayer Brown test contain WG?

On the website it said that there are some online tests as well which are supposed to be alongside the app, but I am not sure if its automatic or no because i filled the app form recently and havent gotten the test yet. Could someone please clarify this? thank you!

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Finally got my Paul Weiss PFO- the email was quite supportive though overall 👏🏽👏🏽 !

However they sent a link to register for an online open day- did anyone else receive this and those who were rejected from previous open days?

 

[yasmars]

View attachment 6504

So pleased about this!

 

[hazanelson]

in latham's VI as part of the SJT is the time limit 2 or 3 minutes? Thank you

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

For those that did the Mayer Brown SJT, did you receive a feedback report?

 

[tosin4774]

Does Paul Weiss invite everyone to the online open day if they were unsuccessful at the in person open day?

Yes. They just posted on their LinkedIn account that people who didn't get a place due to the high demand can register for the virtual open day.

 

[Gg2001]

On the website it said that there are some online tests as well which are supposed to be alongside the app, but I am not sure if its automatic or no because i filled the app form recently and havent gotten the test yet. Could someone please clarify this? thank you!

first stage test: verbal reasoning test + SJT test: automatic for everyone. Grad rec takes days/weeks to send out the test email so don’t worry if it takes time. I got the link after like 3 weeks.
Second stage test: simulation life at Mayer brown: if you pass tests above, you get email, again weeks later. This one is not automatic, you need pass earlier test.

 

[Gg2001]

For those that did the Mayer Brown SJT, did you receive a feedback report?

After like 3/4 days I think

 

[Law queries]

first stage test: verbal reasoning test + SJT test: automatic for everyone. Grad rec takes days/weeks to send out the test email so don’t worry if it takes time. I got the link after like 3 weeks.
Second stage test: simulation life at Mayer brown: if you pass tests above, you get email, again weeks later. This one is not automatic, you need pass earlier test.

Ahhh understood. Thank you so much!!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

After like 3/4 days I think

Thank you!

 

[Jmk]

Future trainee here. There was a networking event at my firm and I met some applicants. I asked one applicant what stage he was at and he told me he 'graduated a long time ago'. I asked him when he graduated and he told me 2021 (not a long-time ago at all). I told him I graduate in 2017, and I'm starting my training contract in March 2025. He was concerned that he was behind and old. I want to give advice to mature applicants that would have saved me so much time and effort. This mentality (thinking you're behind and old etc) may make you lose out on a training contract at your dream firm. I had this mentality on my first vacation scheme at my 'dream' firm and I am 90% sure it was the reason I did not receive the TC. Your mentality/mindset is the most important thing to acheiving your goals. Your subconscious mind determines what you genuinely believe you can do and achieve. If you feel like you are behind and old, no matter how outwardly confident you are, that energy will be sensed by recruiters and could affect how you are preceived no matter how well you do in assessments. No one will tell you this, but recruiters and hiring partners are human (suprise) and there is still a sense of hiring someone based on 'vibes'/'energy'. At the end of the day, you can be 'perfect on paper' but if your 'energy','attitude','confidence','vibes' are 'off' you may lose out on a TC offer. It could be being insecure, being overconfident, being unkind, jugdemental etc. Whatever it is - peoples 'energy' is sensed by recruiters especially on a vacation scheme and you might not get hired because you may not be the sort of person that people will want to work will late nights or in a team. Your grades and assessments on the VS or AC only partly influence your decision to be hired. In my opinion, recruiters are more likely to pick someone who has a great mentality and exudes positive energy, is confident and kind etc, but didn't necessarily score the highest in the VS assessments. There is a huge likeability aspect in the hiring process that you might not be told about and it's something to think about(obviously you have to still perform WELL). Therefore, your insecurity about being behind or too old might manifest in how you present yourself in an interview or VS. Watch out for it.

I got a second chance and received another vacation scheme offer which translated into a TC at another brilliant firm with objectively better training - everything happens for a reason! BUT, I could have saved myself so much time and energy if I was genuinely confident and not insecure about my experience and age the first time around. I learnt my lesson from the first time. Don't let the rejections and disappointments or the amount of time it's taking, make you feel like you're behind on life and that you're not smart or capable. Try to reject internalising this because it will affect your chances of success. A bad mentality will slow you down, make you give up, or if you get the offer - make you blow the interview or VS. The quicker you fail, the quicker you succeed. SO with each rejection, just know you are closer to success. A year ago I was on a winter VS and got rejected, now I'm working at another firm and about to start my TC in a few months. It does not have to take you years to get a TC, but if you internalise the rejections it will slow you down.

Stay focused, don't give up and watch your thoughts and mindset! 2025 can be your year!

 

[AfVio24]

Has anyone heard from Bird & Bird regarding the Spring VS?

saw 1 person get an AC for summer, I've been waiting post VI for 5 weeks

 

[Applebanana425]

Has anyone heard from Bird & Bird regarding the Spring VS?

waiting after VI i did last week