TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[iliaserr]

latham vs pfo

 

[helloj]

latham vs pfo

is this for spring and when did you apply

 

[Law queries]

latham vs pfo

i am so sorry to hear that. when did you apply tho if you dont mind me asking

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

hogan lovells summer vs wg 🫡

 

[iliaserr]

is this for spring and when did you apply

i am so sorry to hear that. when did you apply tho if you dont mind me asking

summer scheme, I applied 1st of december

 

[Law queries]

summer scheme, I applied 1st of december

Okay, thank you. I am so sorry to hear this and all the best for other apps - you will hear something positive!

 

[Andrei Radu]

does sully crom place great emphasis on grades?

I do not have any specific information but I would not be surprised if this were the case, as Sullivan & Cromwell is part of this particular category of so-called 'traditional' white-shoe NY firms, some of which are said to be quite focused on academics (such as Cleary Gottlieb, Davis Polk, and Debevoise). In On its Vault page (which centers on US-recruitment but may also be indicative of wider recruiting philosophy), an associate is quoted as saying that "the hiring committee heavily focuses hiring decisions on grades".

On the firm's UK recruitment page, there is once again an emphasis on academic excellence "The Firm seeks trainees who have strong academic credentials (including a projected or achieved First or Upper Second Class honours degree, or equivalent) and an excellent prior academic record". While the 2.1 is mentioned as an example of "strong academic credentials", I suspect a low 2.1 is more of a minimum result you need to be considered rather than what the average grade a successful candidate will have.

 

[Tattyasha]

A&O Shearman pfo 😢

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi all, just have a question regarding the following Goodwin application question - 'Please briefly summarise anything else that you would like to add which you think is relevant to your application. This can be positions of responsibility, extra-curricular activities and achievements or academic awards or scholarships. Max 200 words'

I finished my undergraduate degree in 2019 and my law degree in 2022, so I was wondering whether it makes sense to include any extracurricular activities (particularly related to the latter degree such as pro bono volunteering) that I have done during these degrees or whether the question is more so geared towards my current extracurriculars and positions of responsibility.

I don't think the question discriminates between current/past extracurriculars. The only situation in which I would have a preference for the former is if the past extracurricular activities happened a longer while ago (3+ years), which is not the case here. Thus, I would just decide which experiences to include based on what adds most value to the application and to my candidate profile.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hello, could someone be so kind and offer some advice for the Dentons Video Interview? This is the first time I've gotten to this stage and I'm not sure what to expect. Thank you

Hi @LawAspirer while I do not have any specific information about Dentons' VI, I thought it may be useful to give you some general VI preparation resources. I have recently wrote a through Guide for Competency Interviews which includes (i) a step by step preparation plan and (ii) a list of my top VI-specific tips. I ended up being progressed in 4/5 times I implemented it, so I would encourage you to take a look !

 

[NCTC2025]

For the W&C application, you're supposed to highlight your skills and attributes both in the cover letter and in a separate question. Should I explain my most important qualities in the cover letter or in the dedicated question? Any opinion on this would be appreciated!

 

[cjwx]

Anyone heard anything from Eversheds for the London office?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hello!

I'm a bit concerned about a potential inconsistency in my Goodwin application. My primary reason for applying is my interest in Intellectual Property. However, when listing other firms I've applied to, I mentioned a strength in the Life Sciences sector.

Given the 100-word limit, I couldn't include this in my main reason. Would this be seen as a significant inconsistency, or is it acceptable to prioritize one area of interest over another?"

Hi @FutureTraineeMaybe while I don't think this is in itself a big issue, since, as some other people have pointed out, the graduate recruitment team will know you may not have enough space to list all you firm motivations in the 'Why Goodwin' section. However, I think it is not ideal to have your main reason only center around a specialist practice area like IP. From a recruiter's perspective, they need to know your motivations will align with the firm even if you do not get to do/qualify in a particular smaller team in the firm. As such, I would supplement the IP-based reason with one based on sector expertise/another practice area. While you may have to sacrifice on depth of analysis a bit, given the stringency of the wordcount I think that is entirely to be expected.

 

[NCTC2025]

Weil VI! Any advice?

 

[cjwx]

How would I go about researching Trowers & Hamlin’s competitors?

 

[Law queries]

Weil VI! Any advice?

Hey, when did you apply?
Congratulations!!

 

[NCTC2025]

Hey, when did you apply?
Congratulations!!

December 6th!

 

[yeezyee]

mishcon vi!! spring!

 

[Hana ♥]

Mishcon vi spring!

 

[Andrei Radu]

For the W&C application, you're supposed to highlight your skills and attributes both in the cover letter and in a separate question. Should I explain my most important qualities in the cover letter or in the dedicated question? Any opinion on this would be appreciated!

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here, but my approach for the cover letter was to focus on my why the firm reasoning and keep the 'why me' section relatively short, only around 200-300 words. I then chose to discuss academic achievements and more academic-focused extracurriculars here, while in the dedicated skills question I discussed a broader range of experiences. As I ended up being progressed, I think this approach must have been fine.

Now, as to your more pointed question, my advice would be to (i) keep the skills section in the cover letter short; and (ii) not to include all your most significant achievements/skills in either, but to distribute them between the two.