TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[yasmars]

Is it too late to apply to Reed Smith or Simmons? Both have a deadline of the 6th Jan.

I Hope not as I’m still drafting my app for Reed Smith.

 

[NJS]

Any point applying to Milbank if the intake is 75% Oxbridge?

 

[Ricky]

Any point applying to Milbank if the intake is 75% Oxbridge?

Yes, because 25% is not!

 

[DulyDiligent]

Wow congratulations! When did you do the Willkie VI if you don't mind me asking?

Any advice for the willkie VI?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Any point applying to Milbank if the intake is 75% Oxbridge?

It’s also probably only that high because people look at these stats and then don’t apply.

I also think LegalCheek isn’t particularly reliable for these figures tbh. Lots of firms have said that they’re incorrect

 

[Tintin06]

Idk, I don't have anything more than anecdotal evidence (I know two people who turned down S&C). Imo, if a candidate has multiple offers I don't really see them taking S&C; it's not really a top city firm. I'd be curious to know why you think they're awesome (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Not going to rehearse application answers. Still, lots to say about them, IMO. London PEP is very high in (£4.9m). Small intake in each trainee cohort. NQ salary is also high (£177k). It depends what's important to you. For me, NQ salary matters greatly. Their clients are pretty interesting too. Goldman Sachs being one of them. Each to his or her own.

 

[Tintin06]

It’s also probably only that high because people look at these stats and then don’t apply.

I also think LegalCheek isn’t particularly reliable for these figures tbh. Lots of firms have said that they’re incorrect

With small firms, figures are volatile. One year's intake may hugely change. I wouldn't be put off, honestly. If you like them, apply there.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Why are BCLP taking so longgg? 😭 It's been almost two months since I took the test

 

[Zi48]

Does anyone know if ‘maximum two sides of A4’ refers to both the CV and cover letter together, or just the cover letter by itself? Only asking because writing a 2-page cover letter seems a bit long lol…

@Jessica Booker I don’t know if you have any thoughts on the way V&E has phrased this

I read it as just the cover letter, but I don’t think you have to fill the 2 pages (last year mine was about 1.5 pages and I got through to the VI)

 

[cjwx]

Eversheds PFO

Was this for the London office

 

[lolololol]

I haven’t either - I applied 30 Oct when did you apply & some people received rejections yday

i applied 14th nov

 

[User5678]

Any point applying to Milbank if the intake is 75% Oxbridge?

Yes my friend from uni is a trainee there and she is not oxbridge (we are at warwick). If you go to a top Russell group uni with good grades it’s worth a shot

 

[cjwx]

Just got the email. Eversheds Sutherland PFO

I am sorry to hear that, it seems like they are letting people know as soon as the application is reviewed which I guess is better than leaving you hanging or prepping for a VI wasting your time. Can I ask when you submitted your application I know that they recruit on a rolling basis but they maybe reviewing applications based on the date they were sent.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone have any tips for training/preparing yourself for case study exercises? Also how far in advance do you start doing your prep - is it a weekly thing and I don’t have TCLA premium either. Thank you!

Hey there @Zaraa.x ,

Yes absolutely! This is a very good question and one in which I frequently had whilst applying too.

First of all, it’s worth distinguishing the type of firm you’re applying to into transactional or contentious-focused. The reason is because, from my experience, the transactional focused firms tend to centre their case studies towards corporate topics, whereas contentious firms may sway towards current affairs, or article-based discussions. Now, there are so many things that could make this not be the case, such as a firm swaying towards a different approach per cycle. However, more often times than not, this helped me narrow down which types of materials I needed to study for.

For corporate-based discussions, the typical issues will revolve around M&A case studies or PE. I have made a few practice case studies on these topics and I will link them, along with other sources from the team, to help. I also realised that I did not cover how to actually structure such case studies when presenting to an assessor. The same applies when you’re writing your responses too.

1. Salutations first, then summarise each point you’ll cover.

2. What the overarching case study idea is on. What parties? What deal and what does each party want to achieve? This should be a summary.

3. For M&A case studies, assess the risks and opportunities mentioned/ or which you could reasonably extract from the facts.

4. Ways to mitigate those risks. Due to time constraints, you may not be able to cover all points, so only focus on substantial areas.

5. If risks are really going to be an issue, should the deal even go ahead?

I remember once taking part in a case study. The party to be acquired hadn’t disclosed their full financial statements. This is a common question usually asked in corporate case studies and I’ve come across it multiple times. Firstly, more questions need to be asked to the target, prompting a release of these crucial documents. If refused, the deal certainly shouldn’t proceed.

Now, with article-based discussions, the same structural approach should apply. You may find that in the former, you will need to engage more with contemporary issues and how it relates to the subject matter or specifics of the article. That said, commercial awareness should flow well in any case study discussion.

Helpful links:

Mock M&A Case Study: Analysis

Hello everyone! I hope you’re all having a fantastic day. We’re entering the season of assessment centres (ACs) at law firms, and a hot topic for many of these ACs is Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)! So, in this thread, I’ll be guiding you through a short fictitious M&A case study and highlighting...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Private Equity Case Study - OPEN ENGAGEMENT ENCOURAGED ;)

Hey TCLA Community! We’re back again with the mock case studies ;) This time around, I decided to take a different approach. I’ve included the case study below, and will leave the floor open for a couple of days so you can all provide your thoughts and ideas on the commercial and legal issues...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

(NEW) Corporate Case Study Analysis

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all having a wonderful Sunday. As we get closer to more interviews and assessment centres (AC’s) I thought it would be helpful to include a new fictitious Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) case study analysis. Hope you enjoy the read, and feel free to pop any questions...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies! *Monday Article Series*

Hi all, please see below the third of my Monday Article Series! This week is my definitive guide to case studies. It's a long one - you might want to go get a coffee and settle in! Introduction This week’s Monday Article will cover how to approach law firm case studies, one of the most...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Essential Terms For An M&A Interview

Hello TCLA family! I’ve listed below a non-exhaustive list of M&A terms/definitions that should help out with interviews. As this becomes a hotter topic for law firm case studies, we hope you find this useful. Merger: When two companies join to form a single new entity, usually to expand...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Amma Usman]

I have received an invitation to the Kirkland & Ellis video interview. I was wondering if you might have any advice on the types of questions to expect or suggestions on how best to prepare?

Hey @Ria Nar ,

I’ve tagged @Andrei Radu ‘s guide on VIs to help: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/

 

[lolololol]

for those of you that heard back from slaughter and may, was it for the next stage?

 

[JessicaTC27]

i have Willkie and Weil Vi!!!

any tips? Much appreciated

Congrats! When’s it scheduled for?

 

[dhanaswi]

Sorry to hear that. Do you mind saying which attributes did you get on Capp Assessment?

I got high score in Respect and Working with other and low in Leadership preference. Don't know if it is enough for the next stage.

Hi, I was wondering how you found out your Watson Glaser test score for Linklaters? Thank you in advance!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows any experiences of international students - Aka those that did their bachelor's abroad but are trying to secure a training contract in London. I am wondering, are people with outside bachelor's disadvantaged?

I know law firms group graduates in Oxbridge and Russel group etc, but I am not entirely sure about the international status. Does anyone have any input they could share?

Hey @LawAspirer ,

I know of many people who have completed international bachelors degrees, qualified in another jurisdiction, and subsequently gotten associate/trainee roles at international law firms in London. It is certainly possible, so I do not believe you are at a disadvantage.

 

[legalxp2]

We are all 'work in progress' and need to celebrate our strengths but also focus on our areas for growth. Please tell us about you (strengths and areas for growth)?
- would appreciate any insights on how to answer this question! not sure if I should focus on the strength and then lightly touch on a weakness and how im working on it ?