TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[A worried graduate]

Q1. Imagine that you are a member of the Osborne Clarke internal employee forum. You have been asked to provide feedback on a confidential proposal which would result in significant investment into one of two areas:
Option 1 - A team hire into one of Osborne Clarke's smaller international offices which would allow that location to offer new legal expertise in their jurisdiction; or
Option 2 - A team hire into OC Solutions which would expand the teams' ability to innovate client service delivery.
The investment into both of these options would be equal, and it is not possible to split the investment between the two options. Which one would you choose? Please use the following space to outline your rationale. Within your submission you should outline the key factors that you have considered in making your decision, the reasons why you have chosen this option, and any potential impacts to the firm. If it helps you to make your points clearly, please feel free to use bullet points within this answer only. Max 500 words

Somebody PLEASE help with this OC question, I do not even know where to begin or how to structure!!! @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

That is a very unusual question.

I’d guess though that it’s a commercial awareness / creative writing question that is looking to see how well you can back either choice

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

literally just finished, one of the hardest vi's i have ever given. it was not at all what their practice test was like or what they said the questions would be like. so unexpected and i took SO much time for each question. im thinking they will just reject me just because of how long i took :/

I don’t think firms typically view how much time you took to prepare, do they? Otherwise why would they make the preparation time unlimited

 

[User5678]

Q1. Imagine that you are a member of the Osborne Clarke internal employee forum. You have been asked to provide feedback on a confidential proposal which would result in significant investment into one of two areas:
Option 1 - A team hire into one of Osborne Clarke's smaller international offices which would allow that location to offer new legal expertise in their jurisdiction; or
Option 2 - A team hire into OC Solutions which would expand the teams' ability to innovate client service delivery.
The investment into both of these options would be equal, and it is not possible to split the investment between the two options. Which one would you choose? Please use the following space to outline your rationale. Within your submission you should outline the key factors that you have considered in making your decision, the reasons why you have chosen this option, and any potential impacts to the firm. If it helps you to make your points clearly, please feel free to use bullet points within this answer only. Max 500 words

Somebody PLEASE help with this OC question, I do not even know where to begin or how to structure!!! @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

Hi, I picked option 2 after considering the core values and the work the firm has done, justified it according to each part of the question they’ve asked again looking at the core values and work. (They are big on innovation so I don’t think option 1 has many advantages)

 

[ashwright]

Hi @Jessica Booker! Just wanted to say that I've sent you a PM on mitigating circumstances - I'd really appreciate your thoughts whenever you get a chance. Thank you so much 🫶 😊

 

[lawyersum]

Hi, I picked option 2 after considering the core values and the work the firm has done, justified it according to each part of the question they’ve asked again looking at the core values and work. (They are big on innovation so I don’t think option 1 has many advantages)

Thanks for this insight. Did you happen to mention cons of Option 1 in your answer or strictly stick to justifying Option 2?

 

[adrk1234]

Anyone heard back from bird & bird today ? Did my VI on 30/11 and still nothing. Is it worth emailing GR.

 

[James Wakefield]

Did anyone else find the Dentons VI unnecessarily hard this year? Well sigh going to firm that rejection now

To be honest I’m happy with my answers but I did take full advantage of the unlimited (but not untimed) prep time, and worried I took way too long on each question.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

To be honest I’m happy with my answers but I did take full advantage of the unlimited (but not untimed) prep time, and worried I took way too long on each question.

I’m in the boat. If I knew timing was assessed, I would have answered more quickly. The only reason I didn’t was because they gave us unlimited prep time, which I thought meant they didn’t take it into account.

Their own website even says “use the preparation time wisely” and “don’t rush”.

I don’t know if they do look at how long we took?

 

[James Wakefield]

I’m in the boat. If I knew timing was assessed, I would have answered more quickly. The only reason I didn’t was because they gave us unlimited prep time, which I thought meant they didn’t take it into account

I knew they would consider it but when you’re nervous about answering, a fixed time limit is helpful as it gives you no choice and you have to just go for it. This one was a choice of balancing quality and time, and I think I didn’t take the time thing as seriously…

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I knew they would consider it but when you’re nervous about answering, a fixed time limit is helpful as it gives you no choice and you have to just go for it. This one was a choice of balancing quality and time, and I think I didn’t take the time thing as seriously…

I wish they said it would be considered, as I wouldn’t have taken so long. I left the VI open for hours next to me while I was working 🤣

 

[far]

Has anyone gotten the link for the Weil VI yet? I can’t find it

 

[sunshine101]

What does PFO mean please 🥹

It means a rejection

 

[CG_101]

Haven't even heard back from the WG...

passed 6 weeks ago and I've heard nothing

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Does BCLP send a feedback report after you finish taking the test? If so, how long does it take to recieve?

I received mine within 2 days

 

[James Wakefield]

Today marks 3 months since I applied to BCLP for their Spring Vac (first app of the cycle). Haven’t heard back after test. Please send me my PFO already. 😅

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Eversheds vi for London

 

[T_03]

To be honest I’m happy with my answers but I did take full advantage of the unlimited (but not untimed) prep time, and worried I took way too long on each question.

Sigh i actually regret not taking more time then

 

[suhana]

congrats! when did you apply if you don't mind me asking?

Eversheds vi for London

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

congrats! when did you apply if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks! on the deadline!

 

[aether]

Has anyone heard back from DLA post VI? Passed 3 weeks ago for London, but haven't heard back since.

They said they'd get back before the new year... I am in the same position.