TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[NCTC2025]

Hoping for a christmas miracle next week 🙏

 

[Gday33]

My cue to not apply there cause I REFUSE to answer questions like this omg

With you on this - if a firm has bs questions they’ll elicit bs answers and I’ve got better things to do with my time 😂

 

[Maddy]

I have a question and would greatly appreciate your guidance as I am feeling quite unsure. I was considering applying to Paul, Weiss, but after reading some forum messages, I understand the firm places a significant emphasis on high academic marks, likely expecting a strong record of firsts and 2:1s. In my case, I have one first, several 2:1s, and a few 2:2s, and I completed my undergraduate degree outside the UK. Given these circumstances, would it still be worth applying to Paul, Weiss? I want to be realistic and avoid spending time if the firm mostly seeks candidates with consistently high grades or exceptional achievements.

 

[jta227]

I have a question and would greatly appreciate your guidance as I am feeling quite unsure. I was considering applying to Paul, Weiss, but after reading some forum messages, I understand the firm places a significant emphasis on high academic marks, likely expecting a strong record of firsts and 2:1s. In my case, I have one first, several 2:1s, and a few 2:2s, and I completed my undergraduate degree outside the UK. Given these circumstances, would it still be worth applying to Paul, Weiss? I want to be realistic and avoid spending time if the firm mostly seeks candidates with consistently high grades or exceptional achievements.

In their open day today they implied a few blips are fine and a 2.1 overall is fine. They also said they would treat every mark as equal regardless of the university they were achieved at (which I don't consider equitable tbh but fair enough). One post above said they looked up the current associates and they all had 1sts, but this could just be a correlation with the kind of candidate they accepted at lateral level. Since this is their first admissions year we really don't know how much weight they'll place on academics. I think if your profile is strong in other areas it's definitely still worth applying. They didn't seem as strict as for example a Slaughter & May.

For everyone else applying, another tidbit from the open day: the first stage is a spelling check of the whole application. So basically don't make a mistake or the application won't be read.

 

[Maddy]

In their open day today they implied a few blips are fine and a 2.1 overall is fine. They also said they would treat every mark as equal regardless of the university they were achieved at (which I don't consider equitable tbh but fair enough). One post above said they looked up the current associates and they all had 1sts, but this could just be a correlation with the kind of candidate they accepted at lateral level. Since this is their first admissions year we really don't know how much weight they'll place on academics. I think if your profile is strong in other areas it's definitely still worth applying. They didn't seem as strict as for example a Slaughter & May.

For everyone else applying, another tidbit from the open day: the first stage is a spelling check of the whole application. So basically don't make a mistake or the application won't be read.

Thank you so much! I guess I will try.

 

[Tintin06]

I have a question and would greatly appreciate your guidance as I am feeling quite unsure. I was considering applying to Paul, Weiss, but after reading some forum messages, I understand the firm places a significant emphasis on high academic marks, likely expecting a strong record of firsts and 2:1s. In my case, I have one first, several 2:1s, and a few 2:2s, and I completed my undergraduate degree outside the UK. Given these circumstances, would it still be worth applying to Paul, Weiss? I want to be realistic and avoid spending time if the firm mostly seeks candidates with consistently high grades or exceptional achievements.

I got some 2:2s and applied. If you like them, do it. Grades aren't everything to a firm. What do you have to lose? My degree marks didn't matter elsewhere. Latham, W&C and Ropes ACs previously. More things to life than grades. Commercial awareness is also very important. It's also about getting experience, honestly. This gets easier with time, obviously. Many grade questions on this forum. It's understandable, but don't overthink them. Focus on areas where you're strong.

 

[ashwright]

Any thoughts on how to tackle these questions from Withers and Penningtons Manches Cooper respectively?
1. If your favourite childhood toy suddenly came to life, what advice would you give it today? (60 words)
2. If you were the CEO of Penningtons Manches Cooper, where would you look to open a new office and why? (250 words)

Thanks!

If my Lego mini figures came to life, I'd probably just call up Warner Bros and say that I'm making a Lego Movie 3 with half the budget. The only advice I'd give to my minifigure is to invest their earnings from being a movie star 🤣

 

[ttyl]

Anyone know if Dechert has sent out Spring AC invites yet? Until when do the Spring AC's even take place?

 

[fffvfdsfv]

any tips for weil VI? can give tips for hogan lovells, jones day, slaughters, freshfields, skadden and a few more that I have progressed in stages to/gotten offers from!

 

[LimitedLiabilityLover]

Does anyone know what the Life at Mayer Brown test is like(post SJT and Critical thinking tests)? I am happy to trade information about Cleary, Latham and Jones Day Acs. DLA and CMS VIs.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello, is there a question bank anywhere for strength and competency questions for ACs?

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam I would be super grateful if you could give insights into what types of questions and what essential points a good answer would contain to do well in an AC Thank you very much!

Hi there @hfbjsdhfbhf ,

I’ve compiled a list of questions below that I’ve commonly come across in my experience.

1. What do you understand to be a few key skills trainee solicitors commonly possess?

2. Follow-up from past question: Can you give any examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills?

3. Give us an example of how you’ve demonstrated integrity.

4. How do you handle challenging situations?

5. Give an example of how you succeeded in juggling multiple commitments.

6. Our X training system is not for everyone. Give example of how you thrived in a similar environment.

7. How do you know that commercial law is for you? What experiences up until this point made you know this.

8. Is proactivity or attention to detail more important to you?

9. How have you shown leadership and problem solving abilities?

10. What is commercial awareness? How do you work to build upon it?

11. Do you think adaptability is more important for lawyers or investment bankers?

12. Give an example of how your communication skills solved a challenging situation.

13. What is your biggest accomplishment to date?

14. How do you influence people‘s opinions in a situation with conflicting opinions on a matter?

15. Tell me about a time when you were asked to do something you had never done before. Was it challenging? What was the outcome?

16. Is there a time where you achieved a successful outcome when it seemed like all roads were closed?

17. Have you ever experienced workplace conflict? How did you deal with it if you did?

18. Is there a big decision you made recently? Tell me about it and what was so BIG about it.

19. Have you made a decision before you later realised was a bad one? How did you navigate it?

20. Why should we hire YOU. We received thousands of applications this year. What makes you the last completing piece to our puzzle?


How do go about answering these:

• Well, needless to say, STAR should be used. That said, utilise the components of STAR carefully in a spoken interview. It should not appear robotic as would be the case in written responses. Sound friendly, personable, and approachable. There is a hierarchy to which points to address. Avoid jumping from one arena to the next. Focus on the focal point of the discussion - what the issue was? What was challenging about it? How did you tackle the problem? The resulting outcome? Did you receive any external feedback that can solidify all you said - such as, feedback from a manager?
• Stay calm, relaxed, and confident! This avoids you rushing your answers, which would otherwise dilute the substance of what you have to say.

Best of luck!

 

[Amma Usman]

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman
Do you think a 2021 deal is too old to mention, even if its exactly the type of work you want to do and there's no more recent examples on the firm's website?

Thanks a lot!

Hiya @NCTC2025 ,

I think that’s a reasonable date to trace back to and include in an application. The important point is to ensure that in the process of mentioning this deal, you do not just drop it. You want to be unequivocally sure that it truly backs up your interest in the firm. Firm’s are very mindful of when candidates back up their interest with a deal. The generic reasons tend to be elements relating to the high-stakes work or deal-value. Thus, if for example, you bring up a deal in the tech sphere, you will need to show why tech interests you? Back it up with specific examples you’ve had that are within that sphere. Now, this is also not enough for a solid answer. There needs to be some particular elements of that deal that are not necessarily done by other firms. If you can cover the name of the deal and copy and paste it onto many other law firm’s deal announcements, then it’s a sign you need to tailor it more to you and the deal itself. Was it the first of its kind in the industry? Did it advise a niche type of client or a new element of the legal advisory industry that many other firms are yet to pick up yet?

If you can answer all these questions and tailor it to yourself strongly, you will be creating a unique answer whilst still incorporating a deal dated 3 years back.

 

[Amma Usman]

For this question: What are your motivations for wanting to pursue a career as a Solicitor at DWF? (250 words)

Do I need to split my answer equally between why commercial law and then why DWF? Or say why DWF only? Any help is appreciated!

Hey @mulan0 ,

The way I see it, it’s a hybrid question asking for ‘why commercial law’ and why DWF’. I noticed this because of the inclusion of the word solicitor. I think the even split is a good idea, but you don’t have to strictly follow that approach. I will personally split the question into two paragraphs, covering each question in one paragraph. You may find that you will have less to say on why CL. Now, this will allow you to focus more on why DWF so you can actually touch more on their practices that appeal to you - and why. This should not come at the expense of fully explaining why CL though. If you can cover that in a few sentences and hit the nail on the head with that, then there is no disputing that you would have had a solid answer to that.

Best wishes with the application!

 

[Amiyrerose]

Hi does anyone know when Kennedys will inform us if we have made it to the VI stage j received my assessment feedback report yesterday

 

[Mug Fan]

Ugh, just did Reed Smith SJT and VI. It was VILE. And so many maths questions - I HATE maths! Already got my feedback report and it was basically middle of the road for everything and 6 out of 9 for all 4 of their pillars - I couldn't feel less special! 🤣No idea what that means. Gutted because I really wanted RS too.

The VI part wasn't actually that bad but definitely one of the harder SJT's I've done, worse than Links and BCLP for sure.

Is anyone else a bit further along and can share how they did/outcomes re AC?

 

[lawaspirant21]

Yes they said I passed their benchmark + I had also attended one of their Open Days

Could I ask when you received the benchmark passed email? Was it a separate email to your feedback report? Thanks!

 

[mulan0]

Hey @mulan0 ,

The way I see it, it’s a hybrid question asking for ‘why commercial law’ and why DWF’. I noticed this because of the inclusion of the word solicitor. I think the even split is a good idea, but you don’t have to strictly follow that approach. I will personally split the question into two paragraphs, covering each question in one paragraph. You may find that you will have less to say on why CL. Now, this will allow you to focus more on why DWF so you can actually touch more on their practices that appeal to you - and why. This should not come at the expense of fully explaining why CL though. If you can cover that in a few sentences and hit the nail on the head with that, then there is no disputing that you would have had a solid answer to that.

Best wishes with the application!

I would interpret this as 'Why the firm', in which case I would do 3 paragraphs: 1. the work (most important thing-maybe practice area ur interested in bolstered by rankings on Chambers- their rankings are not great), 2. the culture (whether small trainee intake, early responsibility etc.), 3. pro bono work they have done and/ OR diversity and inclusion; however, given they have no direct question on the app about 'why commercial law', you could open with "I’m keen to become a commercial solicitor due to the unique blend of legal and business advice that characterises commercial law........(one sentence). I am interested in DWF primarily because of its London-based top-tier Banking & Finance practice.....250 words is not a lot, so use your judgment. Good luck!

Thank you guys that’s really helpful!☺️

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

the HG Summer VS WG is different from Lift Off for any wondering!

 

[cjwx]

Add bookmark
@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker.
Could you give me some pointers on structuring my answer to the work experience section? The firm asks for my job title and then, “What skills have you acquired, and why are they relevant to a career in law?”

Should I briefly describe how I used specific skills in the role (e.g., communication in a customer service job: interacting with customers and giving clear instructions to colleagues) before linking them to a legal career? Or should I skip the context and focus directly on how the skill applies to being a commercial solicitor? -I am not sure if this was missed accidentally so I’m plugging it here again I’m in desperate need of help 🫣

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Could I ask when you received the benchmark passed email? Was it a separate email to your feedback report? Thanks!

The feedback report and benchmark passed emails are seperate and I got the one saying I passed 2 days after I completed the test.