TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lawstudent2]

Any advice for this Macfarlanes question?
Tell us about yourself
Please use this section to tell us anything else that you feel would support your application. Examples can include, but are not limited to, key achievements, successes, non academic interests, your skills etc.

I am not sure what kind of stuff to put, is it extracurriculars, leadership etc? I don't want to just talk over the work experience section of the form.

 

[gazdgazd11]

Is Weil still sending out VI invites? Anyone knows?

 

[C_AJH]

has anyone got any unique talking points for Gibson Dunn?? I have of course mentioned their disputes work, their growth in London, training programme etc.

 

[kokoprep]

Hi - How does Baker McKenzie want their work experience section to be written - skills or factual work done?

 

[Law queries]

Is Weil still sending out VI invites? Anyone knows?

+1 could someone please help out with this? thanks

 

[member3804]

For a question asking "In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?", am I supposed to give examples of how I demonstrate these qualities?
sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question. this is for Sidley btw. Thanks!

 

[qaz99]

For a question asking "In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?", am I supposed to give examples of how I demonstrate these qualities?
sorry if this is a bit of a dumb question. this is for Sidley btw. Thanks!

Yeah, I'd assume you list a quality and relate it back to you using an example

 

[qaz99]

Heard nothing from Bird & Bird since submitting app (20 Nov). Should I assume PFO?

 

[Looper88]

Has anyone heard from Gibson Dunn lately? Applied start of this month, but have not heard back yet. 😟

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Has anyone heard from Gibson Dunn lately? Applied start of this month, but have not heard back yet. 😟

I only heard back after about two and a half months, so I wouldnt worry too much

 

[Looper88]

I only heard back after about two and a half months, so I wouldnt worry too much

Thank you. Do you know if the wait time is roughly the same for PFO/next stage? I remember applying last year and they PFO-ed me after 3 exact months. (Must have been automated)

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Thank you. Do you know if the wait time is roughly the same for PFO/next stage? I remember applying last year and they PFO-ed me after 3 exact months. (Must have been automated)

I applied last year and got a PFO after four months but this year heard back with interview invite so I’m not actually sure. They obviously get way more applications closer to the deadline so I’d imagine the wait would be longer the later you applied.

 

[kokoprep]

Does anyone know how Baker McKenzie likes their work experience section?

 

[fcac98]

i did this and got the same result. those same rankings progressed me to the Job Simulation earlier this year for the Direct TC, so i hope it’s a similar result for you this time.

As for the grading of the same, I would love to understand this too.

What were you given for each, if you can remember

 

[Looper88]

I applied last year and got a PFO after four months but this year heard back with interview invite so I’m not actually sure. They obviously get way more applications closer to the deadline so I’d imagine the wait would be longer the later you applied.

Thank you, that is helpful! Congratulations on your interview invite by the way! Wishing you all the best! (if you've not yet done it)

 

[sibs23]

Hi, does anyone know whether a cover letter is necessary (or encouraged) for Cripps please? The application form allows you to upload one but nowhere on the grad recruitment part of the website does it say that it is required. It also lets you turn to the next page without a pop up that the section is incomplete without uploading a cover letter. Thanks in advance!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anyone who completed the first set of mayer brown tests in mid-december/later heard back for the job sim?

 

[studenttolawyer]

First off, I can completely empathize with how disappointing it can feel to be rejected from a firm you really like and after putting a lot of effort in the application. However, remember that this is no indication as to your worth - even the very best candidates have to face so many more rejections than acceptances. The cycle before last I was rejected at first stage in every single application. The way I eventually turned the situation around was by refusing to give up, always coming back more committed to doing better and to keep moving forward. I think this is the only way to succeed and this is the attitude I would advise you to try to embrace.

Secondly, it is not that uncommon for people to be rejected in one competitive application and be accepted in another in the same application cycle and at the same firm - I remember @Ram Sabaratnam wrote about being rejected for an open day at Cooley and still getting a VS and TC offer afterwards. Since applications are so competitive, progression is a game of small margins as recruiters have to make judgement calls in deciding between multiple strong candidates. I think a combinations of potential improvements in your application (even if you think your Lift Off applications were really good, trust me that there is always room for improvement) and the factor of luck (as different recruiters on different days will emphasize different criteria when making those difficult judgement calls) could definitely lead to VS progression, so I think it is worth a shot.

thanks a lot Andrei, really appreciate your advice! it means a lot.

 

[studenttolawyer]

Hey there @studenttolawyer ,

Yep, I totally agree with @Andrei Radu. A rejection on one programme doesn‘t automatically cancel out your chances of succeeding in VS or TC applications at the same firm. I had been rejected for open days at firms but gotten offers for their ACs/VS. I know of many people who will say the same too. Keep going!!!

thank you Amma! staying strong!

 

[Tintin06]

Open day applications =/= VS ones. As other said on here earlier. Far more people try open days. Why is that the case then? Open day apps are much shorter. Thus, they attract many more applicants. Some open day attendees won’t apply. So it’s not the same competition. Cast the net far and wide. I deviate from others on this. I think it’s a numbers game. That’s just been my experience applying. Getting surprisingly progressed by law firms. And then rejections that also surprised. Some aspects are just so subjective. Open day rejections aren’t always fatal.

You can still connect with trainees. You can simulate open day interactions. Firms advertise themselves elsewhere as well. Open days often benefit London-based applicants. I am fortunate in this respect. Just put your best foot forward.