TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

weil pfo! merry christmas!!!!!

Same🥺

 

[suhana]

weil pfo. literally went to their open day so no clue what even went wrong with my application

 

[Shandy101]

Weil PFO post app despite having a strong application (TCLA reviewed). Depressing af.

A lot of this process is luck as well, mate. You can have really strong academics/work exp/ application and still not make it because the particular Grad Rec person who chose to review application didn't like something. Hang in there and focus on your other apps and what you plan to do differently.

 

[Shandy101]

Anyone have advice for this application question? Am not really sure what they want tbh
Q4 - Please describe a time where you showed courage in the face of adversity. What was the situation and how did you react? Max 500 words

They are looking for a STAR-structured example from your work (preferably), university, or personal life where you demonstrated courage, tenacity, determination, grit, and versatility in a challenging situation and how you managed to turn things around. This will help them assess the qualities needed to be a successful trainee, as things don’t always go as planned, and they want to understand how you’ve handled such challenges in the past—since past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. If you don't have an immediate example, it’s okay to reflect and dig deeper—you likely have a relevant experience that will demonstrate these qualities. If not, as a last resort, I would excogitate something profound. But nothing too crazy or implausible....please 😂😂😂 Good luck!

I've realised that many of these questions implicitly test, among other things, emotional maturity. I wouldn't have a clue when I think of myself in my early 20's.

 

[HLL]

HSF PFO. Not too sure if it is because I changed courses as I received an AC invite the previous time that I applied. Bit gutting but going to focus on my exams and most likely rejoin the application cycle next time where I will be eligible for all schemes (as I am a non-law student)

did you do the ac? i remember they had a 2-year ban if you did an ac with them and were unsuccessful. it might be that

 

[eleven14og]

anyone assigned the same test twice for mayer brown?? so confused

 

[svb risk management intern]

Weil PFO... this is the moment I realised that I need to stop putting apps off because I chase the perfect application answer. Just got to move onwards. I hope you lovely people also have something good to do during christmas week!

 

[Law queries]

anyone assigned the same test twice for mayer brown?? so confused

anyone assigned the same test twice for mayer brown?? so confused

Same

 

[Amiyrerose]

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.

ill be doing the macfarlanes application, and what i would do is mention everything you are proud of, achievements you have gotten, things you enjoy spending your time doing etc, just basically yourself. try not to overthink it! They will want you to be unique, try not to feel like you need to be generic and what others may say, they definitely want to read something that differentiates you from everyone else, and whats better than just being yourself

 

[lolololol]

Eversheds AC for manchester, any tips would be appreciated as it’s my first ever AC!

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

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

What feedback strengths /weakness did you get please? If you’re happy to share

 

[VMS]

All employment references are sought for a certain period of time (usually between 5-10 years, with 7 being the most common).

I really don’t think this will be an issue though - your reference may not even cover absences of any type. Most references are a standard template where they confirm employment dates and job title only.

If you are concerned, you can ask your current employer to provide you with a copy of the reference they would provide for you to know what information they will be sharing.

Thank you so much Jessica!

 

[fcac98]

Anyone have advice for this application question? Am not really sure what they want tbh
Q4 - Please describe a time where you showed courage in the face of adversity. What was the situation and how did you react? Max 500 words

I assume you could interpret 'courage' in different ways:
- courage to try a new way of thinking when something went wrong
- courage to take on a task that you haven't previously done (public speaking/ mentoring).

I don't think the situation necessarily has to be that you were incredibly brave or anything, just something where you took initiative to do something differently/ get over a problem

 

[AI212121]

How long did it take to receive the VI invite?

How long did it take to receive the VI invite?

I got the invite three months after submitting

 

[ttyl]

Dechert spring pfo. Applied nov 30 for anyone who wants to know.

 

[ttyl]

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

yes it was a separate email. I was told I passed on dec 9.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

does anybody know if Hogan Lovells stop viewing apps 2 weeks before the deadline since they're rolling?

 

[andrewk]

Dechert spring PFO. Applied Nov 23. Onwards and upwards.

 

[VMS]

Eversheds Birmingham AC!! Any advice/any useful videos to watch/etc would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Just did Reed Smith SJT/VI… excelled in verbal and scored in the middle for numerical. Scored 7,4,4,3 for the pillars lmao. VI could’ve gone a bit better but the questions were hard! So much to pack within 2 minutes and I think I froze at one point (not the screen, me) 😂😭 Gonna try to forget about it now 😭