TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

ekuwa

New Member
Premium Member
Jul 23, 2022
3
2
I have an interview with Slaughter and May next week and trying to speedrun my current affairs knowledge and ability to debate / have a coherent viewpoint. Does anyone have any general advice for the interview? I'm also a History student so I'm also prepping for questions like 'Why not politics/academia/banking' and when I get asked what my favourite module is.

For what it's worth, I'm from an Oxbridge background but still quite nervous about the nature of the interview where they can pick up on any topic/theme you mention + ask random questions on it.

Also, is it safe to assume PFO from HSF and Latham & Watkins if I haven't heard back yet? I did go to the Latham Open Day but had to rush my VS application. Passed HSF test benchmark on 9th Dec.
Had an AC last year. I think they focus more on your ability to debate/have a coherent viewpoint. My article discussion was far less commercially rigorous and more theoretically academic. In fact, anytime I brought up a commercial issue, they seemed to brush that aside. Although I am a law graduate so expectations might be different.

Advice: might be good to 'think out loud' and articulate your line of reason for them to hear. My feedback said they could tell when I was thinking and that I sometimes took too long thinking which they didn't like. I'm inclined to believe they would have preferred to know what was going on in my head in those moments.

Good luck!
 
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jta227

Distinguished Member
Nov 10, 2024
64
85
"We do suggest you complete the entire test in one sitting to give you the best shot. If you would prefer to complete the assessment in smaller parts you are able to do so."

Does this actually mean that they're assessing how long you take, given that there's a tracker on the whole time? I don't want to give myself no chance by doing it in like 3 sittings, but at the same time I just had surgery yesterday...
 

Ash4202

Standard Member
Nov 27, 2024
6
7
Hey,

The interview was a mix, there were set questions but your answers decided the follow up questions. Which I think was good as I was able to connect with my interviewers and they learnt a lot about me. (I think it’s CV blind)?

It was my first vacation scheme so I think my experience would be very different to others especially as a non RG applicant. I was overwhelmed with the pressure of converting the entire time.

Ensure you understand how they’re different to their competitors. Do your research on Goodwin, it’s not just a life science focused firm it’s much more!!

Good luck 😃​
Thank you so much!! i’m a non-RG student too so i kind of get where you’re coming from. Good luck with everything :)
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,707
20,399
"We do suggest you complete the entire test in one sitting to give you the best shot. If you would prefer to complete the assessment in smaller parts you are able to do so."

Does this actually mean that they're assessing how long you take, given that there's a tracker on the whole time? I don't want to give myself no chance by doing it in like 3 sittings, but at the same time I just had surgery yesterday...
No - that doesn’t mean that. They are just giving you guidance that they think it’s better that you complete it in one go.
 
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Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,707
20,399
Anyone that has previously applied/applying to Freshfields vac scheme, how heavy weighted are A-level grades? I know they noted that they take them into consideration but how detrimental are they to getting an AC?

Thank you :)
Historically, it’s depended on the rest of your academic profile. The stronger the grades elsewhere the less they will be concerned about your A-levels
 
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AI212121

Distinguished Member
Sep 21, 2024
53
36
@Jessica Booker

When a firm says that during an interview they will be looking for "knowledge of current affairs and ability to apply this knowledge to the benefit of a discussion" in a case study exercise, what exactly do they mean by this? Does this mean that, for example if the case study is related to an M&A and has a specific element to it, I should be able to discuss a similar M&A with that element that has been in the news lately? Apologies for a clumsy question.
 

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