TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AlegalA]

Do people have advice for commercial awareness? I've been trying to stay updated with podcasts recently, and have been trying to read some articles but I'm just feeling SO overwhelmed with the amount of information. I don't know how to remember information well, like I'm writing some of it down but I'm scared it's just gonna poof out my brain in an interview. I also have no idea what to prioritise, and that's the main thing I'm struggling with now, as I have some ACs coming up next week. I was absolutely not consistent with it last year, and feel like I'm just playing catch up but there's too much to catch up and I'm stressed 😂. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker Hi

When mentioning vacation scheme/work experience at other firms in an application form, is it all right to name them? Because then I worry I will have to justify why not the other firm and why the firm I am applying to, whereas a brief 'vacation scheme at X firm helped me explore interest in...." seems like needs less of a justification.

I think it is not only fine to mention vacation schemes or other work experiences at other firms, but that it is desirable to do so. You should name them and you should elaborate on the experience in a way that does it justice - do not seek to minimize it. Any potential disadvantage in terms of a weakening of your perceived motivation to join the firm will be more than made up for by the value add of having this type of experience in your application, as these roles will distinguish you from the vast majority of other candidates and are the best proof for your commitment to commercial law.

Furthermore, I think it is quite unlikely that this will be a disadvantage to you at all. Recruiters are well aware how competitive applications are and thus know that candidates will have to apply to a lot of firms. An interviewing partner once told me that he did not like it when applicants would tell him they only applied to his firm, as it meant that they were extremely overconfident, insufficiently committed to commercial law, or just plain dishonest. As such, the fact that you have previously applied for and were successful with other firms will likely not be held against you.

Finally, a well-written 'Why the firm' answer should indirectly address the question as to why you prefer it to the other firms you had work experiences with. Thus, I think you should not worry too much about this.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Has anyone heard back for hogan Lovells and Freshfields vac scheme ?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi, I completely understand how you feel. I have broken down in tears over all of these applications, stayed in bed for a day and a half, and just felt very isolated. I was so worried, as while I got a Vac Scheme in 2023 but didn't convert it, I didn't receive anything in 2024, just a failed AC. A week after that staying in bed incident, I got an interview with BCLP. I didn't get the scheme, but I persevered. I am now waiting to hear back from an interview and have two ACs coming up.

So, you CAN do this. I've always thought of life as a wheel of fortune - someone is always at the top, someone is always getting crushed underneath, but the wheel never stops moving. If you hang on, you WILL get to the top - I hope we all will.

My DMs are open if you want any support.

Thank you.

Your analogy about the wheel of fortune is so correct. I should look at it that way. Before this I had only ever interviewed at one law firm and got through and got a scheme. Although I couldn't convert it, it is difficult to face rejections after interviewing. I am getting used to it but also need to keep pushing.

After taking a slower day today, I will come back stronger from tomorrow. It's not a matter of 'if' but 'when'.

All the best to you and everyone else!

 

[chrisbrown]

Do people have advice for commercial awareness? I've been trying to stay updated with podcasts recently, and have been trying to read some articles but I'm just feeling SO overwhelmed with the amount of information. I don't know how to remember information well, like I'm writing some of it down but I'm scared it's just gonna poof out my brain in an interview. I also have no idea what to prioritise, and that's the main thing I'm struggling with now, as I have some ACs coming up next week. I was absolutely not consistent with it last year, and feel like I'm just playing catch up but there's too much to catch up and I'm stressed 😂. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

I don’t think there is an expectation for you to memorise everything and regurgitate it all in an interview. That would seem robotic. 🫡

It’s much better to choose areas of commercial law that interest you and focus on those. Doing it this way also means you can articulate ideas better. 🙂

For example, I am interested in antitrust & competition, IP, and dispute resolution. I focus my research on these areas to develop commercial awareness. 🫡

If you are applying for US firms with M&A/Private Equity focus, it would make sense to spend time on this as it’s highly likely to come up in an interview. 🙂

I think the most important thing is do you have basics covered e.g., what is a bank? what is a merger? what is an indemnity? what is the CMA? Once you have this underlying knowledge, it’s easier to digest articles and podcasts so it won’t be as overwhelming. 🥳

The most important thing about commercial awareness is can you see what role a firm can play in any story. For example, If you read an article about some changes to litigation funding, how would law firms be able to help their clients handle these changes.

This is how I understand commercial awareness. It’s not something you can master overnight tbh. 😞

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

I also want to take a moment to appreciate how supportive and positive people are on TCLA. It is such a nice community! Wishing the best for everyone

 

[unknownnn7372]

has anyone heard back from MDR post vi?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I think it is not only fine to mention vacation schemes or other work experiences at other firms, but that it is desirable to do so. You should name them and you should elaborate on the experience in a way that does it justice - do not seek to minimize it. Any potential disadvantage in terms of a weakening of your perceived motivation to join the firm will be more than made up for by the value add of having this type of experience in your application, as these roles will distinguish you from the vast majority of other candidates and are the best proof for your commitment to commercial law.

Furthermore, I think it is quite unlikely that this will be a disadvantage to you at all. Recruiters are well aware how competitive applications are and thus know that candidates will have to apply to a lot of firms. An interviewing partner once told me that he did not like it when applicants would tell him they only applied to his firm, as it meant that they were extremely overconfident, insufficiently committed to commercial law, or just plain dishonest. As such, the fact that you have previously applied for and were successful with other firms will likely not be held against you.

Finally, a well-written 'Why the firm' answer should indirectly address the question as to why you prefer it to the other firms you had work experiences with. Thus, I think you should not worry too much about this.

Thank you so much for this, as always you are so helpful 🙏🙏🙏 I did think it wouldn't hurt to show them that a competitor firm is considering me as an applicant.

 

[kokoprep]

Hi @Jessica Booker. @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman - Please advise

In travers smith application:

Please provide details of your main extra-curricular activities and leisure interests.;
Please provide details of any positions of responsibility that you have held and your key achievements. - what is the difference between these two questions.

For Q1 - I'm thinking of writing non uni extra circular activities.

For Q2 - achievements in uni and positions

Does this make sense?

 

[kokoprep]

Has W&C or Sidley Austin sent any AC invites today?

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Thanks! It was just a couple of days. I applied mid October.

Ahh okay! Maybe I should be expecting a pfo

It went well, just hoping for the best now tbh lol, I applied for professional liability wbu

Hopefully we hear back soon!! & cyber and data risk!!

 

[Chill_solicitor]

Anyone completed Freshfeilds WG? I need to discuss how it went 😂 I thought you were allowed 40mins not 30???

 

[benb123]

Has anyone heard back from DLA post AC yesterday (Manchester)? Anyone know when we should expect to hear? Wait is killing me

 

[19.mfjones]

Anyone heard back from Mills and reeve yet? I thought they were telling us this week?

 

[EA95]

Has anyone heard back for hogan Lovells and Freshfields vac scheme ?

Nope on the vac scheme for HL, and I completed the application and WG.

 

[MR218]

Does anyone have advice for the White & Case AC written exercise?

 

[rapunzel]

Just received my Mills & Reeve PFO apparently they received 2000 applications this year 😮

 

[Bread]

If an application does not have a separate section for career events but has one for extracurriculars, is it alright to include career events (open days, etc) in work experience or should they go in extracurriculars?
I was planning on having uni society work in the EC section, but unsure where to put other, more law related stuff

 

[sapphireoreos]

Anyone heard back from Mills and reeve yet? I thought they were telling us this week?

Just got a PFO 😭 sad because I thought I did quite well with the assessment, but you win some and lose some

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Anyone heard back from Mills and reeve yet? I thought they were telling us this week?

just got a PFO from them