TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Lola2025]

If we were to put open and insight days down in the work experience section and group them under 'various', how would we go about outline what we learned from there? Are we expected to talk about sessions we listened in on? Any examples and/or advice would be appreciated! @Jessica Booker

 

[AlegalA]

I've seen on a couple applications forms (I think, don't quote me on this!) that they want the experience written in full prose. However, I have never come close to 600 words per an entry, and mine are much closer to the 50-100 words. For bigger roles I think I have written up to 175 words-ish. Someone feel free to correct me though!

I’d write in full prose rather than bullet points, but the descriptions don’t need to be more extensive than your CV in terms of what you are highlighting, it just needs to be joined up a little more.

I wouldn’t expect many work experience entries to be 600 words. I’d say an average is 250-300 but some short placements or roles with limited responsibilities would probably need less than 150.

Amazing, thank you so much!

 

[AlegalA]

When a question asks you to discuss a topic you are passionate about, are we meant to cite our sources and does it count in the word count? Like if I don't want to say professor xxx said in their book xxxx, but simply get straight too the point (like you would in an essay by adding a footnote). Or do I have to do that?

 

[bibss]

First application of the cycle is off

 

[patternteddybear]

aim is to start with my applications from tomorrow 👍 first task is to update my CV and structure my mitigating circumstances section

 

[Solking456]

Just wanted to check- Re A&O deadline is that midnight 16th today (i.e. in a few hours time) or Midnight of the 17th? (I.e. Tomorrow evening).

 

[patternteddybear]

Just wanted to check- Re A&O deadline is that midnight 16th today (i.e. in a few hours time) or Midnight of the 17th? (I.e. Tomorrow evening).

it’s 5pm tomorrow, just had a look now. not too sure if this is the deadline for the SJT and video interview though

 

[Jessica Booker]

If we were to put open and insight days down in the work experience section and group them under 'various', how would we go about outline what we learned from there? Are we expected to talk about sessions we listened in on? Any examples and/or advice would be appreciated! @Jessica Booker

I personally don’t think you need to list out the talks attended (because the talks are not optional) or the general activities you completed.

Instead I would focus on what you learned from attending, even if this is across open days.

If you achieved anything on the open day (eg awarded some kind of prize for “best” input into an interactive exercise), then you could highlight that, but generally I would focus on what you took from attending rather than describing what the open day consisted of.

 

[Jessica Booker]

When a question asks you to discuss a topic you are passionate about, are we meant to cite our sources and does it count in the word count? Like if I don't want to say professor xxx said in their book xxxx, but simply get straight too the point (like you would in an essay by adding a footnote). Or do I have to do that?

It will include any references, but you don’t have to reference things like you do in academia.

 

[Jessica Booker]

could you post what range of responses you got, i want to see if i can reconstruct a grading scale and if any strengths in one area were mirrored by a weakness in a different area (indicating that the questions had more of a personality test sort of approach for these questions; which is my suspicion)

This is to anyone who has done the a&o, don't need to send your name, i just want to see the responses that its possible to get

I don’t think there is any value in doing this. Without understanding how the assessment is designed, you risk interpreting a limited number of results incorrectly.

 

[Solking456]

it’s 5pm tomorrow, just had a look now. not too sure if this is the deadline for the SJT and video interview though

Thank you so much !

 

[Jessica Booker]

Describe a time when you had to drop everything and really 'raise your game' in order to keep a promise you had made to someone else. How did you manage both this and your other commitments?

This is for Hogan Lovell’s application. What sort of example are recruiters looking for @Jessica Booker? The way the question is phrased it seems like they are looking for a quite impressive situation…I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to manage competing deadlines, come in last minute to make amendments to documents - is this along the right track?

I’d take the “raise your game” as the key focus to this question. It needs to be something that has required you to put unexpected effort into something whilst still keeping your other commitments ticking over.

I’d try to avoid anything that is just about working longer. There can be an element of working longer, but I would also try to find something where you have had to work smarter too, as I think this really hits the “raise your game” element.

 

[patternteddybear]

does anyone know if winter vacation schemes tend to be more competitive than summer vacation schemes?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

does anyone know if winter vacation schemes tend to be more competitive than summer vacation schemes?

I think it’s basically equal.

It’ll vary from firm to firm and year to year. It’s probably better to just apply to what scheme works best for you

 

[Shah74k]

@Jessica Booker

Would it be lazy/unwise to mention a deal the legacy firm (A&O) advised on and why it interests you - not finding many examples of deals A&O Shearman have advised on.

 

[KGNines]

Does any one have any advice on structuring this question for NRF - How has your understanding of the role of a commercial lawyer developed, and motivated you to pursue a career at Norton Rose Fulbright?

Is it best to essentially split it into:
1) Why I want to be a commercial lawyer with reference to relevant experiences and their impact on my understanding and motivation(s) for the role;
2) Why NRF and why I am a good fit with relevant reasons/examples.

Or would it be better to structure it in a combined manner, using multiple examples i.e.
1) Example of experience, how this has developed my understanding as a commercial lawyer and then how said experience links to NRF;
2) Repeat the same with another example; and
3) Repeat same with another example.

Would appreciate any guidance, whether that be using one of the above or an alternative approach to structuring an answer.

 

[lookingforaTC]

For HSF - does anyone know if we did the test last year and passed - then we do not have to re take it? Thanks.

 

[Apple]

Does any one have any advice on structuring this question for NRF - How has your understanding of the role of a commercial lawyer developed, and motivated you to pursue a career at Norton Rose Fulbright?

Is it best to essentially split it into:
1) Why I want to be a commercial lawyer with reference to relevant experiences and their impact on my understanding and motivation(s) for the role;
2) Why NRF and why I am a good fit with relevant reasons/examples.

Or would it be better to structure it in a combined manner, using multiple examples i.e.
1) Example of experience, how this has developed my understanding as a commercial lawyer and then how said experience links to NRF;
2) Repeat the same with another example; and
3) Repeat same with another example.

Would appreciate any guidance, whether that be using one of the above or an alternative approach to structuring an answer.

Just my personal approach. I did them somewhat distinctly, but did link back to how the things that initially made me want to pursue commercial law were specifically relevant at NRF.

 

[zara elles]

Does anyone know if you are able to take the Ashurst psychometric test again or whether they use your previous scores? I completed the assessment last year but did not progress. I've heard a few people say they keep your scores for two years but not too sure.

 

[laurenn42]

Does anyone know what the word count is on the upcoming Hogan Lovells application questions? Or remember what the word counts were last year?