TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[IneedaTCASAP]

Same. Passed 2 weeks ago - guess they didn't like our application (?)

They saw we were strong applicants and gave others a chance before inviting us 😂 or not

 

[gilo]

Not heard anything from HSF for winter vac after passing SJT - not sure what to make of this…

 

[VMS]

Has anyone had a first stage interview with BCLP and has heard back yet?

Not yet, I only had mine on Wednesday though. When did you have yours?

 

[s9111]

Not yet, I only had mine on Wednesday though. When did you have yours?

Tuesday! How did you find it? Just thought it would be a quicker turnaround as it is only one interview, as opposed to an entire AC. Less feedback to collect, I suppose.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

Sometimes firms ask people not to publicise they have offers until they have informed every candidates.

That would make some sense! If GR is waiting for feedback though, and others on the AC have been rejected or accepted shortly after, how will the person providing the feedback one week later for one candidate (with presumably a less fresh memory of the interview) be fair?

 

[Jessica Booker]

What do you mean by this bit here please? "I am unclear as to why it would also stop someone from completing an assessment too"?

I was curious whether not completing this section (i.e. opting out of answering the Rare contextual questions) because I don't think it will positively impact me given my background (no free school meals, not carer at young age etc), would impact my chances of moving forward in the application process?

Someone earlier mentioned they were told they could not complete an assessment because they had not completed the form. I don’t understand why this would be the case. The systems are generally not connected and even if they are, should not be.

Not completing the form is a choice - it won’t negatively impact your application if it is not completed.

 

[Jessica Booker]

The only firm I know that does this is Linklaters, but there may be others - maybe @Jessica Booker can tell you more. I also know that in the last cycle Latham reviewed applications from open day attendees separately from normal VS applications, but they did not guarantee an AC.

I don’t know specifics unfortunately. I would generally say that being fast tracked is something quite rare unless there has been a formal recruitment process for the open day.

 

[unknownnn7372]

how did people's ashurst's AC go

 

[ashwright]

Just to spread some good news on W&C - when asked about WVS applicants who haven't heard back yet post-app, GR said they'd still be looking at apps over the next few weeks. Combining this info with the post I vaguely remember where someone said W&C don't have a formal cap, people should still be in the running.
If anyone has any updates on HL Lift Off or Latham's Open Days, please share!
Bonus - if anyone knows of any success stories for CC's direct TC without participating in their first/second year schemes & no prior VS, I'd love to hear them.

 

[l789]

Just to spread some good news on W&C - when asked about WVS applicants who haven't heard back yet post-app, GR said they'd still be looking at apps over the next few weeks. Combining this info with the post I vaguely remember where someone said W&C don't have a formal cap, people should still be in the running.
If anyone has any updates on HL Lift Off or Latham's Open Days, please share!

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

 

[ashwright]

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

That's definitely super helpful - thank you for sharing! Hopefully they'll get back soon. Funnily enough, I've had that same experience of GR seeming rushed when (virtually) interacting with HL before.
Much appreciated - I really appreciate the insight 😊

 

[Apple]

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

I had a meeting with HL recruiter last year, and they directly said that after about the middle of October competition increases and the "any additional information you would like to tell us" essentially goes from optional to mandatory to distinguish between applicants. Just smth to bear in mind.

 

[ashwright]

I had a meeting with HL recruiter last year, and they directly said that after about the middle of October competition increases and the "any additional information you would like to tell us" essentially goes from optional to mandatory to distinguish between applicants. Just smth to bear in mind.

Interesting - I'm curious what would be helpful to even include in there to help distinguish candidates. I would've thought it was just a space to elaborate on mitigating/personal circumstances but now I'm thinking they're looking for some substantive writing?

 

[Apple]

Interesting - I'm curious what would be helpful to even include in there to help distinguish candidates. I would've thought it was just a space to elaborate on mitigating/personal circumstances but now I'm thinking they're looking for some substantive writing?

I wrote about my legal work experience in there and they progressed me to AC. I think its just a really flexible question where you sell yourself/your motivations with whatever you want.

 

[Balaton123]

Is the WG for HL automatic? I sent in my application for the SVS two weeks ago, but haven’t received it yet.

 

[l789]

I had a meeting with HL recruiter last year, and they directly said that after about the middle of October competition increases and the "any additional information you would like to tell us" essentially goes from optional to mandatory to distinguish between applicants. Just smth to bear in mind.

Yes you are right!

She did mention the last point about optional information and distinguishing between candidates.

All the info just merged into one, given the speed at which the grad rec was rushing through the presentation.

She also said for the commercial awareness story - split it 50/50

So 50% talking about the commercial news story and 50% talking about the impact on clients or whatever way you relate it to the clients.

I’m so exhausted from yesterday and didn’t feel I got much out of the event. The networking element had barely any trainee representatives and I didn’t leave the firm feeling particularly inspired which is always the case when I’ve visited other firms. Maybe it was just a blip, and everyone was tired or unavailable idk.

 

[l789]

That's definitely super helpful - thank you for sharing! Hopefully they'll get back soon. Funnily enough, I've had that same experience of GR seeming rushed when (virtually) interacting with HL before.
Much appreciated - I really appreciate the insight 😊

Your welcome!

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

CMS WG I felt like I was clicking 'assumption not made' and ‘weak argument’ the entire time.

 

[gilo]

Went to HL yesterday for an event, there was only one grad recruiter running it and she was rushing through the presentation and seemed knackered.

I think she said Lift off and Launch Pad apps are reviewed after the deadline, but again, the presentation was so rushed and she was so exhausted since they had a trainee seat fair earlier in the day that she wasn’t really answering questions properly it started to turn into a no, no, yes, yes answer towards the end. I wasn’t the only attendee who picked up on this body language and tone.

All I know for sure is that if you send applications towards the end of the deadline it gets very competitive since they’re rolling and everyone tries to submit then. She also said any use of AI whatsoever and the application goes straight in the bin ( they have tools to detect any AI).

This probably doesn’t answer your question but may be helpful for anyone who’s interested in hog Lovells

Reckon that AI policy is more about submitting extremely generic applications than anything else...

 

[l789]

Reckon that AI policy is more about submitting extremely generic applications than anything else...

She was very strict about it, and i made sure to make note of the point on my phone- that was enough to make me think twice about even using AI, in any capacity for an application to HL

Matthieu (grad rec) from skadden said the same and was very blunt about it. Although he didn’t mention if the firm has tools to detect AI, he said that they can tell straight away and in that instance the application is going straight to the bin.