TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[HelpAStudentOut]

Any W&C WVS offers this week?

Nope still waiting post AC last Friday

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (Sidley rejection)

CC* ✅📝
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅
Akin ✅
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Dechert ✅
Skadden ✅
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Morgan Lewis ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, I would really appreciate some guidance around the BCLP Vacation Scheme Question : Please describe a time where you have received constructive feedback? How did you react and how did you utilise this feedback to ensure your own positive self-development? (500 words). In terms of general structure and ideal examples. Thank you! @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam !

I wouldn’t worry about ideal examples - the example doesn’t really matter, it is more the explanation of how you took the feedback and then acted on it that is important.

In terms of structure I would:

- Explain the context of the situation you received the constructive feedback (what led you to get the feedback in the first place)

- explain your reaction to that initial feedback - how did you feel?

- Explain any steps or activities you took to implement that feedback either into the same environment or also how you have implemented the feedback into wider experiences.

The key to this question is showing a proactive approach to addressing the feedback and being open to the feedback. Good evidence will show people seeking opportunities to develop in the constructive feedback area and taking on new responsibilities to help develop the area identified.

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

I wouldn’t worry about ideal examples - the example doesn’t really matter, it is more the explanation of how you took the feedback and then acted on it that is important.

In terms of structure I would:

- Explain the context of the situation you received the constructive feedback (what led you to get the feedback in the first place)

- explain your reaction to that initial feedback - how did you feel?

- Explain any steps or activities you took to implement that feedback either into the same environment or also how you have implemented the feedback into wider experiences.

The key to this question is showing a proactive approach to addressing the feedback and being open to the feedback. Good evidence will show people seeking opportunities to develop in the constructive feedback area and taking on new responsibilities to help develop the area identified.

Thank you very much @Jessica Booker ! That's really helpful, I'll give that a go

 

[a1024]

hey! has anyone done the macfarlanes assessments? any tips for it?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Yes, no place for work experiences! Just to add to this point - did you list every module grade in the education section or simply your overall grade?

I am just going to add my overall grade as there wasn't any space to list every module (plus there are no minimum requirements as far as I know so makes even more sense to just do overall grade)!

 

[Tintin06]

hey! has anyone done the macfarlanes assessments? any tips of it?

I have advice. Use a calculator!

 

[BM99]

Anyone still waiting Sidley WVS lol

 

[plshireme]

Does anyone know which percentile is classed as a pass for the AG CRT?

 

[gazdgazd11]

Sidley Pfo🙂🙂

 

[AlegalA]

Hi guys!
For DWF, they ask:
Please complete the personal statement below in no more than 750 words. Please note that you will be scored on your drafting ability as well as your content. Within your personal statement please answer the following questions:

• What are your motivations for wanting to pursue a career as a Solicitor at DWF? (250 words)
• The DWF value 'Be Better Together' is key to our business. Please identify when you have demonstrated this value and how you would apply this to the role of a Trainee Solicitor. (250 words)
• Please comment on a commercial news topic or trend which has interested you recently. Within your response, please consider how this news topic or trend is relevant to DWF. (250 words)

I've answered all three as individual questions. Do you think I need to make a link between all of them to make it more one document, or is having a separation fine?

Thank you!

 

[olivia2003]

Hi everyone,

I just got a rejection for an open day for one of my top firms and I’m a bit in shock.

I had even asked an associate from the firm to review my application to ensure I had a decent chance of being successful.

Should I move on from the rejection, or should I understand the rejection as an indication that I might not get past the application stage for a vacation scheme?

 

[James Wakefield]

Does anyone know which percentile is classed as a pass for the AG CRT?

Can you find out your score?

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone still waiting Sidley WVS lol

Applied there four times over the last few years and got the rejection. for 2024 Winter Vac Scheme today.

 

[James Wakefield]

Hi everyone,

I just got a rejection for an open day for one of my top firms and I’m a bit in shock.

I had even asked an associate from the firm to review my application to ensure I had a decent chance of being successful.

Should I move on from the rejection, or should I understand the rejection as an indication that I might not get past the application stage for a vacation scheme?

I got a rejection for an Open Day for a firm last year but was successful in applying for their Vacation Scheme.

Sometimes firms have limited Open Day places (especially in-person) or may be looking for different criteria. If it’s your top firm, I would say definitely still worth applying for their VS.

 

[User5678]

Hi - has anyone heard back from pwc post vi yet? I know someone who applied after me get a PFO but I’ve not heard back

 

[Tintin06]

Hi everyone,

I just got a rejection for an open day for one of my top firms and I’m a bit in shock.

I had even asked an associate from the firm to review my application to ensure I had a decent chance of being successful.

Should I move on from the rejection, or should I understand the rejection as an indication that I might not get past the application stage for a vacation scheme?

It doesn't mean all that much. I did the Freshfields open day in 2018 and never got anywhere with the VS or the TC. They're nice on the CV and help boost your confidence, but Open Days aren't a golden ticket to an interview, but this varies from firm to firm. Latham & Watkins seems to prioritise Open Day attendees when deciding who to interview for the VS.

 

[James Wakefield]

I thought they were non rolling.

I think they say on their website something along the lines of ‘we don’t fill all our places before the deadline’. I interpret this to mean they are reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

However, since they are having technical issues with their automatic test, there‘s probably no rush to get applications in quickly.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys!
For DWF, they ask:
Please complete the personal statement below in no more than 750 words. Please note that you will be scored on your drafting ability as well as your content. Within your personal statement please answer the following questions:

• What are your motivations for wanting to pursue a career as a Solicitor at DWF? (250 words)
• The DWF value 'Be Better Together' is key to our business. Please identify when you have demonstrated this value and how you would apply this to the role of a Trainee Solicitor. (250 words)
• Please comment on a commercial news topic or trend which has interested you recently. Within your response, please consider how this news topic or trend is relevant to DWF. (250 words)

I've answered all three as individual questions. Do you think I need to make a link between all of them to make it more one document, or is having a separation fine?

Thank you!

I think it is fine to have it as three sections of one document rather than connected up given the way it has been presented in terms of questions.

 

[Amjaya]

Sidley and linklaters PFO