TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Optimistic1111

Active Member
Oct 25, 2024
17
6
I received mine and I was in the 71% percentile but still got rejected!
Congrats on the score! I'd imagine perhaps it's a very competitive year, maybe quite a few are scoring high and it seems like from this thread they are allowing others on the summer/spring vacs also. Can I ask, how did you prepare for the WG test and how much preparation time did you dedicate? This is my first year applying for vac schemes.
 

SamiyaJ

Esteemed Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Apr 16, 2024
94
145
Congrats on the score! I'd imagine perhaps it's a very competitive year, maybe quite a few are scoring high and it seems like from this thread they are allowing others on the summer/spring vacs also. Can I ask, how did you prepare for the WG test and how much preparation time did you dedicate? This is my first year applying for vac schemes.
Thank you! But genuinely think I am the worst person to ask for help as I always fail at this stage. I practised on JobTestPrep; watched a few YouTube videos about the inferences and deductions (I still get confused! But there has been some great advice on the forum about this) and also AllAboutLaw have a complete practice test you can practice for free.

I was surprised to receive this score but I think it’s all about practice. It’s also my first proper cycle of applying for vac schemes so spend as much time as you can practising- even 30 minutes a day. Hope that helps!
 
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Optimistic1111

Active Member
Oct 25, 2024
17
6
Thank you! But genuinely think I am the worst person to ask for help as I always fail at this stage. I practised on JobTestPrep; watched a few YouTube videos about the inferences and deductions (I still get confused! But there has been some great advice on the forum about this) and also AllAboutLaw have a complete practice test you can practice for free.

I was surprised to receive this score but I think it’s all about practice. It’s also my first proper cycle of applying for vac schemes so spend as much time as you can practising- even 30 minutes a day. Hope that helps!
This is so helpful, thank you! Going to try and just do them daily and actually try to make sure I understand them lol. I was feeling confident after all my practice tests but I guess now I know what the outcome will be so I can just move on from it.
 
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Jessica Booker

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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
14,505
20,199
Does anyone know how to answer the "what do you understand about what we do" question at a vac scheme interview (sidley) ? I'm a bit confused on how to address this point and where to get info for it @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu (if you have any insights too, please do share!)
The firm wants to understand what you know about the firm but not necessarily in a "why are you applying to us manner". For this question, try to summarise the firm's position in the market and broad client work within it - it really isn't about saying everything about the firm. I would focus on the key things you know and try to present it in a way that is a coherent summary rather than a long list of factors.
 

Smart water 0403

Well-Known Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Feb 17, 2024
23
9
Hi, I have a Q regarding one of the BCLP application questions, wondering if anyone could help?

'Q3 - 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?'

I am planning to talk about running a weekly event and using the feedback forms I circulated to attendees, to improve it. However, I am unsure how to link this to 'positive self development'- do I talk about what i learnt from the whole process/ the skills I gained ?
 

thelegalstudent

Standard Member
Premium Member
May 5, 2023
8
3
Hi, if I am a final-year international law student graduating next summer, would I still be eligible to work for the summer vacation schemes under my student visa if it has expired? Or would I have to apply for a new one? Thank you!
 

Jessica Booker

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TCLA Moderator
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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
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Hi, I have a Q regarding one of the BCLP application questions, wondering if anyone could help?

'Q3 - 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?'

I am planning to talk about running a weekly event and using the feedback forms I circulated to attendees, to improve it. However, I am unsure how to link this to 'positive self development'- do I talk about what i learnt from the whole process/ the skills I gained ?
I would focus on the "you" part of this. If you can link the event feedback to your own personal development, then you can use this example but I would not use it if it was just general improvements to the events that were not necessarily a reflection of your input/ideas.

You don't necessarily have to talk about the skills gained, but it is important to show how you proactively react to feedback and find ways to improve yourself in the area(s) you were given constructive feedback on. This is the key part of the question - it isn't really the feedback that they are looking at, it is how you react to the feedback in a positive and constructive way that leads to improvement of your future input/idea and which leads to (or has led to) greater success in the future.
 
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Jessica Booker

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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
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Hi, if I am a final-year international law student graduating next summer, would I still be eligible to work for the summer vacation schemes under my student visa if it has expired? Or would I have to apply for a new one? Thank you!
You will usually get up to three months after your course is completed where you can stay in the UK on your student visa. So your eligibility for summer vacation schemes will depend on when your course finishes. If your course hasn't officially concluded/finished, eligibility might be tricky as you will be limited to working 20 hours a week. If the scheme starts or ends three months after your course finishes, you would need to secure another visa.

Another student visa would only be possible if you were going on to further study. You can apply for the post-study visa (graduate visa) though that will give you up to two years of being able to work and live in the UK with few restrictions. Many international candidates apply for and secure this visa to allow them to work after their studies have finished: https://www.gov.uk/graduate-visa
 

F a v o u r

Distinguished Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
  • Aug 4, 2021
    61
    94
    I PASSED CLIFFORD CHANCES WATSON GLASER TEST- the test is valid for TWO YEARS!

    I’m absolutely over the moon, this is such a huge weight off my shoulders and means I can pour everything into the TC application, knowing that it will be reviewed and I don’t have to do the test for this recruitment cycle or the next!

    I will keep practicing the Watson Glaser but HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE LORD!
    Huge congratulations!!!!👏👏👏🎉🎉🥳
     
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    Aspiringsolicitor01

    Esteemed Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 6, 2024
    75
    106
    What are people’s thoughts on the US firms’ working hours, I’m curious? If I see legal cheek reporting an average finish time beyond 8pm I don’t apply to a firm. I’m not against working hard but I want a life.
     

    SoonToBeTrainee

    Distinguished Member
  • Dec 29, 2023
    71
    169
    What are people’s thoughts on the US firms’ working hours, I’m curious? If I see legal cheek reporting an average finish time beyond 8pm I don’t apply to a firm. I’m not against working hard but I want a life.
    Honestly, working hours are very similar at the top end of firms. Be it US, MC, even SC.

    As someone once told me, if you’re working buy-side at 3am, another firm will also be up doing sell-side at 3am.

    That said, it depends on the practice area. Contentious / restructuring work is slightly more slow-paced and has potential for better hours.

    If you go into something like tax, you can probably get away with leaving the office at 5/6pm most days…
     

    Aspiringsolicitor01

    Esteemed Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 6, 2024
    75
    106
    Honestly, working hours are very similar at the top end of firms. Be it US, MC, even SC.

    As someone once told me, if you’re working buy-side at 3am, another firm will also be up doing sell-side at 3am.

    That said, it depends on the practice area. Contentious / restructuring work is slightly more slow-paced and has potential for better hours.

    If you go into something like tax, you can probably get away with leaving the office at 5/6pm most days…
    Hence my reason for being drawn to employment law (employer side).
     
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