TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[msclm]

Dechert really be playing with us

 

[Smart water 0403]

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]

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!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

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.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

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]

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!!!!👏👏👏🎉🎉🥳

 

[SamiyaJ]

I’m currently attending the W&C virtual event- grad team said they sent out invites for the first open day (14 Nov) today and will send out outcomes for the 2nd open day (21 Nov) later this week

 

[crt1s]

For Mayer Brown, how soon after taking the test did people receive their feedback report? Thanks

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

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]

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…

 

[PlimptonWeld]

Does anyone have news of CG whether AC invites have rolled out?

 

[James Wakefield]

Has anyone heard back from Dentons post-app? I think their test isn’t automatic?

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I received mine and I was in the 71% percentile but still got rejected!

I’m sure they place great emphasis on the Capp assessment.

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

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).

 

[studentdelaw786]

For anyone applying to Davis Polk’s Insight Day:

are you guys shortening the firm’s name to DPW or DP to save words, or is it recommended to not do that?

@Andrei Radu - would love to get your thoughts on this, please.

thank you!

 

[studentdelaw786]

Does anybody know if Simmons

Honestly, It is going to sound very cliche but resilience is very important! Application processes are not easy at all and are fiercely competitive. My motivation when getting rejected is remembering that the average age of a qualified solicitor is around 30. You are not behind at all, and it only takes one yes for you to finally land that role so just try your hardest to stick at it

thank you, you’re very kind.

i try to keep that in mind - just very difficult to process rejections when you think you’ve written very good applications :/

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Hence my reason for being drawn to employment law (employer side).

The exact same salary for much better hours. Count me in too!

 

[thelegalstudent]

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

Hi Jessica, thank you for your reply - that was really helpful! My course is anticipated to end on the 30th of June so I'm assuming this would indicate that my visa would be valid through till September?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi Jessica, thank you for your reply - that was really helpful! My course is anticipated to end on the 30th of June so I'm assuming this would indicate that my visa would be valid through till September?

Most likely yes - I can't provide specific advice on your individual situation though, and you should check your visa's status and end date as this will be subject to how long you have held your student visa for.

 

[bangarangbass39]

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.

US aint the one for you my brother/sister/them in Christ.

At Bakers (an intl firm with US headquarters) everyone emphasised they are not US in culture. From the trainees to associates, to partners and Business Development. HOWEVER, when you dug further, they all said they weren't leaving the office before 8 pm. They strongly reiterated to us that you shouldn't expect yourself to be leaving before 8pm. They do respect you completing things outside of work as long you communicate clearly in advance

This massively depends on department culture, but from the experience of asking different staff at different firms, the hours tend to match across the board (bar corporate/transactional work which is bonkers). From IP to Disputes and Employment, trainees all discussed regularly working to at least 8 pm and beyond at BM. The difference (compared to the US firms) is that their weekends are more often untouched and their holidays are respected completely. However, don't expect to not work during the holiday, even if you are in a traditionally seeming "easy" or "less stressful seat" (the employment trainees were disgruntled about working during easter!)

A general rule of thumb I received is that if they're a top 20 UK firm in terms of revenue and/or they're paying you over 100k as an NQ, it is highly unlikely you will have the WLB you're seeking. Make of that what you will, but checking this against Legal Cheek's reported timings, the advice does hold some weight.

Exclusive research: What time do lawyers finish work at the UK's top 100+ law firms? - Legal Cheek

Junior lawyers face long days, late finishes, and an 'always available' culture, highlighting the demanding nature of a life in corporate law

www.legalcheek.com

The Firms Most List - Legal Cheek

www.legalcheek.com

Another recommendation was that if they are Tier 2 and above for Corporate deals at the premium level (like 750 mil and above), then just know...it's a rough one. Bare in mind we all have to complete a transactional seat as per the SRA guidelines, so choose your fate carefully!

M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+ > London

Market-leading analysis, rankings and editorial commentary - see the top law firms & lawyers in M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+ in London

www.legal500.com

So, to conclude, I'd focus on less elite transactional-driven firms if you want comparatively good WLB - typically US, MC, and SC firms - regardless of their size and "unique culture", they will all expect the same of you in terms of output/WLB. Instead, go after firms that are recognised for a wide range of non-transactional services and practices that stand out as their USP. Or they may be sector-driven (Bird n Bird, Osborn Clarke, etc.).

That is unless you are focused on being a transactional solicitor. If so, why not go for the big ticket because you will be working the same amount of hours as solicitors on the opposite end of a transaction? Might as well get paid the same or more...