TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[SamiyaJ]

Hiya @SamiyaJ

Great to see that you're still applying to open days. Yep, there are many firms still open for open day applications. You can find them here. Hope that helps and good luck!

Thank you so much Ram!

 

[hitherelaw]

has anyone got a w&c open day offer yet?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Why am I the opposite to everybody here? Never practiced the WG in my life but yet never failed one ever. Genuinely find it mostly easy - have scored 99th percentile for CC and 94th for Linklaters. Yet I was rejected for both because my application writing and interviewing skills are absolutely horrendous.

Basically using this to moan because apparently all my god given skill points were used to max out the bloody Watson Glaser Test of all things, leaving me a talentless hack in everything else 😭

EDIT: And I can't even help people get better because I don't know what I do. I've never looked at a study resource or anything - I have no working out to show. Anyone know of any firms' application process that are just 5 WG tests? 🥲

It may not be quite what you are looking for, but I heard Linklaters places a lot of emphasis on WG/SJT results.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Why am I the opposite to everybody here? Never practiced the WG in my life but yet never failed one ever. Genuinely find it mostly easy - have scored 99th percentile for CC and 94th for Linklaters. Yet I was rejected for both because my application writing and interviewing skills are absolutely horrendous.

Basically using this to moan because apparently all my god given skill points were used to max out the bloody Watson Glaser Test of all things, leaving me a talentless hack in everything else 😭

EDIT: And I can't even help people get better because I don't know what I do. I've never looked at a study resource or anything - I have no working out to show. Anyone know of any firms' application process that are just 5 WG tests? 🥲

Hey @Parsorandini! Just building on what @Andrei Radu aptly pointed out (I've heard similar things myself) 👀

It's great that you're able to score so high on the Watson Glaser. Scoring in the 99th and 94th percentiles isn’t something many people can say, so it’s clear you have some serious strengths to build on. I’m confident you have what it takes to be successful in other parts of the application process too! If you’re finding it challenging to approach written applications, video interviews, or assessment centres, don’t hesitate to ask questions here on the forum. Andrei, @Amma Usman and @Jessica Booker consistently offer excellent advice on application writing and interviewing. I've also been in the same boat and would be more than happy to share tips or help with specific areas! Best of luck with other applications, you Watson Glaser genius!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi there! transitioning from mostly open day applications now to vac scheme application - wondering how I can practice the WG? does anyone know of any free websites to use or any other resources links?

Hi! Some of the free resources I used include:

• Clifford Chance Free Practice Test
• The Lawyer Portal Free Practice Test
• Pearson Free Practice Test
• Practice Aptitude Tests Free Practice Test
• Assessment Day Free Practice Test

 

[lolololol]

is the hl wg similar to the cc one?

 

[James Wakefield]

Why am I the opposite to everybody here? Never practiced the WG in my life but yet never failed one ever. Genuinely find it mostly easy - have scored 99th percentile for CC and 94th for Linklaters. Yet I was rejected for both because my application writing and interviewing skills are absolutely horrendous.

Basically using this to moan because apparently all my god given skill points were used to max out the bloody Watson Glaser Test of all things, leaving me a talentless hack in everything else 😭

EDIT: And I can't even help people get better because I don't know what I do. I've never looked at a study resource or anything - I have no working out to show. Anyone know of any firms' application process that are just 5 WG tests? 🥲

I can relate- I actually like doing the Watson Glaser, it’s my favourite test.

The one I cannot stand though is Artic Shores game-based assessments. They really suck!

 

[bibss]

Anyone received Cleary AC yet?

 

[ashwright]

JobTestPrep talks about how using an "ITDN table" as a thinking strategy can help with the Watson Glaser. I bought their package last year but didn't see what it meant. Does anyone have any idea what this could be? Thank you!

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Just applied to my first open day of the cycle to try and get some positive news fast. That’s the main reason really 😅

 

[studentdelaw786]

I agree with this - I generally don't see any firms with two names shortening it, the firm's with three or more tend to shorten it themselves in one format or another, and then I advise to go with that format.

If you are worried about word count, there is typically many more ways you can shorten your writing elsewhere than potentially shortening the firm's name in a way it doesn't use/isn't commonly used in the legal sector.

thank you kindly! @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Has anyone who was in the second Dechert batch of written exercises heard back?

 

[sammm10101]

uuuu I am not a fan of two-pronged questions, e.g. 'What steps have you taken to research a career as a solicitor at an international law firm? What appeals to you about this career?'. This is one question for HFW, yet I really want to take the second point in a direction which doesn't really align that well with the first part. Just let me do both pleeaase

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Hi @pleasepleaseplease I definitely think it is a good idea to write you want to learn more about practice areas that interest you. The only caveat to that is to make sure that the practices you choose to write about are some of the bigger ones in the London office and ideally some of the ones the firm is known for in the market (which you can ascertain by taking a look at their Chambers UK and Chambers Global rankings).

Besides that, I think it is in general a good idea to identify the firm's unique selling points (USPs) - be them related to practice areas, culture, training or international offices - and explain you want to learn more about them. Some of the USPs identified by the TCLA team in HFW's Firm Profile (which you can access here) also include:

• Sector-focused firm, with a particularly strong reputation for shipping and commodities
• Inherently global practice, with lots of opportunity for cross-border work
• Disputes-heavy firm, with high rankings for their contentious teams

Thank you so much!

 

[F a v o u r]

has anyone got a w&c open day offer yet?

I got the offer earlier today

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

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

2 days

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Why am I the opposite to everybody here? Never practiced the WG in my life but yet never failed one ever. Genuinely find it mostly easy - have scored 99th percentile for CC and 94th for Linklaters. Yet I was rejected for both because my application writing and interviewing skills are absolutely horrendous.

Basically using this to moan because apparently all my god given skill points were used to max out the bloody Watson Glaser Test of all things, leaving me a talentless hack in everything else 😭

EDIT: And I can't even help people get better because I don't know what I do. I've never looked at a study resource or anything - I have no working out to show. Anyone know of any firms' application process that are just 5 WG tests? 🥲

On the plus side you will be able to improve your written applications and interview skills more easily than trying to better a WG score.

 

[Bread]

Anyone receive the schedule and zoom details for Goodwin open day today? Email said we would be receiving a schedule+zoom link today but I have not received anything

 

[ayiiii05]

Anyone receive the schedule and zoom details for Goodwin open day today? Email said we would be receiving a schedule+zoom link today but I have not received anything

Are you sure there was an open day today? I know there are virtual ones on the 13th and the 27th of Nov.

 

[Bread]

Are you sure there was an open day today? I know there are virtual ones on the 13th and the 27th of Nov.

The open day is on Thursday Nov. 7th but they said that they would circulate details today xx
Checked my spam and all but have it received anything:/