TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[safari3]

I’m sure u did great! Got the invite today, is q3 a commercial based one then?

It was a mix of motivational / competency for me, but you might get a CA focused question so I’d prep for that too just incase, as well as the competencies they mention in the email☺️

 

[Apple]

do you think they advent got back to us because they are considering us for spring?

I emailed them on Monday morning no response yet.

 

[member3804]

How long does it take for DLA Piper to send VI invitations after passing WG? it’s been a week since they’ve last emailed

 

[Amma Usman]

for the mishcon vac scheme, the section on activities and achievements, did people put uni societies? what are we meant to put there? cause we can only do 4 work experiences, so figured it makes sense to do societies.

Hi @elizabethkate . Yep! I totally agree with that approach.

 

[AS24]

Hey @AS24,

Thanks for the question. We’re glad you’ve found the tips useful!

Given the word count of most application questions, I would say focus less on how HL can help them, although it will certainly be beneficial to do so. You should ideally go deep into the impact on HL’s clients. Another point is that any candidate isn’t expected to know exactly how a law firm will address these commercial issues as all this will become apparent on the job. However, if the word count permits, you could touch on general methods HL could employ to deal with the issue, whether this is investing in new experienced personnel to advise tech giants more efficiently and accurately. This is presumed that the commercial issue in question is in relation to the rising complexities surrounding emerging technologies and upcoming regulations in that sphere.

Thank you so much @Amma Usman

 

[Amma Usman]

Does Baker McKenzie recruit mostly from Vacation Schemes or direct Training Contract applications?

Hi @Tintin06 . @Ram Sabaratnam has made a post on this topic here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....eme-vs-direct-tc-applications-2024-2025.9147/

 

[doablueberry]

Any updates from Cleary (Winter) or Weil and Kirkland (Spring)?

Hi there,
Sorry to say, but I was offered a cleary winter AC last thursday. Fingers crossed you get some late good news and good luck with the others!

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone have any advice for the bird & bird video interview?

Hey @erderlylars

For pre-recorded interviews, my tip is to generally not overthink it. The reason is because in a short preparation time of only a few seconds, your first instinct to the question should be what you convey. I also recommend knowing your skills and key competencies beforehand. This precludes you from the stress of thinking of an answer to many possible questions as a preparation strategy. Rather, it prepares you for an application of these skills to any given scenario or question put forth.

@Andrei Radu has also made a really comprehensive guide which I have linked below;

A complete guide for competency interview preparation

This is a guide for the purposes of preparing for competency interviews, be they in a VI, another intermediary step or an AC/final stage interview. The advice here is based on my personal approach, as I received VS offers from top US/MC firms 4/4 times I implemented it. This will include: A...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Amma Usman]

how many trainees does gibson dunn take

Hi @unknownnn7372 , roughly 9 a year.

 

[gazdgazd11]

How long does it take for DLA Piper to send VI invitations after passing WG? it’s been a week since they’ve last emailed

Been 2 weeks for me ://

 

[AS24]

Hi @Amma Usman, @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu

I trust you are all well.

I am applying to Katten and am trying to understand how to answer this question.

What experience and skills do you have that will make you an excellent solicitor at Katten?
I am struggling to understand how specific I should be. Would you suggest looking for keywords used by the firm's marketing team?

Thank you in advance for your help.

 

[nodustollens]

How long does it take for DLA Piper to send VI invitations after passing WG? it’s been a week since they’ve last emailed

I emailed them regarding when we’ll hear back for the AC and they said that since they’ve closed applications there’s been a delay in processing all their applications.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hello, @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam Do you know of any firms to which you can apply for Vacation schemes multiple times in one cycle?

Hey @V2002 , @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu will have more thoughts on this, but just to jump in beforehand - many firms will have the ‘no application till next cycle’ policy. I believe the reason is to juggle the volume of applications effectively. However, I know some firms accept direct TC applications when VS applications in the same cycle have been unsuccessful.

I’ve done some research and a found a very helpful list complied by a TCLA member, @Adrian_S. The list was created in 2022, so it’s worth you checking the FAQs section of the graduate recruitment website to find if the position remains the same ( although I presume not much would have changed by now).

List here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ple-times-in-the-same-recruitment-cycle.5113/

 

[member3804]

I emailed them regarding when we’ll hear back for the AC and they said that since they’ve closed applications there’s been a delay in processing all their applications.

Thanks!

 

[Gday33]

Anyone going to linklaters OD tomorrow? Their email said to give your travel arrangements and they would sort but I haven’t heard anything back from them?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi there,
Sorry to say, but I was offered a cleary winter AC last thursday. Fingers crossed you get some late good news and good luck with the others!

Don't be sorry, hope your AC went well and you get an offer! Can I ask when you completed your WG?

 

[cjwx]

DLA Piper AC invite for London! Anyone else have on the 26th of November? if you have DM me, we could try to help each other prep.

 

[doablueberry]

Don't be sorry, hope your AC went well and you get an offer! Can I ask when you completed your WG?

I completed it on roughly the 18th October. Thank you for the kind words!

 

[Tintin06]

What's with all the partner departures at Latham this year? 😮

The Lawyer covers these stories. You can only see the headlines. But you can easily google them.

 

[sjr22]

hi all, how do you let firms using cvmail (like sidley for instance) that you have a winter vacation scheme - I applied for their spring/summer and want to put it down as prospective to make my app even stronger.

Thanks in advance