TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Deleted member 31571]

@Andrei Radu and others, thank you in advance for answering: if a firm allows max 5 experiences including actual WE, extracurriculars, volunteering, sport activities etc. on its application form, is it a good idea to merge some of them into one? such as all extracurriculars done at uni societies as 1 experience, or all volunteering activities as another one. Further, if limited to 5, should I include the firm's Forage job simulation or that'd be a waste? (they don't ask elsewhere on the app form if I did it or not). I feel like I have much more valuable work experience but they could care about their own job sim more

 

[jojo23]

I think generally if the question is just framed as a simple 'Why commercial law?' one there is no need to integrate 'why this firm' elements as well. In fact, I think it is advisable not to do so, as you risk muddling your points and thus reducing focus and clarity. Since in this case there is also a subsequent 'Why the firm' question, it is definitely better to keep the points entirely separate.

Thank you, i appreciate it!!

 

[jojo23]

Hey @jojo23 , the team has already shared great insights on this. I‘ve also quoted below a thread which includes examples of generic/non-generic responses to the why CL question;

Why Commercial Law? Investigating Your ‘Why’

The question that often makes you pause for a moment. You know why you want to pursue this, you’re certain it’s what you want. Yet, putting it into words — especially in a way that resonates with recruiters — is a challenge. Then, you see it in an application form, and it’s just like “argg!” How...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

thank you so much for this!!

 

[jojo23]

Hiya @jojo23

Completely agree with @Andrei Radu here. There's no need to include your research or motivations for joining Reed Smith in your answer to this particular question. Instead, I would treat this as a standard motivational question about why you’re pursuing a career in commercial law.

Additionally, I'd just like to gently suggest that your answer should highlight reasons that really focus on commercial and corporate law. Thus try to avoid generic reasons that could easily to other professional services like consulting or finance. I think really distilling reasons that are particular to commercial law will allow your answer to demonstrate a level of nuance and strong understanding of this area of law and why it appeals to you. Best of luck with your application!

Thank you for your insight @Ram Sabaratnam, I will take all of this into account too!!

 

[Soprano]

Simmons WVS offer!!!!!

Did they contact via email or phone call?

 

[corporatelore]

Did anyone else get an email from W&C today saying their application is still under consideration and that they will be back in touch in the New Year? This is post-VI for WVS

Same for me. So confused lol.

 

[WhiskeyCharlie]

Hi, if anyone has experience of Clyde & Co's Digital Simulation Assessment I'd really appreciate any help.

1. Is the entire assessment recorded, or just the video interview questions?
2. I'm aware it is untimed, but can you "leave" and resume at a later point?
3. It says approx. 45-60 mins, but if anyone knows specifically how many written and video questions there are, that would be great.

Thank you!

1. Just the video interview questions are recorded AFAIK, but not really understanding your question...what else can be 'recorded' or how?
2. You cannot AFAIK
3. IIRC, 4-6 Video Qs, no written, the rest are 'ranking' SJT type questions

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Andrei Radu and others, thank you in advance for answering: if a firm allows max 5 experiences including actual WE, extracurriculars, volunteering, sport activities etc. on its application form, is it a good idea to merge some of them into one? such as all extracurriculars done at uni societies as 1 experience, or all volunteering activities as another one. Further, if limited to 5, should I include the firm's Forage job simulation or that'd be a waste? (they don't ask elsewhere on the app form if I did it or not). I feel like I have much more valuable work experience but they could care about their own job sim more

I'd avoid the Forage programme if you have lots to choose from and instead throw a brief reference to it in your motivational questions.

For work experience entries, you can group some activities, but only if they are very similar. I wouldn't really group extracurriculars together unless they are all the same activity (e.g. Mooting competitions) or if they are within the same society/club. For instance, I don't think it would be appropriate to group being captain of a netball team with being on the Law Ball committee where the responsibilities are quite different.

You could group together very similar part-time jobs (e.g. you've worked in multiple retail roles) or volunteer roles if similar (e.g. you have volunteered in multiple legal advice clinics).

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

is it okay to say 'PE' for private equity in an application- i will write it out as private equity (PE) the first time.

If so can I still use this abbreviation when writing out the name of an official award ?

Yes, this is okay where it it commonly used.

 

[LawJourney101]

For Linklaters I got resilience as my strength and excellence as my weakness. Do I even bother with the Watson Glaser?

 

[jta227]

For Linklaters I got resilience as my strength and excellence as my weakness. Do I even bother with the Watson Glaser?

Yes, you don't know how highly you scored in any attribute. Some candidates' "weakness" is still something they scored better in than others who had that same attribute as a strength

 

[axele]

Yes - anytime up to 4pm on Thursday and you would get it back by Friday evening.

Thank you. On the submission page it is mentioned that it cannot exceed 1500 words - if the question is 300 words, is it okay to submit 400 words for review as I envision changes being made post review so cutting down can happen later on? Sorry if that does not make a whole lot of sense!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you. On the submission page it is mentioned that it cannot exceed 1500 words - if the question is 300 words, is it okay to submit 400 words for review as I envision changes being made post review so cutting down can happen later on? Sorry if that does not make a whole lot of sense!

You total application word count cannot be more than 25% over the word limit, or up to 200 words over the limit if the total application word limit is less than 800 words.

Therefore, if this is just one question that is 100 words over, then this won’t be an issue. But if you had three questions that were all 100 words or more over, this would equate to a 33% over the limit, and we’d either ask you to cut down your application answers or purchase an additional word count reduction service.

 

[SSR27]

Hey hahaha, I still don't know but they did let me know I passed the test and are reviewing candidates so keep hopes up!

How long after were you informed! and what vacation scheme did you apply for I am doing summer!!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

I hope Cleary and Dechert are now considering us for Spring or Summer, like W&C seems to be doing!

 

[tholds]

Hi everyone and congrats/ good luck on your apps!

I just wanted to ask for some advice regarding W&C - I was just rejected post-VI for their VS last night, but iirc I can still apply for their TC in this cycle. Would you recommend editing/further tailoring the online application when I reapply? Naturally I have some things to update such as Careers Events I have attended and work experience etc, but otherwise is it fine to copy-paste my online app* given that it's the same cycle?
*Aside from the covering letter of course.

I know the chances of being accepted straight for a TC are slim in comparison to VS but figured it's worth a shot. Apologies if this is the wrong forum - please direct me to the correct one if this isn't the right place

 

[Legalgirl]

Hi! @Andrei Radu

I applied for the Davis Polk open day and was successful, and now I am writing my application for their vac scheme. Both the open day and the vac scheme have this exact question:
"Please give details of your interests, extracurricular activities, positions of responsibility, skills and achievements. Please also include any other information that you feel is relevant to your application (300 words)"

Is it okay to write the exact same answer that I wrote for the open day given the answer was met with success? (and in the time between writing the open day application and now the vac scheme, not much as changed regarding the answer anyway).

If not, how would you suggest I improve/change it for the vac scheme application?

Many thanks

 

[elizabethkate]

No VI

when did you submit your VI? I did mine 5 days ago and waiting now

 

[B101]

I hope Cleary and Dechert are now considering us for Spring or Summer, like W&C seems to be doing!

Did you get an email from W&C?

 

[jojo23]

Starting the morning well with a White & Case rejection (it was in my spam box)🙄