TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Smart water 0403]

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 ?

 

[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

 

[Jessica Booker]

@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).

 

[Jessica Booker]

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!

 

[Jessica Booker]

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)🙄

 

[lolasparks]

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

Hey, I'm obviously not Andrei, so don't have to listen to me whatsoever!

But I think I saw a similar question on the forum, and the answer was that it is highly encouraged to not use the same exact answer. Open days are way less competitive than VS, so what may have worked then may not work now. This was also echoed in my L/W open day which may, again, not be relevant to you.

I think it is normal that your experiences may have not changed but I’m pretty sure they do encourage you to change your answer somehow, structure, language etc…

Hope this helps, if not, ignore me completely

 

[lolasparks]

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

I don't remember the exact time frame but I'm pretty sure it was no more than a week! Also doing summer, I think all their internships are for summer

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

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

Hiya @Legalgirl

I wanted to jump in here and add to what @lolasparks insightfully mentioned. I'm also sure @Andrei Radu would have more to say here.

First, I’d advise against using the exact same answer from your open day application for the vacation scheme. While the answer was successful the first time, vacation scheme applications are often more competitive, and so using the same answer does not guarantee that you will be successful here (in fact, there's reason to think that if you used the exact same answer, your application may even be rejected). Second, it's worth noting that while the application question may be the same, firms will often look for different things in an open day application when compared to a vacation scheme application. Thus, it's important to try to update your answer to this question, showing refined motivations and a stronger understanding of the firm. I'm a firm believer in the idea that each application should feel fresh and tailored to the specific opportunity.

Since you’ve already attended the open day, you now have the opportunity to build on your original answer by reflecting on what you learned and how it has strengthened your motivations for applying to Davis Polk. For instance, did you gain any new insights into the firm’s culture, its practice areas, or the way it works with clients? Did you meet anyone at the open day who inspired you or gave you an interesting perspective on the firm? Including this kind of detail will show that you’ve taken the time to develop your understanding of Davis Polk and have actively engaged with the firm. The open day also presents a perfect opportunity to help you showcase how your skills, achievements, and interests have developed since your open day application.

Best of luck with your application. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Is anyone else getting tired of no responses from firms. I thought early apps for firms would mean hearing back early esp if they are non rolling but I guess not

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

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

Hiya @tholds

I think it’s absolutely fine to apply again (and I'd highly recommend you do so)! It’s great that you’re already planning to update your cover letter - that’s always my recommended first step! You don't have to revise all sections of your application, but it might be worth doing so if you think you can add a bit more depth or better showcase the skills you've used during work experiences. While your current work experience entries don’t need to change drastically, I'd encourage you to think about how you can refine or expand on these other aspects of your application.

One important thing to note is that applications for White & Case’s direct training contract are not reviewed on a rolling basis (unlike their vacation scheme). This means you can take your time over the next few months to build your profile further. Whether it’s volunteering, taking on a part-time role, getting involved with societies, or attending legal events, these small additions can round out your application and make a positive difference.

Finally, I’d encourage you to keep going with your other vacation scheme applications too. Many people have been in your shoes! One former community assistant at TCLA, for example, was rejected from a vacation scheme with White & Case, but ended up securing a training contract with them after completing schemes with other firms. I’ve no doubt that you can do the same! Best of luck, and feel free to reach out if you need more help!