TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anybody have insight into whether Davis Polk is highly selective when it comes to academic grades, meaning that successful applicants are likely to have at least a first-class degree or a strong 2.1?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Yeah, GD only recruits through vac schemes. I'm just really nervous tbh, i know they test more commercial awareness and general abilities but then also some of the questions on glassdoor are stressing me out. Someone said they got asked "what makes GD different to Cleary and Linklaters?" Is this likely to be cos that applicant said they also applied to those firms, or just randomly? Because I could answer that compared to other firms i applied to but definitely not with random ones. Does anyone have advice?

While I do not know the context in which this question was asked, I would say based on my own interview experience that it wouldn't be impossible to be asked something like this even if you have not applied to these other firm. The interviewer may want to test your ability to think on the spot about comparisons and issues you may not have considered before and also to test your broader knowledge of the legal market in London.

To answer it, firstly you definitely want to know what are the main firm 'types' - ie Magic Circle/SC/etc but also large/mid/small offices of US firms and also further differentiations between any big practice area/sector focuses - ie 'transactional' and 'disputes' firms. While you need not have a lot of specific knowledge about any of the firms within the broader groups, you need to know the main features associated with these categories. Thus, even if you do not know much about Linklaters, you should be able to different it from GD merely by knowing what makes a firm 'Magic Circle': long history at the pinnacle of the legal market in England and deep ties with UK corporates; top of the market strengths across the spectrum of a full service offering; an expanded network of international offices; a structured training style; large trainee cohorts etc. The same points of differentiation will appear if the interviewer asks about Clifford Chance, Freshfields or A&O Shearman.

Secondly, you need to know the unique selling points of GD and its practice area strengths, and you need to know what other firms those unique selling points/practice area strengths also apply to. If you have found a specific enough conjunction of why GD reasons, there should be no other firm they equally apply to and thus you should always have at least one point of differentiation - with Cleary, maybe the firms have in common strengths in cross-border disputes and mid-sized London offices; but Clearly does not have GD's market recognition for corporate M&A.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anybody have insight into whether Davis Polk is highly selective when it comes to academic grades, meaning that successful applicants are likely to have at least a first-class degree or a strong 2.1?

The firm indicated that they expect successful candidates to be on track for/have achieved a high 2.1, but that they will take into account mitigating circumstances and that therefore this is not an absolute requirement.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

While I do not know the context in which this question was asked, I would say based on my own interview experience that it wouldn't be impossible to be asked something like this even if you have not applied to these other firm. The interviewer may want to test your ability to think on the spot about comparisons and issues you may not have considered before and also to test your broader knowledge of the legal market in London.

To answer it, firstly you definitely want to know what are the main firm 'types' - ie Magic Circle/SC/etc but also large/mid/small offices of US firms and also further differentiations between any big practice area/sector focuses - ie 'transactional' and 'disputes' firms. While you need not have a lot of specific knowledge about any of the firms within the broader groups, you need to know the main features associated with these categories. Thus, even if you do not know much about Linklaters, you should be able to different it from GD merely by knowing what makes a firm 'Magic Circle': long history at the pinnacle of the legal market in England and deep ties with UK corporates; top of the market strengths across the spectrum of a full service offering; an expanded network of international offices; a structured training style; large trainee cohorts etc. The same points of differentiation will appear if the interviewer asks about Clifford Chance, Freshfields or A&O Shearman.

Secondly, you need to know the unique selling points of GD and its practice area strengths, and you need to know what other firms those unique selling points/practice area strengths also apply to. If you have found a specific enough conjunction of why GD reasons, there should be no other firm they equally apply to and thus you should always have at least one point of differentiation - with Cleary, maybe the firms have in common strengths in cross-border disputes and mid-sized London offices; but Clearly does not have GD's market recognition for corporate M&A.

This might sound like a really silly question, but if I was asked about a firm that i had never heard of in my life and didn't know anything about, what would be the best response? Would asking for more info from the interview be an absolute no-no or is it just best to admit defeat and say "I don't know that firm"?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

The firm indicated that they expect successful candidates to be on track for/have achieved a high 2.1, but that they will take into account mitigating circumstances and that therefore this is not an absolute requirement.

Thank you! @Andrei Radu

 

[happdyln]

Does anybody know how long it takes to hear back from DLA about whether you are through to an AC? I received the email saying a passed the VI a while back

 

[MT1]

Does anybody know how long it takes to hear back from DLA about whether you are through to an AC? I received the email saying a passed the VI a while back

Same I got told I passed the VI on 22 nov and haven't heard since

 

[lolasparks]

Does anyone have insight into whether Pinset Masons prefer bullet points or prose for their work experience section? Also any insights on their online assessment? Thank you

 

[theone132213]

Does anyone have tips for answering an app question on setbacks and overcoming them?
I’m struggling to identify what they mean exactly by a setback- would a challenging scenario suffice, or do you have to have failed? This is for Ashurst if that helps.

Any help much appreciated

 

[theone132213]

Does anyone have insight into whether Pinset Masons prefer bullet points or prose for their work experience section? Also any insights on their online assessment? Thank you

I think I remember them saying prose is fine. As for the test, it entails an SJT + Verbal + Numerical test followed by a written task and then a VI. The written task and VI will only be looked at if you pass their benchmark on the initial test ( but you complete them all back to back).

 

[-legal-]

Hi @Amma Usman @Jessica Booker ,
Would this section also include positions of responsibility and if it doesn't is it fine if I only add my non academic interests as I can't think of anything else.

Please use this section to tell us anything else that you feel would support your application. Examples can include, but are not limited to, key achievements, successes, non academic interests, your skills etc.
Max 300 words

 

[addy2004]

Does anyone have tips for answering an app question on setbacks and overcoming them?
I’m struggling to identify what they mean exactly by a setback- would a challenging scenario suffice, or do you have to have failed? This is for Ashurst if that helps.

Any help much appreciated

From my experience, the setback needs to be an actual 'setback' (so more of a 'failure'), and then you can explain what steps you took to overcome it and what you have learned etc. This shows more growth, development and awareness in yourself, rather than using an example of a setback that isn't really as serious/many people have encountered (eg rejections). What I'm trying to say is don't be afraid to use a more personal example to write a compelling answer - how you explain your growth is what matters.

 

[lolasparks]

I think I remember them saying prose is fine. As for the test, it entails an SJT + Verbal + Numerical test followed by a written task and then a VI. The written task and VI will only be looked at if you pass their benchmark on the initial test ( but you complete them all back to back).

This is very helpful, thank you!

 

[happdyln]

Same I got told I passed the VI on 22 nov and haven't heard since

which office did you apply for?

 

[MT1]

which office did you apply for?

london! you?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Amma Usman @Jessica Booker ,
Would this section also include positions of responsibility and if it doesn't is it fine if I only add my non academic interests as I can't think of anything else.

Please use this section to tell us anything else that you feel would support your application. Examples can include, but are not limited to, key achievements, successes, non academic interests, your skills etc.
Max 300 words

Yes - you can include positions of responsibility within this question unless there is a separate question/section asking specifically for this evidence.

 

[-legal-]

Yes - you can include positions of responsibility within this question unless there is a separate question/section asking specifically for this evidence.

great, thank you!

 

[happdyln]

london! you?

Leeds!

 

[legal18]

How long does TW feedback report for the assessment take?

 

[cjwx]

ES asks you to declare you did not use AI but I used it to correct punctuation is that what they mean?