TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Do mitigating circumstances really get assessed? Starting to feel like they don't

Generally, yes they are.

Although it does depend what the circumstances are and also how long a period you are claiming them for.

It becomes very difficult for recruiters to determine your true ability if the majority of your evidence is impacted by the circumstances.

Put frankly about this, I see too many people trying to claim mitigating circumstances that are fairly innocuous and you question why they would have had such a severe and long term impact compared to people who have had severe circumstances that undoubtedly would have had an impact that seem completely justified, especially when they can show it only led to a blip in performance.

 

[studentdelaw786]

Fried Frank’s application does not have a word limit. How many words should I write for each application answer? Would 250-300 words be sufficient?

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Generally, yes they are.

Although it does depend what the circumstances are and also how long a period you are claiming them for.

It becomes very difficult for recruiters to determine your true ability if the majority of your evidence is impacted by the circumstances.

Put frankly about this, I see too many people trying to claim mitigating circumstances that are fairly innocuous and you question why they would have had such a severe and long term impact compared to people who have had severe circumstances that undoubtedly would have had an impact that seem completely justified, especially when they can show it only led to a blip in performance.

Hi @Jessica Booker, can you advise how firms would look at my extenuating / mitigating circumstances:
I was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD in October 2023 and November 2023 towards the end of my PGDL. My academic grades before that were average at best. However, since my diagnosis I have been taking medication and there has been a notable increase in my academic performance (though I had patchy ‘good’ grades previously). Can I ask that my undergraduate grade is largely discounted and my PGDL and LLM grades are more heavily weighted because of this. It’s difficult I know because every firm seems to lean entirely on A Level and undergraduate grades to filter people in or out of their recruitment process.

 

[charlotte1704]

PWC PFO post-vi

 

[aladdin]

Does anyone know if RPC looks at both WG and application for issuing the AC or just the WG.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Does anyone know if RPC looks at both WG and application for issuing the AC or just the WG.

I'm not sure, have you done a WG, I haven't heard back since I applied in Oct.

 

[AlegalA]

Thoughts on Fladgate? I was excited about them until I saw their app questions and how long they were (500w each) and feeling a bit deflated. They also ask for references which I always find a bit awkward for the academic ones because I haven't been in academia for a little while...
Anyone have a good or bad experience with them to help me sway one way or the other? 😂😂

 

[lala_17]

is it too late to apply for rolling deadlines (esp ones in december or even early jan) like weil, bird & bird, hogan lovells etc? wouldn't wanna hurt my chances in the future by sending off an application that won't even be looked at...
also is davis polk rolling?

 

[lolasparks]

is it too late to apply for rolling deadlines (esp ones in december or even early jan) like weil, bird & bird, hogan lovells etc? wouldn't wanna hurt my chances in the future by sending off an application that won't even be looked at...
also is davis polk rolling?

Wondering about Weil too, but in website it says all applications will be reviewed regardless of when you apply

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, can you advise how firms would look at my extenuating / mitigating circumstances:
I was diagnosed with ASD and ADHD in October 2023 and November 2023 towards the end of my PGDL. My academic grades before that were average at best. However, since my diagnosis I have been taking medication and there has been a notable increase in my academic performance (though I had patchy ‘good’ grades previously). Can I ask that my undergraduate grade is largely discounted and my PGDL and LLM grades are more heavily weighted because of this. It’s difficult I know because every firm seems to lean entirely on A Level and undergraduate grades to filter people in or out of their recruitment process.

If it is clear there is an improvement in grades this will be taken into consideration.

I can't say that A-levels and your undergraduate degree will be completely discounted though - that is five (or more) years of education compared to only two years of your GDL and LLM. It is also tricky if you are also asking them to discount the good grades you did achieve during the pre-diagnosis period. This is why it ultimately comes down to explaining how your circumstances impacted you rather than just claiming them.

It also means that firms have to rely on the other evidence on your application form more, and particularly things like assessments that assess intellect, like Watson Glaser tests, so you have to be mindful that you may need to demonstrate strengths elsewhere in the application.

 

[M_m]

I went to an application workshop last year and they were very clear that you don't need to mention any Hogan Lovells events as they know not everyone can easily attend. I would definitely mention the virtual events and if you can remember the names of any firms that collaborated with Legal Cheek to host these events it can't hurt to mention them. If you attended any events/open days abroad those would also be relevant. From what grad rec said, the point of the question is to test your enthusiasm and genuine interest in commercial law by asking you to provide evidence. As well as describing the events you have attended, I would also try and talk about what you gained/learned and then link that back to your specific interests (i.e. are you especially interested in litigation? or maybe finance? did any of those events spark that interest?)

Thank you so much! This is really helpful.

 

[LimitedLiabilityLover]

Passed DLA VI! How long did people wait to be shortlisted (either rejection or invite to AC)?

i passed it on the 14th of December and have yet to hear

 

[lolasparks]

Any insight on Pinsent Masons, blended test especially the VI section please?

 

[Reem2024]

i passed it on the 14th of December and have yet to hear

I saw someone say they tell you if you got an AC a week or two before. So since there in January we probably won’t hear back till the new year 🙃

 

[Shah74k]

Anyone heard back from Sidley re: Spring? I applied back in September and haven’t heard a peep.

 

[LimitedLiabilityLover]

Would love thoughts on this - A commercial issue for Weil app am thinking of talking about the rise of private credit. This is a commercial issue that affects asset management and PE firms for alternative forms of financing through private credit. My issue is will this still be relevant as interest rates and inflation have be lowered will private credit still be relevant. Any thoughts on this @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

Private credit is a great topic for Weil, especially since i spoke to a recruiter and they mentioned they're tired of hearing about PE. It's still relevant, as with Rachel Reeves borrowing £50bn, interest rates are likely to rise again, driving up the gilts and thus, borrowing costs. Private credit offers a way for PE firms, like KKR, to mitigate acquisition risks and still deliver returns to impatient investors. It is more likely that they raise their own fund and lend to others than use the loans themselves.

Private credit breaks down into mezzanine, direct lending, and private placements, each serving different borrower needs. While PE firms rarely use private credit (e.g. due to debt for equity tranche in mezzanine deals and the long-term nature of private placements), it remains a useful tool for structuring deals and managing risk, regardless of interest rate fluctuations.

 

[Jowana6]

Congratulations- a week and a half but depends on location and they are swamped at the moment I.e London is closed with last ac in January it would appear but Birmingham is open with a few acs to go. However hr has a lot of apps to wade through

Are you sure there's only one AC left for the London office? two weeks ago, GR told me they will still be hosting many more AC's from January but I don't know if they meant for all offices or just London (which was my enquiry to them)

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Hi, has anyone received an update from BCLP after completing the assessment? If so, what was your time line etc.

 

[Hana ♥]

I saw someone say they tell you if you got an AC a week or two before. So since there in January we probably won’t hear back till the new year 🙃

It makes sense, I wonder if they'll wait until after Christmas to sort through and shortlist (I can't believe they're shortlisting again). Well, best of luck everyone, fingers crossed we all get through! I wonder how many ACs will be held for the London Office

 

[Amjaya]

That HSF test might be the worst one I've ever done... very silly way to assess people

It was a weird test lol that AI thing made me feel unsettled.