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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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If you can't then it must be a good thing.
I have noticed some law firms are not asking for module grades as they are trying to be more inclusive with their application process. I have asked a few firms and some of them do not look at your grades or your name or your degree grade and do not know you until the AC it is why some of them have adopted this blended assessment or have removed the VI element.
Hey! I also passed the WG for DLAPiper. To prep, I found the jobtestprep courses super helpful + I did the CliffordChance practice WG many many times
heyyyy thanks for thisHey! I also passed the WG for DLAPiper. To prep, I found the jobtestprep courses super helpful + I did the CliffordChance practice WG many many times
) Could I ask how long you prepared for? I got my invite today and have 5 days to prepare. I haven't started and the last time I took one of these tests was in previous cycle lolHellooo I have a question,
I am currently applying to Withers. I applied last year and got through to the test. The issue I have is that their questions are very very short (60w), and my answers to why law and why Withers have not changed enough for there to really be a change in my answer (Because of the word count the answers are relatively surface level).
Some questions I can obviously change (such as my biggest accomplishment, as it's been a year since the last one), but I'm unsure what to do for those two questions.
I can potentially tweak them slightly? Has anyone experienced this for Withers specifically (or any firm with a low word count, although I think Withers is the lowest!)
Thank you!!
I am currently applying to Withers. I applied last year and got through to the test. The issue I have is that their questions are very very short (60w), and my answers to why law and why Withers have not changed enough for there to really be a change in my answer (Because of the word count the answers are relatively surface level).
Some questions I can obviously change (such as my biggest accomplishment, as it's been a year since the last one), but I'm unsure what to do for those two questions.
I can potentially tweak them slightly? Has anyone experienced this for Withers specifically (or any firm with a low word count, although I think Withers is the lowest!)
Thank you!!
I just did practice tests. can't remember specifics, I'm grad now and haven't prepped in years.
Jessica Booker
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As they are specifically guiding you on what to cover I don't think you need to include a why commercial law section, especially as you are covering "why are you attracted to the work we carry out" as that can effectively be similar content anyway. However, if you feel you need to cover "why commercial law" to get across your story/journey, you could do this, I would just keep it fairly brief.
Hello, I recently received an invite for the Dentons SJT and Baker McKenzie SJT. Both came back quite negative/mixed. Am I most likely to be disqualified by a benchmark or how should I manage my expectations? I'm really not sure..
I just do a few right before the real thing - just to get my mind into what they’re looking for. Don’t overthink it!heyyyy thanks for this
- Sep 9, 2024
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While I am not completely certain about this, the way I see it, the "why are you interested in the work we carry out" bit could potentially be interpreted as a "why are you interested in the work of commercial lawyers (particularly in the transactional sphere)". It also seems to me that including a why commercial law section as well is the less risky option. If the graduate recruitment team did not mean this question as asking for it and a candidate chooses to add it anyway, recruiters will at worst see this as a slightly overeager attitude - though I think it is more likely they will not have an issue with it, since it gives useful information as to the background and experiences of the applicant. However, if grad rec wants to see the why commercial law part be addressed and a candidate does not, that could significantly reduce chances of progression. My view is that the optimal way of structuring the cover letter is (i) integrating some clear 'why commercial law' reasoning into the section about your interest for Davis Polk's transactional practices (such as explaining how your general interest in commercial law has to do with complex negotiations and learning about businesses in a variety of industries); or (ii) writing a short independent 'why commercial law' paragraph.
As for more general tips on how to make the cover letter stand out, I would advise you to try to make your why Davis Polk reasoning very specific. The firm's London office does great work in corporate M&A and capital markets and has recently been making substantial investments into growing their PE, finance, and restructuring practices. To stand out, I would try to show off (i) my knowledge of what makes Davis Polk's M&A and capital markets practice unique among well regarded teams in the City (look comparatively at types and sizes of deals they work on, client base, financial results) and (ii) my knowledge of the recent expansion and strategy changes.
Anyone still not got the test for NRF? Applied a while back and still nothing despite email saying I would get access to the Arctic Shores Test
At the open day grad rec said not to worry if you don’t get the test/ a response quickly as until January it’s only one person on the team!
@Andrei Radu May I ask did you attend open days at the firms you did a Vacation Scheme with, particularly Davis Polk? Would you say attending an Open Day is necessary for these firms, and if not, would an applicant be disadvantaged in any way?
@Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam
How would you guys advise on answering the following application question: Imagine you are advising a client in one of our sectors who is facing a major commercial challenge. Identify a recent business or current affairs issue which may impact them and describe how you would determine the appropriate support they would need from 'X' firm.
Specifically, for the part which says '...how you would determine...', what does it mean by this ?
Thank in advance !
How would you guys advise on answering the following application question: Imagine you are advising a client in one of our sectors who is facing a major commercial challenge. Identify a recent business or current affairs issue which may impact them and describe how you would determine the appropriate support they would need from 'X' firm.
Specifically, for the part which says '...how you would determine...', what does it mean by this ?
Thank in advance !
Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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I think this means, if you were working in the firm, what’s steps you would need to undertake to know how best to advise them on the matter.
I don’t think they are expecting you to know how specifically you would advise the client now, but instead what resources/suppprt you might utilise within the firm to work it out.
This might be a little bit random, but am I trippin or was there only one question for VI? I applied for summer VS.
same here...one question for VI and no reasoning tests? Just SJT?
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