TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[legallyells]

any advice on answering this question as part of Fieldfisher's TC app, would studying a non-law degree and linking this to law be sufficient or would you say it should be more personal? Thank you!! @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam Describe the personal life experiences that have given you the unique perspective you would bring as a Trainee at Fieldfisher, and how this perspective will support your success. (800 characters)

 

[Andrei Radu]

@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?

Hey @BBsharkk I did attend an open day at Davis Polk, but I completely agree with @Ram Sabaratnam that this was not necessary for my success. Last year I only attended open days at two of six firms who invited me for an AC. There are some firms who care more about open days than others but I generally think that if your application answers are well-written and thoroughly researched you will have a decent enough chance of progressing even at the firms who emphasize interactions more.

 

[cjwx]

Has anyone received a VI from Evershed’s London Office?

 

[jta227]

Haven't heard either way from Gowling 🤔

 

[Tattyasha]

I’ve applied for a few things at Linklaters before. Based on my experience whenever I had 66% I had failed the WG (happened twice). When I got to 77% I assumed I had passed the WG. Though my percentile was bad, my mark out of 40 was decent enough to warrant a pass. Email graduate recruitment for your WG results. trainee.recruitment@linklaters.com

That’s insightful, thank you! Any idea if ‘on hold’ is a good/bad sign?

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Haven't heard either way from Gowling 🤔

Me too. Can’t put my phone down now though 😰

 

[Tintin06]

Baker McKenzie test deadline is Monday. I guess we'll hear after that. White & Case wasn't a rejection. I applied for the winter scheme. Should I email them? Am I being considered for spring?

 

[ashwright]

I’ve applied for a few things at Linklaters before. Based on my experience whenever I had 66% I had failed the WG (happened twice). When I got to 77% I assumed I had passed the WG. Though my percentile was bad, my mark out of 40 was decent enough to warrant a pass. Email graduate recruitment for your WG results. trainee.recruitment@linklaters.com

Thank you so much for sharing! May I ask what a successful percentile has been for you? Thank you

 

[Kakaboo]

Has anyone heard anything from Eversheds Leeds office?

 

[Legalstalker]

That’s insightful, thank you! Any idea if ‘on hold’ is a good/bad sign?

Everyone gets put on hold once completing the tests. It is no indication of how you performed.

Me too. Can’t put my phone down now though 😰

It seems as though they are handing them out manually, as there are VI's and rejections being sent at different times. (I spoke with my friends who got communication at random times.)

Thank you so much for sharing! May I ask what a successful percentile has been for you? Thank you

I wouldn't know, haha! There is greater weight on the CAPP test than WG. All you can do is wait for communication from the firm themselves.

 

[Tintin06]

This cycle is wild for me. More legal experience than last time. Still, worse results across the board. No reply from White & Case. I applied for their winter scheme. Is this normal? I’m worried about emailing them honestly. Maybe it’s all too premature ultimately. I’m sulking about Baker McKenzie’s SJT. There are so few free ones. It’s very hard to practice for.

 

[Jessica Booker]

This cycle is wild for me. More legal experience than last time. Still, worse results across the board. No reply from White & Case. I applied for their winter scheme. Is this normal? I’m worried about emailing them honestly. Maybe it’s all too premature ultimately. I’m sulking about Baker McKenzie’s SJT. There are so few free ones. It’s very hard to practice for.

I would expect it’s too late for a winter scheme now, unfortunately.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Baker McKenzie test deadline is Monday. I guess we'll hear after that. White & Case wasn't a rejection. I applied for the winter scheme. Should I email them? Am I being considered for spring?

I haven’t ever regarding the winter vac, think we are being considered for spring as that was our second choice

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Has any1 heard from Mishcon since they emailed saying we would hear later this week?

 

[Apple]

This cycle is wild for me. More legal experience than last time. Still, worse results across the board. No reply from White & Case. I applied for their winter scheme. Is this normal? I’m worried about emailing them honestly. Maybe it’s all too premature ultimately. I’m sulking about Baker McKenzie’s SJT. There are so few free ones. It’s very hard to practice for.

Their winter scheme started a week ago, seems W&C aren't the best with letting people know results..

 

[Tintin06]

I would expect it’s too late for a winter scheme now, unfortunately.

They ask you to rank schemes. May be considered for other schemes?

 

[Amehta1]

do we have to complete both Linklaters tests before the deadline?

 

[wqueens8]

for linklaters, does anyone know if watson glaser must be completed before deadline?

i know capp must be, but the website would seem to indicate you can complete WG after the deadline, within 5 days of applying. i'd like to practice a little more is all

 

[Amma Usman]

any advice on answering this question as part of Fieldfisher's TC app, would studying a non-law degree and linking this to law be sufficient or would you say it should be more personal? Thank you!! @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam Describe the personal life experiences that have given you the unique perspective you would bring as a Trainee at Fieldfisher, and how this perspective will support your success. (800 characters)

Hiya @legallyells ,

Yes, definitely. Law firms really appreciate a diversity of thought from students from other degree backgrounds. Interestingly, I was recently having a wonderful chat with an Of Counsel at a law firm who mentioned they’d be really keen to hear from someone who studied something like Media in an interview - sometimes even more than those from a legal background! I would also note that the question states experiences, so the plural hints that you should talk about more than one personal life experience. I would be mindful given the 800 character limit, but you should be sufficiently able to cover at least two solid points.

Also, always ensure to link them back to the firm, as well as the skills/competencies you derived from that experience and how it’ll help you excel as a trainee. For this, it’ll be helpful going through general trainee qualities (proactivity, organisational management, etc), as well as any skills Freshfields specifically looks for. The latter should be available on their website, or you could uncover this by speaking to future trainees.

I’m sure @Jessica Booker and @Ram Sabaratnam would have more thoughts.

 

[Apple]

Is it acceptable to refer back to work experience already mentioned in a previous response but with a different situation in a competency interview?