TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Tcvspfo]

Wish you drafted the Skadden pfo email 😂 This is so sweet of you! The email was kind of rude for no reason. This is what I needed Thanks for being kind

Thank you for your kind words appreciate it and I know how you and others feel as I had been rejected from them before even after strong application. But I guess some firms have to be ruthless in their application process.

Also I will say that I have met Skadden grad rec in person and he seems like a nice person and he does try to help people when he can.

 

[Shandy101]

Who and which podcast?

 

[futuretrainee2503]

Thank you for your kind words appreciate it and I know how you and others feel as I had been rejected from them before even after strong application. But I guess some firms have to be ruthless in their application process.

Also I will say that I have met Skadden grad rec in person and he seems like a nice person and he does try to help people when he can.

My post was definitely not a shade to the grad rec team at all. I just felt it not necessary to add the line “you were not a top candidate”. It feels demoralising when it comes from grad rec who have read your app and makes me think if I have what it takes.

They could have just said “we received stronger candidates”. I’m sure they are all great

 

[User5678]

Those who applied to Watson Farley Williams, I cannot seem to find a dedicated area for mitigating circumstances?

Where did you enter this info?
Any insights will be super helpful

Thanks

 

[Tcvspfo]

My post was definitely not a shade to the grad rec team at all. I just felt it not necessary to add the line “you were not a top candidate”. It feels demoralising when it comes from grad rec who have read your app and makes me think if I have what it takes.

They could have just said “we received stronger candidates”. I’m sure they are all great

Am sorry to hear that and know what you mean.

Some firms need to write their emails better as it can be emotionally draining hearing words like that so I feel your pain.

It is like I would rather be ghosted than hearing evil words like those.

Don't worry too much about it and there is still a long week ahead of you and I hope you receive some good news with apps this week.

 

[Mug Fan]

Anyone understand when the deadline is for the Mishcon VI? Doesn’t seem to say when you log into their portal. Also, is the ‘tips’ video working for anyone?

Can I ask when you applied and when you were invited to Mishcon on pls?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Odd question but do firms customise their PFO responses? Like, is the wording any indication of their feedback, or is it all the same?

Some firms do tailor emails to different groups of candidates - not all do though.

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Odd question but do firms customise their PFO responses? Like, is the wording any indication of their feedback, or is it all the same?

With 1000-3000 applications, I doubt they ever customise them.

 

[lookingforaTC]

For interview questions that are 'what would you do' in a certain situation - do we need to give an example from our experience that relates to the question?

 

[evianmineral]

Anyone understand when the deadline is for the Mishcon VI? Doesn’t seem to say when you log into their portal. Also, is the ‘tips’ video working for anyone?

7 days from being sent - its on their FAQs - have no idea why its not on the email or on the page where you go to take the test

 

[tcla888]

Is it a bad idea for a 'why this firm question?' to talk about a sector that isn't their largest/most profitable? It's still one of their core six. I was also thinking about breaking the question down into practice area, legal tech, and how my degree relates to the outlook of the firm. Is there anything else I could add to improve my answer? Many thanks, @Jessica Booker

 

[BBsharkk]

I think you should definitively reflect on this after the cycle. You have other apps in play and you need to remain in the positive headspace to continue with those. I got rejected by post app Weil in 2022, 23 and for direct TC. This time, I've got a VI with the exact same experience and grades I applied with before- mid-2:1 from an RG Uni, so stay positive things will happen for you. I also got Skadden with those grades. I got a 59 in Crim law in the first year, too 😂😂.

Thank you! That was indeed very reassuring. I really wish you all the best in the later stages.
Can I ask what's your approach in re-applying to the same firm in subsequent cycles? How did you go about changing your answers given that there wasn't much that was significantly wrong in your first app?

 

[Hamaaida Khan]

Weil VI!!

Hi! Congratulations!!! I received an invitation for the VI as well. Do you have any tips on how I should prepare for it? Thanks!

 

[BBsharkk]

If it helps I have really naff grades and did my degree from home, scraping a 2:1, have BCC at A Level and awful GCSEs. Degree was through the uni of London international but still, not oxbridge. I also went to insight evening last year and was rejected but managed to progress this cycle.
I totally get the hurt as I’ve been there myself but don’t underestimate how competitive it is. Some of this is a numbers game and comes down to luck. Keep going, you’re doing brilliantly 🌟

Thank you for your encouraging words, it's really something I need in this brutal cycle. May I also ask how did you change your answers the second time you applied to the same firm? Did you have to significantly amend your original answers?

 

[Hamaaida Khan]

i have Willkie and Weil Vi!!!

any tips? Much appreciated

Congratulations! I received an invitation to the Weil VI today. Any tips if you have already done that? Thanks

 

[Willgetthere]

I had a feedback call from an AC today and some firms are so stingy with sharing accurate feedback and actually saying what went wrong plainly and simple. It’s so annoying because the feedback is absolutely so vague and not reflective of the interview at all. starting to make me thing that most firms have a very simple tick checkbox for partners when interviewing candidates. I asked asked how I was scored and they could not disclose that. And my feedback was very unrelated to how the interview actually went.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it a bad idea for a 'why this firm question?' to talk about a sector that isn't their largest/most profitable? It's still one of their core six. I was also thinking about breaking the question down into practice area, legal tech, and how my degree relates to the outlook of the firm. Is there anything else I could add to improve my answer? Many thanks, @Jessica Booker

No - there is no need to align everything to the largest or most profitable area. As long as the area you are focusing on regularly takes trainees, then it is not an issue for you to focus on it. It would only be very niche areas that you may not even sit in as a trainee that are areas to avoid.

 

[Farhan65756]

I’ve heard that Eversheds have been sending out VI invites. I applied to London and still haven’t heard back. Whose heard back and which offices did you apply to?

 

[User5678]

I had a feedback call from an AC today and some firms are so stingy with sharing accurate feedback and actually saying what went wrong plainly and simple. It’s so annoying because the feedback is absolutely so vague and not reflective of the interview at all. starting to make me thing that most firms have a very simple tick checkbox for partners when interviewing candidates. I asked asked how I was scored and they could not disclose that. And my feedback was very unrelated to how the interview actually went.

I completely understand how frustrating this is, spent one year working in a firm and they still didn’t give me honest feedback after the ac!

They were trying to be “kind” and “general” but that was only “unhelpful”.

But we move on and reflect on the experience and hope to get a tc elsewhere

 

[TC Chaser]

Yes - we do have written exercises they can be found here:

Written Exercise Archives | The Corporate Law Academy

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

If you don’t know which exercise would be best, then you can make us aware of which firm you would like it most aligned to and we can tell you which exercise would be the best to go for.

Hi Jessica, what about the one for Skadden?