TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

M_m

Star Member
Premium Member
Jun 27, 2023
34
21
Hi, is it too late to apply to W&C for summer if their apps close Jan 12th and they are rolling? Ty
Hey, so I’m not a 100% sure about this but I do remember grad rec saying at one event that they make all decisions after the deadline, and that they just read application as they come so that it doesn’t become too hectic for them after the deadline. Could be wrong though.
 

ellabasing

Active Member
Premium Member
Dec 27, 2023
16
15
Hi there, I have a question regarding the application for Cooley's Summer Programme. I attended the Meet Cooley event in November and as part of the application for that, we had to answer "What is motivating you toward a career at Cooley?" and "Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role." However, those questions are also required for the Summer Programme application (as well as two others), and so, I was wondering if it is necessary to change the answers completely or just add in a few bits about the Meet Cooley event for the why Cooley question and then leave the interests and activities answer the same? Would appreciate some advice!
 

Will123

Star Member
Premium Member
Dec 20, 2023
26
54
Hi there, I have a question regarding the Marriott Harrison VS application. One of the questions is: "Where do you see your career in five years, and how does this align with the work Marriott Harrison does?" Would greatly appreciate some pointers on how to approach this question, and how to differentiate my answer from the "why this firm" style question. @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker
 

floral.tcla

Star Member
Premium Member
Aug 15, 2024
28
16
For Mayer Brown's SJT, normally I'm quite cautious in answering questions as I'd be a trainee who's very junior, but on their website it says they really like creativity and innovation. So, should my answers be a bit more geared towards risk/like pursuing novel alternatives if there's a case for it, or to be conservative?
 

murm

Active Member
Nov 18, 2023
12
6
Hi there, I have a question regarding the application for Cooley's Summer Programme. I attended the Meet Cooley event in November and as part of the application for that, we had to answer "What is motivating you toward a career at Cooley?" and "Please tell us about interests and activities you pursue and positions of responsibility that are relevant for the role." However, those questions are also required for the Summer Programme application (as well as two others), and so, I was wondering if it is necessary to change the answers completely or just add in a few bits about the Meet Cooley event for the why Cooley question and then leave the interests and activities answer the same? Would appreciate some advice!
I also attended the event and that's what I am doing. I don't think it is necessary to rewrite if you are happy with the answer.
 

Amma Usman

Legendary Member
Staff member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2024
639
583
Hi there, I have a question regarding the Marriott Harrison VS application. One of the questions is: "Where do you see your career in five years, and how does this align with the work Marriott Harrison does?" Would greatly appreciate some pointers on how to approach this question, and how to differentiate my answer from the "why this firm" style question. @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker

Hey there @Will123 ,

This is a really good question. It often got me thinking during the application cycle last year too.

The way I see it, there is a difference between this particular question and ‘why X firm’. The reason is because why X firm directly requires you to focus on the work of a firm and why it appeals, whereas this question focuses more on how you’ve envisioned your career to go, more generally, in the next 5 years.

There are a plethora of things you could include on this. As opposed to the strict why firm question, this enables you to really touch honestly on your plans and how it aligns with MH. For example, if your goal is to go into a certain practice area, your answer will benefit from touching on what steps you have taken to get knowldge on it, and how you plan on building this in the next 5 years. This will surely need to be a practice the firm is well-versed in to substantiate why you want to explore it there, over other firms. Similarly, say you are drawn to a certain type of pro-bono, explain why. Subsequently, touch on why the firm may be able to support this - perhaps they are known for supporting refugees or have a strong domestic abuse advisory practice? The crux of the question is really understanding two things: (1) your plans (2) how and why you believe the firm can support that. The two questions you mentioned are certainly similar, but the first has subtle differences.

I have drafted a short response to a question of this type to give you an example of how I would personally answer it. I hope it provides more insights structure-wise:

Other than day-to-day practice area related work, I envision my career in the next five years to involve a variety of pro bono work. I am particularly drawn to supporting victims of displacement claim asylum. The reason I am drawn to exploring this stems from my role as a founder of a charity headquartered in France, where I work to supercharge the educational opportunities of children in similar situations. I admire the breadth of exposure working at a global law firm offers, particularly in relation to expanding the base of individuals I can support legally. My desire to build this foundation further at ABC specifically, stems from the firm‘s role in advising on the largest XYZ in Europe. The opportunity to work on similar deals, within a niche as specialised as this, is an opportunity many firms may not necessarily offer me.
 

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