TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of applying to Winston & Strawn and it requires you to submit a Vacation Scheme Placement Questionnaire, but I cannot find this anywhere in the application, or on lawcareers.net.

Does anyone have any insight?

When you log in it gives you the questions there but you can't save your answers so I would answer in a word document and attach when ready to submit

 

[marisachr]

Anyone know if RPC is rolling?

 

[sjr22]

Hey! they’ve listed the questions on the website and you need to attach a word document answering them onto the application portal.

The questions
1. Why have you applied to Winston & Strawn London LLP for a vacation scheme placement? (250 words)
2. Winston & Strawn London LLP is a firm where you cannot hide in the crowd. We recruit those who we believe have the potential to rise to a challenge, are self-starters, take ownership of their work and who can roll up their sleeves and get stuck for the benefit of the team as a whole. Why do you believe that you have the skillset to thrive in our environment? (300 words)
3. What motivates you? (200 words)

Thank you so much! This is so helpful!

 

[ohnoselim]

has anyone heard back from Mishcon?

I know their deadline is today but I've heard some people get VI's

 

[pepsicola96]

Does anyone know how soon Fieldfisher sends their test post-application?

may be different for TC, but I applied for Diversity access scheme end of day 17th December, and received the test midday 18th December. I don't know if it's automatic or not though, because that's very quick turnaround if not.

 

[JacksonRJC]

Hi everyone, I'm thinking of applying to Winston & Strawn and it requires you to submit a Vacation Scheme Placement Questionnaire, but I cannot find this anywhere in the application, or on lawcareers.net.

Does anyone have any insight?

https://www.winston.com/en/careers/europe#tab-section-2

We are accepting applications from students who have achieved or are projected to achieve a 2:1 or above at degree level and who have excellent communication and analytical skills. Applicants must have completed their SQE 1 & 2 by the start date of September 2027.

To apply, please submit your CV and upload your Vacation Scheme Questionnaire (responses to the questions listed below) in a separate word document. Please keep your responses within the word limits ascribed.

• Why have you applied to Winston & Strawn London LLP for a vacation scheme placement? (250 words or less)
• Winston & Strawn London LLP is a firm where you cannot hide in the crowd. We recruit those who we believe have the potential to rise to a challenge, are self-starters, take ownership of their work and who can roll up their sleeves and get stuck in for the benefit of the team as a whole. Why do you believe that you have the skillset to thrive in our environment? (300 words or less)
• What motivates you? (200 words or less)

Please use the submit button above to enter the application portal. Here you can complete, upload, and submit your application questions and CV. Please do not submit a cover letter. Our application period will close on 31 January 2025.

 

[marisachr]

It contained strengths-based (as in, your personality assessment), verbal, numerical, and WG elements. They sent a link to practice it in an email, so I would recommend you to do it first, as it provides a nice overview of what the assessment looks like.

Hi, just wanted to ask if it has a video interview element as well?

 

[legallady123]

Sorry to hear about this. Can you please let me know when you applied if you don’t mind?

 

[MR218]

W&C spring AC

 

[MaxC7930]

Heya, haven’t heard from DWF or Mills& Reeve, but did the assessment at AG

same with me

 

[MaxC7930]

Yes I got confirmation as soon as I sent it

Once you submit the V&E VS app, should you receive a confirmation straight away or at all ? Submitted mine 3 hours ago and nothing yet in my inbox.

 

[MaxC7930]

Anyone else done the Reed Smith test and know how you need to score to pass through? My applied verbal and numerical intellect were 'excellent' and I scored strongly on 'creative force', but my other two pillars were more middling. Is this crucial, or do they look at your application holistically when deciding to put you through to the final stage?

Sorry i can't help... if you don't mind me asking when did you get the online test?

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

W&C spring AC

when did you do ur vi?

 

[AnonKn635]

W&C spring AC

Congrats! Can I ask when you applied

 

[pepsicola96]

For freshfields should we be using the whole 850 word count for the cover letter? That's going on two A4 pages, but also there's no other application questions so.

 

[MaxC7930]

For freshfields should we be using the whole 850 word count for the cover letter? That's going on two A4 pages, but also there's no other application questions so.

idk but I used the whole count

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Anyone else done the Reed Smith test and know how you need to score to pass through? My applied verbal and numerical intellect were 'excellent' and I scored strongly on 'creative force', but my other two pillars were more middling. Is this crucial, or do they look at your application holistically when deciding to put you through to the final stage?

Hi! We don't publish our benchmarks or communicate them to successful applicants. However, to give some more info on the process, we blend your assessment score with your Video Interview score (which is manually marked by the Grad Rec team), so we consider your performance for both elements holistically when considering who to progress to Assessment Centre. Hope this helps

 

[lawstudent2]

For freshfields should we be using the whole 850 word count for the cover letter? That's going on two A4 pages, but also there's no other application questions so.

i used all of it as well

 

[Andrei Radu]

Is it okay to refer White & Case as W&C in the cover letter? any insights would be appreciated, thank you!! @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

My rule of thumb for using abbreviations for firm names has been that it is acceptable if the firm refers to itself that way or if it is referred to that way in the legal press. I vaguely remember seeing 'W&C' in one or two articles but I definitely feel this is the exception rather than the rule. As such, while I do not think using the abbreviation would count against you a lot, I would err on the side of caution and use the full name.

 

[Lawyering13]

Is it okay to refer White & Case as W&C in the cover letter? any insights would be appreciated, thank you!! @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

Yes, I used it and got to VI last cycle, just define it when you first use it (e.g I am applying to White & Case (W&C). W&C's International...).