TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Chill_solicitor]

Does anyone have any advice on how to structure this question?

‘Describe three characteristics that you believe make an outstanding Ropes & Gray lawyer and how that lawyer would drive our business.’

 

[annad]

I applied to Macfarlanes in Oct for the Spring vac, should I assume PFO cos other ppl have heard today regarding the AC!

Do you remember if there was an option to choose whether you wanted Spring or Summer Vac? Because when I applied, it was just 'Vacation Scheme 2025' with no option to choose the scheme I wanted

 

[Rhohia]

Rejected by CMS.

Got Reed Smith AC and HSF AC.

Applied to Macfarlanes but I forgot, it; received an AC today.

11 applications, 4 AC's and 1 rejection.

Hey when did you do Reed smith vi?

 

[Reem2024]

Do you remember if there was an option to choose whether you wanted Spring or Summer Vac? Because when I applied, it was just 'Vacation Scheme 2025' with no option to choose the scheme I wanted

Same- my app is for ‘vacation scheme 2025’ and I don’t really remember picking but on their website it says they run 3 schemes and I think you selected your preference when applying.

I assume they selected Spring (I think I selected summer 2 but I genuinely can’t remember the application form)

Vacation scheme - Macfarlanes

www.macfarlanes.com

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

reed smith PFO. yippee

 

[suhana]

has hsf given out any summer ac invites?

 

[mariistm]

Can I ask for any tips for the CMS VI?

I would say to practice answering 2-part questions in one minute as it goes quick. Research CMS and why it’s a future facing firm. There is a mix of questions so also practice motivational questions. There will also be a scenario question. Hope this helps.

 

[lawstudent2]

Rejected by CMS.

Got Reed Smith AC and HSF AC.

Applied to Macfarlanes but I forgot, it; received an AC today.

11 applications, 4 AC's and 1 rejection.

is HSF for spring or summer?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

They have probably only just began sending AC’s out to people. 🙂

The deadline was 3rd of January and they’re also non-rolling. 🫡

It’s too early to assume PFO imo.

Thank you!

 

[member7830]

how much of the word count are people using for travers smith? is 800/300/300 too little?

 

[via1511]

Hey guys, anyone who did the Mills and Reeve online assessment, what were your feedback results I.e how many good traits to weak ones did you get?

I got an AC invite today and was curious.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

how much of the word count are people using for travers smith? is 800/300/300 too little?

Totally fine! Personally, I think it’s better to be more concise

 

[chrisbrown]

how much of the word count are people using for travers smith? is 800/300/300 too little?

For the cover letter I used around 850 to 900 words.

For the two questions I used 500 each so the maximum word count. 🙂

Ideally you want to be within 20% of the word count.

This ensures the responses are detailed but concise so there has to be a balance. 🫡

For the cover letter I think 800 is fine but for the other two questions I’m not sure if 300 is enough. It might be fine tbh. 🤷🏾‍♂️

 

[NCTC2025]

Seeing a lot of people asking about the Travers wordcount. I did the SVS last year and wrote 860 words so definitely no need to reach the wordcount!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I feel like it’s very difficult to get 500 words out of your leisure activities tbh.

For example, I run (which I can include) and I watch Netflix (can’t include). That’s about the only 2 things I have time for outside of work and applying to TCs lol

I feel like Travers have a real emphasis on applicants being authentic, so I’d rather just be honest

 

[member7830]

For the cover letter I used around 850 to 900 words.

For the two questions I used 500 each so the maximum word count. 🙂

Ideally you want to be within 20% of the word count.

This ensures the responses are detailed but concise so there has to be a balance. 🫡

For the cover letter I think 800 is fine but for the other two questions I’m not sure if 300 is enough. It might be fine tbh. 🤷🏾‍♂️

thank you! I was just struggling to fill the word count for the second question, as I feel like a lot of my extra curricular cross over with positions of responsibility, and idk how much there is to say about leisure activities

 

[andrewk]

I feel like it’s very difficult to get 500 words out of your leisure activities tbh.

For example, I run (which I can include) and I watch Netflix (can’t include). That’s about the only 2 things I have time for outside of work and applying to TCs lol

I feel like Travers have a real emphasis on applicants being authentic, so I’d rather just be honest

Yeah I wrote like 100 words for leisure interests (cooking, running, sports). I don't see how much you can elaborate on non-position of responsibility extracurriculars (you can't really do STAR stuff). Then I did 300 for the other question.

I don't think they actually expect 500 words for each of those, I think it's more just they're giving you the freedom to express yourself however you want. Although, I am curious why they didn't just combine those two questions into one...

 

[Uch21]

No and I reread their email and they said you’ll hear back within 6 weeks. I guess they’re still moving through some apps to sjt/VI and then they’ll decide

If I may ask, what email was this? The only email I got was from Vantage (Candid), which confirmed my application.

 

[kokoprep]

Yeah I wrote like 100 words for leisure interests (cooking, running, sports). I don't see how much you can elaborate on non-position of responsibility extracurriculars (you can't really do STAR stuff). Then I did 300 for the other question.

I don't think they actually expect 500 words for each of those, I think it's more just they're giving you the freedom to express yourself however you want. Although, I am curious why they didn't just combine those two questions into one...

ohhnooo I might have got it wrong then since it said extra circulars I wrote things like volunteering

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

ohhnooo I might have got it wrong then since it said extra circulars I wrote things like volunteering

Volunteering could quite easily fit into either of these sections, I wouldn’t worry.
I’d be more inclined to put volunteering in extracurriculars, unless you volunteer on a overseeing board or committee or some sort