TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Alaa]

Is there a word Limit for the Freshfields personal statement? - I can’t see a reference to it but want to double check in case I have missed it.

My statement is 871 words and I am finding it difficult making it shorter.

Please upload your Personal Statement in a pdf or Microsoft Word format.

In no more than 850 words, tell us all about who you are. As part of your personal statement you should demonstrate that you have the potential to be a great trainee. We also want to know why you want to work at Freshfields and what excites you about a career in commercial law. You may wish to mention any positions of responsibility held at university, as well as work experience or employment, achievements, interests and personal qualities you think are relevant.

Your personal statement should be structured using paragraphs, avoid bullet points and sub-headings.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is there a word Limit for the Freshfields personal statement? - I can’t see a reference to it but want to double check in case I have missed it.

My statement is 871 words and I am finding it difficult making it shorter.

It will need to be 850 words.

This thread might be useful to cut words down:

How to get your applications within their word limits

After reviewing applications over the last 7-8 months, one of the most common issues for candidates is getting their answer within word limits. Often people find it difficult to cut their answers down, and in doing so usually cut out interesting content or points to ensure the answer meets any...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[YL807]

Hi, if anyone has done a first-stage interview with MoFo before any tips would really be appreciated!

Hi, firstly well done! Could you let me know when you applied by any chance? thank you

 

[EN77]

Any insights on the Reed Smith VI and test? Can share info on Goodwin's VI!

 

[👩🎓]

Has anyone heard back from birketts or knows of anyone who has? Apparently some received an email last Friday saying it was being reviewed by partners however I didn’t receive such an email myself. Feeling a Pfo is heading my way.

I'm still waiting to hear too - has anyone else heard from Birketts (London office)?

 

[Alaa]

Did anyone else see "try another" when submitting their personal statement for Freshfields? Is that a problem?

Looks like that option is there if you want to upload/replace the file. Once you upload your file, it should show the file but greyed out.

 

[Cool pigeon]

Surely Weil get back to us tomorrow 😭

 

[Chris Brown]

Surely Weil get back to us tomorrow 😭

It seems as though they are taking a Weil to get back to people… 😭💀​

 

[ad.]

Those getting to Freshfields AC already are you on some form of fast track because the email I got says that the new online assessment stage will be sent out 27 January.

Yeah same lol

May I ask if this iwas an automatic email from Candid right after you submitted your application?
Because the Candid confirmation email I received after submission does not include this information. Was this another email, directly from Freshfields' graduate recruitment? If so, how long did it take after submission for you to receive it?

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

does anyone have any idea how to structure an answer to the question "what are xyz's competitors?" in an interview?

 

[Cool pigeon]

does anyone have any idea how to structure an answer to the question "what are xyz's competitors?" in an interview?

Personally, I look into the focus of the firm, explain what the firms focus is, who their competitors are, but why they are have a comeptitve edge (even if they don't lol). For example, if I was at Covington. (I might give wrong info I didnt apply for them). Firms focus is life sciences. Key competitors can include Cooley (again im not sure). However, the covington is able to stands out in this crowd because its experience in xyz demosntrated by xyz.

I am not entirely sure- this is how i would approach it. If anyone has any other ideas please propose them.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Personally, I look into the focus of the firm, explain what the firms focus is, who their competitors are, but why they are have a comeptitve edge (even if they don't lol). For example, if I was at Covington. (I might give wrong info I didnt apply for them). Firms focus is life sciences. Key competitors can include Cooley (again im not sure). However, the covington is able to stands out in this crowd because its experience in xyz demosntrated by xyz.

I am not entirely sure- this is how i would approach it. If anyone has any other ideas please propose them.

would stating that the firm has band 1 rankings in xyz, and then naming any firm which also has a band 1 rankings in those areas as competitors be a good way of structuring an answering? so for example, if a firm has a band 1 ranking in infrastructure, and so do 5 other firms, would it be correct to say those firms are competitors because they all have band 1 rankings in infrastructure?

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

 

[starfish345]

If I didn't get Goodwin VI, am I cooked? Also, what if I didn't get Akin TI?

 

[avocadob]

I also did not receive Goodwin VI , and neither heard anything from Cooley or RPC but people have already been moved to WG/ACs.. unless they give out shortlisted news in phases i think safe to assume pfo...

If I didn't get Goodwin VI, am I cooked? Also, what if I didn't get Akin TI?

 

[helloj]

Gibson Dunn first stage interview! Applied 29 Nov

 

[sooae]

Gibson Dunn first stage interview! Applied 29 Nov

Oh wow congrats! Didn’t know they’re still reviewing apps!

 

[vschemer]

In past years, roughly when have firms stopped offering ACs/ interviews? Thinking about Freshfields, Milbank and Latham in particular.

As in, for how many more weeks can we reasonably expect to receive positive answers from firms.

 

[bsh]

Any more Latham responses post AC ?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Oh wow congrats! Didn’t know they’re still reviewing apps!

I didn't realise they were, but under the impression they r working backwards through the apps lol- because people who applied closer to the deadline seemed to have heard earlier than people who applied earlier on- but then again this is a guess lol

 

[sooae]

I didn't realise they were, but under the impression they r working backwards through the apps lol- because people who applied closer to the deadline seemed to have heard earlier than people who applied earlier on- but then again this is a guess lol

I applied Dec 08 and haven't heard back but I've long accepted its a PFO. Makes it easier to handle the future rejection email. Hahahaha