TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jojo23]

Nrf pfo... goofy ass test

I give up

 

[g.cl.2020344]

OC Virtual AC !!! For London!

congrats!! when did u apply/ do the online test?

 

[Rhohia]

NRF pfo

 

[Rhohia]

This process is demoralising

 

[elsx]

congrats!! when did u apply/ do the online test?

Hi I applied on the 19/12 and did my test really close to the deadline (but can't remember when exactly)

 

[elsx]

Hi
I was wondering if anyone had any advice on the OC virtual assessment and more specifically for the research exercise and presentation. This is my first time reaching this stage so I would appreciate any advice.
@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam
Also how do you go about asking for adjustments? Do you just show the ones you have for university? @Jessica Booker

 

[VacSchemer]

NRF pfo

Im so sorry about this but may I ask when you applied and completed the test? I am anxious as well🥲

 

[Rhohia]

Im so sorry about this but may I ask when you applied and completed the test? I am anxious as well🥲

I applied day of deadline and did the test within a few days

 

[avocadob]

Congratulations @elsx! Has anyone else heard from OC?

 

[James Wakefield]

Now been almost two weeks since my Reed Smith VI/SJT with no news! Anyone heard back this week?

Also just checking still nobody has heard back about interviews for Withers Summer?

 

[pepsicola96]

NRF PFO, was entirely expected though. Applied I think 2 days before deadline, then completely failed the arctic shores lol.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Now been almost two weeks since my Reed Smith VI/SJT with no news! Anyone heard back this week?

Also just checking still nobody has heard back about interviews for Withers Summer?

Nothing from Withers from my end! considering the first vac scheme is in less than 2 months hopefully interview invites will go out soon

 

[James Wakefield]

Nothing from Withers from my end! considering the first vac scheme is in less than 2 months hopefully interview invites will go out soon

They’ve given some interviews, at least for Spring, but I don’t know if anyone has been invited who put down summer dates.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

They’ve given some interviews, at least for Spring, but I don’t know if anyone has been invited who put down summer dates.

ahh my bad I didn't realise! I just checked I applied for the Spring vac scheme, but lowkey think it will clash w my uni exams ...

 

[j.thelu]

Anyone get RPC AC that applied on the deadline?

I applied on the deadline, did the WG on the 20th and still nothing. Do you know anyone whos heard back yet who applied on the deadline?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu
Hope you're doing well!
I had a doubt regarding how to respond to this question "Why City law?". I would be very grateful to have any insight into what are firms looking for in this answer.

Hiya @FutureTraineeMaybe

Just jumping in here, but I'm sure @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman would have much more to say.

When answering this question, you'll want to focus on what makes a legal career in the City of London distinctive and compelling. City firms are at the heart of one of the world's leading financial and business hubs. This means the work you undertake often directly impacts major industries and global markets. When I've reviewed application answers to this question, applicants often discuss some of the following points:

• London’s role as a global financial centre, where City firms are often surrounded by leading financial institutions and regulators. This typically creates opportunities to work on transactions or disputes that have significant economic and political implications. You should have a think about why the City's financial significance matters for you personally as an applicant.
  
  
• You can also potentially talk about how London is an international centre. This is particularly reflected in the opportunities for multi-jurisdictional work carried out by law firms in the City. Aside from exposure to other legal systems through cross-border work, this international aspect can make the City an exciting place to collaborate with multinational, international colleagues and clients.
  
  
• Even for firms that don't have a strong finance focus, law firms in the City are also known for working on matters in emerging sectors such as fintech, renewable energy, and life sciences. This can be incredibly appealing if you are interested in how law evolves alongside industries, or interested in emerging companies and venture capital work.
  
  
• Finally, you might also want to think about the personal and professional growth opportunities available in the City. The scale and complexity of the work, combined with the resources and training offered by City firms, are often highly attractive for developing your legal expertise and commercial awareness. Working in such a globally connected, high-stakes environment can also make a tangible impact on your career trajectory and personal development.

Again, these are just some of the points I've seen raised when answering this sort of question. I'd try to discuss such points in a way that is compelling and personalised to you! Good luck with the application!

 

[zq522]

Trowers Birmingham AC!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hey, does Cooley send a feedback report post WG?
Also, does it say if we have reached the benchmark?

Hiya @Law queries (and for anyone else waiting post WG)

If I remember correctly, Cooley doesn’t release the pass mark or any feedback report for their Watson Glaser test. I believe this was intentional to maintain fairness across all applicants. This policy might have changed, but I distinctly remember graduate recruitment saying this to me after I passed the Watson Glaser and requested my score. That said, the turn around for a response after the Watson Glaser test was quite fast. So I'd recommend hanging in there. You should find out whether you've passed the benchmark shortly. Best of luck!

 

[suhana]

hey @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu

I’ve got a question that might be a bit basic. I recently did a virtual assessment center with a law firm, and one of the tasks was a written exercise. We had 60 minutes to go through a 14-page document and draft a report answering four questions. It was an M&A case study where we had to advise a client on choosing between two potential target companies.

The questions focused on risks for both companies, which company to acquire, and "commercial factors." But I’m a bit confused about what "commercial factors" really mean. A lot of the points I wanted to make felt more legal—like one of the companies had IP issues, and I wasn’t sure if it was right to bring that up as a "commercial factor."

I also felt like I ended up overlapping my answers, especially when I started discussing external market-specific content in the quesiton of which company to acquire and risks. so when you’re advising on a choice like this, are you expected to bring in outside commercial knowledge, or should you stick strictly to what’s in the case study and save external factors for later?

Basically, I was blending legal and commercial factors in my answers and wasn’t sure where the line is. Could you give me some tips on what’s actually expected when they ask about "commercial factors"?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hello, can someone please advise? If I email graduate recruitment with a question about my application that they answer and confirm my application is under review, should I reply to say thanks (for replying and letting me know)? In the original email I included thank you. I would reply because I consider it polite to do so but I've heard that reading that email can be a waste of time for grad recruitment and that they're not really going to remember you replying to say thanks but they may get a bit annoyed otherwise?

Hiya @floral.tcla

There's no harm in doing so, but it likely won't have any bearing on your chances if you don't reply. Good luck and I hope you hear back with great news soon!