TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[futureTS03]

Anyone completed the Howden VI and test? Can anyone let me know what to expect out of VI?

 

[sc13]

Hiya @sc13

It's great that you're keeping up with commercial news stories and trends. That can definitely be helpful in thinking through the commercial group exercise. At the same time, I'd suggest that the group exercise isn’t so much about how much you know about current commercial events. It’s more about demonstrating that you can think commercially. Instead of focusing too much on keeping up with the FT or any particular publication, I’d recommend spending some time thinking about how you would approach typical commercial matters. If you've ever done a case study with TCLA or at a firm, think about the key issues that often arise in the context of business transactions/cases. I've listed a few key areas to consider below:

• Financial and legal factors: What are the main commercial risks and opportunities posed by the transaction/case? How might the deal/case be approached to minimise the benefits or maximise the benefits.
• Documents and evidence: What kind of information would you need to properly assess the situation? Would you look at financial statements, contracts, regulatory filings, or due diligence reports?
• Approvals and stakeholders: Are there regulatory bodies involved? Think, for instance, if there could there be competition and anti-trust concerns or whether shareholder approvals required?
• Strategic fit and rationale: If it's a deal, why does this deal make sense (or not) for the business? What challenges might arise?
• Market and industry context: How do external factors (e.g., economic conditions, supply chain issues, competitive landscape) impact the deal?

Ultimately, I think the exercise is about showing you can ask the right commercial and legal questions. If you focus on identifying key risks and opportunities, I think you'll be in a great position to contribute meaningfully to the group discussion.

That makes sense thank you!

 

[Alessio1642]

Has anyone heard anything from Katten?

 

[jacksollaf]

should I just assume PFO for NRF post-VI? what is going on

When did you complete yours? I did mine on the 5th of February and still waiting 😢 She said I should expect to hear back either last Friday or really early this week... Idk, expecting a PFO for me honestly

 

[jacksollaf]

I got an AC invite like 10 mins ago, my VI was on the 4th

congrats! I think that seals it for me then, PFO for me incoming I guess

 

[jacksollaf]

Is this why they asked on their application form for one of their 500 word questions “how do business generate and maintain a profit.” These guys were trying to get some ideas from us lmao. Icl it’s clever on their part. I hope they took some detailed notes. 😂​

that's what I was thinking when I was preparing my VI 😂😂😂😂😂

 

[Alessio1642]

I think mishcon PFO is likely - looking back for Spring VS all invites to VI were sent Dec 16th

 

[applicant457]

congrats! I think that seals it for me then, PFO for me incoming I guess

Yeah same, they told me the same as you so probably a PFO yeah

 

[Z48]

congrats! I think that seals it for me then, PFO for me incoming I guess

Thank you! I wouldn’t give up yet, some people had their VIs on the 3rd/4th and got AC invites last week so I assumed pfo, but that wasn’t the case

 

[jacksollaf]

Yeah same, they told me the same as you so probably a PFO yeah

I did mine a day after you, so I'll say desperately optimistic until tomorrow night 😂

 

[Kakaboo]

Which office are you waiting to hear back from?

Leeds!

 

[Legalgirl]

Paul, Weiss Interview! Got it at 5:39pm. My SJT scores weren’t that great so guys, don’t loose hope lol!

 

[Alessio1642]

Paul, Weiss Interview! Got it at 5:39pm. My SJT scores weren’t that great so guys, don’t loose hope lol!

Congrats!!

 

[applicant457]

I did mine a day after you, so I'll say desperately optimistic until tomorrow night 😂

I think im going to read a poem called 'The God Abandons Antony' and call it a day.

 

[Chris Brown]

I’ve probably asked this question at least 10x by now but has anyone heard from Travers Smith or Ropes & Gray at all? Low-key starting to crash out from waiting this long lmao. 😂🥲​

 

[ashwright]

I think im going to read a poem called 'The God Abandons Antony' and call it a day.

After my HL rejection today, I definitely feel a lot like I'm Antony 🤣

 

[lawstudent2]

I’ve probably asked this question at least 10x by now but has anyone heard from Travers Smith or Ropes & Gray at all? Low-key starting to crash out from waiting this long lmao. 😂🥲​

I've not heard back from TS, is driving me slightly mad at this point as I'm only waiting for responses from them and HL and both are taking agesss

 

[ashwright]

Sorry to hear this. When did you do the WG?

Second week of January

 

[simplyfaith]

I was musing on this last night. I was watching a youtube streamer, who has about 1500 videos each about 30-120 minutes, and in his more recent videos (compared to the earliest) he has a nice desk microphone, a better camera, and his introduction style sounds more fluent and confident.

I accidentally clicked on an older video, and while the main stream (the game being streamed) is identical in quality, the difference in video and sound quality of his voice/inlaid video of himself is very noticeable, and makes a big difference to the overall quality of the stream.

I was thinking therefore that it's likely that if you have a nice camera and microphone, then it's going to create an immediate better impression than if you are using just whatever your laptop comes with.

Funny you mention that, actually. I used to stream on Twitch, so I have the whole setup and am comfortable recording myself! Whenever I attend online firm events, I always look and sound better than their representatives 🤣 I never understood why they don't have better equipment. Or lecturers, for that matter (shout out covid university). The only issue is that your quality will be reduced depending on what video interview system you have to go through, so it might not end up as nice as you'd have hoped. It should still be noticeably better, though!

 

[trainee4u]

Funny you mention that, actually. I used to stream on Twitch, so I have the whole setup and am comfortable recording myself! Whenever I attend online firm events, I always look and sound better than their representatives 🤣 I never understood why they don't have better equipment. Or lecturers, for that matter (shout out covid university). The only issue is that your quality will be reduced depending on what video interview system you have to go through, so it might not end up as nice as you'd have hoped. It should still be noticeably better, though!

What's your setup, in equipment terms?