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I graduated in 2019, since then I have done the GDL and I'm now working full time. I don't have as many extra curricular activities now (or while I was doing the GDL) as I did during my undergrad. I do some volunteering, I'm learning how to code and I do a bit of writing for an online magazine, but that's about it at the moment - 45 hour weeks, commuting and applications don't leave me with much free time! I'm aware that extra curricular things should be as recent as possible, but some of my most 'impressive' and enjoyable activities date back to 2017/18 to be honest. I especially feel like I'm 'competing' against undergrads who are actively involved in law societies, sports teams etc.

So my question is, how much should I include from my time at university? And are my current activities enough?

I've just started working on my Hogan Lovells application. On their Apply4Law page there are options to apply for winter/summer VS, TC, and the "HL BaSE Legal Learning Hub Gold Programme".

According to another page on their website, the Gold Programme is


Does anyone know what this is (seems like some InsideSherpa style stuff?) and how it differs from directly applying for a VS? It does not allow me to create an application to apply to both the Gold Programme and a VS/TC.

I'm a penultimate year Law student and I'm working on applying to a number of vac schemes, but some firms have multiple schemes available (winter, summer or in some cases even spring) and I can only apply to one.

What are the benefits of each? From what I can tell, summer ones last longer (which is a big plus).

More importantly, which schemes are less competitive in terms of applications?

Hey everyone, I've recently gained an interest in climate change and renewable energy because I have been reading up on this online. I haven't done anything substantial (like internships and whatnot) and I don't really know how to explain why this interests me, other than "it is an interesting topic", and people should be interested in climate change. I have a decent amount of knowledge about general sustainable finance and I use this in my commercial awareness questions in application forms.

Do I need something to back up my interest or is it fine to simply say that I have an interest because I am interested in decarbonisation and to reduce global warming? If so, does anyone have suggestions on what I can do to build this up tangibly?

Happy to hear all thoughts!

Hi everyone.

I just wanted to ask for some advice with one of the more 'firm knowledge' orientated questions on the vac scheme application. The questions is 'How does Kennedy's differ from other firms you have applied to?'

On the face of it this might look like it's just a glorified 'why do you want to work for us?' question, but the problem is that they also ask that in a seperate question 'why do you want a TC at Kennedy's?'. So the question really does seem to be asking me what makes Kennedy's unique within the legal industry, rather than just being about why I want to work there.

That's the problem and I have no idea where to start. Because, let's be frank, pretty much everything that Kennedy's does is also being done by someone else in some fashion. Kennedy's is better than other firms in certain areas, and weaker in others, but none of that answers the questions of how they're "different." I feel like to answer this question I need to get hyper specific about some niche aspect of the firm, and show that it really isn't done anywhere else and why that's good, but I don't know where to start on that. It's not like the firm website openly declares "here is this thing we do that no one else does!" I feel like I've hit a mental brick wall.

Am I overthinking this question? This is my third time going through the whole application cycle, and one thing I've learned is that they really will just latch onto any tiny detail in order to bin your application and thin the herd. I've been thinking about how to answer this for literally weeks and I still have no idea what to talk about, without just being intentionally vague and talking about "culture" or a specific pro bono program that's like all the others but with a different name. Or about their legal tech subsidiary. If I do that they'll look at it and go "this isn't how we're 'different', he's not answered the question. Rejected."

Hey William,

It's a good question and you are right. The question 'How does Kennedy's differ from other firms you have applied to?" isn't the same thing as "why us?". There may be some overlap, but I'd view the former question as more of a descriptive explanation of what makes Kennedy's different.

I Now, the question isn't asking you to only select reasons that no other firm is doing - as you said, there will inevitably be some overlap. You just want to pick areas that are more different to some of the firms than others. This might include factors like a smaller trainee intake, a particular international strategy, a particular way they are investing in innovation etc.

I think you may imagine recruiters to be stricter than they are. It's not really the case that you'll mention one point which isn't completely unique and a recruiter will decide to 'bin' your application. Here, you just want to demonstrate that you've thought deeply about Kennedy's USPs. If you do this and it still leads to a rejection, I doubt it will be a result of your answer to this question.

I've just started the TW application and I found some questions written in quite broad language. Would appreciate hearing anyone's thoughts on these:

We strive for excellence for our clients and people. What will drive you to succeed at Taylor Wessing? (250 words max)

• Are they asking what will drive us to succeed in general or what will drive us to succeed at Taylor Wessing?
• I presume if they are asking about TW that they are asking you to list their competencies and your experiences that demonstrate them?

Working with innovative and fast paced clients means our lawyers need more than just legal expertise. What other key attributes would you bring to the firm? (250 words max)*

• Isn't this question the same as the above, just re-worded? They just want you to list their competencies and your experiences that demonstrate them right?

What types of innovation will drive growth at Taylor Wessing? (250 words max)*

• "Types of innovation" is very broad. Are they asking for specific innovations or general innovation techniques..?

Hi everyone! I've got the legal cheek law fair coming up next week and I'm trying to think of questions I want to ask firms that will be genuinely useful for me. I don't want to waste my time asking questions to things that can be found online as I don't think that would be particularly helpful.

So far I've got:

What is the culture like at the firm/ what have you found really distinguishes the firm in this respect?

How do you recommend I approach [question or cover letter] in the application? (I assume specific firms may look for different things so this could be helpful)

What makes your firm unique from other similar firms (i.e. what makes a small US firm unique from other small US firms)

Would love to hear other people's advice/ questions they're considering asking!

I am currently in the process of applying for an open day. The first question on the application is:

Why you would like to attend an Insight day and learn more about our firm? (200 words)

I have explained why that firm specifically and what I can gain from the open day. However, the next question has left me stumped with how to approach it.

Please provide any further information about yourself that is relevant to your application (200 words max)*

What are they looking for in this answer?

Are there any winter vac schemes that run in late Nov (preferably) or at the latest the very first few days of Dec? Thanks! I have commitments in Dec so any such schemes would be very helpful.

Hello everyone! This is my first thread on TCLA.

I am a student doctor looking to apply for vacation schemes. I am having difficulty with the "undergraduate courses" section of applications. My degree does not have typical modules and is not graded like a usual degree with an end of year mark/grade. I have a complicated academic transcript! Any ideas?

Also, if there are any medics/STEM graduates out there then I would love to hear from you! Do any firms particularly value medical degrees?

Thank you all!

Hello,

I have a small question concerning how to frame A-Level grades on vac scheme/TC applications.

Is it mandatory to state our AS-Level grades?
My AS-Level grades were BBB however my final A-Level grades were A*A*A* , so I was hoping just mentioning my final A-Level grades is enough.

Thank you!

Hi team - having a bit of doubt re my Travers Application. So Travers only ask for a cover letter and some 'cv' based stuff, namely:
I was wondering how I should write my answers to these, since there is no word limit? Do Grad recruitment want us to elaborate loads on the kinds of activities, or do they want succinct, CV-style stuff? Not really sure how long/short I should be making these...

Hello everyone,

This is my first post and I'd appreciate any advice and support for my journey

By way of background, I am a State school educated BME student, currently studying LLB at a top London university. However my academic journey is quite unconventional, I achieved ABC at ALevel and ABBBBCCC at GCSE (GCSE had mitigating circumstances)

I have achieved high firsts (73+) at university in all my modules (incl. Contract +EU) for first year but am worried that with my poor secondary school grades this will hinder my chances of making it past the application stage, especially considering firms like CC (my desired firm) are recruiting penultimate years, so I will only have the first year set of grades to go by. My WE and EC are quite diverse and I made sure to explore my interests and participate in activities.

The other firms I am interested in applying to after CC were Linklaters/Freshfields /Slaughter and May and Ashurst, I have had to be realistic with the entry requirements for ALevel and with International firms such as Norton Rose/Hogan Lovells with AAB requirements, I felt this would not be worth an application. My current firms listed so far, whilst extremely competitive, have no academic filters but also align with my passion and interests.

I'm really struggling with the confidence to make applications as I understand I will be competing with applicants who have A* across the board and a first at university. If anyone has any advice and would be willing to support me with my applications I really would appreciate it. I've been suffering from imposter syndrome a lot lately and have found my university experience to be extremely lonely on top of trying to outperform my bad grades in the past, I'm not quite sure where I stand anymore.

Hi,

this might be a strange question:

I am applying to a law firm abroad and wonder whether disclosing personal information such as engagement or marital status with a person of that country is something that I can put in my cover letter? As an example, mentioning something along the line of “Due to my Klingon fiancé, I am well aware of the Klingon culture ...”.

I am quite torn and not sure whether this is totally irrelevant and perhaps unprofessional or whether it could highlight to the recruiters that I am aware of the country's culture, especially given that it is a country with culture rather different from the UK one.

Thanks for any input!

Hi All,

I had unsuccessfully applied to S&M's Direct TC for the 2022 intake this summer. However, I am considering re-applying this cycle for 2023.

Should I be applying for the Summer Scheme or the Direct TC for 2023? I am aware its a relatively soon application since the last one, but which one is more appropriate give this background. I am aware SM hires nearly equally from TC and Schemes, but could the scheme be a safer option given my recent application?

Would like to hear everyone's thoughts!

Does anyone know if Slaughters has a preferred way of presenting your CV?

I'm not sure if bullet points seems too informal.

Thank you,

Jake

Hi guys!

I'm trying to gather as much info as possible on the vac scheme application process at Trowers & Hamlins before they open on 1st October. What I realised is that their website is not as detailed in explaining the different steps as some other international firms are. I was wondering if anyone who applied for a vac scheme/TC in the past year at T&H could tell me which aptitude test the firm uses and also what the questions on the application form usually are?

Thanks a lot for your help!

Kind regards,
Kristof

Hi,
I was wondering if anyone would be able to give some advice/details of the Linklaters CAPP Online Assessment?
What does it involve and what is the best way to prepare for it?
Thank you!

Hi All

I am looking to enrol onto an LPC course in January 2021 as it is too late to join the September intake.

I was concerned about finding as I have already used the postgraduate loan option but found options which allow you to make repayments after you have graduated.

I am now trying to decide between the full-time LPC (over 2 days at Uol for example) and asking my firm to reduce my paralegal hours to part-time or vice versa (1 day part-time LPC and 4 days working).

Doing it full-time sounds ideal as you can get it over with quicker (9 months rather than 21/22) but I have heard that it is super intense. Has anyone successfully done it this way? Is it realistic / manageable? Or would you advise doing the LPC part-time instead?

Please let me know your experiences and thoughts

Hi team,

I applied for quite a few direct TCs in this summer 2022 window - the window was fairly brutal and nothing (as yet) came through. I'm now applying for vac schemes for the new stream, where more spaces are available. I wanted if anyone had any advice on how to broach this in the "have you applied to this firm before" part of the applications. Do you think they will see that I got rejected for a TC and instantly can my application? Would appreciate any advice.

Hi,

I was wondering if i could please get me some advise regarding TCLA and case study prep.

Most AC’s have a case study element. This is not my strongest area and I want to improve it but practising case studies similar to what law firms give.

How do you suggest i should go about this? There are so many amazing resources on a TCLA but I don’t know how to go about it and how the premium subscription goes/what resources I should pick to improve my approach to Case studies and presentations. I want to narrow and target my approach. In the past I have tried to do multiple things but they weren’t quite hitting the nail on the head.

I struggle with this section and really appreciate any help and guidance.

Thought I would create a new thread to reach more people but also feel free to PM me.

Thank you so much

Hello,

I'm wondering if you can help me. By way of introduction, I'm 23, I work in a large law firm as a paralegal and I'm currently studying the LPC part time. I attempted 5 applications last year, only reaching the second stage for 2 of them. This year will be my first official year of really trying for a TC, as in the past I've never really felt 100% ready.

I really struggle with applications. I've read guides, articles, watched videos, had help from friends but nothing seems to rid me of this anxious application feeling. I found last year that it took me around 3 weeks to complete 1 application, which really isn't ideal. At the moment, I'm attempting to complete an application for an open day that has questions similar to a TC, so I'm using it as a tester. I need to submit it very soon, but even that is taking me longer than it should.

I read through the questions and plan the answers, after which I physically can't start the answer, it's like my brain just goes into a melt down.

I think I'm overthinking my content too much, which then has a knock on effect on my confidence overall, which then blocks my ability to answer a question to a high standard.

I know it's definitely a personal issue that only I can solve but I'm just stuck on what to do. I don't know what the route problem is!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Hi everyone,

I'm having a difficult time making a decision.

I'm trying to decide between two offers. The first is an in-house paralegal position at a Fortune 500 company (consumer products). This is in Manchester where I am currently based and the role is very varied in the sense that I'd deal with IP, data protection, commercial contracts etc. It's a 6-month fixed term contract; however, there is a good chance of this becoming a permanent position and potentially a training contract down the line (although no promises). The team seems great.

The second is a six-month internship at an investment firm called Symbiotics - they're focused on impact investing and my title would be a "Junior Structuring Analyst". Again, their goal is to offer me a full-time role in the company following the initial six months. This would involve me relocating to London which isn't an issue as my sister has just moved there for work as well; however, because it's an internship, the salary isn't as great. The role seems really interesting as well.

After graduating from my LLB, I did one year working in M&A insurance as I thought this was good experience for TC application; unfortunately, I've only done one application since and will be working on more this year.

I'm struggling to decide - please help.

Hi,
For this question, do you have to mention other firms specifically or is it just basically, 'Why us'?

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