TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[WillF]

What is the best way to approach "What excites you about pursuing a career in commercial law?"?

Is it similar to why commercial law, where I should tie my own experiences in, or is it more saying how i am attracted to working on 'major deals with major clients' (but being far less generic!) kind of thing?

Thanks in advance

 

[S87]

I do not get it - why are white people getting more of an advantage in the SQE? It is an exam no...if you study more then you pass? (I am not white but I am just curious what this means)

It is what they have available: perhaps a better housing situation, maybe they can afford private tutors, maybe they can study without financial worries and no need to work part-time or full-time. I hope to have more data but it is a conversation that we all need to have!

 

[lawyer859]

just got a call from Hogan Lovells - Summer VS offer
my first response this cycle + first AC ever - still can't believe this, but all good start!!

Wow! Well done!!

Do you have any tips? I have mine with them soon.

 

[jan28]

if you study more then you pass?

i really wish it was as simple as that.

 

[Abii]

I am confused- in the article u linked it says the following:

" In 2019/20, 57.7% of students successfully completed the LPC, which will eventually be replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, compared with 58% the previous academic year.

The number who failed the course – not including those who were withdrawn or suspended, or who deferred or may resit one or more of their assessments – dropped from 3.3% to 1.6%."

How could there be a 57.7% pass rate but the number of people who failed was 1.6%....am I missing something here.

My understanding of reading that was 57.7% pass without having to resit anything. 1.6% outright fail and are not allowed any more resits. Most people would drop out before they get to the point though.

 

[Abii]

It is what they have available: perhaps a better housing situation is better, maybe they can afford private tutors, maybe they can study without financial worries and no need to work part-time or full-time. I hope to have more data but it is a conversation that we all need to have!

So perhaps it would be more worthwhile to look at the impact of socioeconomic factors on pass rates? I’d be interested to see if there is a difference in pass rates between say those sponsored on the fast-track those working part time and studying full time and working full time and studying part time. I’m doing the LPC part time currently whilst working a full time and part time job and I have never felt exhaustion like it.

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

Nope nothing. Only received the email on Monday that my VI was progressed to the Partners for review. But nothing since. Hbu?

Have either of your VI been reviewed yet from Bristows?

 

[bsqaured]

Hi guys, does anyone have insight into how much legal knowledge is assumed by the interviewers if you've already started the pgdl when you interview?

@Jessica Booker would be v grateful if you could offer any insight on this

 

[Life&Law]

Nope nothing. Only received the email on Monday that my VI was progressed to the Partners for review. But nothing since. Hbu?

Yeah Monday I had the same email. My portal says reviewed and I've heard some people have received PFO's just wish I could hear back.

 

[Life&Law]

Have either of your VI been reviewed yet from Bristows?

My portal says reviewed

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Very interesting - anyone know the pass rate for the LPC? And any discrepancies between ethniticies?

It is ultimately not miles off the LPC which had a pass rate of 58% in 2020. But they are very different assessments that it is not like assessing like for like. You could LPC for non-attendance of the course for instance, while the SQE, you just turn up for the exam.

 

[George Maxwell]

In an interview, how would you answer 'why law?' differently to 'why commercial law?' ?

I personally think it's the same

If the Q specifically says why law, I’d outline broadly why law appeals to me and then I’d segue into ‘why commercial law’ maybe 30 seconds afterwards.

Not entirely - someone saying “I want to be a lawyer because I want to help people” will make sense when interviewing at a high street firm but will probably lead to some head scratches at a big corporate firm. They’re related in that working in law requires certain skills and involves processes which will interest you, but “why commercial law” specifically speaks to why you’re interested in pursuing law at the corporate/commercial level.

Hi all,

I know this question was a little while back, but I thought I would just give my two cents:

I think the distinction is very important. Although broadly they are related, I think it is very important that you tailor your "why law?" answer to the commercial world, rather than, for example, family law or even human rights/environmental law.

Personally I would also advise using it as a rhetorical device (i.e., challenging yourself by following up on your answer with, well why not X law?), might well be useful. It will mean that your justification for choosing to train at a commercial firm is sufficiently specific and precise.

Putting in time to prepare for being able to justify why not X, in addition to just why X is also a very good idea. In one of my interviews, I was asked "why law?", and was then challenged when the Partner asked, well why not consulting? This nearly stumped me at the time.

I also found this thread which might be a useful!

 

[aspiringlawyer123_]

My portal says reviewed

That’s probably a good sign then! I’m not grad rec but I would assume they reject definitely no applicants, keep some people (maybes/yes) as they make their way through VIs, and then at the end pick top X they want to bring to interview. I don’t know though, but seeing as they have already rejected it could be this way

 

[John Travoni]

My portal says reviewed

Really? My portal still says ‘completed’ so I’m assuming they haven’t reviewed my VI yet.

 

[YUKI1201]

Hi massive congrats!! when did you apply?

I applied on the deadline day!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Wow. I had no idea that the pass rate for SQE would be so low; I’d have guessed it would be more like 80%.

Out of curiosity, what happens if you’re granted a TC but fail the SQE prior to joining?

Most likely the same as if you fail the LPC, you either have to resit and your TC is delayed or your offer is rescinded.

It won't be much different to if you failed LPC though - pass rates for the LPC were only 57/58%, although it won't be a direct comparison (as its only really like sitting half of the LPC). The other thing to mention is that pass rates for sponsored candidates tends to be much higher, partly because of the candidates, partly because of the institutions who provide the courses, and in some cases where the courses are bespoke to the firm's requirements, because of the additional support the institution provides to firms' future trainees.

 

[YUKI1201]

Wow! Well done!!

Do you have any tips? I have mine with them soon.

feel free to PM me!

 

[RoughWood]

So perhaps it would be more worthwhile to look at the impact of socioeconomic factors on pass rates? I’d be interested to see if there is a difference in pass rates between say those sponsored on the fast-track those working part time and studying full time and working full time and studying part time. I’m doing the LPC part time currently whilst working a full time and part time job and I have never felt exhaustion like it.

I completely feel your last statement. I work 40 hours per week in my current career and last year studied the GDL full-time. It was very hard but I passed all modules on my first sitting (plus missing a month of study when my daughter went into hospital unexpectedly but that's another story!). This year I am still working but studying the LPC part-time which I thought would still be heavy but a bit easier than last year and I was very wrong. The sheer amount of reading etc on the LPC means it takes more time now on the part-time than it did last year on full-time....it is insane.
Socioeconomic factors would have a huge impact on pass rates i would imagine. I have to work full-time to pay the bills, particularly as student finance doesn't cover the full cost of the LPC fees. Being a career changer, my age and family situation will play a huge part also compared to a young 'un fresh from university or someone living in shared housing etc. I would be interested to see if there are any geographical differences in pass rates too.

 

[George Maxwell]

Had my Clifford chance AC and it was a car crash… not too sure where to go from here lol

Hi @HamiltonA,

Welcome to the forum! I am really sorry to hear about your experience at the AC. That's tough. You should take confidence from the fact that you were progressed to AC at a Magic Circle firm in the first place though(!).

If you have not yet heard back, all you really can do is wait at this point. If it helps, I know people who thought their interviews were a car crash and they were offered the VS/TC, so often it is quite difficult to tell.

I am still making my way through the thread, so it is possible you have already heard back. If you have, please do let me know, as I would be delighted to help if I can

 

[Life&Law]

Really? My portal still says ‘completed’ so I’m assuming they haven’t reviewed my VI yet.

It changed yesterday so hoping to hear from them soon. Whatever the outcome.