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

[Arche172372]

yup! basically 80% means you have outperformed 8 people out of 10

I think higher as I got 94 from Freshfields and got the ac, but maybe it varies across firms

 

[Jessica Booker]

Yeah, been invited to do a voice recorded interview.. new one on me

All the benefits of a pre-recorded video interview, but employers are increasingly using these voice interviews to ensure there are fewer biases (e.g. how someone looks, what they are wearing etc) while people are being assessed. Having assessed some recently (outside of law), as an assessor it really makes you focus on what someone says.

 

[Scandi]

For Mayer Brown's job simulation, how many VIDEO INTERVIEW questions were there? and were there any based on comm awareness or were they just competence/why MB/why law?

Very interested to know this as well! It seems like it is mostly scenario-based though, not like a standard interview.

 

[sxw517]

Is Sidley really that extreme? I've gotten a less elitist vibe from them than from many of the other US firms

I don't think they are that elitist, it was said a bit tongue in cheek really!

I guess its the firms reputation and salary that gives me the idea that they may be.

 

[Rob93]

Anyone else still waiting for weil post AC? I did my AC 11/01.

Still waiting post-VI since 02/01 🙃

 

[Rob93]

I don't think they are that elitist, it was said a bit tongue in cheek really!

I guess its the firms reputation and salary that gives me the idea that they may be.

I hadn't realised until just now that their NQ salary had jumped, they used to be a bit lower than the other US big money firms - feeling less confident about my application now!

 

[Jessica Booker]

yup! basically 80% means you have outperformed 8 people out of 10

We have to be careful here to not mix up percentages and percentiles.

A percentile will not have a % sign at the end and will be calculated as you have suggested.

A percentage will be your score but has no comparison to how other people have done. For instance, your percentage score could be 80% but you could be the the 2nd percentile when compared to other people who have also taken the test.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

We have to be careful here to not mix up percentages and percentiles.

A percentile will not have a % sign at the end and will be calculated as you have suggested.

A percentage will be your score but has no comparison to how other people have done. For instance, your percentage score could be 80% but you could be the the 2nd percentile when compared to other people who have also taken the test.

Would a 3rd percentile be bad then.

 

[Rob93]

I don't think they are that elitist, it was said a bit tongue in cheek really!

I guess its the firms reputation and salary that gives me the idea that they may be.

Honestly though I spoke with a couple folks at Sidley recently and they're lovely, it's a great firm I'd give it a shot no matter what.

 

[vacschemesforeveryone]

If I were you, I would ask your less preferred firm, whether you can transfer to one of their other vacation schemes (the earlier the better as with notice this is more likely than if you ask last minute). If they say no, you could even ask your preferred firm the same question. You will not be rejected/have your offer reneged for asking whether it is possible to change dates, it is a completely fair question. Personally, I think you are entitled to seek as much information as you can from both firms to make the best decision for your future.

If both firms say it is not possible, then you will have to choose your preferred firm unfortunately.

With regards to your second question, I would do what is best for you. Some people drop out because they have completed and have accepted training contract elsewhere (as well as for other reasons).

Thank you!

As a follow up question, I have a scheme running for 3 weeks. I confirmed the dates & everything but looking at my personal plans, it's very likely I would be unable to attend the last Friday in the last week of the 3-week scheme. I am not sure how to bring this up to GR (and not sure how important the reason for not attending would be - basically a really important family event) and not sure if there would be big consequences... I know the scheme is paid in theory I should be 'at work' but at the same time it's only the last day and I'd tell them in advance?

Anyone have any guidance for this? Thank you very much

 

[ZaraB]

TAYLOR WESSING AC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🥰🥰🥰

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would a 3rd percentile be bad then.

Generally, I would expect this low a percentile to be unsuccessful.

 

[Vacationschemeapps]

Freshfields PFO - genuinely don't know what more I can do at this point! Two years in a row

Hey so sorry is this for TC?

 

[Miki3999]

I know the answer is yes, it’s definitely worth it, that being said the only people I know with TCs at Sidley got 1sts from Cambridge 🤣🤣

Imagine working with the other place's grads only, I would die. That said, I think it's always worth applying and the only case in which you will certainly not be hired is when you do not send the app out at all.

 

[lawcurious]

has anybody heard from simmons post AC?

 

[stemlawgal]

My FF app was updated yesterday but I haven't received a WG invite from them. Should I be expecting a PFO from them? (This is for direct TC)

 

[Rob93]

Thank you!

As a follow up question, I have a scheme running for 3 weeks. I confirmed the dates & everything but looking at my personal plans, it's very likely I would be unable to attend the last Friday in the last week of the 3-week scheme. I am not sure how to bring this up to GR (and not sure how important the reason for not attending would be - basically a really important family event) and not sure if there would be big consequences... I know the scheme is paid in theory I should be 'at work' but at the same time it's only the last day and I'd tell them in advance?

Anyone have any guidance for this? Thank you very much

Particularly on a 3-week scheme one day shouldn't be a big deal. Purely from a holiday entitlement perspective you should technically be afforded a day off for every ~2wks work. Just make sure to communicate this upfront, they should let you know if it's an issue.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you!

As a follow up question, I have a scheme running for 3 weeks. I confirmed the dates & everything but looking at my personal plans, it's very likely I would be unable to attend the last Friday in the last week of the 3-week scheme. I am not sure how to bring this up to GR (and not sure how important the reason for not attending would be - basically a really important family event) and not sure if there would be big consequences... I know the scheme is paid in theory I should be 'at work' but at the same time it's only the last day and I'd tell them in advance?

Anyone have any guidance for this? Thank you very much

It is possible to take a small amount of time off - given it is the last day, this might be less of an issue too.

Tell them now - explain you will make the time up over the rest of the week if they can approve the time off.

They might say no and then you'll have to find a way around it (e.g. working remotely, travelling to the family event in the evening) but there is a chance they will say it is ok.

 

[John Travoni]

Would a 3rd percentile be bad then.

Yep, that would be quite bad.

 

[John Travoni]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from PMC post application?
They said they were rolling basis but I’ve only seen like 1 person get an AC. Radio silence since November