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

[Amanpreet Kaur]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from Hogan Lovells re summer VS and W&C re summer VS?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know how long Slaughter & May takes to get back to you after an interview? And if a firm asks to confirm my dates for a vac scheme asap, how long do I have to reply?

I would go back immediately for the vacation scheme dates to be honest. Why do you need to wait?

 

[lawful_neutral216]

DLA PFO post-WG finally!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I’d normally wait 6 weeks before chasing up unless you are sure other people have heard back and you haven’t.

Thank you for this and yes I will wait as it has only been 4 weeks.

 

[hellovacschemes]

I would go back immediately for the vacation scheme dates to be honest. Why do you need to wait?

Slaughter and May's summer vac scheme dates clash with this firm's. The spring vac scheme for this firm does not, but I'm afraid that if I submit that I am only free for one specific date this would reflect badly upon my wanting to be at the firm. Do you have any advice?

 

[thewaitinggame]

for anyone else waiting – just got an A&O PFO post-AC for summer vac

 

[Jessica Booker]

Slaughter and May's summer vac scheme dates clash with this firm's. The spring vac scheme for this firm does not, but I'm afraid that if I submit that I am only free for one specific date this would reflect badly upon my wanting to be at the firm. Do you have any advice?

You can state a preference for the date that doesn’t clash but insinuate you’d be happy with either.

Not going back when they have asked you to confirm ASAP is likely to be more risky than stating a preference. You’ll also be more likely to get your preference the earlier you request it.

 

[LawfulRust00]

DLA PFO post-WG finally!

When did you complete the WG?

 

[ssolicitorz]

I applied to Sidley Austin October 24th and haven't heard back yet... anyone else in similar situation?

 

[lawful_neutral216]

When did you complete the WG?

I completed it on 2nd Jan!

 

[lhs444]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from Hogan Lovells re summer VS and W&C re summer VS?

I was rejected right after my WG for Hogan Lovells looooool

 

[hellovacschemes]

You can state a preference for the date that doesn’t clash but insinuate you’d be happy with either.

Not going back when they have asked you to confirm ASAP is likely to be more risky than stating a preference. You’ll also be more likely to get your preference the earlier you request it.

Thank you so much for your advice, I have just confirmed the dates with them!

 

[lhs444]

In terms of competitors, I would look at it through practice areas. X firm might be a competitor because they have a very strong Y practice area. But X firm might not be a competitor in other practice areas

Thank you so much!

 

[vacschemeapss]

Ghosted by NRF post WG in December. Any clue if there is still a chance for getting the TI? (My app was for Spring VS)

 

[lhs444]

I have got a VI coming up and I am anticipating that the 3 questions they ask would be somewhat covered in my cover letter e.g why I would enjoy their training structure / culture. Does anyone have any tips on what I should really be focusing on for VI? I know I should be focusing on structure of my answer and delivery but is there anything else? and is it bad if I repeat what I said in my cover letter? If not, should I just make sure I'm not reciting it word for word?

 

[GXA123]

I have got a VI coming up and I am anticipating that the 3 questions they ask would be somewhat covered in my cover letter e.g why I would enjoy their training structure / culture. Does anyone have any tips on what I should really be focusing on for VI? I know I should be focusing on structure of my answer and delivery but is there anything else? and is it bad if I repeat what I said in my cover letter? If not, should I just make sure I'm not reciting it word for word?

build on your cover letter

 

[Jessica Booker]

Has anyone ever been invited to attend an AC and accepted, and then decided not to do it anymore? I'm pretty sure this one coming up will be my last for the cycle, but I am unbelievably burned out. Where I used to feel confident before the ACs I've done, I just now feel sick at the prospect of having to do another 4 hour day of questions. Also, will I probably be barred from applying to that firm again in the future if I do cancel?

People cancel. It happens a reasonable amount of the time, but most usually because they have secured other work or have decided the career isn’t for them. I’d say about 10-15% of invites are not taken up for one reason for another.

You could potentially ask the firm to defer your interview to next cycle if you feel like you could wait (and assuming you would be eligible for the next cycle).

 

[Amanpreet Kaur]

I was rejected right after my WG for Hogan Lovells looooool

Ah that sucks!

 

[squidsalmons]

I know it's super soon after the deadline, but does anyone know when people usually start hearing back from Boodle Hatfield and Farrer & Co?

 

[Ailsa I]

Has anyone ever been invited to attend an AC and accepted, and then decided not to do it anymore? I'm pretty sure this one coming up will be my last for the cycle, but I am unbelievably burned out. Where I used to feel confident before the ACs I've done, I just now feel sick at the prospect of having to do another 4 hour day of questions. Also, will I probably be barred from applying to that firm again in the future if I do cancel?

Hey, I was in this exact situation last week so maybe I can offer my perspective!

I accepted an AC offer back in December for a date in Feb (through a fast track scheme which was why it was so early.) I've been really fortunate to get quite a few AC's/vac scheme offers since, and realised that the vac scheme dates of one of the firms conflicted with those of the firm with the Feb AC.

I initially accepted as I considered both top choices, and thought, if I were to get an offer, it would help me to make the decision between them. However, I decided to pull out around a couple of weeks before. I decided that the first firm would likely be my preference, and, even if it weren't, I was still overjoyed with that vac scheme offer I had. More so, though, I couldn't imagine putting myself through another AC at that point in time. I completely understand that I'm speaking from a place of privilege (having other offers) but nonetheless, the process is arduous, and feeling as though you are constantly 'on show' can take quite a toll. There comes a point that you may just need to refocus your energy on other things, and I made the choice in enough time that hopefully, another candidate was offered that space.

It feels like such an honour to be selected for an AC, and I felt terrible at first for 'letting an opportunity go.' You do, however, need to look after yourself - you are clearly an incredible candidate if you have done other AC's! If you think you can, go for it, but if not, there is no shame in pulling out (it doesn't mean you aren't resilient.) At the risk of sounding harsh, if the prospect is bringing up these types of emotions (beyond regular nerves) you are unlikely to perform to the best of your ability even if you do push ahead.

I'm not a member of grad rec, but I can't imagine you would be barred from ever applying again. I simply thanked the firm for considering me and reiterated how much I had enjoyed the fast track scheme, but that I, unfortunately, would need to pull out and they wished me well! I think it happens quite often (for a multitude of reasons, not just conflicting offers.)

Hope that helps!