TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[shanialaw]

I didn't hear back from Forsters post application so decided to take one for the team and email them and just received a response stating that they will be getting back to everyone by next week. Not sure what it means in terms of AC invites though haha

 

[Sunshinepink]

I don't know when but legal cheek uploads their key deadlines for winter schemes. https://www.legalcheek.com/key-deadlines-calendar/

Thank you so much

 

[LawInTheNorth]

Hey, probably not what you want to hear but I've got a WG invite for the direct TC after reaching AC stage for their VS last year. Did you take up the offer of a feedback call with grad rec following the AC? I found that to be very helpful as they told me it was mostly my commercial knowledge that let me down in the case study interview (unsurprising as it was my first ever AC lol) but that they liked my initial application so I didn't change that much this round.

Can I ask how you structured your 800 word piece? I applied a few years ago but got rejected and was thinking about applying again but wasn’t sure on structure! Thank you

 

[rayemuse]

Hey, probably not what you want to hear but I've got a WG invite for the direct TC after reaching AC stage for their VS last year. Did you take up the offer of a feedback call with grad rec following the AC? I found that to be very helpful as they told me it was mostly my commercial knowledge that let me down in the case study interview (unsurprising as it was my first ever AC lol) but that they liked my initial application so I didn't change that much this round.

Ah I see, congrats on getting progressed to next stage Yea I did, but tbh I didn’t really change my application this time round either since it did get me to AC stage last year, but I guess it worked against me because maybe their standards were different for TC

 

[Sunshinepink]

Has anyone heard from Addleshaw Goddard - Leeds office?

 

[LawBrah]

I didn't hear back from Forsters post application so decided to take one for the team and email them and just received a response stating that they will be getting back to everyone by next week. Not sure what it means in terms of AC invites though haha

Hope this is helpful - I was invited to an AC for the 22nd of Feb on the 9th of Feb. They said they are running ACs on the 20th, 22nd, 27th, and 1st of March (virtual).

 

[Amelia23]

Can I ask how you structured your 800 word piece? I applied a few years ago but got rejected and was thinking about applying again but wasn’t sure on structure! Thank you

Yeah of course, however can't guarantee what I wrote was the perfect structure or formula haha! I wrote the first few paragraphs on why I want to study law, which I then linked to Freshfields by discussing my interactions with the firm and my research, and how that aligned with my motivations.

I then spent the rest of the 800 words detailing a few examples of work experience and leadership positions at uni and how I have consequently developed skills that would help me in a legal career (e.g., working well under pressure, negotiation, time management, commercial awareness). I then signed off with a statement basically reaffirming my desire to work at Freshfields.

Hope this helps! Feel free to message me x

 

[Amelia23]

Yeah of course, however can't guarantee what I wrote was the perfect structure or formula haha! I wrote the first few paragraphs on why I want to study law, which I then linked to Freshfields by discussing my interactions with the firm and my research, and how that aligned with my motivations.

I then spent the rest of the 800 words detailing a few examples of work experience and leadership positions at uni and how I have consequently developed skills that would help me in a legal career (e.g., working well under pressure, negotiation, time management, commercial awareness). I then signed off with a statement basically reaffirming my desire to work at Freshfields.

Hope this helps! Feel free to message me x

I would also say that the general advice I was given at a Freshfields applications masterclasses is to follow the basic structure of "Why Freshfields, Why Law, Why You"

 

[laworder637]

Anyone heard back from Penningtons post-AC?

 

[marfra]

Congrats! Can I ask which AC dates were available to you?

thanks! they only had next friday available but a couple different slot times on the day

 

[adamBS]

Ah I see, congrats on getting progressed to next stage Yea I did, but tbh I didn’t really change my application this time round either since it did get me to AC stage last year, but I guess it worked against me because maybe their standards were different for TC

If it helps, I got to AC stage for direct TC last year, was told to apply again with a similar application and have just been rejected at the first stage

 

[Autotunedbird]

Same! But for me it makes sense, I applied for a TC last year and failed at VI stage and this year, failed at the WG stage.

 

[P41690]

Anyone heard back from Orrick?

 

[tc_hopeful]

Hi all, I just completed an written exercise and I spotted a couple minor typos after submitting... Is this an instant PFO or should I still hold out hope?

Btw, this is for Dechert. They also require a VI as part of their first stage of screening post-app, which I thought I did decently well in.

Also, those who progressed to AC, would you mind letting me know how long it took for Dechert to get back post-VI and written exercise?

Thanks so much!

 

[LawBrah]

Hi all, I just completed an written exercise and I spotted a couple minor typos after submitting... Is this an instant PFO or should I still hold out hope?

Btw, this is for Dechert. They also require a VI as part of their first stage of screening post-app, which I thought I did decently well in.

Also, those who progressed to AC, would you mind letting me know how long it took for Dechert to get back post-VI and written exercise?

Thanks so much!

I got an AC this cycle despite a glaring mistake in the first line of my "Why Law" answer so it is possible - but I think that was just luck frankly and I would expect a PFO, but its not quite an automatic rejection.

 

[elliehuck]

Pinsent Masons test invite earlier today!

Wow! what office was this for?

 

[tc_hopeful]

I got an AC this cycle despite a glaring mistake in the first line of my "Why Law" answer so it is possible - but I think that was just luck frankly and I would expect a PFO, but its not quite an automatic rejection.

Oh I see, thanks for sharing! Do you mind if I ask how long it took for you to hear back post-written test?

 

[confusedlawstudent]

Any advice on how to secure a training contract from a vacation scheme? I have a VS in June, don't know what I can be doing right now to prepare for it.

 

[lawapplicant]

Pinsents PFO

What office?

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Hi all, I just completed an written exercise and I spotted a couple minor typos after submitting... Is this an instant PFO or should I still hold out hope?

Btw, this is for Dechert. They also require a VI as part of their first stage of screening post-app, which I thought I did decently well in.

Also, those who progressed to AC, would you mind letting me know how long it took for Dechert to get back post-VI and written exercise?

Thanks so much!

Hi, it took about 2 weeks for me