TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Untilwinter]

Two pfos in a day. Starting to wonder if i am cut out for it

 

[letthisbethefinalcycle]

trying to get back to the grind for applications after a long break since my first cycle...what does everyone use to research firms except from chambers/legal 500/the firm's website/firm events?

 

[e1996]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, do magic circle firms and top US firms look more favourably on candidates who have a GDL (but not with amazing grades) or who have not done their GDL at all yet?

 

[Aga123+]

Does anyone know if Latham is rolling (I know last year it was non-rolling)?

 

[hanz123]

Does anyone have any advice for Addleshaw Goddard's application questions?

 

[corplawperson23]

If you have applied to a firm in the last recruitment cycle, and the questions remain the same (why commercial law), am I expected/should I modify my answer to this completely? For context, I progressed through app stage for direct TC and now I am trying the vacation scheme route!

 

[Tintin06]

trying to get back to the grind for applications after a long break since my first cycle...what does everyone use to research firms except from chambers/legal 500/the firm's website/firm events?

The Lawyer.

 

[Boating]

I usually couple together open days as one section on the application form in the work experience part, is it worth adding virtual open days (ones that I didn’t have to write an application for) in there too? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

 

[ayek]

Anyone who completed the DLA WG, was it timed and for how long?

 

[axelbeugre]

Two pfos in a day. Starting to wonder if i am cut out for it

You are definitely cut out for it, do not let pfos let you down! you will succeed! please believe in yourself!

 

[jplaw1010]

Anyone heard back from Ashurst for the WVS?

 

[jplaw1010]

Do Stephenson Harwood have A-Level requirements?

 

[Z48]

Anyone who completed the DLA WG, was it timed and for how long?

It’s untimed

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, do magic circle firms and top US firms look more favourably on candidates who have a GDL (but not with amazing grades) or who have not done their GDL at all yet?

hey @e1996, I do not think that it matters too much as law firms look at a variety of different things when assessing candidates. I was a non-law students with a master degree and I was successful in securing a TC and multiple vac scheme offers, but I also know people with GDLs who were successful but others who weren't. I think that what sets people apart are a variety of different aspects and not just whether they studied law through the GDL or not so do not look at this too heavily I would say! I hope that helps and good luck with the application cycle!

 

[axelbeugre]

I usually couple together open days as one section on the application form in the work experience part, is it worth adding virtual open days (ones that I didn’t have to write an application for) in there too? @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

I think it depends on you but if you already have in-person ones I would focus on those as those are considered to be more selective than the virtual ones. Good luck with the cycle!

 

[axelbeugre]

If you have applied to a firm in the last recruitment cycle, and the questions remain the same (why commercial law), am I expected/should I modify my answer to this completely? For context, I progressed through app stage for direct TC and now I am trying the vacation scheme route!

Hey @Tanyakaur11, I would modify the application just because you need to show you have modified your application and you are a much better candidate now. I understand that it might be easier to keep your answers but I do not think it will help you too much so try to find new ways to write your answers so that you can show you have improved even more! Good luck with the cycle!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, do magic circle firms and top US firms look more favourably on candidates who have a GDL (but not with amazing grades) or who have not done their GDL at all yet?

I don’t think it really is one or the other. Committing to the GDL can show a commitment to pursuing a legal career, but it is by no means a requirement for the firms you have mentioned.

 

[sm99]

If you have applied to a firm in the last recruitment cycle, and the questions remain the same (why commercial law), am I expected/should I modify my answer to this completely? For context, I progressed through app stage for direct TC and now I am trying the vacation scheme route!

controversial but I did this with CMS one year. I got to AC both times. My app was obviously better and updated because I gained legal work experience between the two applications.. I just rewrote my answers in a clearer and naturally (a year on, in a better way) but I probably kept 60% of the answer from the year before.

 

[lonelycruise]

Are in-person law fairs truly worth it? I have a university fair today but have come down with an awful cold. I'm a recent graduate and no longer live in the same city so would have to travel a few hours to attend. For one firm, it's the only in-person opportunity to engage with recruitment but I can't help but feel they're meeting so many people at once that they'd likely never remember me anyway.

Am I really missing out if I don't go?

 

[spraben]

Has anyone heard back from Skadden?

I haven't. Waiting to hear from them too.