TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[CallumJR]

If David Cameron can be Foreign Secretary six years after being Prime Minister, I can get a TC four years after graduating.

sounds like a WG Question.

A: Assumption made

 

[EliteWhovian]

Application Update - Last posted 30/10/23

Bank of England Trainee solicitor programme - Test completed
White and Case WVS- Application sent
Stephenson Harwood WVS - Application sent
Cleary Gottlieb WVS - Application sent
Travers Smith WVS -Application sent
HSF SpVS - Test completed
Hogan Lovell TC- Application sent
Hogan Lovell Lift off - WG Completed
Fieldfisher TC- Test completed
A&O TC - Test/VI completed
Linklaters TC - WG completed
Pinset Mason TC - Test Completed
Gowling TC - Application sent
Mayer Brown TC - Application Sent
Womble Bond Dickinson TC - Application sent
Charles Russell Speechlys TC - Application sent
Willkie Farr Gallagher SpVS - Application sent
Millbank SVS - Application sent
Morrison Foerster SVS - Application sent
DLA SVS - Application sent
Sherman & Sterling Open day - Application sent
Freshfields Graduate workshop - Application sent
BCLP Open day - Application sent


PFO Heaven (Didn't want to work here anyway haha)
Sidley WVS - PFO
Jones Day WVS - PFO
Slaughter and May TC - PFO
Linklaters WVS - post WG - PFO
Simmons - post VI - PFO
Clifford chance TC - post WG - PFO
NRF WVS - PFO
CMS TC - WG invite was not sent and they withdrew me (Very salty about this)
Irwin Mitchell TC - post test - PFO

Pending Applications
Bird & Bird SpVS
Addleshaw Goddard TC
NRF SpVS
Kirkland Ellis SpVS
Akin
Weil

Might I add I had a week off work so i was able to do this.
In the past 2 weeks i've had 3 PFO (this will rise), made 12 applications, done 2 V and 3 online assessments.

My biggest set back are my A level grades so PFO are expected.

Has anyone heard from the following:

Cleary Gottlieb WVS​

Stephenson Harwood WVS​

Anyone not received a PFO post app to W&C​

Message me for any questions and thanks in advance!

Haven't receives the pfo post app for WC yet either

 

[Flutterbyx303]

Application Update - Last posted 30/10/23

Bank of England Trainee solicitor programme - Test completed
White and Case WVS- Application sent
Stephenson Harwood WVS - Application sent
Cleary Gottlieb WVS - Application sent
Travers Smith WVS -Application sent
HSF SpVS - Test completed
Hogan Lovell TC- Application sent
Hogan Lovell Lift off - WG Completed
Fieldfisher TC- Test completed
A&O TC - Test/VI completed
Linklaters TC - WG completed
Pinset Mason TC - Test Completed
Gowling TC - Application sent
Mayer Brown TC - Application Sent
Womble Bond Dickinson TC - Application sent
Charles Russell Speechlys TC - Application sent
Willkie Farr Gallagher SpVS - Application sent
Millbank SVS - Application sent
Morrison Foerster SVS - Application sent
DLA SVS - Application sent
Sherman & Sterling Open day - Application sent
Freshfields Graduate workshop - Application sent
BCLP Open day - Application sent


PFO Heaven (Didn't want to work here anyway haha)
Sidley WVS - PFO
Jones Day WVS - PFO
Slaughter and May TC - PFO
Linklaters WVS - post WG - PFO
Simmons - post VI - PFO
Clifford chance TC - post WG - PFO
NRF WVS - PFO
CMS TC - WG invite was not sent and they withdrew me (Very salty about this)
Irwin Mitchell TC - post test - PFO

Pending Applications
Bird & Bird SpVS
Addleshaw Goddard TC
NRF SpVS
Kirkland Ellis SpVS
Akin
Weil

Might I add I had a week off work so i was able to do this.
In the past 2 weeks i've had 3 PFO (this will rise), made 12 applications, done 2 V and 3 online assessments.

My biggest set back are my A level grades so PFO are expected.

Has anyone heard from the following:

Cleary Gottlieb WVS​

Stephenson Harwood WVS​

Anyone not received a PFO post app to W&C​

Message me for any questions and thanks in advance!

When did you get the Simmons PFO if you don’t mind me asking? A group of us haven’t heard anything but also aware of others who have had ACs…

 

[Legalstalker]

Haven't receives the pfo post app for WC yet either

I guess we can hold on onto the little hope they've given us haha

 

[Legalstalker]

When did you get the Simmons PFO if you don’t mind me asking? A group of us haven’t heard anything but also aware of others who have had ACs…

Early October However it was my OA why i failed not my VI. I completed it on 2 hours sleep haha

 

[futuretrainee202X]

Got 88 percentile in Linklaters WG and 34/40 is this good enough to get Linklaters AC and it is the first time I passed WG

Can you request the WG score back before an outcome is made?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Bird & Bird Vac Scheme PFO 🤣

 

[S87]

Lord have mercy, GR had their guns filled with PFOs today!! (joking)

 

[Humanelawyer02]

W&C App: Since we have a flowing application, does a PFO in a vac scheme most likely mean a PFO for the TC? Relevant context: I have interned with W&C before through an application (Not through a contact).

 

[Kodak123]

"I hope you are well and many thanks for your email.

We are in the process of reviewing applications still and will be in touch soon."

Heard this from W&C Grad Rec, but just assume PFO at this point if you haven't heard back

 

[axelbeugre]

Anyone know who the Gibson Dunn cover letter should be addressed to? Also, the CL is quite short (650 words), so do we need to include an introductory sentence/two and sign-off?

@axelbeugre - if I am not mistaken, I read that you completed a GD VS interview. Can you please advise?

Hey @Dwight,

I have not addressed the cover letter to anyone, I immediately typed my answer. With the limited word count, I think they prefer people going straight to the point, so no need for introductory sentence or sign-off sentences, do not worry!

 

[axelbeugre]

Unless it specifically asks, do we need to relate the commercial question in applications to the practice strengths of the firm? The firm I'm applying to has a strong focus on restructuring and energy, but my answer relates to life sciences, IP and M&A. Am I fine or should I find a more relevant topic?

I would say that if the news is very significant for many practice areas that the firm does have, then I would say that it would make sense to talk about it. Generally speaking, you should choose what you are interested in or knowledgeable of, especially because your answer can be object of interview discussions, so it is advisable that you can talk confidently about what you wrote.

But I do agree with Jessica here, it would be better if this coincided with something that the firm excels at or works on regularly. This will involuntarily express to graduate recruitment why you are a good fit for the firm and your commercial awareness level in the areas they are interested in so it would not hurt! This is what I think anyways but I heard people writing about what they were genuinely interested in, even if it was something quite detached from the firm, and still got through the next stages!

Good luck with the process @lonelycruise

 

[benxi]

A&O AC offer! Any advice would be much appreciated

 

[Tintin06]

"I hope you are well and many thanks for your email.

We are in the process of reviewing applications still and will be in touch soon."

Heard this from W&C Grad Rec, but just assume PFO at this point if you haven't heard back

Why?

 

[axelbeugre]

In a 'why X' question - do we solely mention about the firm? The word limit is 200 words and I'm confused as to how much i need to link it back to my experience..

I totally see the confusion but what I would say is just choose a couple of reasons why you want to join the firm and link those to you and your experiences. With such a tight word count, trying to mention a millionth thing will not work and will not come off as genuine in my experience.

In my Goodwin application, the why Goodwin question was 100 words and I think it still is. I just picked two good reasons for me and linked them back to me. I actually went more in-depth with one reason over the other, and it still worked out for me.
In general, I would say that it is important to divide your words evenly, and include a personal reason why that reason for liking the firm makes sense to you. Even one sentence will suffice, do not think that it should be a paragraph.

Good luck with the application! @F12M34L

 

[s9111]

A&O AC offer! Any advice would be much appreciated

WVS or Spring/Summer? Congratulations!

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi all,

I just received a VI invite from PwC! If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated ☺️

Also, does anyone know if the VI is automatic?

here is is the link to the post I just made with some questions that might come up: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....ns-discussion-thread-2023-24.8037/post-151491
Good luck with the video interview!

 

[estimur]

Cleary AC - applied 17/10 for anyone still waiting to find out.

Have you heard back?

 

[axelbeugre]

For anyone who has been following me on the forum over the past 3 years on this forum knows I have always struggled with the WG and it has been my biggest problem.

But for anyone struggling with the Watson Glaser the way I improved my score is -

1) When I was on TCLA Premium I went through the Watson Glaser course by Joe Mallet and when going through it I made notes on how to answer each question and the explanation. For instance When an assumption is made and the assumption mentions easy but the passage mentions time then assumption is not made.

2) Brought assessment day and Job Test Prep both packages and made Watson Glaser my life.

3) I went through the same questions on Job Test Prep and Assessment Day again and again.

4) I recommend the Clifford Chance and other law firm free practise tests as they are really helpful.

A final piece of advice when you are doing the Watson Glaser and if you are nervous in the test it means you have not practised it enough as when you perfect the test then you won't be nervous.

Finally sorry if I mentioned something that was against TCLA guidline rules. I hope this helps others overcome their fear of the Watson Glaser.

Thank you so much @Asil Ahmad for sharing your experience! I am sure it will be inspiring and motivating for many.

Good luck with this application cycle!

 

[benxi]

WVS or Spring/Summer? Congratulations!

summer