General Discussion Thread 2020-21

[thecorporatelawyer]

Hi all, just a random question. But I'm assuming even though you mention a brief description of a work role in your work experience section, we're still allowed to go into more detail i.e. the skills we acquired, etc. in other sections of the application and it's not considered "repeating" as we're not explicitly saying the same things just speaking of the same role?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you for the reassurance!. As you worked at Freshfields before, would this be too problematic for applications to them regarding a singular 2;2? Thanks Jessica!

no

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all, just a random question. But I'm assuming even though you mention a brief description of a work role in your work experience section, we're still allowed to go into more detail i.e. the skills we acquired, etc. in other sections of the application and it's not considered "repeating" as we're not explicitly saying the same things just speaking of the same role?

that’s fine if it fits the other section and you are not repeating unnecessary detail

 

[Dala]

Has anyone done the HSF online reasoning test? Would appreciate any thoughts or tips!

 

[Will Jones]

Just got a high 2:2 for one essay module! I also have a 63 in my another essay module done earlier this year. Will this be an issue for firms? I got 70% last year(first year) with one 2:2 and had interviews for vac schemes, though the results mentioned are my second year grades (so far)

From what I have been told by grad development teams I think this will be fine, especially as getting a 70%+ in first year is so difficult!

 

[786N]

Does anyone have any tips for Mishcon’s case study assessment?

Have they got in touch regarding arrangements for it? Mine was cancelled in March due to Covid and I haven't heard anything since

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

I know this might be a vague question, but I was wondering if anyone knew when Macfarlanes hosts their ACs for direct training contract apps, i.e. if they do them after the VS's are complete, or just simply what months they usually do this? Thanks!

 

[hktr]

I know this might be a vague question, but I was wondering if anyone knew when Macfarlanes hosts their ACs for direct training contract apps, i.e. if they do them after the VS's are complete, or just simply what months they usually do this? Thanks!

I believe they review apps and do ACs on a rolling basis. If I remember correctly, I saw grad rec post about doing their first virtual AC for direct training contracts a couple weeks back. They're probably quite busy with sorting out the virtual vac schemes at the moment, but I think once those are set up you'll be hearing from them fairly promptly.

 

[dosblancos7]

How are Direct TC apps going for people(if you've done any) for the summer period? My exams are finished by now so I'm curious as I'm going to start soon! Hope its all going well!

 

[am787]

Can someone please shed some light on Slaughter's cover letter - they ask for one side of A4 - does this include the spaces you'd take up for yours and the recipient's address or do they mean the actual written response needs to be one side of A4 (so excluding the addresses)

 

[NMD]

Hey I hope everyone is doing well and trying to stay positive in the current climate! Has anyone heard what’s happening with Mishcon’s summer VS tempted to shoot them an email?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Can someone please shed some light on Slaughter's cover letter - they ask for one side of A4 - does this include the spaces you'd take up for yours and the recipient's address or do they mean the actual written response needs to be one side of A4 (so excluding the addresses)

full thing with all traditional layouts as I understand it.

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

Hi All, do you think it's still worth applying to Travers Smith? On the place to apply it states "Please note that due to the high level of applications received for training contracts from October 2019, we will now only be offering further interviews after our closing date of 31 July. Other than an acknowledgement of your application, we may therefore not be in a position to provide you with a substantive response until after that date." I'm not sure if this is code for them saying they already have too many apps and probably won't look further. I just don't want to waste time on this application, when I should focus on firms that will be hiring, but wanted to know everyone's thoughts? Also I think I read that they say something similar to this last year.

 

[Tushar]

View attachment 1829


Really confusing. If you take a look at the attached pic, it seems to only be open to penultimate and not graduates/final year law.

Also, why would they ask you to confirm that you’re a penultimate student if it’s open for graduates as well?

Very confusing...

I had mailed the Graduate Recruitment to ask about this, to which they answered that if a final year undergraduate or a graduate has not applied to the firms in the Feb-April Window, he/she can apply through this, but if he/she already has, then he/she can't apply in this window.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi All, do you think it's still worth applying to Travers Smith? On the place to apply it states "Please note that due to the high level of applications received for training contracts from October 2019, we will now only be offering further interviews after our closing date of 31 July. Other than an acknowledgement of your application, we may therefore not be in a position to provide you with a substantive response until after that date." I'm not sure if this is code for them saying they already have too many apps and probably won't look further. I just don't want to waste time on this application, when I should focus on firms that will be hiring, but wanted to know everyone's thoughts? Also I think I read that they say something similar to this last year.

it isn’t code. If they had too many applications they would just close applications now.

it is just trying to make clear that you won’t hear back until after 31 July.

 

[thecorporatelawyer]

Does anyone happen to know which US firms just take CV/CL's?

 

[WMA]

Hello, does anyone have any tips for the Shoosmiths VI? Any nasty surprises?

 

[am787]

Would appreciate any tips and advice for the Shoosmiths VI please!

 

[Daniel Boden]

Hello, does anyone have any tips for the Shoosmiths VI? Any nasty surprises?

Would appreciate any tips and advice for the Shoosmiths VI please!

Afraid I haven't got anything for Shoosmiths specifically but I'd recommend checking out a brilliant thread made by @Alice G a few months ago on video interviews. Hope it helps you both and best of luck!
https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/video-interviews-tips-and-tricks.2324/

 

[Karin]

For those of you who did secondary school outside of the UK, how do you usually fill in the GCSE or equivalent section? For A-Levels its easy as my equivalent is simply the IB program, however for GCSE's its a bit more tricky. What I think is to put in my final exam grades for Grade 10 which is when I was 15/16 and right before I began the IB program. Does this make sense or is there a better approach?

I would not overthink it, they will ask if they don't understand. In my year before IB, I did something called "Pre-IB" which was a very unusual program in the way it was structured but I just provided my grades for the year and never got asked about it (and was invited to 3 interviews). So I would just put grades for your year before IB and if they need more, they will ask