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

[SLKEJRWOI97]

Hey everyone,

For A&O's application, is it really only two questions? I'm quite shook because I was expecting some devil questions.

How have people gone about answering the questions? I assume CAR/STAR x 2/ x 3 on skills and then expanding on why they'd be relevant at A&O in the next question?

Thanks!

 

[PM2021]

Hey, I had a general question. How many applications do people usually make in one cycle for vacation schemes? I know there can be any number. But I was targetting to put 7-10 applications. Given my university commitments, I feel I can only properly draft 7-10 applications. But I have no idea whether it is a good number of applications or not?

 

[Ooshmate]

What was the mistake?

I accidentally spelt "solicitors" with two c's. I also believe I made one other mistake but I cannot remember it.

 

[Ooshmate]

Hey, I had a general question. How many applications do people usually make in one cycle for vacation schemes? I know there can be any number. But I was targetting to put 7-10 applications. Given my university commitments, I feel I can only properly draft 7-10 applications. But I have no idea whether it is a good number of applications or not?

I am also doing 7 applications. I had to cut down from 10 as I realised that not all firms match my interests. To help time-wise, I would spread your applications across the winter, spring, and summer deadlines. i.e. 2 applications for winter, 2 for spring and 3 for summer. That way, you only need to focus on two or three applications for every month or so.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Hey, I had a general question. How many applications do people usually make in one cycle for vacation schemes? I know there can be any number. But I was targetting to put 7-10 applications. Given my university commitments, I feel I can only properly draft 7-10 applications. But I have no idea whether it is a good number of applications or not?

I say with university studies 6 at max as your grades are important for applications. But there is no exact number. What I used to do is spend 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour at night on applications when I was studying for university.

 

[John Travoni]

I say with university studies 6 at max as your grades are important for applications. But there is no exact number. What I used to do is spend 1 hour in the morning and 1 hour at night on applications when I was studying for university.

Tbh there isn’t a set number and I don’t think you should set a number for yourself. I know some ppl who only applied to one firm and got in, and I know ppl who applied to 35 firms and were also successful too. As long as you’re consistent with applications and don’t compromise your quality, bang out as many as you can.

 

[Dheepa]

Hey, does anyone know who to address the White & Case cover letter to? On law careers it says Mrs Gemma Barns, can anyone confirm?

Somewhere on their FAQ page it tells you to address it to the Graduate Resourcing and Development Team. I’m on my phone rn and can’t find the link but it’s definitely somewhere on the website, just double check!

 

[Dheepa]

Hi all,

I was wondering whether anyone knows who to address the Norton Rose Fulbright cover letter to please? Thanks in advance!

Dear Graduate Recruitment Team is fine for them. This is what I did for my successful app!

 

[Dheepa]

Is it wise to apply to the White and Case open day, (hopefully) attend, and then apply for the VS after in late november? I'm not sure whether that would help my application or hinder it, given they accept on a rolling basis. I have limited legal work experience.

So I attended their Open Day in early November (2019) and then applied after that and I distinctly remember GR saying that it’s completely fine to wait after the open day because they won’t have received many applications at all around that time.

 

[OB]

I accidentally spelt "solicitors" with two c's. I also believe I made one other mistake but I cannot remember it.

I got to the CMS AC stage last year by putting “this is why I would fit in with Bird & Bird’s supportive culture” in the work experience part that I had copied and pasted from that app. Obviously not ideal but there’s a chance they’ll overlook it

 

[Ooshmate]

I got to the CMS AC stage last year by putting “this is why I would fit in with Bird & Bird’s supportive culture” in the work experience part that I had copied and pasted from that app. Obviously not ideal but there’s a chance they’ll overlook it

Fingers crossed

 

[S87]

is it polite to ask uncomfortable questions to the trainees or graduate team?

On chambers student the firm is described as highly international, international secondments and lots of multijurisdictional deals. However, on Lex 100 international is ranked 46%. It looks a bit inconsistent, am I allowed to ask about it during the upcoming open day? How can I pose this question?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

is it polite to ask uncomfortable questions to the trainees or graduate team?

On chambers student the firm is described as highly international, international secondments and lots of multijurisdictional deals. However, on Lex 100 international is ranked 46%. It looks a bit inconsistent, am I allowed to ask about it during the upcoming open day? How can I pose this question?

As long as it’s asked in a polite way, yes - nothing wrong with asking challenging questions

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I know we have discussed this in this forum so times sorry for bringing it up again. HSF application deadline is 23:59 on 1st October right.

 

[DisciplineTC2526]

Quite confused about Skadden's two application portals:

https://www.apply4law.com/skadden/default.aspx (1)

https://www.allhires.com/skadden/Login.aspx? (2)

Can anyone please explain (had to make a new account for 2). 1 was the one I had always known. Is 2 the new portal?

 

[DisciplineTC2526]

Are Hogan Lovells recruiting on a rolling basis for their gold programme?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Quite confused about Skadden's two application portals:

https://www.apply4law.com/skadden/default.aspx (1)

https://www.allhires.com/skadden/Login.aspx? (2)

Can anyone please explain (had to make a new account for 2). 1 was the one I had always known. Is 2 the new portal?

Apply4law and Allhires are technically the same company so I suspect they are connected somehow. If you are applying to paralegal roles or other roles outside of TCs or VSs that might be why it is Allhires rather than apply4law.

 

[hopefullawyer101]

OMG GUYS! Just got my first ever progression beyond application/ test stage for Simmons & Simmons!

Got rejected last year so I am so excited.

The next stage- video inteview/ test and written exercise seems really complicated. Can anyone who has done it before please give me some advice?How long are each video interview question?

 

[OB]

OMG GUYS! Just got my first ever progression beyond application/ test stage for Simmons & Simmons!

Got rejected last year so I am so excited.

The next stage- video inteview/ test and written exercise seems really complicated. Can anyone who has done it before please give me some advice?How long are each video interview question?

Massive congrats!!

Sorry to be one of those annoying ones but when did you send your application? I sent mine last night so would be nice to know a rough time frame where I might hear back haha

 

[hopefullawyer101]

Massive congrats!!

Sorry to be one of those annoying ones but when did you send your application? I sent mine last night so would be nice to know a rough time frame where I might hear back haha

Thanks so much. This has made it slightly less demoralising to keep going!!

Last week! I sent it on the 21st to be exact. So very quick turnaround!