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

[SLKEJRWOI97]

PFO from Dechert WVS. Oh well :/

 

[JM1998]

I don't suppose anyone knows whether it's too late to apply for NRF's Winter Vacation scheme? Today is the deadline, but I'm not sure whether that means 23:59 today or when it became today.

They offer a Spring vacation scheme as well, so I could apply to that instead, but I'm itching to get on with things ASAP

I applied on the deadline and just got an email to say I passed the first screening and invited to psychometric test. So if you applied it should be fine!

 

[John Travoni]

I applied on the deadline and just got an email to say I passed the first screening and invited to psychometric test. So if you applied it should be fine!

Did you just receive this email from NRF just now??

 

[JM1998]

Did you just receive this email from NRF just now??

Yeah, literally 5:30 today. Applied 7pm yesterday

 

[Phoenix for all]

I applied on the deadline and just got an email to say I passed the first screening and invited to psychometric test. So if you applied it should be fine!

Applied on the same day but haven’t heard anything - did you apply in the last few hours before the deadline?

 

[JM1998]

Applied on the same day but haven’t heard anything - did you apply in the last few hours before the deadline?

7pm I submitted mine

 

[Phoenix for all]

Yeah, literally 5:30 today. Applied 7pm yesterday

I applied slightly earlier than you did and haven’t heard a word - really hope it’s not a PFO..

 

[AW_08]

I applied slightly earlier than you did and haven’t heard a word - really hope it’s not a PFO..

I applied weeks ago & haven’t heard a thing either…

 

[JM1998]

I applied slightly earlier than you did and haven’t heard a word - really hope it’s not a PFO..

It’s very early stages still, I’m sure you’ll be fine

 

[John Travoni]

PFO from Dechert WVS. Oh well :/

If you don’t mind me asking, what stage did you get to?

 

[tc.la.vs]

I did a successful interview for the SVS earlier this year. There was no case study. Unless they've changed the format, my experience was that it was really very conversational. They are, of course, assessing motivation, commercial awareness, knowledge of the firm etc. but they also really try to get to know as a person and have some 'debates' about various issues. Pretty unique experience as far as formal interviews go to be honest but I really enjoyed it. A bit of cliched advice but I genuinely think the best strategy is just to be yourself.

Thanks that's really helpful!

 

[ap28]

Does the Herbert Smith Freehills Digital Law course count as work experience or as a certification?

 

[WillF]

Has anyone heard anything from Slaughter and May summer VS?

 

[ZaraB]

Btw for anyone like me waiting on Travers Smith, grad ref posted on their Instagram story to say that they are still screening apps for the winter vac scheme and should be getting to people within the next couple of weeks!

 

[George Maxwell]

I applied slightly earlier than you did and haven’t heard a word - really hope it’s not a PFO..

Hi @Phoenix for all,

I can't speak for this application specifically, but from experience, I was successful with applications that I heard after other people even though I had applied earlier than them! Just hold tight as best you can. You've got this!

 

[DisciplineTC2526]

Any word from Sidley or W&C? I am losing it over here. Literally, what are they waiting for? Just tell me YES or NO!

 

[Veep9]

I'm reapplying Bird & Bird, last year my application got through initial screening and was sent the test. Should I be rewriting my answers to "what will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why?" and "what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?" The former spanned developments over 5 years!

 

[George Maxwell]

I'm reapplying Bird & Bird, last year my application got through initial screening and was sent the test. Should I be rewriting my answers to "what will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why?" and "what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?" The former spanned developments over 5 years!

Hi @Veep9,

This is a great question.

In my opinion, I would rewrite your application for this cycle. A lot has happened in the last year such as the development (and fallout) of the global chip shortage, the confirmation that WFH is at least a medium-term trend, as well as the boom of cryptocurrency (for example, El Salvador's decision to adopt it as legal tender). This is of course, non-exhaustive, and not necessarily relevant to your answer, but I just wanted to demonstrate that lots could be brought in that may have seemed less relevant last cycle. Even if the themes you use are the same, bringing in more recent examples of it demonstrates that you are engaged with the (commercial) world. I worry that if you reuse your previous application, recent events may make it seem less applicable or interesting. By all means, I think using your answer from last year is a good idea, but build and develop on it, perhaps using your experiences in the meantime to qualify why you have chosen to approach these questions in that way.

Very happy to help out wherever I can if that would be useful!

 

[Veep9]

Hi @Veep9,

This is a great question.

In my opinion, I would rewrite your application for this cycle. A lot has happened in the last year such as the development (and fallout) of the global chip shortage, the confirmation that WFH is at least a medium-term trend, as well as the boom of cryptocurrency (for example, El Salvador's decision to adopt it as legal tender). This is of course, non-exhaustive, and not necessarily relevant to your answer, but I just wanted to demonstrate that lots could be brought in that may have seemed less relevant last cycle. Even if the themes you use are the same, bringing in more recent examples of it demonstrates that you are engaged with the (commercial) world. I worry that if you reuse your previous application, recent events may make it seem less applicable or interesting. By all means, I think using your answer from last year is a good idea, but build and develop on it, perhaps using your experiences in the meantime to qualify why you have chosen to approach these questions in that way.

Very happy to help out wherever I can if that would be useful!

Thank you! I suspected this was true, but seeing it set out like that is the kick I probably needed!

 

[IzzyAn_na]

I'm reapplying Bird & Bird, last year my application got through initial screening and was sent the test. Should I be rewriting my answers to "what will be the greatest innovation to influence the firm in the next 5 years and why?" and "what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise?" The former spanned developments over 5 years!

I didn’t really, I refreshed a few stats to be more current but the rest I kept the same and managed to get past the app stage again if that’s reassuring!