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

[Anon3285]

Has anybody had a response from Dechert post interview & written assessment?

 

[James Carrabino]

Just did the RS VI and let's just say that I'm not holding out much hope! My mum ended up walking into my room asking me what type of crackers we should have for the dinner table, and me having to politely tell her to PFO while it was recording...will be expecting my PFO shortly🤣🤣

Honestly do not worry - we are all human and have awkward things like this happen! The firm will understand and it may have subconsciously helped you loosen up for the rest of the VI

 

[M&Amakesmyday]

I did the NRF WG last Wednesday and haven't heard back. I'm guessing I got rejected? (( I really liked the firm so it hurts.

 

[James Carrabino]

I did the NRF WG last Wednesday and haven't heard back. I'm guessing I got rejected? (( I really liked the firm so it hurts.

@commercialhoe-yer It is honestly never a rejection until you get the rejection e-mail. I once received a VI invite for a firm four months after applying when others who applied much later than me received VI invites within a matter of days (and before me). I had crossed the firm off my list completely as I assumed it was game over - I have had other similar examples of this happening too!

Also, even if it does end up coming back as a rejection, I know that you will end up finding a firm that is right for you It is great to set your sights on certain firms as it makes for better-crafted applications, but once you send out your application you should try not to get too invested as it is truly impossible to know what the person reading your application was looking for at the time!

The great thing about the legal market is there are loads of excellent firms out there. There is also a lot of flexibility to move around post-qualification so you really cannot go wrong wherever you train!

 

[jellybelly123]

How long have Bird and Bird given summer VS applicants to complete the VI?

A week

 

[CorporateLaw101]

Can someone please confirm when the Reed Smith VI interview deadline is? I thought it was tonight but I've just logged onto the portal and it says December 23 which is obviously tomorrow. Do you know if it's 00:00 tonight (so technically the beginning of Dec 23rd) or tomorrow night 11:59pm?

The deadline is the 23rd at 11:59pm

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Any had AC invites from weil yet?

Have you applied for Spring as I am working on my application for Summer but feel am late if I apply this weekend. Their deadline is 10th January but they are rolling. Any thoughts anyone on this.

 

[BM99]

How long does it take to hear from Mayer Brown after doing the online tests?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Just did the RS VI and let's just say that I'm not holding out much hope! My mum ended up walking into my room asking me what type of crackers we should have for the dinner table, and me having to politely tell her to PFO while it was recording...will be expecting my PFO shortly🤣🤣

Nothing like this will impact your performance in the assessment. I have lost count how many times things like this happen.

If anything you get a bit of kudos if you maintain your composure and continue without it impacting your delivery once the moment has passed.

 

[OB]

How long does it take to hear from Mayer Brown after doing the online tests?

Took 10 days from doing the test to getting the Job Simulation invite

 

[Flora2580]

Does anyone have any tips on the Addleshaw Goddard voice interview?

 

[TCApp2021]

Has anyone applied to direct TC with AG. It’s one of my preferred firms but the deadline is in two weeks and I’ve got other deadlines coming up. For the other two firms they mostly/exclusively taken on applicants from the vac schemers. Unlike other firms AG haven’t advertised their direct TC application date yet so not sure if they look mostly at vac schemers?

 

[WillkieGemma]

I applied to Willkie a day before the deadline and received an email on the 20th (Monday) saying I will get a response from the 4th of January, did anyone else get this? and is it a good sign or a bad one

Hi @nae_omi thanks for your query. The email, which was sent to everyone who applied from 13 December onwards, was simply to manage expectations as it isn't possible to review all applications before Christmas (I'm on annual leave between Christmas and NY). Thanks, Gemma

 

[thirdtimelucky]

Does NRF send out AC invites on a rolling basis or only after all TIs are completed

The grad rec person seemed to indicate that they would likely wait until all TIs are done before sending out ACs

 

[GS0W]

Does anyone know if DAC Beachcoft is rolling basis?

 

[nonlawhelpme]

Has anyone heard back from AG?

I heard back today so hopefully replies come back soon!

 

[Anoned]

Hi @nae_omi thanks for your query. The email, which was sent to everyone who applied from 13 December onwards, was simply to manage expectations as it isn't possible to review all applications before Christmas (I'm on annual leave between Christmas and NY). Thanks, Gemma

Hi Gemma,

Would you say that, given the firm recruits on a rolling basis, those who applied after 13 December will be at a disadvantage to progress?

 

[djqb]

Hi Gemma,

Would you say that, given the firm recruits on a rolling basis, those who applied after 13 December will be at a disadvantage to progress?

̷I̷ ̷t̷h̷i̷n̷k̷ ̷y̷o̷u̷'̷v̷e̷ ̷a̷n̷s̷w̷e̷r̷e̷d̷ ̷y̷o̷u̷r̷ ̷o̷w̷n̷ ̷q̷u̷e̷s̷t̷i̷o̷n̷.̷̷. I̷'̷d̷ ̷s̷a̷y̷ ̷r̷e̷a̷l̷i̷s̷t̷i̷c̷a̷l̷l̷y̷ ̷s̷p̷e̷a̷k̷i̷n̷g̷,̷ ̷y̷o̷u̷'̷d̷ ̷b̷e̷ ̷m̷o̷s̷t̷ ̷a̷d̷v̷a̷n̷t̷a̷g̷e̷d̷ ̷a̷p̷p̷l̷y̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷o̷n̷ ̷d̷a̷y̷ ̷1̷ ̷w̷h̷e̷n̷ ̷a̷p̷p̷l̷i̷c̷a̷t̷i̷o̷n̷s̷ ̷o̷p̷e̷n̷.̷ ̷W̷i̷t̷h̷ ̷r̷o̷l̷l̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷a̷p̷p̷l̷i̷c̷a̷t̷i̷o̷n̷s̷,̷ ̷t̷h̷i̷s̷ ̷a̷d̷v̷a̷n̷t̷a̷g̷e̷ ̷r̷e̷d̷u̷c̷e̷s̷ ̷w̷i̷t̷h̷ ̷t̷i̷m̷e̷,̷ ̷u̷n̷d̷e̷r̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷a̷s̷s̷u̷m̷p̷t̷i̷o̷n̷ ̷t̷h̷a̷t̷ ̷a̷p̷p̷l̷i̷c̷a̷t̷i̷o̷n̷s̷ ̷b̷e̷i̷n̷g̷ ̷s̷u̷b̷m̷i̷t̷t̷e̷d̷ ̷a̷r̷e̷ ̷o̷f̷ ̷a̷ ̷c̷e̷r̷t̷a̷i̷n̷ ̷s̷t̷a̷n̷d̷a̷r̷d̷.̷

I've struck off my reply based on information from Gemma's response below. My apologies.

 

[WillkieGemma]

Hi Gemma,

Would you say that, given the firm recruits on a rolling basis, those who applied after 13 December will be at a disadvantage to progress?

Hi @Anoned Not at all. It would make a mockery of the entire application process if you applied advantage/disadvantage to candidates on the basis of the date they applied. As long as an application is made within the application window, it's considered fully no matter the date it comes in. I think that the reason often candidates see more unsuccessful applications nearer the end of an application window is that, sometimes, applications can (not always!) be made in a bit of a rush and that comes through when I'm reading them.

Also, just as an aside, we review on a rolling basis, rather than recruit (I've amended our wording on our website to reflect this but not the brochure).

 

[Anoned]

I think you've answered your own question.

I'd say realistically speaking, you'd be most advantaged applying on day 1 when applications open. With rolling applications, this advantage reduces with time, under the assumption that applications being submitted are of a certain standard.

Looks like that's not the case for Willkie given Gemma's response. Thank you for your input though.