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  1. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @desperateTCseeker1998 and @chrisbrown @Jessica Booker has already given a great answer, but I just wanted to add a bit more context to my previous comments. Ropes & Gray hasn’t required applicants to submit a work experience section for several years now. This seems to be a deliberate...
  2. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @future_traineesolicitor I'm sure @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu would have more to say here, but when researching a firm’s competitors I normally took the approach below and pulled from several different sources. Industry rankings: My starting point is usually Chambers UK and Legal 500...
  3. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @elizabethkate I wouldn’t assume a PFO just yet. While they mentioned aiming to get back to all candidates by today, it’s not uncommon for firms to take a little longer due to various reasons. There have been plenty of times when firms set a specific date but only manage to respond a few...
  4. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Heya @CHLTC I'm sure @Jessica Booker and @Jaysen would have much more insight here, but completely understand how frustrated and disheartened you must feel. I’ve had several paralegal friends express very similar thoughts to me. You clearly have some experience under your belt and good grades...
  5. Ram Sabaratnam

    Slaughter and May grades Q

    Hiya @luket Amazing job getting to the Slaughter and May interview! You'll be great! I think it’s absolutely fine to mention the context behind your second-year grades, especially since you still performed well relative to your peers. Overall, I'd recommend just trying to present your answer...
  6. Ram Sabaratnam

    Letter for TC Assessment Centre

    Hiya @JI I think @Jessica Booker would probably have more to say here, but I've never thought it necessary to include the firm’s address or manually insert a letterhead unless the instructions specifically ask for it. The focus is normally on the content, structure, and professionalism of the...
  7. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Thank you, friend! I didn’t directly compare Orrick with other firms in my answers. Unless the question specifically asks you to (like, “Who are our competitors, and how do we differ from them?”), I’d generally advise against drawing explicit comparisons in applications. Instead, I used those...
  8. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @KBanana While tempting to do so, I think the focus of the answer should be on how the characteristics you've identified enable a Ropes & Gray lawyer to drive the firm’s business (rather than turning the question into a discussion about your own skills and experiences). This question is an...
  9. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @OliverTwist Completely agree with @Jessica Booker here, and this is basically the approach I adopted when applying to Orrick. I tried to use the cover letter to discuss/address “why me” and use examples/points that didn't fit neatly into my "why Orrick"/ "why commercial law" answers. As...
  10. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @AnAnonymousDuck It can be tricky to answer these at interview, but I typically tried to take the following approach: Acknowledge how you are defining competition: I always tried to pre-empt what I was saying by acknowledging that competition can be defined or measured in different ways...
  11. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    It’s worth keeping in mind that the personal statement is a little different from a cover letter, so you don’t need to worry about formatting it in the same way. Make sure you stick to the 850-word count, but you can dive straight into answering the three main questions: why commercial law, why...
  12. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @paralegaltotrainee They might accept it, but if I remember correctly there's no need to submit a CV. From previous experience, I've also been told that it's very unlikely to be read. You should be able to include all your relevant work experiences on the Vantage form itself. There should...
  13. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @tosin4774 @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman would definitely have much more to say here, but I wanted to jump in so that you could get a start on developing your answer to this question. One thing I've noticed in various applicants' answers to these questions is that they can normally afford...
  14. Ram Sabaratnam

    Applying to the BCLP Real Estate TC

    Hiya @markermakeit My apologies for the delayed response! Hoping that we can still offer some insights that might be relevant to this or any other applications you're currently preparing. It's fantastic to see the thought and effort you’re putting into your BCLP Real Estate training contract...
  15. Ram Sabaratnam

    Would love to retrain to be a solicitor

    Hiya @KScott This sounds fantastic and glad to see other potential career changers on this forum. Interestingly enough, one of my mentors was also a mature applicant who transitioned from nursing to law, and she’s now not only a solicitor but also a tribunal judge. She's always reminded me...
  16. Ram Sabaratnam

    Looking for mentor - paralegal application

    Hiya @An Vu My apologies for the delayed response! I'm sorry we didn't answer this sooner for you. However, I wanted to take the time to share some suggestions that might be helpful :) First, it sounds like you’ve already taken some great steps by working with your university's career service...
  17. Ram Sabaratnam

    Situational Judgement Tests

    Hiya @ilovegardening1111 Situational judgement tests (SJTs) can definitely feel a bit tricky at first. I remember finding them quite challenging when I was applying. It took me a little while to figure out how to approach them effectively, but there were a couple of things that really helped...
  18. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Not the dinner party question 😅 To be fair, I actually enjoy questions like this! I’ve had to answer a few similar ones in other applications and interviews. Just to add to the great points made by @Bread, I also think the goal here is for the firm to gain insight into your personality, values...
  19. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya again @GSJ You’re welcome! These tasks weren’t part of the assessment centre when I attended the AC or vac scheme, so I can’t speak from direct experience. That said, if the senior lawyer task is a written one, the principles for succeeding in any written task apply: clarity, structure...
  20. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hiya @suhana I think @Jessica Booker might have thoughts here, but I’d definitely encourage you to reach out. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate that week! I've generally found that many firms are quite understanding in situations like this, so it’s worth asking. You could explain...

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