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

[Asil Ahmad]

Anybody who hasn't heard from the below?

-Clyde WVS post VI (I am assuming PFO but just to make sure I'm not the only one left hanging)
-NRF Spring VS post app (no WG has been sent to me and I applied 13/11)
-Reed Smith pre-SJT (again applied 14/11) and heard nothing since I submitted the app

Submitted Reed Smith application last Monday and no SJT test invite.

 

[James Carrabino]

Ok that’s fair, thank you. But it’s ok to just give that background briefly? It’s not an application question that’s asking me to distinguish between the London and other offices?

I think it's worth adding briefly that you understand how London is a commercial centre and will expose you to a greater variety of international work etc. with a reason why those things may be of benefit to you. I don't think you need to worry too much though about how much detail you go into!

 

[sakaesr99]

Should I dress smartly for the Clyde and co video assessment or wear normal clothes?

 

[LEL]

Should I dress smartly for the Clyde and co video assessment or wear normal clothes?

Always smart for a video interview!

 

[LongSufferingLawGrad]

Should I dress smartly for the Clyde and co video assessment or wear normal clothes?

Personally, I go for a suit and tie...

Maybe go without the jacket if you want to be a bit more relaxed. Better to be overdressed than underdressed, I think.

 

[Law2022]

Anybody who hasn't heard from the below?

-Clyde WVS post VI (I am assuming PFO but just to make sure I'm not the only one left hanging)
-NRF Spring VS post app (no WG has been sent to me and I applied 13/11)
-Reed Smith pre-SJT (again applied 14/11) and heard nothing since I submitted the app

I’m still waiting on Clyde too! People have offers for the scheme so I’m just waiting for my PFO too

 

[James Carrabino]

Hi everyone, I am applying to CRS and one of the questions asks 'which achievement are you most proud of and why?'. My proudest achievement is leaving an abusive relationship and bringing up my son as a very young single parent. Is this appropriate or should I got for something employment related/academic instead?

This is my first cycle and not exactly sure what firms are looking for.

Thanks!

I think this is an excellent example if you can talk about it in an uplifting way! These kinds of life experiences demonstrate that you really have what it takes to withstand the difficulties of a career in commercial law over and above good academics or work experience and this is certainly not an inappropriate topic to broach. That said, you should take time crafting your answer so that it is clear how you have gone from strength to strength as a result of your achievement, as opposed to simply dwelling on how bad everything was before you made the decision. You should try to make sure you are showing pride and not just relief or regret for the time you spent in the relationship. I hope that helps!

 

[Rob93]

Shearman pfo just came through.

 

[Jooooopp7]

PFO from A&O direct TC - they offered me an AC for the summer scheme instead as they said I didn't have enough legal experience but I had LPC exams that clashed and so they said they would consider me for the direct Tc instead but have just gotten the rejection email - I'm really upset and annoyed because if it weren't for the LPC exams, I could have genuinely had a shot at A&O
I also wanted to ask how much legal experience firms expect for direct TC - I was a legal intern for 3 months over the summer at a global bank but perhaps they're looking for law firm work experience?

 

[ps123]

does anyone have any idea if you can read anything into open day application outcomes and your vacation schemes, ie. can you view an open day acceptance as a positive indication if you're already a few stages into an application process (and the opposite of course)?

 

[xtinew]

does anyone have any idea if you can read anything into open day application outcomes and your vacation schemes, ie. can you view an open day acceptance as a positive indication if you're already a few stages into an application process (and the opposite of course)?

From my experience solely: last year I successfully applied to many open days but the success rate did not necessarily reflect that of my vacation scheme applications. I think the better perspective to have is that the open day not only demonstrates your commitment to learning more about the firm, you can also gather more information from those networking opportunities to mention in your interviews (e.g. name drop trainees and mention interesting cases).

 

[Law2022]

PFO from Freshfields for WW

 

[OB]

Finally got my Simmons PFO post-VI for winter

 

[grogsimmons]

Sorry to raise this again, but has anyone heard from W&C post AC?

For context, AC was 13 days ago!

Nope! And mine was 17 days ago.

 

[M777]

does anyone have any idea if you can read anything into open day application outcomes and your vacation schemes, ie. can you view an open day acceptance as a positive indication if you're already a few stages into an application process (and the opposite of course)?

Having been rejected by every single firm I've attended an Open Day at (in one cycle or another), they definitely don't indicate much in the way of positivity for that firm.

That being said, Open Days are a positive sign that your application technique is good- why would a firm invest in you as an Open Day candidate if they didn't see potential? Open Days are more competitive than many assume, so it's definitely encouraging.

I'm sure this doesn't need to be said, but they also demonstrate a real, authentic interest in the firm as well as a fascination with commercial law more generally.

 

[PirateShip]

PFO from Freshfields for WW

Ditto. Seriously don’t know what I’m doing wrong by this point 😂

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for this response George! On another point, have a small/particular question - when inputing Module grades, it just says "year". If I took the subject in the academic year of 2020/2021 for example, should I write down the year I started the module (2020) or the year i finished it/sat the exam (2021)? Sorry if this is an obvious point!

Use the year the course/module/assessment ended.

 

[Law2022]

Ditto. Seriously don’t know what I’m doing wrong by this point 😂

Same here, really losing hope for a career in one of these big firms. I have no issues getting on open days, but when it comes to vac schemes/ TCs, I get rejected from them all!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys. For the Sidley question 'Which personal qualities make a successful lawyer?', would you recommend stating X qualities and explain why they make a successful lawyer or would you go a step further and explain why you have them or how you have developed them (that would make you a successful lawyer...).

Also, would you recommend stating (for example) 3 qualities and elaborating on them or try to list more to show that you understand all the key competencies expected for a successful lawyer? Sidley say they are looking for applicants with X qualities that I am aiming to use to inform the qualities I pick out for the question but they list 5 or 6.

Given the word count, I would just focus on the qualities and why they are important. If you are going to try and reference how you have done this, you have to do it exceptionally briefly (e.g. in a sentence).

I would go over quality answers rather than trying to put in too much content with detail skipped over.

 

[PirateShip]

Same here, really losing hope for a career in one of these big firms. I have no issues getting on open days, but when it comes to vac schemes/ TCs, I get rejected from them all!

Well I suppose the alternative is giving up, so not much we can do but keep improving and keep trying. 😎