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

[M777]

such a stupid question - HSF ask what year you did your university modules i.e. 2017,2018,2019 etc do I put when I started it or when I finished because technically it's different?

I put the year I started - I went to uni in 2018-2021, so all my first year modules are listed with the start date of 2018 (even if I did the exams in 2019)

Really not a stupid question- I think everyone gets stuck on this, I certainly did!

 

[John Travoni]

They were 100% rolling last year- I remember applying in august and hearing back in mid september last time!

I’m very confused that GR have said that they’re not recruiting on a rolling basis for their winter VC bc even on the application page before you make one, it still says that it’s rolling basis.

 

[LS12]

I put the year I started - I went to uni in 2018-2021, so all my first year modules are listed with the start date of 2018 (even if I did the exams in 2019)

Really not a stupid question- I think everyone gets stuck on this, I certainly did!

Thank you!!

 

[M777]

I’m very confused that GR have said that they’re not recruiting on a rolling basis for their winter VC bc even on the application page before you make one, it still says that it’s rolling basis.

It's also odd that they'd specifically recruit non-rolling for winter vacs but not for their others?

 

[OB]

I’m very confused that GR have said that they’re not recruiting on a rolling basis for their winter VC bc even on the application page before you make one, it still says that it’s rolling basis.

It's also odd that they'd specifically recruit non-rolling for winter vacs but not for their others?

I think it’s probably safest to take that info with a pinch of salt but I was certainly surprised when she said it! I even looked at the page where you apply and it clearly says rolling basis! Unless it’s changed this year and they never changed the writing as it’s nowhere on the actual grad website I think

 

[M777]

I think it’s probably safest to take that info with a pinch of salt but I was certainly surprised when she said it! I even looked at the page where you apply and it clearly says rolling basis! Unless it’s changed this year and they never changed the writing as it’s nowhere on the actual grad website I think

Yeah I'm not surprised that you were surprised! Could be that she just said it in error?

If any of us hear back over the next week or two regarding the winter VS, we can assume it's rolling, but if nobody hears by end of sept then it's probably non rolling

 

[ScrappyDoo]

It's also odd that they'd specifically recruit non-rolling for winter vacs but not for their others?

It’s non-rolling for all schemes this year I heard!

Source: A&O associate.

 

[hrb_pg]

If in an interview, you are asked how would you respond to a fellow trainee being rude to support staff, how would one approach that?

My initial reaction is to chat to the trainee, and politely explain that their actions are impacting others, and perhaps if they reconsider what they say. Though I'm not sure if it's more multi-dimensional than that?

Any perspective would be appreciated.

 

[John Travoni]

It’s non-rolling for all schemes this year I heard!

Source: A&O associate.

I’m going to send GR an email tmoro just to confirm. If that’s the case, gives me an extra week or two to continue making the final details to my answer instead of rushing it.

 

[ScrappyDoo]

I’m going to send GR an email tmoro just to confirm. If that’s the case, gives me an extra week or two to continue making the final details to my answer instead of rushing it.

Yeah keep us informed on their response

I found it bit weird how it’s now non-rolling!!

 

[Cassandra Stead]

Hi all,

I'm applying to Travers Smith's winter vacation scheme. One question on the application is "Please give details of your main extra-curricular activities and leisure interests" I was thinking of writing about how I enjoy running, reading and traveling. Do we just write specifically about this or should we tie it back to the application somehow by reflecting on what we've learnt from this, how it is applicable to law...?

Any feedback is great, thanks!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all,

I'm applying to Travers Smith's winter vacation scheme. One question on the application is "Please give details of your main extra-curricular activities and leisure interests" I was thinking of writing about how I enjoy running, reading and traveling. Do we just write specifically about this or should we tie it back to the application somehow by reflecting on what we've learnt from this, how it is applicable to law...?

Any feedback is great, thanks!

Just the responsibilities and outcomes for a question like this. No need to link it back to law.

 

[Cassandra Stead]

Just the responsibilities and outcomes for a question like this. No need to link it back to law.

Thank you Jessica

 

[John Travoni]

Yeah keep us informed on their response

I found it bit weird how it’s now non-rolling!!

I sent GR an email but I’m confused bc their automatic reply clearly states that their Vac schemes it’s rolling

 

[GNewick304]

Hi everyone! For A&O's first application question, "Please describe the key learnings/skills you’ve gained through work experience, positions of responsibility, personal experience or extracurricular activities", would you include what you learnt from legal engagement like shadowing, insight days etc or should the focus be on extracurricular stuff at school and uni + other experiences?

 

[ScrappyDoo]

I sent GR an email but I’m confused bc their automatic reply clearly states that their Vac schemes it’s rolling

Yeah very confused. Did you manage to get a response? As I haven’t submitted my app yet.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone! For A&O's first application question, "Please describe the key learnings/skills you’ve gained through work experience, positions of responsibility, personal experience or extracurricular activities", would you include what you learnt from legal engagement like shadowing, insight days etc or should the focus be on extracurricular stuff at school and uni + other experiences?

Can be a mix of all of those things.

 

[GNewick304]

Can be a mix of all of those things.

I presume all the legal engagement stuff I would mention needs to be linked back to the development of a specific skill rather than a 'learning' being discovering e.g. more about X practice area or anything particularly legal? I read this question as being equivalent to the 'why you' section of a cover letter, more about the skills you've developed than why you're interested in a career in law.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I presume all the legal engagement stuff I would mention needs to be linked back to the development of a specific skill rather than a 'learning' being discovering e.g. more about X practice area or anything particularly legal? I read this question as being equivalent to the 'why you' section of a cover letter, more about the skills you've developed than why you're interested in a career in law.

No - not necessarily. It could just focus on the learnings if you felt it hadn’t really developed any skills (often the case with a lot of informal work experience or things like open days).

The most important part of this question is “key” - it’s basically asking you to focus on the most relevant things you have done/achieved/learnt.

 

[B A]

Hi everyone - any idea how to approach this question:

Introduce us to a topic you know about and explain why it interests you.
(We are looking for structure and succinctness in your answer. Your answer does not need to be related to law or HSF and it is a chance for us to find out more about you and your interests) (Up to 300 words)

I'm guessing we should choose something we are genuinely interested in, but I'm not sure whether we should try and add a link to commercial law/the firm (or even choose a commercial topic).

Thanks in advance!