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

[sxw517]

Has anyone heard anyting from Stephenson harwood

 

[ISABE11A]

Congrats!! Is it for a direct TC or it's a VS application?

Thank you!! VS for their Manchester office

 

[TCApp2021]

Anybody heard from OC Summer VS (London) post-AC today?

 

[Nicole15]

I cannot believe that I'm writing this, but I got an offer for the VS at MB!!!!!!!!!! It's my first vac scheme ever and it's for my dream firm!

Since finishing the LPC, I've been in this awkward purgatory... but 3 cycles later, I've got it! Shocked is an understatement right now 🥺😅

SO happy for you!!! well deserved

 

[Tony Stark]

How important do you think it is to complete a forage virtual experience of the firm you have an upcoming AC for? I understand it shows a further investment in getting to know the firm but its so soon (alongside exams) that I'm stuck for time and would prefer to carry on with the other avenues of research. I'm not actually sure it's even checked and if I'd be asked about it but would love to know anyones thoughts.

I found forage particularly useful for my technical knowledge. Not so much firm knowledge apart from seeing how that firm would approach clients and their work. For instance, in terms of technique, I completed a forage internship with CC during which I was able to see some email templates the firm provided. During my AC, this came in handy with structuring my own written exercise.

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Probably should have manifested harder, PFO from Taylor Wessing today. Arctic Shores is the bane of my existence and would love to see Lawyers from these firms pass and complete the tests just to compare results x ☠️😂

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Cooley reply

“We are aiming to contact applicants who have been shortlisted to the second stage of our selection process (a 30-minute critical thinking assessment) by Tuesday 22 February 2022 via email.”

Fingers crossed 🤞🏽

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it surprising when there appears to be multiple candidates holding multiple MC VS (or even TC) offers and they their dates clash? I'd be interested to hear your perspective from Grad Rec. Presumably its because you don't want to lose a 'good'/'excellent' candidate? I did think it was rather scrappy that offers were being accelerated or heavily influenced by other MC offers, and at times, I found it a bit ridiculous that TC offers were being given from VS ACs as a result of competing VS offers.

Your final sentence is exactly why I find it surprising.

 

[YUKI1201]

A bit random but just thought I'd share this with y'all prepping for ACs I personally found reading a firm's annual report pretty useful as it gives you a quick & good overview of the firm's performance, areas of focus and future development plans. Some firms even list out highlights (important deals) over the past year; sometimes there is info which cannot be found elsewhere on the firm's website. Not saying reading annual reports is sufficient or necessary but it helped me a lot.

 

[B A]

Anyone who did a video interview and written exercise for a Dechert vs, how long did they take to get back to you?

 

[B A]

Anyone else still waiting for a post-app response from Gibson Dunn (VS) or Freshfields (TC)?

 

[B A]

Anyone have any tips for Mayer Browns Job Simulation?

 

[I.Like.UFOs.Not.PFOs]

A bit random but just thought I'd share this with y'all prepping for ACs I personally found reading a firm's annual report pretty useful as its gives you a quick & good overview of the firm's performance, areas of focus and future development plans. Some firms even list out highlights (important deals) over the past year; sometimes there is info which cannot be found elsewhere on the firm's website. Not saying reading annual reports is sufficient or necessary but it helped me a lot.

Yess I really agree with this! It might not be for everyone, but I found the info on future developments in annual reviews particularly helpful (e.g., how many lateral hires were made, which offices were under-performing worldwide etc. etc.). This really helped when it came to answering questions like where should they open a new office or what makes the firm different (e.g., in one interview, I had a really great conversation with a partner about the firm’s less aggressive growth strategy in comparison to its competitors)

 

[TCG]

Anybody heard from OC Summer VS (London) post-AC today?

Yes! Received the next stage invite today. Summer VS for London office.

 

[Hope4aVS]

Has anyone heard from Penningtons Manches Cooper post-AC? I had my AC last Monday and still not heard.

 

[SOAS22]

Has anyone heard from Penningtons Manches Cooper post-AC? I had my AC last Monday and still not heard.

Neither have I. However, they said they would be a few weeks. If I haven’t heard by the end of next week I am going to contact them

 

[KceeCan]

Clyde offer!!

Congratulations! Are you doing the Spring or Summer VS and for which office. Also got the offer so maybe I'll see you around.

 

[James Carrabino]

Hey guys,

I have my first AC/interview on Tuesday and the firm hasn’t provided any info besides there being a ‘general interview’ and ‘skills assessment’.

The firm is smaller, Wedlake Bell, and I can’t find any info at all on previous interviews etc. I’m kinda freaking out because it’ll be my first in person event ever and I have no idea what to expect! So many questions keep racing through my mind: how long should I answer each question for? What’s the skills assessment going to be like?

Does anyone have any tips on what to be aware of and what to do/not to do? - id really appreciate it!

@Jessica Booker @James Carrabino

Hi @CorporateLaw101, congratulations on getting your first AC!! I remember that moment (including the exact day and time 🤣) for me - it is a big step in this process and one that you should be proud of

My first tip is not to stress yourself out too much! Make sure you read up well on the firm, including its lawyers, clients and the work it does and prepare some answers about yourself as well as competency answers.

I have written a post here on how to prepare for an AC to a point that should make you feel ready! May I ask what exactly you mean by skills assessment? Is it like an online test?

There is not a lot that I would say not to do, except anything that could be construed as rude or strange in the context... which I am sure you won't

 

[James Carrabino]

Hi! I have a few questions regarding FT article analysis as part of AC. Do you guys have any tips and tricks on how to approach it?

1. If I am given a few minutes to read the article, should I prepared to provide a brief summary at the beginning of the assessment?
2. What should I focus on when reading the article - the main points the author is advancing in the article and explain why it matters? Wider commercial issues? The impact of certain developments on the firm?
3. How should I structure my answer?

Thanks so much! @James Carrabino @AvniD @George Maxwell

Hi @M991, this is an excellent question and you seem to have given yourself a pretty spot on answer as part of your second question 😊

To structure an article interview, I would start by providing an overview of the key issues in my opinion, before explaining the broader significance and the trends that these issues may indicate. Finally, I would say how it might impact a commercial lawyer and the firm in particular!

 

[AvniD]

Addleshaw AC!! My only chance left of this cycle at a vacation scheme so if you have any tips I would truly appreciate it! It’s for the london office

OC - Final stage AC invite for the Bristol Office

NRF assessment centre for summer scheme following TI last week! any help would be appreciated

NRF AC! My first ever AC

Congratulations y'all! Linking some resources for AC prep below should you need it!

• Avni's break down of ACs
• Avni's advice on AC BTS work
• Jessica's advice on how ACs are assessed
• James' tips + advice for ACs
• George's tips + advice for ACs