TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Can you apply for both winter and summer scheme at the same firm?

It will be highly unlikely for most firms. They will typically say you can only apply once for the same opportunity in either a calendar year or a recruitment cycle (and a vacation scheme is the same opportunity, just across different date).

 

[Logan1101]

It will be highly unlikely for most firms. They will typically say you can only apply once for the same opportunity in either a calendar year or a recruitment cycle (and a vacation scheme is the same opportunity, just across different date).

That makes sense if they are considered part of the same recruitment cycle. I am guessing that most firms recruit on a rolling basis for these schemes?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

That makes sense if they are considered part of the same recruitment cycle. I am guessing that most firms recruit on a rolling basis for these schemes?

It does vary unfortunately - some will be on a rolling basis while others, will wait for the deadline and then review applications.

 

[saz a]

Quick Question- for the vac scheme where they say 'why would you be suited to the role' - Can I refer to my skills as being a good 'trainee' at X firm because of X skills (even though it is for the vac scheme and not TC application?

 

[aspiringforever]

Has anyone heard back about Baker Mckenzie's Open Day?

 

[e1513]

I have heard anecdotally that A&O likes people with significant experience to apply direct but nothing from grad rec substantiating that.

Hey! I completed a summer vac scheme with A&O recently, as well as other programs with the firm. As I had little previous experience, I was recommended by grad rec to pursue the vac scheme route. Others who had significant experience were encouraged to apply direct, as they already had a good foundational understanding of what a career at a top commercial law firm is like.

 

[johnnn821]

Does anyone know if Linklaters' app has a work experience section? I completed the application questionnaire but it didn't ask for my work experience.

 

[Rob93]

Does anyone know if Linklaters' app has a work experience section? I completed the application questionnaire but it didn't ask for my work experience.

I think that they ask for work experience only after you've cleared the SJT/Reasoning hurdle.

 

[LEL]

Quick Question- for the vac scheme where they say 'why would you be suited to the role' - Can I refer to my skills as being a good 'trainee' at X firm because of X skills (even though it is for the vac scheme and not TC application?

I think that's fine to say. Ultimately you're applying for the vac scheme with the aim of becoming a trainee (if that is your case), and during the scheme you will be assessed for the training contract too, so yes it makes sense.

 

[average_jo123]

Debevoise & Plimpton:

"The scheme is open to law undergraduates in their penultimate year of study or non-law graduates in their final year. Graduates and post-graduates are also welcome to apply".​

Am I right in interpreting the above to mean that final year law undergraduates are not eligible to apply?

I've been seeing quite a few US firms exclude final year law students in particular from applying. Is there any reason which might motivate this decision?

 

[average_jo123]

For firms that recruit on a rolling basis for vac schemes and is organising an open day in November, is it worth submit a vac scheme application early just to be ahead of other candidates, or would it be better to try applying for the open day first, and only submit a vac scheme app after attending an open day?

 

[Inquisitive]

How many days would you reccomend focusing on a single application?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Debevoise & Plimpton:

"The scheme is open to law undergraduates in their penultimate year of study or non-law graduates in their final year. Graduates and post-graduates are also welcome to apply".​

Am I right in interpreting the above to mean that final year law undergraduates are not eligible to apply?

I've been seeing quite a few US firms exclude final year law students in particular from applying. Is there any reason which might motivate this decision?

Any logic I would have as to why they would exclude law finalists would also apply to graduates, so I don't understand the logic.

My only thinking could be that some of the universities have been on the lawyers' cases (*cough* Oxbridge tutors) saying that targeting final-year law students is not good as they can't focus on the final year of their degree.

Let me post it on my LinkedIn and see if I get any bites/explanations from Graduate Recruiters in my network...

 

[WAL007]

Hi guys, I have submitted my application for A&O and have not received a link for the test (been more than a hour when application was submitted) - is this normal for other applicants too as I cant even find the link on the application portal

 

[starman]

Hey everyone! First of all - good luck to all of you in the upcoming application cycle! Could anyone provide me with any advice on how to approach the A&O's SJT? Thanks in advance!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey everyone! First of all - good luck to all of you in the upcoming application cycle! Could anyone provide me with any advice on how to approach the A&O's SJT? Thanks in advance!

Here is some advice on SJTs, more generally, that I have previously provided:

Failing Situational judgment test (SJT)

I recently failed an SJT, and it is not the first time I failed an SJT. I know people always say you can't practise an SJT, but I am really frustrated by it, especially after spending so much time on the app form questions. I understand that the scenarios are more or less the same across...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[samni]

Confirming what Jessica said - I asked sullcrom grad rec about this last year and they do not take graduates outside of study for the vac scheme. I was told, however, that they hold some spots for direct applicants.

Ooh good to know, thank you!

 

[Rob93]

How many days would you reccomend focusing on a single application?

Depends how much time you have and how effectively you actually focus on just one application (+ complexity of the application questions).

I've spent weeks agonising over applications (I had the time) or done them over two evenings (the only time I had) - have progressed with both approaches.

Rule of thumb I've heard is that a single application should take maybe up to 8h. Mileage may vary but I'd say anecdotally this seems reasonable, you start to have serious diminishing returns past that point.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Depends how much time you have and how effectively you actually focus on just one application (+ complexity of the application questions).

I've spent weeks agonising over applications (I had the time) or done them over two evenings (the only time I had) - have progressed with both approaches.

Rule of thumb I've heard is that a single application should take maybe up to 8h. Mileage may vary but I'd say anecdotally this seems reasonable, you start to have serious diminishing returns past that point.

I think it also depends where you are in the recruitment cycle (or cycles). I think you definitely learn as you go through the process, and therefore if you are coming into this as your first cycle and your first few applications, it may take longer than if you are at the end of the cycle or already made a good number of previous applications.

 

[saz a]

Hey guys- any ideas how to tackle this questions: We strive for excellence for our clients and people. What does success look like for you and where have you seen or experienced this. (250 words max) *- it is slightly different from what they asked last year. Are they asking to define success alone or regarding client services? Also, are they looking for an example of when you have displayed this- there are so many angles you can take this question so I am a little confused. Thanks!