TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Not received any interview offers yet, should I be concerned?

I haven’t either, so I hope not! When I applied last year, I received my first AC invite at the beginning of January, and then received one in late January and one in early March.
Many firms have multiple stages between initial application and final interview/AC, and it doesn't seem uncommon to have a few weeks/months between stages.

(Edit: For a reference point, both of the January invites were for applications that I sent in November )

 

[Adrian_S]

In a video interview when you have 1 minute to answer for why this firm should you only include 1 point or can you discuss 2 points.

i would discuss 2 - and practice doing so beforehand. really work on cutting out the fluff during your practice (as Chloe once told me) and i think you’ll be golden.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

i would discuss 2 - and practice doing so beforehand. really work on cutting out the fluff during your practice (as Chloe once told me) and i think you’ll be golden.

Thank you very much for this it is really helpful.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Hi I’m just really after some advice.

I really feel at a loss with what I’m doing wrong with my applications. I’ve sent out about 7 applications, starting with winter vacation schemes a few months ago and now some summer, but I have been rejected from everything. I cannot get past the application stage. I passed the benchmark for HSF, and I got invited to Gowling’s online test, so I passed the written portion - just to then just get rejected by both with no indication as to why. I have a first-class from a Russel group, and although I’m non-law I secured a role in a law firm so I also have law experience. I was on committees and sports teams at university and have had transferable work experience for like 7 years now. I attended webinars from the firms and the open days that I can.
I’d hope I’d come across quite well on paper, but it seems not.

I know it’s a super long process but I’m worried I’m going to exhaust all my efforts this year and not even get out of the application stages. Does anyone have tips on getting out of the application stage or similar stories to share? Just feeling defeated after another rejection

I felt very similar to this, just a couple of weeks ago. I received some feedback on my ‘why law’ answer, worked on this, and improved it. I have since made it through 2 application review stages, and have not yet received another rejection (having received ~10 post-app before this advice). If you have any friends who have offers/are trainees etc, ask them for advice if you can. If not, people on this website are amazing - asking for someone to review an answer and give brutal + honest feedback is very helpful. For me, it was ‘why law’, but for you, it could be another type of question, for example, a hobbies question, or a commercial awareness question. There are lots of future trainees/trainees on here, and they would not still be hanging around to help if they did not want to help!

 

[Jessica Booker]

In a video interview when you have 1 minute to answer for why this firm should you only include 1 point or can you discuss 2 points.

I’d probably try to cover more than one point if I could.

 

[B A]

How long does it take to receive the NRF arctic shores feedback report? I completed mine an hour ago and haven't received anything, whereas others have mentioned receiving it instantly.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I’d probably try to cover more than one point if I could.

Thank you very much for this.

 

[N_16]

Does anyone know if Davis Polk & Wardwell accept applications from non-law students? On their website it says 'We will be accepting applications for our summer 2023 vacation scheme from penultimate-year law undergraduates and law postgraduates' - I just thought it was slightly unusual as most firms also specify non-law so just wondered if anyone knew more about this? Thanks!

 

[B A]

Does anyone know if Davis Polk & Wardwell accept applications from non-law students? On their website it says 'We will be accepting applications for our summer 2023 vacation scheme from penultimate-year law undergraduates and law postgraduates' - I just thought it was slightly unusual as most firms also specify non-law so just wondered if anyone knew more about this? Thanks!

They don't accept applications from non-law students. This was confirmed to me by grad rec.

 

[jomar]

how long can Travers cover letter be? How long can the answers to the other questions be?

 

[Abgaal]

Has anyone received anything from CMS post video interview?

 

[June]

Hi everyone - sorry if this has already been asked before, but do A&O applicants need to complete the SJT by the deadline (i.e. tonight)?

yes

 

[aishaslm]

so sorry to hear this.
Was this post online test or post VI?

Post online test; heard ages ago but forgot to share

 

[Dwight]

Anyone heard from K&E post-app for spring/summer VS? When are we supposed to hear back?

 

[pb15]

how long does it take to hear back from dechert after the application stage?

 

[futuretrainee202X]

Has anyone heard back from W&C on their travel costs being reimbursed? I attended an open day on 14 Nov, and was wondering when is an appropriate time to send a gentle reminder on it?

 

[itjusttakesoneappoutof23230293 and counting]

how long can Travers cover letter be? How long can the answers to the other questions be?

One page ideally can be stretched to one page and one paragraph.

 

[yasmars]

Has anyone heard from HSF since passing the online test?

 

[law23]

Has anyone received anything from CMS post video interview?

I wouldn't worry if you haven't, last year I didn't receive any news until after Christmas

 

[NW Law]

I just received CMS AC invite - so I expect others should be hearing back soon!