TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Asil Ahmad]

Sorry to hear that, it never really gets better. If I may, I just wanted to ask when you applied and if you applied to a regional or the London office! thank you

No worries we move on and applied on deadline and applied for London

 

[19.mfjones]

Hey guys - anyone waiting to hear back from Linklaters Spring VS?

Also, 2 questions;

1. How far back do you go back for your Work Experience section? I am working as a paralegal now (having finished UG in 2020 and Post Grad in 2022) and have experience dating back to my first job, which was 2017 and experience from roles I did at Undergrad. Is this too long ago? I like what I put down for these sections but I don't know if it was too long ago to be relevant.

2. Also, anyone have any experience with a major confidence knock? I had 2 rejections recently for applications I felt proud with, both prior to VI, and I feel like the rug has been pulled out from me somewhat. Any advice? Cheers all

I completely get the confidence knock thing - I feel like I put so much effort in and they brush it off so easily with a PFO.

I'm waiting to hear from Linklaters Spring VC, but have seen some people have had both PFOs and offers. I'm presuming another PFO for me lol

 

[itsfearless15]

Hi @Jessica Booker , I'm currently finishing up my Hogan Lovells app and have a question about the Secondary Education section. I'm an international student, completed the IB Diploma (which I put down in the Sixth Form section), however I didn't do GCSEs or equivalent programme when I was 14-16 years old. I went to school (14-16 were my first two years of high school, 9th and 10th grade) and have grades available for those years, but it was just my high school's curriculum with subjects like Physical Education, Art, Biology etc. that I did as opposed to a more standardised programme or something. Do I put those marks down that I got for my finals in grades 9 and 10, or do I click on 'I did not undertake studies between ages 14-16 years'?

 

[VacayScheme]

Jones Day Pfo two days after submission🥲
They are working extremely fast for sure

I got a Jones Day PFO about a day after applying too!

Also just got a Reed Smith PFO a few days after applying - the devil works hard but some Grad Rec teams work harder 😅!!

 

[clbtchnhl]

Hey guys - anyone waiting to hear back from Linklaters Spring VS?

Also, 2 questions;

1. How far back do you go back for your Work Experience section? I am working as a paralegal now (having finished UG in 2020 and Post Grad in 2022) and have experience dating back to my first job, which was 2017 and experience from roles I did at Undergrad. Is this too long ago? I like what I put down for these sections but I don't know if it was too long ago to be relevant.

2. Also, anyone have any experience with a major confidence knock? I had 2 rejections recently for applications I felt proud with, both prior to VI, and I feel like the rug has been pulled out from me somewhat. Any advice? Cheers all

im waiting to hear back and tbh I think its going to be a pfo due to the feedback on the capp test.
I got rejected post SJT from HSF and its wrecked my confidence bc I put a lot of effort into the questions and they didn't even review it bc I didn't meet the benchmark for the SJT.

 

[19.mfjones]

I got a Jones Day PFO about a day after applying too!

Also just got a Reed Smith PFO a few days after applying - the devil works hard but some Grad Rec teams work harder 😅!!

Not me reading this whilst filling in my Reed Smith application... really hope I haven't left it too late!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for this and things related to COVID-19 will not require proof but things related to a family member's illness and that family member having surgeries will require proof.

If it’s a family member it’s unlikely they will ask for proof of the circumstance (as it’s not your information) but may ask for your academic institution to provide some form of reference that they knew about the circumstances instead.

 

[legally.brown]

im waiting to hear back and tbh I think its going to be a pfo due to the feedback on the capp test.
I got rejected post SJT from HSF and its wrecked my confidence bc I put a lot of effort into the questions and they didn't even review it bc I didn't meet the benchmark for the SJT.

I know a lot of people are getting PFOs.. I just wanted to say that we got this guys
It’s easier said than done, yes. But we just gotta keep pushing ourselves. I really wish firms have a holistic approach. Unfortunately, they don’t The only thing we can do rn is to keep going and not let the rejections define us.

Maybe each rejection is a redirection and we are meant to be at a better firm that’s better suited for us? I’ve found it quite hard to keep going lately so I just wanted to say no one is alone! Everyone gets rejected and it’s only a matter of time before we get our offers!

Here’s wishing everyone a merry christmas and a happy new year 😊

 

[Asil Ahmad]

If it’s a family member it’s unlikely they will ask for proof of the circumstance (as it’s not your information) but may ask for your academic institution to provide some form of reference that they knew about the circumstances instead.

Thank you for this and did not know about this so thank you for the clarification on this.

 

[Ash2323]

This year I’m doing about 7 but I think it really depends on you as a person and how you work + circumstances ) last year I did loads and got PFOs v early on for each firm, whereas this year I’ve gotten further for everything having spent more time on each one. I work full time so hard to balance but I found that’s the way that works best for me on top of that !

I am also aiming for the same amount and sometimes it feels like its not enough but ive been putting time into apps plus also juggling a full time job! Glad to hear from someone else in the same boat

 

[Ash2323]

General question: what does a firm do if many applicants reach the WG benchmark? Do they prioritise those doing the test earlier to later sucessful applicants?

 

[lawstudent0303]

have there been any pfos for linklaters spring vac scheme?

 

[lawtab]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if Latham’s test had a benchmark score to meet in order to progress to application review stage? Or are scores considered alongside applications?

I was thinking a benchmark may be the reason for the wave of PFOs last week, as I completed the test on evening of 12th Dec and received a PFO two days later - surely they can’t have reviewed applications that fast?

Keeping fingers crossed for those who haven’t heard back from Latham, i’d take it as a good sign!🤞

 

[Izzy1026]

have there been any pfos for linklaters spring vac scheme?

No but expecting one 🤣

 

[Aaj03]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if Latham’s test had a benchmark score to meet in order to progress to application review stage? Or are scores considered alongside applications?

I was thinking a benchmark may be the reason for the wave of PFOs last week, as I completed the test on evening of 12th Dec and received a PFO two days later - surely they can’t have reviewed applications that fast?

Keeping fingers crossed for those who haven’t heard back from Latham, i’d take it as a good sign!🤞

Yes, there is a benchmark that needs to be met.

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Can anyone confirm whether this is correct for TLT’s TC/VS ACs?

 

[laby201]

Yes, there is a benchmark that needs to be met.

How do they determine benchmarks with SJTs?

Where you have to rank 5 scenarios in terms of what you're most likely to do to least likely, do they have a "correct" list which they compare it to and whoever gets the closest to that hits the benchmark?

 

[ADKM]

I am also aiming for the same amount and sometimes it feels like its not enough but ive been putting time into apps plus also juggling a full time job! Glad to hear from someone else in the same boat

I’m in the same boat. Juggling applications with a full time job and spending a considerable amount of time on each application yet still keep getting rejected at the first stage (barring cms where I flopped the wg). Have absolutely no idea how these firms evaluate apps

 

[pb15]

has anyone heard back post-VI from CMS?

 

[Bubbles]

Hey, what was the test like. I am trying to prep but have no idea on what to expect. Also, CONGRATS ON THE INVITE!!!

Hey thanks, it was sjt+Watson Glaser+ some attention to detail
Good luck!