TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Ash2323]

Does anyone know how long it takes to hear from Taylor Wessing post-app? Thank you so much!

Hey, just wondering if you got your reply and how long it took for TW to get back to you?

 

[hirene]

Hey, congrats of getting though the process! Can I ask if you have any advice for the VI? And is there a time limit to prepare for each question then around 2 minutes to answer? With the VI I've done so far, the only consistency is that I've had 2 minutes to answer - but some had 90secs, 2 minutes or even untimed prep time, so finding it hard to gauge for this one.

Hi, congratulations for getting VI invite!

Yes there is time limit for prep. If I remember correctly 1 minute prep for the first 2 questions and 3 minutes for the last. It's been a while so I am not 100% on this.. also I would recommend focusing on your skills for this VI!

 

[Ash2323]

Hi everyone,

I am new here on TCLA and this is my first application season. So far I have applied to only 3 firms and am feeling overwhelmed in applying as I only decided to go for vac schemes in September this year (2 months ago).

A little about myself, i'm from the UK but completed an LL.M in Germany after studying a non law degree at a Russel group uni. I have been working now for a year as a Legal Specialist at a tech company in Germany and decided I wanted to head back to the UK to qualify.

Is there any advice on the first application season? I feel a bit disadvantaged as I am researching firms during this season itself instead of knowing what firms I will apply to beforehand.

Also, given my experience, would I apply to TCs or Vac schemes? I have attended 2 open days so far but this is about it for my UK legal experience.


Thank you

 

[LawGirl2023]

Has anyone heard back from Hogan Lovells post WG for their winter vacation scheme?

 

[mg1]

Has anyone heard back from Hogan Lovells post WG for their winter vacation scheme?

Someone earlier on this thread said they got an AC invite

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone,

I am new here on TCLA and this is my first application season. So far I have applied to only 3 firms and am feeling overwhelmed in applying as I only decided to go for vac schemes in September this year (2 months ago).

A little about myself, i'm from the UK but completed an LL.M in Germany after studying a non law degree at a Russel group uni. I have been working now for a year as a Legal Specialist at a tech company in Germany and decided I wanted to head back to the UK to qualify.

Is there any advice on the first application season? I feel a bit disadvantaged as I am researching firms during this season itself instead of knowing what firms I will apply to beforehand.

Also, given my experience, would I apply to TCs or Vac schemes? I have attended 2 open days so far but this is about it for my UK legal experience.


Thank you

Welcome to the forums! I would apply to a mixture of vacation schemes and direct TCs. Some vacation schemes will make sense for the firms who recruit trainees solely or heavily from vacation schemes, but direct TCs will make sense for firms where this ain’t the case and where you may not be eligible for their vacation scheme programme or the dates of their schemes do not work for you.

 

[Legalregal]

Thoughts on a 2 page covering letter? There really isnt anything that I would like to remove..

 

[S87]

Thoughts on a 2 page covering letter? There really isnt anything that I would like to remove..

It depends on the firm, I would suggest looking at the firm's graduate website and complying with their guidance.

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi everyone,

I am new here on TCLA and this is my first application season. So far I have applied to only 3 firms and am feeling overwhelmed in applying as I only decided to go for vac schemes in September this year (2 months ago).

A little about myself, i'm from the UK but completed an LL.M in Germany after studying a non law degree at a Russel group uni. I have been working now for a year as a Legal Specialist at a tech company in Germany and decided I wanted to head back to the UK to qualify.

Is there any advice on the first application season? I feel a bit disadvantaged as I am researching firms during this season itself instead of knowing what firms I will apply to beforehand.

Also, given my experience, would I apply to TCs or Vac schemes? I have attended 2 open days so far but this is about it for my UK legal experience.


Thank you

Hi @Ash2323,

Congratulations on your LL.M in Germany and for your experience working in tech, I am sure this is going to be extremely valuable for application to law firms. I guess we do have something in common as I was a non-law student who studied in Italy and came to the UK for a master at a Russel Group university and decided to apply to law firms quite late (I applied to all my law firms in December 2022).
Some tips that I have for you are:

• Connect to as many people as possible that are future trainees, trainees, associates or even partners at the firms that you are applying to. When I first started applying this was extremely fundamental to my journey as the people I met opened my eyes to so many different aspects of the profession, practice areas, and also shared good application tips.
• As much as you will feel disadvantaged, I feel like you already have a good profile and will not have any issues in being successful! However, how I managed to believe in myself whilst I thought I would have never been successful as a non-law student from outside the country is using my differences strengths to my advantage in the application process. Being from abroad and knowing multiple languages ended up being one of the main things that really helped me stand out amongst the rest of applicants. Additionally, my internship as well as academic experiences in different countries helped too as they showed my open-mindedness and why I valued the international aspect of many firms. So, use your differences and what you think is a disadvantage to your advantage, because I promise you they are not!
• Do thorough but efficient research for all the firms you are applying to. When I first started applying I find it hard to do this as I applied to 25 firms. However, by the time I arrived to my 10th application, I developed a really efficient strategy for myself that allowed me to do an in-depth research of a law firm in less than a day. What I did was creating a table with 4/5 websites to check such as Legal 500, Chambers Student etc. I then combined them with the firm's website and youtube videos on the firm, I took the most relevant information and I linked the most interesting ones to my background to emphasise why I wanted to join a particular firm. This template really saved me.
• I did not know which firms I should apply to, so I decided to apply to a lot of firms as I knew that I was interested in so many different practice areas and opportunities. This advice might be controversial but I was not willing to apply again the following year if I did not get a training contract offer and so I decided to apply to a large number of firms. What I found out during this process was that I started to come across more firms that I did not know initially, and these ended up being a better fit for me than the most known in the market.
• Do not feel like you have to interact with a firm to be successful in securing a vacation scheme or a training contract. I did not attend any events with Goodwin and Gibson Dunn but managed to secure these vacation schemes, and the same thing was true for many people I met on the schemes.
• Expect rejections. Unfortunately, these are part of the process and they really help you grow. So, welcome them and analyse yourself and your applications if you receive one. They are just learning opportunities.

I hope my experience can be motivating to you and good luck with your journey!

 

[legallybrunette8]

DLA WG invite! here comes the hardest part 😭

 

[lawapplicant]

DLA WG invite! here comes the hardest part 😭

When did you apply.

Also, you reckon WG is harder than a VI?

 

[lawapplicant]

applied on the 29th of October, and I've flopped at both so I can't answer you lol

Thanks. DLA WG has just come through for me too

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Does anyone else feel they are delaying applications and waiting for it to be perfect?

Any tips would be appreciated!

On the plus side - The video Interview for PwC was completed last week. Still waiting to hear back but usually it's mid-November.

 

[jwalk03]

Application Update - Last posted 17/10/23

Bank of England Trainee solicitor programme - Completed online tests
White and Case WVS- Application sent
Hogan Lovell TC- Application sent
Hogan Lovell Lift off - WG Complete
NRF WVS - Application sent (No test received assuming PFO)
Stephenson Harwood WVS - Application sent
Cleary Gottlieb WVS - Application sent
Travers Smith WVS -Application sent
Gowling TC - Application sent
Mayer Brown TC - Application Sent
CMS TC - WG invite (to be completed)
A&O TC - Application Sent (test and Vi to be completed)

PFO Heaven
Sidley - PFO
Jones Day - PFO
Slaughter and May TC - PFO
Linklaters - Failed WG - PFO
Simmons - Failed VI - PFO
Clifford chance TC - Failed WG - PFO

Pending Applications
Mischon De Reya SVS - Application Pending
HSF SVS - Application Pending
Freshfields - Application pending

I am not applying to any Summer Vacation schemes online winter, possibly Spring and Direct TC.
Has anyone done of the firms above and have progressed further than I have and when did you apply?

Not feeling very hopeful at all!

Hey! Can you remember how long Clifford Chance took to send you your WG outcome? I remember last cycle they sent them like the day after so was just wondering if it's the same this year?

 

[Bubbles]

Hi @Jessica Booker , I applied to Irwin mitchell yesterday and their preliminary questions asked if I had already started my LPC. when I clicked no, it said "if you have not completed the LPC when offered a TC, you will undertake the SQE as a Graduate Solicitor Apprentice'. Is there a major difference between these two routes and is there any place I can find out more info about them? (I also don't know how much of an impact this change will have on me since I am an international student).

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Has anyone come across this question from Mischon and got an idea of how to refer to being a "shaper"?

We believe that successful lawyers are great Shapers: individuals with interests, hobbies, passions or visions; and the drive and motivation to develop these in order to shape the world around them. We're looking for people who can shape the information they are given; shape arguments; shape relationships; shape solutions (see https://www.mishcon.com/graduates/mishcon-shapers). Tell us about a time that you have demonstrated being a Shaper. (300 words max) *​

​

Beyond what is on the hyperlink.

 

[malvern3142]

Has anyone done the Legal Cheek Winter Vac Scheme, or have any details on if it's worth doing for trying to obtain a TC?

Legal Cheek run it in collaboration with 16 reputable firms across 5 days. Idk how that would be structured and if it would give you enough exposure to any 1 firm so that it would benefit you applying to one of their direct TCs.

 

[lawapplicant]

Has anyone come across this question from Mischon and got an idea of how to refer to being a "shaper"?

We believe that successful lawyers are great Shapers: individuals with interests, hobbies, passions or visions; and the drive and motivation to develop these in order to shape the world around them. We're looking for people who can shape the information they are given; shape arguments; shape relationships; shape solutions (see https://www.mishcon.com/graduates/mishcon-shapers). Tell us about a time that you have demonstrated being a Shaper. (300 words max) *​

​

Beyond what is on the hyperlink.

Use the examples on the question. I did about debating - 'shape arguments'.

 

[Ash2323]

Hi @Ash2323,

Congratulations on your LL.M in Germany and for your experience working in tech, I am sure this is going to be extremely valuable for application to law firms. I guess we do have something in common as I was a non-law student who studied in Italy and came to the UK for a master at a Russel Group university and decided to apply to law firms quite late (I applied to all my law firms in December 2022).
Some tips that I have for you are:

• Connect to as many people as possible that are future trainees, trainees, associates or even partners at the firms that you are applying to. When I first started applying this was extremely fundamental to my journey as the people I met opened my eyes to so many different aspects of the profession, practice areas, and also shared good application tips.
• As much as you will feel disadvantaged, I feel like you already have a good profile and will not have any issues in being successful! However, how I managed to believe in myself whilst I thought I would have never been successful as a non-law student from outside the country is using my differences strengths to my advantage in the application process. Being from abroad and knowing multiple languages ended up being one of the main things that really helped me stand out amongst the rest of applicants. Additionally, my internship as well as academic experiences in different countries helped too as they showed my open-mindedness and why I valued the international aspect of many firms. So, use your differences and what you think is a disadvantage to your advantage, because I promise you they are not!
• Do thorough but efficient research for all the firms you are applying to. When I first started applying I find it hard to do this as I applied to 25 firms. However, by the time I arrived to my 10th application, I developed a really efficient strategy for myself that allowed me to do an in-depth research of a law firm in less than a day. What I did was creating a table with 4/5 websites to check such as Legal 500, Chambers Student etc. I then combined them with the firm's website and youtube videos on the firm, I took the most relevant information and I linked the most interesting ones to my background to emphasise why I wanted to join a particular firm. This template really saved me.
• I did not know which firms I should apply to, so I decided to apply to a lot of firms as I knew that I was interested in so many different practice areas and opportunities. This advice might be controversial but I was not willing to apply again the following year if I did not get a training contract offer and so I decided to apply to a large number of firms. What I found out during this process was that I started to come across more firms that I did not know initially, and these ended up being a better fit for me than the most known in the market.
• Do not feel like you have to interact with a firm to be successful in securing a vacation scheme or a training contract. I did not attend any events with Goodwin and Gibson Dunn but managed to secure these vacation schemes, and the same thing was true for many people I met on the schemes.
• Expect rejections. Unfortunately, these are part of the process and they really help you grow. So, welcome them and analyse yourself and your applications if you receive one. They are just learning opportunities.

I hope my experience can be motivating to you and good luck with your journey!

Thank you so much Axel, it’s a pleasure to hear about your experience and its really nice to hear from someone “atypical” who also has foreign language skills/lived in another country, you are right it is definitely a bonus!


I guess your method of jumping into the deep end is something I have also been doing, I applied to 2 MC firms and got rejected but since then have actually found other firms I did not know of with more interesting practice areas (e.g. Taylor Wessing, Goodwin, Gowling wlg)


Did you find that by applying to firms in December that you were at a disadvantage for the firms recruiting on a rolling basis? Also in your first cycle did you also focus on applying on open days or did you rely on other experience and stick to vac schemes? As I would like to apply to open days, but feel that due to the time pressure and similar length in applications, maybe a vac scheme is better

 

[axelbeugre]

Thank you so much Axel, it’s a pleasure to hear about your experience and its really nice to hear from someone “atypical” who also has foreign language skills/lived in another country, you are right it is definitely a bonus!


I guess your method of jumping into the deep end is something I have also been doing, I applied to 2 MC firms and got rejected but since then have actually found other firms I did not know of with more interesting practice areas (e.g. Taylor Wessing, Goodwin, Gowling wlg)


Did you find that by applying to firms in December that you were at a disadvantage for the firms recruiting on a rolling basis? Also in your first cycle did you also focus on applying on open days or did you rely on other experience and stick to vac schemes? As I would like to apply to open days, but feel that due to the time pressure and similar length in applications, maybe a vac scheme is better

I definitely felt like I was at a disadvantage but by applying, and subsequently talking to graduate recruitment, I realised that even if a firm is rolling, they will offer you the interview or the assessment centre if they like you. For instance, I applied to Gibson Dunn late December (when the applications opened on the 1st of September and were rolling) and I got an interview invite the same day I applied.
This goes to show you that if a firm really likes you, they will offer you the interview even if it is ''later in the cycle''.

In my cycle, I did not focus on applying to open days or anything like that cause my master was exhausting enough honestly speaking! I did attend a couple of insight events through organisations like Rare Recruitment and SEO London but those are just easier to get. I did not put myself through open day applications at the time as I decided to apply to law firms later since before then I was applying to consulting very heavily so there was no time for open days for me.

I would say that if you do not have time, just focus on vacation schemes applications, which are already tiring!