TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Jessica Booker]

For the Goodwin VS application it asks you to add information about which other firms you are applying to. Is there a best way of doing this? Is it tactical? Should I mention that I have already secured a vac scheme with a magic circle firm? @axelbeugre @Jessica Booker please could you share some insight? Thank you!

What’s the word count/limit for the answer?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! About the education history part, if I did not take the GCSE and I took the other education system and exam for my secondary education, how should I describe it on application form ? I mean I'm not sure the firm familiar with that exam

Which qualifications did you study and in which country?

 

[liseazurite]

Dechert Open Day invite 😊

 

[Parsorandini]

I have a lot of experience to list down, too. What I tend to do is to describe what the company is in the first sentence. The rest should clarify what I did in these roles, the impact I created (if any and quantify ideally), and explain my achievements (i.e., converted a 1-month internship into a two month due to a good review, or receiving praise from a managing partner for a presentation etc.,)

You can use liaised with staff, for example but I would phrase it more powerfully and give more context to explain the skillset required and challenges (if any) involved.

I think group themes of tasks in paragraphs might be a good idea. As in, office related tasks can be grouped together -> describe impact in that context. Court related tasks can be grouped together -> explain impact to facilitating the smooth running of a trial.

Great answer! Thanks for your help

 

[Cynthia14]

Which qualifications did you study and in which country?

I educated in China for my secondary education until 16 years old

 

[pb15]

HL WVS pfo (post WG)

 

[Manuchelsout]

HL pfo

 

[Ellewoodz]

What’s the word count/limit for the answer?

The entire question is: Briefly summarise anything else that you would like to add that you think may be relevant to your application. Please include: Positions of responsibility, extra curricular activities, achievements/ academic awards/ scholarships and information about which other firms you are applying to. (300 words).

 

[pb15]

Still no word from dechert for WVS ACs?

 

[axelbeugre]

I'm currently in the process of writing Skadden's application and the question I'm focusing on is: "Why are you applying for a training contract at Skadden and why do you believe you are suited to the firm?"

Generally, I know that it's best to have three points in a "why the firm" answer, but I was wondering if it was a bad idea to only go with 2 points in further detail? I'm focusing on the international nature of the firm and their focus on pro bono, and then am tying both of these into why I believe I'm well suited to the firm.

Would it be better to try and make these points more concise and get a third in or is sticking with only two fine?

I think that the number of reasons you give for why a specific firm should make sense to you and what you want to highlight. If you think that these two points, explored in further detail (which show your research), combined with your own experiences and background, can result in a better answer that represents you and your genuine interest in the firm, then I would say that two reasons are perfectly fine.

I myself used three or two reasons when I was applying last year depending on the word count and what made sense to me and my background and experiences, so do not feel like you should follow a three reasons why approach all the time. In some instances, the word count itself will not allow this to be as effective, and so try to see if other approaches do make much more sense. And in your case, as far as I am concerned, the 2 reasons why you want to join Skadden perfectly works.

Good luck with the application! @laby201

 

[axelbeugre]

For the Goodwin VS application it asks you to add information about which other firms you are applying to. Is there a best way of doing this? Is it tactical? Should I mention that I have already secured a vac scheme with a magic circle firm? @axelbeugre @Jessica Booker please could you share some insight? Thank you!

In my application last year I mentioned some (not all) the firms I applied to and got through further stages of the application such as assessment centres invite, interview invites etc. I do not think it is a strategic intent behind it, however, I would say that if you are generally applying to firms that do similar things to Goodwin, it will probably be looked at positively.

I mentioned a variety of different firms, from US firms, to international city firms so I would not say that you only have to mention US firms if that was something you were concerned about too. You should mention that you already have a vacation scheme offer in my opinion, stressing how Goodwin's scheme will probably be your main choice though!

Good luck with the application! @Ellewoodz

 

[axelbeugre]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! About the education history part, if I did not take the GCSE and I took the other education system and exam for my secondary education, how should I describe it on application form ? I mean I'm not sure the firm familiar with that exam

I was in the same situation and so I basically explained the grading system and consequently mentioned my grades. When I was applying last year, I received the advice of give a brief explanation of the system, the grading scheme and your grades, and they will do the further checks necessary. Mine was an explanation of 7-8 lines.
I hope that helps,

Good luck! @Cynthia14

 

[Jessica Booker]

I educated in China for my secondary education until 16 years old

I would provide the grading system as you know it for the equivalent of GCSEs (assuming you are asked for them). If this is a percentage (what I am used to seeing anyway), then it’s fairly self explanatory, but you can provide any context such as where you may rank either in terms of your school/region/country if you have this information.

 

[Z_H02]

HL WVS AC invite!

Hi! Good luck with your upcoming AC! Did they send the invitation via email?

 

[Jessica Booker]

The entire question is: Briefly summarise anything else that you would like to add that you think may be relevant to your application. Please include: Positions of responsibility, extra curricular activities, achievements/ academic awards/ scholarships and information about which other firms you are applying to. (300 words).

Axel has already provided some great guidance on this.

If you feel it needs explaining, you can provide one or two sentences that either explain the similarities between the firm, or if they are quite different from one another your reasons for exploring those differences (that is very normal and almost expected for a vacation scheme!)

 

[PFO Magnet]

Is the DLA WG automatic? If not, how long did it take for people to receive the WG link?

 

[Tintin06]

Sullivan & Cromwell PFO

 

[Z_H02]

HL WVS offer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi, Congrats on your offer!!!! Do you mind me asking how HL sent out their AC invitation? Was it via email?

 

[Cynthia14]

I was in the same situation and so I basically explained the grading system and consequently mentioned my grades. When I was applying last year, I received the advice of give a brief explanation of the system, the grading scheme and your grades, and they will do the further checks necessary. Mine was an explanation of 7-8 lines.
I hope that helps,

Good luck! @Cynthia14

but if there isn't a space for explanation?

 

[hopefultrainee888]

dla pfo post vi