TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Ooshmate]

So sorry about that.
Could I ask which scheme this is for?

TC

 

[missingh]

Trying again - anyone have any insight re the above?

last year they used arctic shores, not sure if it's the same this year but i'm applying tonight

 

[Flavius Aurelius]

last year they used arctic shores, not sure if it's the same this year but i'm applying tonight

They don't use arctic shores anymore, grad rec said they switched to a critical reasoning test similar to the WG but did not mention which one it was.

 

[lovelaw223]

Submitted 23rd Oct and got the AC offer on the 16th Nov

Is this for London? Also, when is your AC?

 

[kmo20]

Has anyone been invited to a Mishcon AC after the VI for the SVS?

 

[Flavius Aurelius]

I am struggling with this question on CMS's TC application: How could CMS use technology to help you further your legal career?

Does anyone have any idea on how to approach it? Is it asking what CMS's current technology can do to help me or generally what tech it can use? Thanks very much!

 

[biglaworbust]

Passed CC WG, first win of this cycle!

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Need BCLP, PwC and Fieldfisher to put me out of my misery…

 

[bella98]

S&M PFO

Don't worry, you dodged a bullet!

 

[Marissa]

Hey guys, Does anyone know how long you have to think for Pinsent Mason's 2 VI questions and how long you have to answer? Thanks.

2 mins to respond to Qs, unlimited thinking time. That’s what I was told during their insight day.

 

[lawapplicant]

2 mins to respond to Qs, unlimited thinking time. That’s what I was told during their insight day.

Pinsents unlimited prep time. All first stage VIs will be unlimited prep time.

 

[Charlottehollyx]

Don't worry, you dodged a bullet!

Why'd you say that? I have an interview with them in 2 weeks time..

 

[axelbeugre]

Should we talk about deals and firm-related issues and what not in applications? For example, I'm writing a cover letter for Wedlake Bell's open day (on the deadline lol so not hopeful) and the prompt is Demonstrate your interest in Wedlake Bell and a career in Law. Is it necessary to talk about the firm's deals for questions like this?

It depends as to whether it makes sense for your and your interests. I think that it is not a necessity to be honest. I did it for most applications but not all of them and I manage to get through some firms without mentioning any deals. As long as you are mentioning a deal and link it back to you and why it is interested to you. This is an important point.

There are many other things you can talk about when you are trying to give reasons as to why you are applying to a certain firm: their commitment to ESG, D,E & I, the strength and reputation of a practice area, the structure of their training contract and international opportunities. These factors are perfectly fine to mention, especially if you can link it back to you. This link is what differentiates you from other people.

 

[VacayScheme]

Does anybody have any advice for the DLA VI? It's the first I've done, so not sure what to expect or how to go about it, and the information they provide is pretty vague 😅.

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Is K&E TC app rolling? Is it okay to apply close(r) to the deadline?

 

[lawyergirl]

It depends as to whether it makes sense for your and your interests. I think that it is not a necessity to be honest. I did it for most applications but not all of them and I manage to get through some firms without mentioning any deals. As long as you are mentioning a deal and link it back to you and why it is interested to you. This is an important point.

There are many other things you can talk about when you are trying to give reasons as to why you are applying to a certain firm: their commitment to ESG, D,E & I, the strength and reputation of a practice area, the structure of their training contract and international opportunities. These factors are perfectly fine to mention, especially if you can link it back to you. This link is what differentiates you from other people.

Oh this is very helpful, thank you!! Do you have any guidance on how you would link a deal back to yourself and your interests?
The D, E and I is definitely the thing I steer to the most, but the other stuff you mentioned didn't even cross my mind!!

(First cycle of applications but it actually baffles me how much I don't know!!)

 

[jplaw1010]

Is K&E TC app rolling? Is it okay to apply close(r) to the deadline?

Non-rolling

 

[bella98]

Why'd you say that? I have an interview with them in 2 weeks time..

Hahaha, please do not worry! I just (personally) didn't like the firm, maybe because it's Oxbridge so heavy and I felt a bit like an outsider. I had an assessment centre with Macfarlanes a couple of days before my S&M interview and I COULD TELL THE DIFFERENCE. I really loved the atmosphere at Macfarlanes, but S&M just wasn't for me. I was happy they rejected me honestly, I already had imposter syndrome with some firms - but this was on another level. If you're from a Russel group Uni maybe you would not feel it as much.

But that's the nature of these processes, right? It's as much about you assessing them as they are assessing you. It's all very subjective and based on personal preferences

 

[jplaw1010]

What’s HSF’s hiring process post-app? Do they use a WG test?

 

[axelbeugre]

I am struggling with this question on CMS's TC application: How could CMS use technology to help you further your legal career?

Does anyone have any idea on how to approach it? Is it asking what CMS's current technology can do to help me or generally what tech it can use? Thanks very much!

I have looked at the website of the firm just now and they seem to have a lot of articles about legal tech and AI. They also seem to provide some legal tech AI services such as machine learning software to analyse contracts and other legal documents quickly and efficiently.

I would talk about examples like these machine learning software will be very useful for you as a lawyer as they will allow you to focus on the key details of deals and agreements between your client and other parties, since you will not have to worry to draft a lot of documents on a day to day basis.

I would also emphasise how technology will be important to spread knowledge and expertise to lawyers at the firm. CMS has in fact stated that ''we are constantly developing new and improved systems for internal knowledge networking'', so I would emphasise this point and how this is important in your opinion.

You can also link these factors to your experience with technology in the workplace. Have you used technology which helped you during an internship for instance? Did you see the benefits of it? These could be very good links as to how you personally will benefit from utilising technology and improve your skills whilst training as a lawyer at the firm.

I hope that helps and good luck with the application! @Flavius Aurelius