TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Ali A]

Hi all, I have a question about W&C! In the case where you haven’t heard back from the firm for the WVS after you submitted your application - is this a PFO. Or would I be confidered for the summer / spring schemes I chose as my second and third options (on the application). Thank you

Hey,

I applied for the spring scheme last year and did not hear back till after the spring scheme had already been filled. I then progressed to the summer scheme assessment centre and subsequently got a place on the VS.

There is always hope!

 

[ab01]

Hi, if it's okay - please could you share your S&M AC experience, how you prepared etc. Thank you

For sure, PM me

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Anyone have any advice on how to write about experience in resume as a first-year student? I've only got legal research experience, most of which is unrelated to commercial law

 

[Charlottehollyx]

As a recent Cambridge law grad, I know many people who have studied law at Oxford - and these “networking events” and “open days” do not guarantee you a TC! Some of my friends from Oxford are still struggling to find a TC… We had a lot of networking events at Cambridge too, far more than Oxford to be fair!

Studying at Oxford doesn’t guarantee you a TC lol. I’m from Cambridge and still do not have a TC 🤣

I believe a lot of firms are broadening their horizons - I know a lot of trainees / future trainees from Russell Groups and Non-Russell Groups!

Also, recently completed an AC at S&M happy to assist!

Thank you so much!

I totally agree it doesn't. Thing is they expect it when they see you're from Oxbridge because they know you have the opportunities to do it. I'll pop you a message

 

[Tintin06]

As a recent Cambridge law grad, I know many people who have studied law at Oxford - and these “networking events” and “open days” do not guarantee you a TC! Some of my friends from Oxford are still struggling to find a TC… We had a lot of networking events at Cambridge too, far more than Oxford to be fair!

Studying at Oxford doesn’t guarantee you a TC lol. I’m from Cambridge and still do not have a TC 🤣

I believe a lot of firms are broadening their horizons - I know a lot of trainees / future trainees from Russell Groups and Non-Russell Groups!

Also, recently completed an AC at S&M happy to assist!

I’m an Oxford graduate and don’t have a TC four years after graduating. I know plenty of friends who went to Oxbridge and struggled. It doesn’t guarantee a thing.

Also, many firms are using CV-blind recruitment so they’re not even aware of your university at that stage.

 

[axelbeugre]

Anyone applying Goodwin? How do I answer “why Goodwin” in 100 words?😭

I totally understand the struggle to answer to this question. When I was doing my application last year I struggled a lot to understand how to perfectly answer the question.

My strategy was dividing the answer in two: 50 words for one reason why I was interested in the firm and 50 words for another reason. I remember talking about technology and emerging companies focus and diversity and inclusion initiatives. I ended up writing more about the first reason compared to the second. However, in general, some tips that I would give are:

• Discuss the aspects that genuinely interest you about the firm as this might come up in the interview. Make sure to link these reasons back to your experiences and background as this will be a good way to explain why that particular reason is interesting to you. For instance, when I was discussing why I was interested in their technology focus and their work with emerging companies, I discussed my experience working for a small fintech company the summer prior.
• Be specific with the reasons why you want to join the firm, pick something that is very unique to Goodwin and that relates to your interests. Goodwin is doing amazing research and work in proptech (link between real estate and technology) and propsci (combination of real estate and life sciences), are these something that interest you? I would mention these if that is the case!
• Be yourself in the answer. Something that Goodwin is good at is selecting people who are genuine with their interests in the firm and the sector so being yourself in the answer is fundamental as graduate recruitment can see through you in a way. That is what we were told during the vacation scheme too!

I hope these are helpful!

Good luck with the application! @Zaakir

 

[Zaakir]

I totally understand the struggle to answer to this question. When I was doing my application last year I struggled a lot to understand how to perfectly answer the question.

My strategy was dividing the answer in two: 50 words for one reason why I was interested in the firm and 50 words for another reason. I remember talking about technology and emerging companies focus and diversity and inclusion initiatives. I ended up writing more about the first reason compared to the second. However, in general, some tips that I would give are:

• Discuss the aspects that genuinely interest you about the firm as this might come up in the interview. Make sure to link these reasons back to your experiences and background as this will be a good way to explain why that particular reason is interesting to you. For instance, when I was discussing why I was interested in their technology focus and their work with emerging companies, I discussed my experience working for a small fintech company the summer prior.
• Be specific with the reasons why you want to join the firm, pick something that is very unique to Goodwin and that relates to your interests. Goodwin is doing amazing research and work in proptech (link between real estate and technology) and propsci (combination of real estate and life sciences), are these something that interest you? I would mention these if that is the case!
• Be yourself in the answer. Something that Goodwin is good at is selecting people who are genuine with their interests in the firm and the sector so being yourself in the answer is fundamental as graduate recruitment can see through you in a way. That is what we were told during the vacation scheme too!

I hope these are helpful!

Good luck with the application! @Zaakir

Thank you so much, this is very helpful!

 

[Zaakir]

Good luck to anyone else waiting to hear from Akin and White & Case. Fingers crossed.

Yeah I won’t lie, white & case is looking like a closed case

 

[Tintin06]

Yeah I won’t lie, white & case is looking like a closed case

It's a cold case right now. I've sent an email.

 

[zxo102]

Has anyone still not heard back from Dechert post VI / WE for their WVS?

 

[anasat]

w&c pfo

 

[Cecylia03]

Should I assume PFO from A&O as I've still not heard back about a possible AC a month after submitting the application?

 

[Kodak123]

Long awaited W&C PFO after VI!

 

[hanz123]

Anyone heard from Pinsent Masons post-interactive assessment?

We should hear back after the deadline

 

[Tattyasha]

So I’ve had a little search through the previous posts but can’t find anything…
Gibson Dunn. Insight Day is next week. Anybody been invited (or rejected)? Haven’t heard a bean!

Also, for Akin, I see people have been getting test invites but is that for the spring or summer scheme please? I applied on 7/11 and haven’t heard anything but don’t know if that’s a bad sign (standard lol) or just because I’ve applied for summer.

Hope everyone is holding up ok! Being honest, I’m not. A global shortage of ADHD meds right when I need them meaning I have none is kinda not ideal! 🙈 Thanks universe - nice one 🤣

 

[sqequeen]

Anyone heard anything from Stephenson Harwood WVS post-VI?

 

[jas1502]

W&C PFO 😭

Also, does anyone have advice on drafting an email to a firm to let them know you can't attend an event? I just received an invitation to the Gibson Dunn open day, but this coincides with the Freshfields Graduate Workshop, which I've already confirmed my attendance for. I'm quite stressed because GD is a firm I am definitely planning on applying to, but I'm not sure how great that'll look if I've declined an invitation to attend an Open Day with the firm. Thanks so much!

 

[Flavius Aurelius]

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

That's very helpful, thank you so much @axelbeugre !!

 

[goodvibesonly]

Is there any point applying to Bird and Bird and W&C for their vacation schemes this late into the cycle when their deadlines are rolling?

 

[Amjaya]

W&C PFO - do I have to wait until next year to apply again?