TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[bailey_714]

Hi !! Has anyone heard back from Mischon De Reya? I did my VI with them over a month ago now!

 

[Aaj03]

Congrats!! Can I ask when you applied?

Mid-October but my application got delayed because I waiting for my first year results due to the marking boycott (I only gave the results in last week Wednesday )

 

[crt1s]

Hi !! Has anyone heard back from Mischon De Reya? I did my VI with them over a month ago now!

They recruit on a non-rolling basis so unlikely to hear until after the deadline

 

[Aaj03]

For a 25 minute competency/motivation-based interview, how long should your responses be? I don't know if they're expecting real deep dives (4 mins per answer etc) or a quick run through two or three points per answer (around 2 mins).

I do around 2-3 mins because sometimes I find that when I am going above that , I tend to almost get cut off and also if there is an opportunity to ask questions at the end, I just leave it at 3 mins max

 

[ccfuturetraineesolicitor]

anyone heard back from gibson dunn? i applied at the end of november but haven't heard from them since

 

[BM99]

Does anyone know if HL has a high requirements for WG results? Like what is the percentile needed to progress to AC?

 

[AlegalA]

Does anyone know what kind of questions Irwin Mitchell has in their VI? someone said they found them to be super weird which has ramped up my anxiety!

Oh no... what have you heard? I've never done a VI before and this has made me even more stressed

 

[Wazflame]

Is there any benefit to doing Linklaters' Watson Glaser test as soon as possible? It says I have 5 days from submitting my application but they also put in the email:

"We ask that you complete the test as soon as possible within the next five days." (the bolded text is now own emphasis)

Would it affect the order they look at the VS applications? Or does it not matter and they're just saying that so you don't forget to complete it?

Thanks!

 

[baj5]

Most firms have grade requirements listed on their website. Most will expect a 2:1 degree as a minimum though and A-Level requirements can vary, although the “bigger” firms tend to look for AAB and above.

If you have extenuating circumstances with your grades, there should be a space for this on the application form. If you don’t meet the grade requirements (subject to you not having extenuating circumstances), I’d focus on firms who don’t have clear requirements

Hi! Thanks for your response. I have all of the above, high 2.1 from Russel Uni, LLM from prestigious US Uni and AAB on my foundation in law which is the A-level equivalent. But I do have extenuating circumstances as I was diagnosed with dyslexia at the end of my second year at my LLB. So I was wondering whether that part of the application was the issue. But based on your response, it shouldn't be. It has to be my answers and overall cohesion.

 

[191919191]

I don't think you can prepare beyond nailing your motivations for applying. There is a numerical and verbal reasoning element, a situational judgement element, two VI questions that are motivational, and a written case study. I don't know if they're practice situational judgement test that you can do in advance, but essentially just think about how you would act in professional situations. It is quite a long assessment: they say an hour, but it's untimed and I took almost 90 minutes.

Hi, is it the VI untimed as well?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

For a 25 minute competency/motivation-based interview, how long should your responses be? I don't know if they're expecting real deep dives (4 mins per answer etc) or a quick run through two or three points per answer (around 2 mins).

I would generally say more like 2-3 mins per question. In a 25 minute interview, I would expect them to probably only ask 5 questions and by the time you have done introductions and signed off the call, it doesn’t leave a lot of time.

 

[lawstudent2003]

I'm also waiting for an AC (hopefully!) after passing the VI a couple weeks ago for the Manchester office. Feels like I'm in DLA purgatory - Fingers crossed we hear soon!

Best of luck! Hopefully we hear soon!

 

[Deleted member 31343]

I would generally say more like 2-3 mins per question. In a 25 minute interview, I would expect them to probably only ask 5 questions and by the time you have done introductions and signed off the call, it doesn’t leave a lot of time.

Hi @Jessica Booker

Would you say the same for a strength based interview? and at the end of answering a competency question would you say how this would relate to the firms values/work they do? or would this be too much and come across as scripted

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker

Would you say the same for a strength based interview? and at the end of answering a competency question would you say how this would relate to the firms values/work they do? or would this be too much and come across as scripted

No need to say how it relates to the firm or their work unless asked.

Same length goes for strengths based interviews too

 

[Hana ♥]

Anyone else feels awkward during VIs? It's like my whole personality changes

 

[addy2004]

Anyone else feels awkward during VIs? It's like my whole personality changes

I feel like it's so hard to tell whether you've done well or not

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

I feel like it's so hard to tell whether you've done well or not

Echo this, whether I end up passing or failing I always feel like I bombed

 

[ncbode]

does anyone know what the online interview questions are for pinsent masons?

I was just about to ask the same myself. Have you found out?

 

[ncbode]

Has anyone done the Pinsent Masons online blended assessment/could let me know the types of questions that come up for the video response section?

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

Waitlisted for DLA's Summer Scheme. Apparently my interview was strong enough to make up for my comparatively weaker group and commercial exercises. Feeling generally positive as I felt like my interviewer and I connected in a way I haven't felt before in an AC. Hoping and praying for something