TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[BM99]

Is waiting for Latham probably a PFO now

 

[grandmaster1]

Hey , for Macfarlanes’ automatic assessment test is it basically just a SJT or is there numerical/verbal reasoning alongside?

 

[lawtab]

Congrats!! Me too! I have written exercise on Jan 10 😓 😓

Congrats! Mines on the 10th too - not sure how to prepare for it tho. Is yours the evening slot?

 

[SemperParatus]

Did all the linklaters ac places get filled up by the open day participants?

 

[Seven]

Is waiting for Latham probably a PFO now

There has been maybe 3 mentions of Latham AC so far, I think 1 for spring and 2 for summer. I wouldn't worry.

 

[legally.brown]

Did all the linklaters ac places get filled up by the open day participants?

They probably interview these ppl first and then us? god knows. Links fast tracks a lot of ppl ( Brand Ambassadors, Open Days, Pathfinder)

 

[Amehta1]

There has been maybe 3 mentions of Latham AC so far, I think 1 for spring and 2 for summer. I wouldn't worry.

Yeah it’s so hard to stay motivated for Latham following their silence. They had one major round of PFOs on December 15th but who knows if they are gonna do another round of PFOs or if it’s only gonna be acceptances from now on.

 

[laby201]

This is a random question, but with rolling deadlines, why am I yet to hear when others who said they applied after me have heard back with either a PFO or VI offer?

Surely if it's rolling and I applied before someone, my application would get reviewed first, right? Yet I've seen people discuss firms where they applied after me or even on the deadline and have already heard. If they've viewed mine, why not just give the PFO? Unless they place you in a "maybe" pile? I don't get it. The waiting kills me more than anything.

 

[19.mfjones]

Silly question but for Pinsent Masons blended assessment can you use the calculator on your phone? I don't have an actual one on hand.

I'm not sure if the camera is on during the whole test and if it would look like I'm cheating lol

I don't have a calculator either except for my phone, so whenever I do an assessment that needs it and the camera is on, at the start I show the camera that my phone is being used as a calculator, so that if they call me out on cheating, I can ask them to look at the footage and they will see. I'm probs being paranoid but it makes me feel better

 

[19.mfjones]

Bit worried now because I applied for the Manchester office for AG and not heard anything (about a week before the deadline).

Also applied for Reed Smith a week before the deadline and people have had acceptances applying after me - I feel like I'm in for a week of PFOs soon, especially since the questions were similar for both :/

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is a random question, but with rolling deadlines, why am I yet to hear when others who said they applied after me have heard back with either a PFO or VI offer?

Surely if it's rolling and I applied before someone, my application would get reviewed first, right? Yet I've seen people discuss firms where they applied after me or even on the deadline and have already heard. If they've viewed mine, why not just give the PFO? Unless they place you in a "maybe" pile? I don't get it. The waiting kills me more than anything.

Lots of different reasons why this can happen, but here a a few of the key reasons:

1) If there have been any psychometric tests or early assessments, they may rank applications on the performance in those test.

2) different people are reviewing the applications and it just happens the person reviewing yours is slower in reviewing their than other people reviewing applications

3) your application is on hold - it’s been reviewed and a final decision has not been made on it yet.

 

[SS21]

I don't have a calculator either except for my phone, so whenever I do an assessment that needs it and the camera is on, at the start I show the camera that my phone is being used as a calculator, so that if they call me out on cheating, I can ask them to look at the footage and they will see. I'm probs being paranoid but it makes me feel better

Fairs thank you, I've just ordered a calculator rn so I don't have to worry about it haha

 

[Cynthia14]

Hey , for Macfarlanes’ automatic assessment test is it basically just a SJT or is there numerical/verbal reasoning alongside?

just SJT

 

[GMAC]

Congrats! Mines on the 10th too - not sure how to prepare for it tho. Is yours the evening slot?

Thanks, no midday. Same! Their bread and butter is M&A so I'm guessing some case study around an M&A transaction that we'll have to advise a client

 

[MN3334]

Anyone that has done Mishcon´s AC this year or before, what can I expect / how can I best prepare?? Any help would be much appreciated

 

[hannabean]

Eversheds AC! Would really appreciate any advice or tips please

 

[SR99]

Is it okay to say in an app that a firm was ranked Tier 2 in a practice area by Legal500? Or should we only mention when they are ranked Tier 1?

 

[Seven]

Is it okay to say in an app that a firm was ranked Tier 2 in a practice area by Legal500? Or should we only mention when they are ranked Tier 1?

Hey! Just to quote on what Jessica said, of course you can, as long as you can substantiate your reasoning behind citing it

It’s not really a matter whether they are band 1 or 2 (or even 3), but you’ve got to explain why these rankings are going to be important to you/your experience as a trainee.

My first thought is whether the ranking is really adding anything to the point you are making? If you are applying to the London office and it has a lower ranking, can you just not focus on your interests in this work and they type of work the London office does without the reference to the ranking?

 

[manifestingtrainingcontract]

With firms that are reviewing applications on a rolling basis, do you think my chances are extremely low if I am submitting it on the deadline day? :/

Depends on the firm!

 

[manifestingtrainingcontract]

i sent in my HL app on the 25th and have yet to receive a link to the watson glaser. is anyone else waiting or should i email them just in case?

I was waiting for it and I received the email on Tuesday (I applied on the 22nd fyi)... SMHHH no point even applying before the deadline