TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[ayiiii05]

Apparently we will hear back from Linklaters in the next 5-6 weeks (said on an online talk) as they send invites in batches.

I have just seen someone on LinkedIn get an offer for a summer vac scheme for Linklaters!!! If this is true, waiting 5-6 weeks for rejection is so cruel.

 

[laby201]

Does anyone who has attended (or is attending) HSF’s AC have any insights? Already putting the pressure on myself as know it’s very commercial heavy and feel this is something I need to brush up on.

What exactly do the case study/scenario interviews entail, and what’s the best way to prepare? If anyone has any guidance, it would be greatly appreciated (and I can offer an insight on W&C in return)

 

[sibs23]

Hey guys, where do you begin looking when a firm says "what work have we done recently that interests you" I never know where to begin researching as a lot of things firms do are only reported on their website (from what I can tell), so it's difficult to draw 250-300 words out on this. I'd appreciate any advice on where to look and how to go about answering this 🤗🙏

Hi, I used to find this a tough question too. You definitely need to find some clear examples of the firm engaging in whatever work you choose to talk about, but it doesn't have to be one specific deal or piece of client work. Even if they don't talk about a specific piece of advice, they will definitely talk about capabilities that they have on the firm's website and often will write up articles on topics that they advise clients on. Also worth thinking about the firm's core practice areas and what are the main issues in those practices, then work backwards to find info about the firm doing work in those areas.

 

[NMA]

Congrats! 😇 May i ask if you completed a test post-app or if it was an interview invite straight away post-app? Thanks in advance!

No tests just a straight invite they called me too before emailing me

 

[NMA]

Wait aren't there only three questions?

Oh yeah the 4th one is like any other info relevant to the app, but i just thought they'd want to know just in case

 

[Zi48]

I have my first AC of the cycle on 16 Jan.

Group exercises seem like something that is essentially hard to prepare for (aside from commercial knowledge that might assist the scenario). Does anyone have advice about what I could do to prepare? The AC is CMS London if that helps more with the specifics.

I appreciate any advice.

I don’t think there’s much you can do to prep for group exercises, general advice for the day would be to make sure you contribute, but don’t be the only one who speaks, so listen to what other people have to say. If there’s anyone that isn’t speaking much maybe ask if they have anything to add but don’t be pushy. People say being timekeeper shows good leadership, but if you offer to do this make sure you actually remind the team about timing.

It’s all pretty straightforward, I think they’re mostly just testing how you work with other people. I haven’t done a CMS AC but for other group exercises I’ve done the content hasn’t been very difficult, it’s good to add commercial awareness where you can, but also just common sense things too.

Good luck!

 

[mfuturetrainee]

Does anyone who has attended (or is attending) HSF’s AC have any insights? Already putting the pressure on myself as know it’s very commercial heavy and feel this is something I need to brush up on.

What exactly do the case study/scenario interviews entail, and what’s the best way to prepare? If anyone has any guidance, it would be greatly appreciated (and I can offer an insight on W&C in return)

hi, congrats firstly! <33 I havent had any experience w hsf but if ure a law student its best to brush up on contract law, ive heard they can get quite technical as well generally (was speaking to a mentor and he said one of the qs his friends got asked like a cycle or two ago was 'how do you set up a hedge fund?')

 

[Manuchelsout]

Do we have to do BCLP test before the deadline

 

[nj3352]

anyone have tips for freshfields AC? can provide insight into jones day/slaughters/weil in return and have a number of applications that have been successful otherwise

 

[TS.Law]

I applied 30/11 and got an invite today

Hi, did you perform the test? Any advice, please?

 

[Ash2323]

No tests just a straight invite they called me too before emailing me

thank you!

 

[addy2004]

anyone have tips for freshfields AC? can provide insight into jones day/slaughters/weil in return and have a number of applications that have been successful otherwise

when did you get the AC out of curiosity please?

 

[laby201]

hi, congrats firstly! <33 I havent had any experience w hsf but if ure a law student its best to brush up on contract law, ive heard they can get quite technical as well generally (was speaking to a mentor and he said one of the qs his friends got asked like a cycle or two ago was 'how do you set up a hedge fund?')

Thank you so much and oh god, I’d be completely lost 😭 Looks like I better start preparing!

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Mills Reeve rejection omg that is my 7th rejection in 1 week but oh well

 

[bella98]

Legit same emailed for my WG score, never heard back

I applied in November, but they didn't send me the WG for three weeks. I emailed them to ask about it, but I didn't hear back. Eventually, I got the test, and after taking it, I emailed again, even though I was hesitant. I did it because I saw a lot of people here getting their WG scores. And they ghosted me again! 🤣

 

[TakeAChanceOnMe]

How long did it take to hear back from Bird&Bird post-WG?

Took a while over Xmas, understandably

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone got any tips for Latham AC?

 

[futurelegallyblonde]

Hi, I used to find this a tough question too. You definitely need to find some clear examples of the firm engaging in whatever work you choose to talk about, but it doesn't have to be one specific deal or piece of client work. Even if they don't talk about a specific piece of advice, they will definitely talk about capabilities that they have on the firm's website and often will write up articles on topics that they advise clients on. Also worth thinking about the firm's core practice areas and what are the main issues in those practices, then work backwards to find info about the firm doing work in those areas.

Thank you so much, that's great advice! Sorry, it's my first cycle so feel so out of the loop with it. One other thing - how do you actually find out what their core practice areas are, as each firm seems to list so many on their website?

 

[amrita6399]

Holding myself accountable (again):

A&O (TC) - ✅ 📕📍❌
Slaughters (TC) - ✅ 📍❌
Jones Day - ✅ 📞📍❌
Ashurst - ✅ 📕📍❌
W&C - ✅ 📞
CMS (TC) - ✅ 📕📞
Taylor Wessing - ✅ 📕 (test decision TBD)
Covington - ✅
Hogan Lovells - ✅ 📕 (passed)
Sidley Austin - ✅
Milbank - ✅
Cooley - ✅
Gibson Dunn - ✅
Herbert Smith Freehills - ✅ 📕❌ (didn't reach test benchmark)
Travers Smith - ✅ ❌
Clifford Chance (TC) - ✅ 📕❌ (passed test)
Linklaters - ✅ 📕❌

First (technically second, but last year I didn't know what I was doing) app cycle, so feeling good. If anyone has insights into Travers, Freshfields (TC), NRF or Bakers app process lmk, can give some help with the firms listed above!

✅ - applied 📕- online test📞- telephone/video interview 🖊️ - written exercise📍- AC❌ - PFO

I did the NRF direct TC application last cycle. It was an online application+ WG and game-based assessment + Telephone Interview+ AC.

 

[Percypig12]

I did the NRF direct TC application last cycle. It was an online application+ WG and game-based assessment + Telephone Interview+ AC.

No more WG now (I applied to Winter VS)