TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[PlimptonWeld]

Does anyone know from last year when Cleary Gottlieb rolled out AC invites for summer vac schemes? I know some were announced last Thursday (heard through a friend) but I'm guessing she applied for their spring vac scheme?

 

[eleven14og]

not me replaying the 'taylor smith everyone' meme in my head whenever i see travers smith lol

 

[Jessica Booker]

I've got my AC with them tomorrow so I'm really praying it goes well -- I didn't know their VS numbers were fluid though that's reassuring

Reality is most firms will be fluid with numbers - its not a disaster if they under recruit, but they will be able to increase slightly for the right candidates, assuming they need to.

 

[Sunshinepink]

Hello, does freshfields recruit on a rolling or non-rolling basis?

 

[NJS]

Hello, does freshfields recruit on a rolling or non-rolling basis?

Non-rolling

 

[yxngd2x]

was the first set of AC invites for people who had previously done something with Freshfields? i didn't do the first year scheme but i did attend the non-law workshop in december

couldn't tell you definitively because I got mine in April last year -- but based on what I've seen Latham do, for example, that might be the case

 

[Sunshinepink]

Non-rolling

Okay, thank you so much. For anyone wondering the trainee associate program deadline is on the 18th

 

[lawtrainee]

It is the 15th - so tomorrow.

Thank you!

 

[lawtrainee]

couldn't tell you definitively because I got mine in April last year -- but based on what I've seen Latham do, for example, that might be the case

do we think that latham have sent AC invites to people with open days / first year schemes?

 

[nj3352]

was the first set of AC invites for people who had previously done something with Freshfields? i didn't do the first year scheme but i did attend the non-law workshop in december

nah, i've never done anything w them and have mine this week

 

[nj3352]

how would you answer describe a time when you held a minority view?

 

[sibs23]

I think market is throwing people - it could easily be sector or industry. They just means what have you done to learn about the topic/career/industry more generally.

I am also attempting to answer this question (v last min again from me!). As my sources, I have already discussed my vac scheme experience and my experience attending open days as part of an insight programme. Would it be weak answer to say that I've done some research online? I don't know if it would sound less impressive compared to what I've written for the other two paragraphs.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I am also attempting to answer this question (v last min again from me!). As my sources, I have already discussed my vac scheme experience and my experience attending open days as part of an insight programme. Would it be weak answer to say that I've done some research online? I don't know if it would sound less impressive compared to what I've written for the other two paragraphs.

As long as you can be specific with the resources online, this will be fine.

 

[Jessica Booker]

how would you answer describe a time when you held a minority view?

This doesn’t have to be anything big or controversial.

I think its important that your opinion had some kind of contribution or impact even if you didn’t manage to transform everyone to your view point.

How I would approach it:

- Explain the situation of why you held the opinion and a short summary on who held the different views than yours.
- Explain why it was important you held that view.
- Explain how holding that view had impact.
- Explain what you learnt from the situation.

 

[treemate44]

do we think that latham have sent AC invites to people with open days / first year schemes?

I hope not. I did an open day last term and am still waiting following a summer vac scheme application.

 

[shortypie90]

I realised I made a mistake in my application... because it had saved data from my previous application I didn't change my address from university and it's very obvious that it's a previous address as there's a field where it says "Contactable at this address until"... will this get my whole app rejected?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I realised I made a mistake in my application... because it had saved data from my previous application I didn't change my address from university and it's very obvious that it's a previous address as there's a field where it says "Contactable at this address until"... will this get my whole app rejected?

Highly unlikely. They may not even spot it because they can’t assume that isn’t your address. It maybe obvious to you, but might not be to your reader.

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker - Hi Jess, I applied close to the deadline. Is that a bad thing? W&C is rolling.

It’s not a bad thing - you have applied, you are in the running! The only negative would have been if you didn’t apply at all.

 

[axelbeugre]

I think I read that Goodwin doesn't allow you to participate in other vacation schemes if you accept their offer. @axelbeugre, do you know if this is still true? Is this a Goodwin thing or do you know other firms that have a similar policy?

I actually do not know how it works at other firms, I have friends who were allowed to do other schemes and others who could not (from other firms), however Goodwin did not let me yes. I think it is understandable and I was fine with it because I like the firm so much but it is something to take into account.

 

[axelbeugre]

Just out of curiosity, I have noticed that some people tend to post on linkedin that they are a 'Training Contract Offer Holder" at a firm, and then will continue to do more vac schemes at other firms and get additional TC offers throughout the cycle. Do law firms let you attend future vac schemes at other firms (if they have already given you an offer) before deciding which you'd like to accept a TC with? or are these people just accepting offers and then reneging on them later down the line?

Some will let you so it is understandable but others will not. It really depends on the firm. Additionally, they can make exceptions for you if you have compelling reasons so it is difficult to know unless you speak to the firm about it.