TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[axelbeugre]

Hi @axelbeugre

I was reading about how you contacted a firm about an accelerated decision last year, and was wondering how you phrased your email to them?

I currently have an offer for a VS which I can do in either spring or summer, and am waiting on a decision for another firm for their spring scheme. I did this interview on the 23rd Jan so have been waiting quite some time. If I was to do my current offer in spring, the dates do not clash, and given that I can also do it in summer there is no issue of any dates clashing at all. However, knowing if I got the firm I am waiting on would play a big part in my decision of when to do my current scheme so it would be very helpful to know (it is also my top choice of firm).

How would you go about emailing them to ask, and do you think it is suitable to do so?

Thank you very much!

I basically said that I had another offer that clashed but I really wanted to do the scheme at firm x and I was eager to know an earlier update to be able to choose firm x. I would just try to be very gracious and appreciative of even being offered the interview or final assessment centre in the first place and ask for an update. I would say that this is effective after 2 full weeks of waiting, especially if they did not tell you when to expect to hear back.

 

[jesslawapps]

Ah okay, I guess im wrong, weird that I havent seen any offers yet given they started in Jan. Yep its super time pressured, just try your best.

I know neither have I, I know some people who’ve received rejections post AC but haven’t seen any offers yet.

 

[sxw517]

For people that have done the Dechert WE, I'm booked in for tomorrow but am yet to be sent anything to do with the exercise, do they send it all on the morning of the assessment?

 

[axelbeugre]

Hey @Jessica Booker, is the question of why should we offer you a place the same as why do you want to work at this firm? Or are they looking for different things?

The two questions are significantly different as far as I am concerned.

1. in the first one you are describing your strengths, whether it is your academics, internships, positions of responsibility that made you develop certain skills that will make you a successful future lawyer.
2. The second asks you to focus on the reasons why you want to join the firm, whether these are the practice areas offered at the firm, deals and cases they work on, specific clients that excite you, pro bono initiatives or diversity programs that interests you and you want to be part of at the firm. These are the kind of factors you would mention in the second question.

I hope this is clear enough and good luck with your interviews!

 

[axelbeugre]

Can't believe this one, but Addleshaw Goddard VS offer!
(Glasgow/Edinburgh - Spring/Summer)

Guess it shows that even the worst interviews with the worst case study performances can also have a chance 🥳

Congratulations!! Very well done!

 

[Apple]

I know neither have I, I know some people who’ve received rejections post AC but haven’t seen any offers yet.

oh really? Every time I look at my email app I grit my teeth praying i dont see the (1)

(they always call if you're successful)

 

[TC seeker]

Does anyone heard back from Travers?

 

[aspiringsolicitor2000]

Anyone heard from WFW? (post-VI)

 

[mfuturetrainee]

should I give up on waiting out for a macs ac, seems like from this forum they won't be doing another batch soon 😩

 

[legalgrinch]

should I give up on waiting out for a macs ac, seems like from this forum they won't be doing another batch soon 😩

No I wouldn't. Last cycle, I thought I missed out on an AC opportunity, turned out I got the AC and secured the VS, and that was with speculation on this forum that all interviews were all in Feb, BUT my AC was in March.

I know firms interview all the way through March too!

 

[mfuturetrainee]

No I wouldn't. Last cycle, I thought I missed out on an AC opportunity, turned out I got the AC and secured the VS, and that was with speculation on this forum that all interviews were all in Feb, BUT my AC was in March.

I know firms interview all the way through March too!

u're amazing thank u <333 that gives me some comfort ahahah

 

[legalgrinch]

u're amazing thank u <333 that gives me some comfort ahahah

Don't worry!!! We are all in this together!!! You got this hahah!!

 

[gggg]

Do you guys think Reed Smith is likely to send out another batch for AC invites?

 

[EllaClayton]

Any Ropes & Gray news? It’s not been long since closing so I’m just curious haha

 

[Winter]

Do you guys think Reed Smith is likely to send out another batch for AC invites?

Yeah they'll probably send a mix of rejections and AC's by Friday I believe (since they said all applicants should hear back by the end of the week) - well I'm hopeful anyway.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey @Jessica Booker, is the question of why should we offer you a place the same as why do you want to work at this firm? Or are they looking for different things?

They are different questions to me.

The first is about selling your USPs/strengths.

The second is about your motivations.

There might be a bit of cross over if a strength is your motivation, but I’d generally expect them to cover different themes.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Can't believe this one, but Addleshaw Goddard VS offer!
(Glasgow/Edinburgh - Spring/Summer)

Guess it shows that even the worst interviews with the worst case study performances can also have a chance 🥳

This also shows that sometimes candidates are the own worst critic.

There is no chance on earth that your performances were “worst” no matter what category you put on it!!

Don’t beat yourself up even after such good news - make sure you recognise the positives of your performance as it’s a really important tool when being a lawyer!

 

[xanderlawyer]

Does anyone know what the format is for DWF's VI? Also do they ask any commercial awareness questions?

for those who got a debevoise open day - did it allow you to book a day or were you allocated a certain day? Not sure if they are sending out open invites day by day maybe?

for those who got a debevoise open day - did it allow you to book a day or were you allocated a certain day? Not sure if they are sending out open invites day by day maybe?

All invites were sent out on Monday at the same time I assume. There was an option of 3 dates on a first come first served basis with a deadline to reply by tomorrow.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Can you please highlight how to answer questions focusing on an individuals weakness. need some inspiration please.

The first step is to do some self analysis and be honest with yourself as to what you need to improve on. Make sure it has some relevancy to the type of firm/work you would be doing though.

Then try to think about how you are currently trying to improve that area now and also how you could continue to develop in that area as a trainee too. They key to this answer is really showing the proactive steps you are taking to will take in the future to improve this area.

 

[danturner]

I basically said that I had another offer that clashed but I really wanted to do the scheme at firm x and I was eager to know an earlier update to be able to choose firm x. I would just try to be very gracious and appreciative of even being offered the interview or final assessment centre in the first place and ask for an update. I would say that this is effective after 2 full weeks of waiting, especially if they did not tell you when to expect to hear back.

Thank you! Is that even if the dates do not actually clash?