TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[emily3827]

spring or summer

i think spring was my first preference

 

[nonlawstudent04]

Bakers test invite (summer)

 

[bella98]

HL?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Looked into consulting for a bit (as was losing hope) and they make you jump through the same hoops - cappfinity tests , VIs etc and they have forage internships too, just potentially less competitive.

Consulting can actually be much more competitive than law! It is the most popular career for graduates to go into.

It will vary a lot based on the organisation and the area of consultancy, but comparing the sectors as a whole, Consulting is much more competitive.

 

[bangarangbass39]

Has anyone applied through 10K Black Interns? If so which firms and what has been the update?
Mine has been Mills and Reeve and BDB Pitmans.
I'm annoyed because Mills & Reeve say I have to wait till mid February - March! I applied all the way back in November.

 

[Solking456]

Could anyone clarify the Baker McKenzie application stages? Seems at the moment there is a mix of WG, SJT or VI being sent. Did they change their process midway?

 

[thisisarandomaccount888]

Does anyone have experience of dealing with scheme clashes? Have already accepted a VS from one firm and have now recieved an offer for another. Firm B has said they can move me to the spring scheme instead of summer but I don't feel comfortable doing that as it is very close to my exams and I know I need to dedicate enough time to revision to ensure I get that 2:1. Firm B doesn't do a direct TC route so I'm not sure what my options are- the clash is one week; would they maybe let me do half the VS? I'm not too sure where to go from here so would appreciate any insights if possible @Jessica Booker

 

[Petallove1]

CRS VI 🥳 GOD I hate these things. What’s worse than waiting to hear is actually having to do the VI - any tips would be massively appreciated !! Happy to help with MdR

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

when you get a vc, do you have to do another training contract assessment centre?

There maybe a conversion interview or other assessments as part of the vacation scheme. For some firms you may need to do an assessment centre though - it really depends on how aligned the two recruitment processes are.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Does anyone have experience of dealing with scheme clashes? Have already accepted a VS from one firm and have now recieved an offer for another. Firm B has said they can move me to the spring scheme instead of summer but I don't feel comfortable doing that as it is very close to my exams and I know I need to dedicate enough time to revision to ensure I get that 2:1. Firm B doesn't do a direct TC route so I'm not sure what my options are- the clash is one week; would they maybe let me do half the VS? I'm not too sure where to go from here so would appreciate any insights if possible @Jessica Booker

I think they would have offered the half VS if that was an option.

But half schemes are very rare - you won’t be able to miss the first week because of all the necessary induction process, so you’d have to miss the second half of the earlier scheme if that was to happen. But I would expect most firms to say no and basically force you to choose which firm you want to proceed with if the Spring scheme is not an option for you.

 

[trainee_00]

Anyone did Baker McKenzie online interactive assessment - what to except from it? Any tips and advice would be appreciated!! 😇

 

[nj3352]

white & case VI - any insights? can give insights into jones day/freshfields/latham AC or slaughters interview. Lmk!!

 

[thoms]

BAKER MCKENZIE TEST INVITE. I know many of you, are used to passing the application stage but for me it's a first! Also Bakers is my dream firm so I'm honestly so excited for the rest. From "We are sorry to inform you.." to "We are delighted...". I literally shed a tear when I receive the email lol

 

[Deleted member 21782]

BAKER MCKENZIE TEST INVITE. I know many of you, are used to passing the application stage but for me it's a first! Also Bakers is my dream firm so I'm honestly so excited for the rest. From "We are sorry to inform you.." to "We are delighted...". I literally shed a tear when I receive the email lol

Good going champ! Well deserved, hope you smash the test!

 

[neonorange]

I am furiously refreshing my inbox after all of the Baker McKenzie/W&C/CRS responses - surely after 5 on a Friday is the cruellest time to send out a PFO?

 

[jplaw1010]

does bakers have minimum a-level requirements? quite unclear from the website

 

[SolicitorHopeful]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre if we are asked how law firm x differentiates itself, what sort of things should we focus on?

 

[laby201]

Hi everyone,

I haven’t been too active on the forum since my HSF rejection post-AC as it was my dream firm and with all the effort I put in, it was tough to keep going. As such, I said I was done with this cycle following that outcome.

However, I’ve had 10 days to pick myself up and am now even more motivated for this cycle to end positively.

Since then, I’ve had a Mishcon VI invite and a Baker SJT invite, while I still have a Taylor Wessing AC coming up soon.

Still waiting on W&C, Travers, HL, and Dentons (don’t know where they’ve disappeared off to) but the small wins are enough to try and stay optimistic.

It’s a tough process and just wanted to let everyone know how proud you should be of yourselves for continuing to apply and keep going, despite the PFOs. We’ll all get there in the end, and I appreciate this community immensely. Rooting for you all.

 

[thoms]

Hi everyone,

I haven’t been too active on the forum since my HSF rejection post-AC as it was my dream firm and with all the effort I put in, it was tough to keep going. As such, I said I was done with this cycle following that outcome.

However, I’ve had 10 days to pick myself up and am now even more motivated for this cycle to end positively.

Since then, I’ve had a Mishcon VI invite and a Baker SJT invite, while I still have a Taylor Wessing AC coming up soon.

Still waiting on W&C, Travers, HL, and Dentons (don’t know where they’ve disappeared off to) but the small wins are enough to try and stay optimistic.

It’s a tough process and just wanted to let everyone know how proud you should be of yourselves for continuing to apply and keep going, despite the PFOs. We’ll all get there in the end, and I appreciate this community immensely. Rooting for you all.

you've got this !!!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker @axelbeugre if we are asked how law firm x differentiates itself, what sort of things should we focus on?

I think there are many ways you can approach this and no one way is the right way.

The first thing is to set how you have decided the criteria to differentiate them by. That could be a whole host of things:

Practice areas
Sector focus
Strategy (and then broken down into a whole range of sub categories within strategy)
Client relationships
Technology
Alternative Services
Values
How the train/develop people
Reward or recognition structures or processes

You then need to explain why you feel this category is important, but then also provide any evidence rationale as to why they are doing what they are is different to the norm of other law firms.