TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[WhaTdocument]

ITS AMBERJACK. FFS. Tbf i've not had a terrible outing with AJ, but I can't tell if I have been good with them or not. The results alone don't tell you if you're successful or not. I am still waiting for 2 responses from firms I took the Amberjack for, to hear if I'm successful or not

can i ask what is AMBERJACK? ......

 

[tcplease2345]

LinkedIn is depressing.

 

[s2203]

Congratulations to everyone who has secured a VS this cycle! It’s honestly such an achievement and after a soul-crushing process.

To those who haven’t, a PFO is not a reflection of your ability and there’s always goodness in every delay! Definitely spend this time wisely to focus on improving yourself for the next cycle and maybe explore other options, such as direct TCs.

This cycle hasn’t been amazing for me. It’s my second one, and I applied to 10 firms and got PFOs for most of them either post app or post VI. In comparison to last year, I applied to 4 firms, got to the interview stage for 2 and ended up securing a VS offer. Unfortunately I was unable to convert it into a TC. I guess every opportunity is a learning process and I am hoping there are other opportunities which are better suited for me!

If anyone would like any insight to the Travers interview and/or assessed tasks on the VS please PM me, I’d love to help out

 

[lawtab]

LinkedIn is depressing.

I’m delighted to announce I will be deleting LinkedIn off my phone!! A special thanks to the LinkedIn community for destroying my mental health. I look forward to not ever using it again in the near future!

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

What's the best approach to the question "if you could introduce a new law, what would it be"?

Would it be best to focus on the firm's practice areas or anything of interest? Any thoughts @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre?

 

[Cynthia14]

shhhhhh let them apply for the MCs and Big Law only! leave the rest for us i'm all for the advice but dang, if people wanna aim for a moon landing I ain't stopping them!

I agree tho, I realised that If you want to go into Law it's not about forcing yourself into a space where the competition is indescribable. That's a tip a partner from Fieldfisher gave me at the end of the interview. We studied at the same degree at the same uni as well which made it even more funny. He said he realised early on that he was wasting time on these big firms (MC) because spotting him was gonna be like finding a needle in a haystack. It's not impossible, but to only focus on these top firms is bamboozling. Also so many people don't even last after qualifying loool. Honestly, the hunt for MC/US big law is reminding me of the pursuit for Oxbridge at A levels. It makes so much sense as to why people want it but there are so many different opportunities/routes to "success" outside of the "best".

I really like this article from the BBC which I think is great metaphor for why people do this - I just realised there's also a TV show

Are you an ‘insecure overachiever’?

Decades of research into elite firms identified a particular type of worker: exceptionally capable and fiercely ambitious, but driven by a profound belief in their own inadequacy.

www.bbc.com

But it seems like MC can provide more TC each year，I feel like it means more chance.

 

[ChloeC]

NRF PFO

 

[wc]

Hey guys, do you think doing a virtual AC is disadvantageous to an in person one?

 

[bangarangbass39]

But it seems like MC can provide more TC each year，I feel like it means more chance.

They do but the applications for it are well over 2,000. Its worth applying, but to only focus on these firms is silly in my opinion. Even if you have the IQ of tesla, or 28 A levels.

 

[sxw517]

Is anyone in the same boat as me and still not done the Bakers VI, the amount of posts I have seen on here about it being a weird VI hasn't helped motivate me to start it lol

 

[Cynthia14]

They do but the applications for it are well over 2,000. Its worth applying, but to only focus on these firms is silly in my opinion. Even if you have the IQ of tesla, or 28 A levels.

But small firms also received wide range of applications，I don‘t think silver circle has
a lower standard.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

What do people think the main benefits are of a sector focused firm?

 

[tcplease2345]

Its just difficult overall.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

But small firms also received wide range of applications，I don‘t think silver circle has
a lower standard.

The MC will typically get far more applicants than other firms though, which is why they have more TCs. Wouldn't necessarily say it's a lower standard, but I also feel each MC firm looks for a very particular type of person.

It's why someone might receive a TC offer from 3 US firms but not even get past the written stage for MC firms. It's weird.

 

[holz567]

Someone please correct me if I'm being stupid, but is a full service law firm just a firm that has the main City practice areas (i.e. one that has a corporate, banking, employment, tax, real estate etc), rather than a specialist or niche firm (i.e. one that only specialises in family or criminal)?

 

[Jessica Booker]

What's the best approach to the question "if you could introduce a new law, what would it be"?

Would it be best to focus on the firm's practice areas or anything of interest? Any thoughts @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre?

I don’t think you have to focus on the firm’s practice areas - it could be something much more broader around policy that might just impact firms or their clients.

I would choose something that you have an opinion on and can rationalise your logic and thinking as to why that law is needed.

 

[bangarangbass39]

But small firms also received wide range of applications，I don‘t think silver circle has
a lower standard.

They absolutely do! But my point has never been other firms have lower standards therefore you should apply. My point has been don’t just focus on the “best”. Especially if they have more offers.

It’s a fallacy to think more offers = more chance because you’re missing the fact of more applications. The example I gave with what the partner told me is that it was harder for him to get noticed because of the sea of applicants. He probably is of a high standard (I mean he’s a partner in a strong law firm he has to be). It was harder to get the opp though because there’s too many people!

Secondly it’s a silly to think that a firm is the best because it has more money, more recognisable clients, etc. Obviously there are more opps and greater variety in experience and work. However, there’s countless stories of how the culture in Big Law (both in the UK and US) is awful. And many people leave once qualifying because of burnout, lack of interest in what the firm does and toxic personalities.

Honestly I could go on.

the same things can arise in an National/International or smaller/mid size firms. But it’s silly to discount them from the application cycle. I don’t think you can justify solely applying for MCs/US law which was the point that was made. I said I think ppl do this because they wrongly think it’s the only place they should learn and practice law.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

I don’t think you have to focus on the firm’s practice areas - it could be something much more broader around policy that might just impact firms or their clients.

I would choose something that you have an opinion on and can rationalise your logic and thinking as to why that law is needed.

Thanks Jessica If it's something that likely wouldn't impact the firm or its clients but is something I'm strongly passionate about, would that be a mistake? I would want to talk about banning the use of sexual history evidence in trials, but I know this isn't a topic that would be of relevance to the firm at all.

 

[sxw517]

Not Completed - Record or Value is Required

Is this error message coming up for people when they try to submit Winston app?

 

[Callumw123]

Bird & Bird Summer VS offer!

Congrats!! When did you do your AC and when did you get the email? I'm still waiting to hear back