TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

s2203

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inestrichard

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Hi! Can you apply to both a winter vacation scheme and a summer vacation scheme for the same firm? (I'm thinking Hogan Lovells for instance). If so, do you know if applications (and Watson Glacier test results) are considered separately? Thanks!
 

Z48

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Hi! Can you apply to both a winter vacation scheme and a summer vacation scheme for the same firm? (I'm thinking Hogan Lovells for instance). If so, do you know if applications (and Watson Glacier test results) are considered separately? Thanks!
You can only apply to Hogan Lovells once between September-July.

Some firms let you apply for a vacation scheme and training contract in the same year, but I don’t know of any that let you apply to two vacation schemes in one cycle
 
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LexNavigator

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_shims_

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Sidley Austin's Winter Vacation Scheme Application includes these two questions:
  1. Describe a current commercial issue that has interested you and explain why it interested you? (250 words max)
  2. In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer? (250 words max)
Should my answers link back to the firm, even though the questions do not ask me to do so?

Also if anyone has any tips on how to answer commercial questions like Q1, I would greatly appreciate it! I feel like I tend to get immediate rejections from firms that have a similar application question - so definitely an area I need to work on.

Thank you!
 
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SoonToBeTrainee

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    Sidley Austin's Winter Vacation Scheme Application includes these two questions:
    1. Describe a current commercial issue that has interested you and explain why it interested you? (250 words max)
    2. In your view which personal qualities make a successful lawyer? (250 words max)
    Should my answers link back to the firm, even though the questions do not ask me to do so?

    Also if anyone has any tips on how to answer commercial questions like Q1, I would greatly appreciate it! I feel like I tend to get immediate rejections from firms that have a similar application question - so definitely an area I need to work on.

    Thank you!
    I saw a couple posts from Jessica about this. Essentially, it’s not necessary to link your answers back to the firm if the question doesn’t directly ask you to.

    In the case of Q1, the firm just want to hear about your interests and, perhaps more importantly, why you’re interested.
    Brief references to the firm in passing etc. are fine, but not required. Trying to anticipate questions can often mean that applicants avoid answering the direct question completely. So, it’s probably better to just answer what’s being asked.

    To parrot Jessica (lol), my advice for Q1 is to focus on something specific, in order to distinguish yourself from others and show a depth of analysis on that commercial topic.

    On a personal note:
    I wouldn’t say the commercial topic needs to be directly relevant to a firm’s core practice areas / clients, when the question doesn’t specify otherwise. If a firm is full-service, for example, mentioning a more unique topic that genuinely interests you (and that you can therefore go into depth with) is probably more likely to help you stand out.
     

    _shims_

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    Jul 15, 2024
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    I saw a couple posts from Jessica about this. Essentially, it’s not necessary to link your answers back to the firm if the question doesn’t directly ask you to.

    In the case of Q1, the firm just want to hear about your interests and, perhaps more importantly, why you’re interested.
    Brief references to the firm in passing etc. are fine, but not required. Trying to anticipate questions can often mean that applicants avoid answering the direct question completely. So, it’s probably better to just answer what’s being asked.

    To parrot Jessica (lol), my advice for Q1 is to focus on something specific, in order to distinguish yourself from others and show a depth of analysis on that commercial topic.

    On a personal note:
    I wouldn’t say the commercial topic needs to be directly relevant to a firm’s core practice areas / clients, when the question doesn’t specify otherwise. Sidley is a full-service practice, so mentioning a more unique topic that genuinely interests you (and that you can therefore go into depth with) is probably more likely to help you stand out.
    Thank you for your insight!
     

    AveragePoster

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    Aug 17, 2023
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    Does anyone know how long it typically takes Sidley to get back re a Winter VS application? The email I received said 'as soon as possible', but if anyone has any experience on a more definitive timeline that would be helpful. Thanks!
     

    evianmineral

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  • Mar 12, 2024
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    Also - is there a thread for tracking events (e.g. A&O's upcoming grad rec call)? If not, does anyone have any advice for keeping up to date with the events each firm has? I have email notifs from places like Legal Cheek etc. and I even tried to create a RSS feed for the firm's events pages but didn't have much success..
    Seconding this, the thread for the VS deadlines is really good but would LOVE one for events
     

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