- Sep 7, 2024
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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- Sep 7, 2024
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Congratulations on the offers @HelpAStudentOut , we are extremely pleased to hear this! Hope you celebrate well!
For DLA's WG, would these results mean I am guaranteed to have failed?
Recognising assumptions= strength to leverage (above average)
Critical thinking= further exploration (average)
Evaluating arguments= strength to leverage (above average)
Drawing conclusions= opportunity for development (below average)
Recognising assumptions= strength to leverage (above average)
Critical thinking= further exploration (average)
Evaluating arguments= strength to leverage (above average)
Drawing conclusions= opportunity for development (below average)
I would guess they benchmark both application and WG first. And then go through a ranking process for combined scores to decide who to take forward.
I only got one above average and the rest was average and I still passed the benchmark. I think your application answers are also important.
Does anyone know Mayer brown values/what they look for in trainees. The website is awful in terms of information.
Finished the Mayer brown testing. Very long. However, the tests are definitely a great source of identifying the qualities of a lawyer. I would do these tests 100 times over a Watson Glaser.
I spoke to graduate recruitment and although the email states the first section is untimed they do indeed take time into consideration.
I spoke to graduate recruitment and although the email states the first section is untimed they do indeed take time into consideration.
I much prefer these types too, so much better than WG. Fingers crossed for you 🤞🏻
Did you get a feedback report. I’m not sure what my score is.
Good luck to you also. Although I don’t think I performed well happy to have completed it.
Can anyone kindly provide advice on how to approach the following question for Freshfields’ Graduate Workshop application:
“In no more than 400 words, tell us all about who you are. As part of your personal statement, you should demonstrate that you have the potential to be a great trainee. We also want to know why you want to work at Freshfields and what excites you about a career in commercial law. You may wish to mention any positions of responsibility held in university, as well as work experience or employment, achievements, interests, and personal qualities you think are relevant.”
“In no more than 400 words, tell us all about who you are. As part of your personal statement, you should demonstrate that you have the potential to be a great trainee. We also want to know why you want to work at Freshfields and what excites you about a career in commercial law. You may wish to mention any positions of responsibility held in university, as well as work experience or employment, achievements, interests, and personal qualities you think are relevant.”
It's about showcasing a narrative really. What's your story? How did you come to be applying to this open day?
- Sep 9, 2024
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I think this basically asks you to answer the usual 'Why you?' 'Why commercial law?' 'Why the firm?' questions. However, given the short word count limit and the framing of the question in terms of explaining "who you are", I agree with @Tintin06 that you should try to showcase a narrative. Thus, instead of separating your answer between three distinct paragraphs addressing each issue, you may want to focus on the series of experiences that led you to where you are today. This way, when discussing each experience you can also discuss the commercial law, Freshfields and 'why me' connections.
You're an absolute legend - massive congratulations!! You should be super proud of yourself 👑👑
I'd appreciate if I may ask a question about your approach to the direct TC app for Slaughters. You mentioned that it was your first app cycle - how did you find applying for a direct TC when you (if I understand correctly) had not done a VS? I'm interested in Clifford Chance but (like Slaughters) they don't offer traditonal vac schemes + i haven't done a VS anywhere yet. I was a bit worried about applying for a direct TC without any experience so I'd really appreciate any insights/advice on how you approached it.
Thank you
- Sep 9, 2024
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Last year I passed the application stage with Willkie. I think what made my application progress was that I made sure to include all the elements of a good written answer. In particular, for the 'why the firm' question, I focused on:hi, i hope you guys are good. i wanted to ask if there is anyone who passed the app stage with willkie, skadden, goodwin, weil or watson farley that could tell me what they think made their app successful, maybe with an example sentence if that's okay? i believe my apps are better this cycle but ofc i want them to be good enough to move past the app stage. massive thank you in advance
- Identifying the firm's unique selling points (USPs)
- Demonstrating more in depth research into USPs while also showcasing my interaction with the firm.
- Connecting the USPs and interactions with the firm with substantive considerations that are relevant for me from the perspective of a prospective trainee.
- Connecting these substantive considerations and motivations with my experiences and achievements.
The first reason why I am applying to Willkie Farr & Gallagher (Willkie) is its unique position as a US firm with strong transactional and contentious practices. Having enjoyed learning about businesses in two M&A-focused Virtual Experiences, I am attracted by the firm’s PE expertise. In an Open Day Philip Coletto explained that the sector-agnostic approach means trainees are exposed to a diverse range of transactions, developing into more versatile and commercially aware lawyers. However, in my summer internship at DLA Piper I also enjoyed conducting research into niche areas of the law to construct arguments for commercial litigations. Training at Willkie would enable me to also explore my interest in disputes and thus to make an informed decision when qualifying.
I am also attracted by the possibility to develop faster by seeking growth through challenge in Willkie’s lean teams. In a reading comprehension competition, I was the chosen to lead my high school’s team because of my proactive involvement in coordinating trainings. I took on the responsibility of submitting final answers in time-pressured circumstances, obtaining a rank of 4/34 – the highest ever achieved by my school. As an ambitious individual, I am therefore attracted by the opportunity to earn high-responsibility work. At Willkie this is also facilitated by the supportive culture. Hearing how associates always sent Hiral Jain follow-up emails with instructions for tasks, and how Willkie integrates trainees early through social events, I know the firm would provide me with the necessary support to thrive.
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Last year Latham may have had a different application review policy for open day attendees and normal applicants, in that the former received a response much sooner than the latter. Anecdotally, it also seems like the open day attendees group was overrepresented (even when accounting for the normal CV advantage of an open day) in Latham's AC.
That said, as opposed to Linklaters, Latham does not guarantee you an AC place just because you were accepted on an open day. There were enough open day attendees last year who did not get an AC invite. Latham also allegedly had some administrative problems in their graduate recruitment department which has apparently been at fault for much of the delay in response for people who did not attend an open day.
Long story short, I would say that while Latham likely places more emphasis on open days when assessing VS applications than most firms do, the firm does not have a straight open day-to-AC path.
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