TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

for freshfields' open day, ive written the personal statement but I don't know how to format this in the document for them - should I put the title as Freshfields Open Day, should I format it like a cover letter? also my cv is 4mb and I don't know how to make it smaller as they only accept ones that are 1mb or smaller

If your CV is 4MB it is likely created on some form of software that uses more imagery or has a lot of information imbedded into it. I would only expect a CV to be 100s of KB rather than MB, so it might be worthwhile putting it into a more traditional word document.

For the personal statement, there is no need to include cover letter formalities. The personal statement format allows you to go straight in with your opening sentence.

 

[Amehta1]

When did you hear? When did you do the VI?

Heard today evening and did the VI two weeks ago. All the best!

 

[member3804]

Does anyone know if A&O sends AC invites in batches?

 

[Nine]

DLA AC for London! Any insights would be really appreciated

Congratulations! Any tips for the application and WG? Thanks in advance

 

[Amehta1]

Congratulations! Any tips for the application and WG? Thanks in advance

Application wise it’s two very short 200 or 250 word questions (I don’t remember exactly) so focus on conciseness and cut the fluff that doesn’t relate much to your motivations for joining the firm. If you keep it simple concise and impactful you should do great!

The WG is pretty much a standard test although I did personally find DLA Piper’s one to be slightly harder but that’s just luck of the draw. Honestly struggled with WG till I just kept doing a load of practice ones over and over. The WG this time is also untimed so you really have time to think about your answers.

 

[l789]

HOLY COW! CC invite

After submitting my application and passing the watson glaser test (which I found out about yesterday)

I have just been offered a place on Clifford chances insight day conference event.

Happy to share application advice

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone have any insight into A&O S AC? It's my first one and would appreciate any advice / guidance!?

Hi @wowcha and first of all huge congratulations on the AC 🥳 !! I have not applied for A&O but when I was preparing for my other ACs, one resource from TCLA was particularly useful to me. For a number of firms, TCLA has in depth information and advice about the AC process directly from candidates who did the AC in the past. Fortunately, we have one for A&O as well, which you can access here. You can also find here a more recent similar post, for the 2023/24 recruitment cycle.

Besides that, I have recently wrote a comprehensive guide for the competency interviews specifically. This includes a step-by-step preparation approach which led to me getting a VS offer from atop US/MC firm 4/4 times I implemented it last year. You can access that here.

Finally, I have here three amazing guides written by @Jacob Miller:

• One for case studies
• One for negotiations
• One for general interview preparation.

 

[wowcha]

Hi @wowcha and first of all huge congratulations on the AC 🥳 !! I have not applied for A&O but when I was preparing for my other ACs, one resource from TCLA was particularly useful to me. For a number of firms, TCLA has in depth information and advice about the AC process directly from candidates who did the AC in the past. Fortunately, we have one for A&O as well, which you can access here. You can also find here a more recent similar post, for the 2023/24 recruitment cycle.

Besides that, I have recently wrote a comprehensive guide for the competency interviews specifically. This includes a step-by-step preparation approach which led to me getting a VS offer from atop US/MC firm 4/4 times I implemented it last year. You can access that here.

Finally, I have here three amazing guides written by @Jacob Miller:

• One for case studies
• One for negotiations
• One for general interview preparation.

Thanks so much for your help!! I'm very grateful.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Thanks so much for your help!! I'm very grateful.

Absolutely no worries and best of luck in the AC! You got this 💪!!

 

[BBsharkk]

Latham & Watkins Open Day Invite, the fact we had to do a test, application questions and VI. I'm about to make the most out of this😂

In case anyone is wondering, got my invite today. For the test I got strengths in analytical/complex thinking and self motivation, weakness in effective communication

Do you mind sharing what the VI question is about? Thanks!

 

[Nine]

Application wise it’s two very short 200 or 250 word questions (I don’t remember exactly) so focus on conciseness and cut the fluff that doesn’t relate much to your motivations for joining the firm. If you keep it simple concise and impactful you should do great!

The WG is pretty much a standard test although I did personally find DLA Piper’s one to be slightly harder but that’s just luck of the draw. Honestly struggled with WG till I just kept doing a load of practice ones over and over. The WG this time is also untimed so you really have time to think about your answers.

I’m worried I haven’t interacted with the firm as much - do you think this would affect my chances? Especially because I don’t intend on applying to the London office

 

[AS24]

Bristows IP workshop VI invite! If anyone has done it before, I would appreciate your help!

 

[Andrei Radu]

I just got an AC at DLA!!!!!! Can anyone please help with tips for the day. I am surprised it is in two weeks too lol.

Hi @Pola123 and @Amehta1 and huge congrats on your AC, it is an amazing achievement 🥳! Regarding DLA Piper-specific interview preparation resources, I thought to link the TCLA Interview Experiences page we have for the firm. It was written by other people who completed the AC in the past and gives you both a detailed description of the experience and some advice. This resource was particularly useful for me when I was preparing for ACs at other firms, so I do advise you to take a look - you can access it here. You can also find a more recent added post on this for the 2023/24 cycle here.

Besides that, I thought it may be useful to also link some more general preparation resources for you. I have recently wrote a comprehensive guide for the competency interviews specifically. This includes a step-by-step preparation approach which led to me getting a VS offer from atop US/MC firm 4/4 times I implemented it last year. You can access that here.

I also have here three amazing guides written by @Jacob Miller:

• One for case studies
• One for negotiations
• One for general interview preparation.

 

[nodustollens]

Bristows IP workshop VI invite! If anyone has done it before, I would appreciate your help!

same here! Good luck!

 

[Simi.O]

Burges Salmon PFO... rip

oh yikes sorry, still waiting for a reply from them

 

[Simi.O]

Has anyone heard back from Simmon & Simmons , White & Case, Burges Salmon?

heyyy have you heard back from W&C?

 

[aspiringlawyer12]

Anyone that did the HL AC today hear back? I know they can be quick with sending offers if successful.

 

[asplawyer100]

Anyone that did the HL AC today hear back? I know they can be quick with sending offers if successful.

HL has already ran an AC? Is this for their winter scheme?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

For those that received the VI from DLA , how long did it take after learning you'd passed the WG for the VI invite?

 

[Amehta1]

I’m worried I haven’t interacted with the firm as much - do you think this would affect my chances? Especially because I don’t intend on applying to the London office

The only interaction I had with the firm was a link day organised by my university in their Leeds office. Authentically showcasing your motivations for the firm is more important than having tons of interaction in my opinion.