TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[yasmars]

Reed Smith SJT + VI 😁

Makes up for the no news (almost definitely PFO) from Dentons post-VI.

Congrats! When did you apply!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Is reed smith test automatic?

No, it's the second stage.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu Hi I have another question if you don't mind, please. I made an (unsuccessful after VI) application to CRS last year and for one of their 'demonstrate a time when you have demonstrated this skill/value' type questions in the application form, my example is still the same. It's the most recent work experience. I could change it and use a different example but that would mean using an older experience. Would it be better to do that, even if that means going back as far as 2021? Thanks!

Hi @Miss Chocolate, of course ! I do not think you have to change it. If it is your most recent or substantial work experience, recruiters will understand it is natural to keep it. But while the substance of your points may stay the same (though do analyze whether you can analyze any parts of the experience in more depth or make more convincing connections to skills/values), I would definitely consider ways to improve the form. It is likely you will find ways to improve the writing style and structure: perhaps some sentences should be shortened or broken into two, or perhaps some can be rephrased to make them easier to read? Maybe some points can be expressed more concisely, maybe some words are insufficiently formal, perhaps others are unnecessarily jargon, etc. Point is, it is likely you will find at least some minor improvements to make. Doing that will make it less likely for the system to flag the answers as the same, and even if it does, it should show recruiters you have a drive to improve year-on-year.

 

[lawstudent2]

Does anyone have any advice for the Travers Smith application. They ask for an 1,000 word cover letter but then two further 500 word questions on extracurriculars, positions of responsibility etc and im struggling a lot on how to balance the content out. The cover letter is quite long to just talk about why law and why firm and obv u want examples backing up the points but then I dont want to repeat myself in the two further questions considering they are another 1000 words so need to fill them too. Anyone have any ideas im quite stuck tbh

 

[legaldruid]

Hi @Miss Chocolate, of course ! I do not think you have to change it. If it is your most recent or substantial work experience, recruiters will understand it is natural to keep it. But while the substance of your points may stay the same (though do analyze whether you can analyze any parts of the experience in more depth or make more convincing connections to skills/values), I would definitely consider ways to improve the form. It is likely you will find ways to improve the writing style and structure: perhaps some sentences should be shortened or broken into two, or perhaps some can be rephrased to make them easier to read? Maybe some points can be expressed more concisely, maybe some words are insufficiently formal, perhaps others are unnecessarily jargon, etc. Point is, it is likely you will find at least some minor improvements to make. Doing that will make it less likely for the system to flag the answers as the same, and even if it does, it should show recruiters you have a drive to improve year-on-year.

Hi @Andrei Radu ! Just to follow up on the question about Video Interviews, can you give some tips and advice on how to best prepare and succeed at them? They're my biggest roadblocks

 

[Lizzy]

Does anyone have any insights into the Latham AC?

 

[erderlylars]

For those who got an AC and bird & bird , have you received the preparation pack yet?

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone have any advice for the Travers Smith application. They ask for an 1,000 word cover letter but then two further 500 word questions on extracurriculars, positions of responsibility etc and im struggling a lot on how to balance the content out. The cover letter is quite long to just talk about why law and why firm and obv u want examples backing up the points but then I dont want to repeat myself in the two further questions considering they are another 1000 words so need to fill them too. Anyone have any ideas im quite stuck tbh

Don't put your extracurriculars in your work experience entries. These should be saved for the sections mentioned above.

Any cross over between these questions and the "why me" part of the cover letter - let the questions focus on your responsibilities and achievements and let your cover letter talk more about why you did those activities (e.g. motivations/what you enjoy being involved in) or the skills you gained from them. This should avoid most of the potential repetition.

Any interests that don't require you to make a commitment to others. For instance, it could be hobbies that are very much from a self-interest point or activities that are solo pursuits or where the output is really only for your benefit rather than other people's.

It will be fine to be up to 20% below the word count - especially if other answers are substantial

I am also working on my Travers Smith Summer VS application at the moment and had the exact same thoughts. 🥲🥲

I have quoted what @Jessica Booker advised to do when I asked this same question. 🙂🙂​

 

[EA95]

Does anyone have any insights into the Latham AC?

Have you received an invitation for their AC? If so congrats🥳

 

[bsh]

Anyone do a L&W AC today?

 

[suhana]

Any update from latham summer vs?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

may be different for TC, but I applied for Diversity access scheme end of day 17th December, and received the test midday 18th December. I don't know if it's automatic or not though, because that's very quick turnaround if not.

I think it depends - I got the test invite 10 days after applying (including the weekend)

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Hi @Miss Chocolate, of course ! I do not think you have to change it. If it is your most recent or substantial work experience, recruiters will understand it is natural to keep it. But while the substance of your points may stay the same (though do analyze whether you can analyze any parts of the experience in more depth or make more convincing connections to skills/values), I would definitely consider ways to improve the form. It is likely you will find ways to improve the writing style and structure: perhaps some sentences should be shortened or broken into two, or perhaps some can be rephrased to make them easier to read? Maybe some points can be expressed more concisely, maybe some words are insufficiently formal, perhaps others are unnecessarily jargon, etc. Point is, it is likely you will find at least some minor improvements to make. Doing that will make it less likely for the system to flag the answers as the same, and even if it does, it should show recruiters you have a drive to improve year-on-year.

Amazing, thank you so much for this!!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu ! Just to follow up on the question about Video Interviews, can you give some tips and advice on how to best prepare and succeed at them? They're my biggest roadblocks

Hi @legaldruid I actually wrote an in depth guide discussing this issue which you can access here. I would advise you to read section A (as it describes my general VI/competency interview preparation method) and section B (as it provides my best VI-specific tips), but please let me know if you have any further questions.

 

[Lizzy]

Have you received an invitation for their AC? If so congrats🥳

Yeah. Thank you so much!

 

[tc2025hopeful]

Jones Day PFO...

 

[kokoprep]

Has anyone received sidely AC Summer, Latham AC Summer, Baker Summer Test?

Also how many W&C Spring invites have gone out? If you received one, can you please let me know when you did the VI?

 

[jacksollaf]

Has anyone received sidely AC Summer, Latham AC Summer, Baker Summer Test?

Also how many W&C Spring invites have gone out? If you received one, can you please let me know when you did the VI?

I think Baker still hasn't sent them out yet; they told me they will by the 10th of Jan (or at least, aim to...)

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Amma Usman @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

What is the best way of approaching answers to why law vs why commercial law? I did law undergrad and had debated changing careers until I decided to pursue masters degree in international commercial where I took a practical M&A module which made me realise i wanted to go into commercial law. This is what I have talked about in my applications/VIs and have given this answer regardless of whether I was asked why law or why commercial law. If asked in an interview to elaborate on the difference between the two, how would you suggest approaching an answer to this?

thank you so much in advance!

I agree with Jessica's points, I will just add that for the simple 'Why law' question you should seek to emphasize more general features of legal practice that attract you. It is perfectly acceptable to say that your masters confirmed your interest in pursuing a legal career because you have found commercial law significantly more interesting than any other areas of the law. However, you should be careful that your answer does not become a simple 'why commerce'. You want your stated motivations not to be equally applicable to other careers in international commerce, such as consulting, investment banking or corporate development. As such, I would try to point out some of the general features of legal practice that can be attract someone: using legal reasoning to interpret complex cases, statues and regulations; drafting documents to allocate rights, responsibilities and business risk; leveraging textual analysis and advocacy skills; doing complex research on legal and commercial precedents etc.

 

[papaya]

Has anyone heard from HSF spring recently? I’m assuming PFO but I just want to be put out of my misery officially