TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone have any advice for preparing for the Macfarlanes dinner phone interview. The email said it would be discussing motivations for the dinner and research on the firm but 15 mins for that just for a dinner seems quite excessive so I don't know if I should prep other things?
Thanks

I do not think the 15-miunte time slot necessarily indicates that the firm actually expects the interview to ask for that long. It may be that they only plan to ask 3-4 questions and are accounting for potential 2-3 minute answers, introductions, and potential delays when calculating how much time they should book to make sure one interview does not overlap with the one scheduled next.

As for the questions they could ask, I do not expect they could go much further beyond the following:

• The general motivational ones: probably the why commercial law, why firm, why you are all fair game
• Application strategy questions: what other firms have you applied to, why would you prefer Macfarlanes
• Firm research questions: could be simple ones such as explaining what their main practices areas do or how a current issue impacts them, but also more complex questions around the firm's strategy and market position.

Finally, in terms of preparation advice, I think it is similar to what I would say for most interviews, in that practicing as much as you can and then critically assessing your performance is the right way to go about it. The one point of difference I would mention is that with phone interviews, since your interviewer will not be able to see you and infer anything from body language and expression, you should focus a lot more on improving the clarity of your oral communication.

 

[Mayooshi]

they said we would hear back by the 4th after the VI

they sent lots of VIs on the actual day they said they would get back to us post app so im guessing everyone will hear on the 4th

it's just because I've seen people either get a VI or rejection, buy I haven't received any. Thanks tho, hope for the best on the 4th

 

[g.cl.2020344]

any1 heard from Orrick post AC?

 

[S7321]

any1 heard from Orrick post AC?

Nope, assume you haven't? I think it could be anytime this week from what they said, unless you were told differently.

 

[toad92]

it's just because I've seen people either get a VI or rejection, buy I haven't received any. Thanks tho, hope for the best on the 4th

Oh right that’s odd, maybe some kind of waitlist?? Hearing nothing is better than a PFO though , I would say reach out to grad rec given its after the deadline they said they would get back to us by

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Nope, assume you haven't? I think it could be anytime this week from what they said, unless you were told differently.

yeah I've heard nothing, should be sometime this week, doubt anything today

 

[y3920]

Hi @a3736y I think with most presentation task you just want to ensure you (i) have a very clear structure; (ii) deliver it in a composed and articulate manner; and (iii) focus on the interesting points of analysis and discussion. For (i) the details of the exact structure you employ will differ significantly based on the topic and the amount of information you want to convey. For example, it could look something like this:

1. First 15-30 seconds: you state the the topic and lay out the structure of your presentation
2. Next 1-1.5 minute: explain in a concise format the essential facts about the news story
3. From minute 2 to minute 3: note down new developments
4. From minute 3 to 4.30: analyze any controversial points and different views about the issues, providing some outline of an argument for your view
5. Final 30 seconds: summarize the points you have discussed and open the floor for questions

However, I think you would probably benefit the most by trying to fit your presentation into different formats and see what works best in practice. For (ii), again i think practice will be essential. You should record and assess your performance yourself, or, even better, have a friend do it for you. Then, repeat the presentation again and again until you are happy with your delivery. Finally, for (iii) I think you should try to read widely in the press about the chosen topic so that you can discuss the main arguments backing up the different viewpoints.

Thank you so much Andrei!

 

[coachedtohighheaven]

Received a TC offer this afternoon! They called me (no email) and I did my AC early Feb

 

[NJS]

Nope, assume you haven't? I think it could be anytime this week from what they said, unless you were told differently.

I was told the same, they said they make the decision pretty quick didn't they

 

[trainee4u]

was going to apply to kingsley napley work experience but its a month of unpaid work ?!?!? in london ?!?!? u expecting me to be working for free while paying my rent and no longer having student loan ?!!!??💀

and u cant do it if u have a TC so i shall be optimistic and hope i will secure a TC either there or elsewhere by the time of the work experience in september🫠

Yeah I declined to apply for Ashfords' VS for the same reason. Unpaid, but "travel expenses" that wouldn't cover my hotel, no thanks.

 

[gazdgazd11]

Yeah I declined to apply for Ashfords' VS for the same reason. Unpaid, but "travel expenses" that wouldn't cover my hotel, no thanks.

Ive done one unpaid vacation scheme and I spent so much money on the hotel etc. I think it’s ridiculous. If you can’t pay attendees for a vac scheme then don’t offer it?? Just do direct tc? I really think these firms are appalling

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Received a TC offer this afternoon! They called me (no email) and I did my AC early Feb

Well done! What an amazing way to start off your week!?

 

[lawstudent2]

I do not think the 15-miunte time slot necessarily indicates that the firm actually expects the interview to ask for that long. It may be that they only plan to ask 3-4 questions and are accounting for potential 2-3 minute answers, introductions, and potential delays when calculating how much time they should book to make sure one interview does not overlap with the one scheduled next.

As for the questions they could ask, I do not expect they could go much further beyond the following:

• The general motivational ones: probably the why commercial law, why firm, why you are all fair game
• Application strategy questions: what other firms have you applied to, why would you prefer Macfarlanes
• Firm research questions: could be simple ones such as explaining what their main practices areas do or how a current issue impacts them, but also more complex questions around the firm's strategy and market position.

Finally, in terms of preparation advice, I think it is similar to what I would say for most interviews, in that practicing as much as you can and then critically assessing your performance is the right way to go about it. The one point of difference I would mention is that with phone interviews, since your interviewer will not be able to see you and infer anything from body language and expression, you should focus a lot more on improving the clarity of your oral communication.

Thank you that's really helpful

 

[Toomanypfo]

Anyone heard from brabners post VI?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Jessica Booker Hi jessica! Just wanted to ask a Q about the VS accelerator programme - how long is it?

Edit: Also whether the VS exercises have been uploaded. If not, then by what date can we expect to have this content available? Just asking so I can be strategic about purchasing the Gold subscription!

Hi! Just bumping this forward again!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi! Just bumping this forward again!

The programme will run through to late May 2025.

The vacation scheme exercises will be available later this month.

 

[lawbear123]

Is anyone doing the March Skadden Scheme?

 

[slot123]

I remember a couple of weeks ago or something someone posting on here a list of firms that offer a decent number of direct training contracts but I can’t find it anywhere does anyone have a link for it please?

 

[tianna09]

was going to apply to kingsley napley work experience but its a month of unpaid work ?!?!? in london ?!?!? u expecting me to be working for free while paying my rent and no longer having student loan ?!!!??💀

and u cant do it if u have a TC so i shall be optimistic and hope i will secure a TC either there or elsewhere by the time of the work experience in september🫠

i was so put off that KN didnt offer anything for the work experience but my uni offers grants to students who are offered vac schemes and work experiences in london so to me its free lol (prime girl math)

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Would anyone be interested in having commercial awareness conversations maybe once a week? Just exchange of commercial knowledge in form of a discussion( anything learnt from a commercial podcast, a course on forage , TCLA…etc , news articles , commercial scenario, we would practise application of SWOT and PESTLE , mastering concepts of commercial terms I.e shares, bond etc ) . I believe this will be useful in terms of practising discussing commercially as opposed to just reading. Will be helpful for case studies /commercial scenario interviews as well. Also good for accountability cause you’d not want to come to the discussion clueless knowing you’d actually have to say something 🥴
Just need at least one person for this! Please send me a PM. (Serious minded person only and preferably someone who doesn’t have a training contract offer yet)🙂