TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[NJS]

Anyone heard from Sidley Austin post app??!?!??!

 

[l789]

thank you, this made me smile. You will get there too!!!

I hope you're dealing with the rejections okay. It's their loss!

Aww I’m glad ! Thank you too!!

You’re so sweet… yes we will get there and I’m doing ok thanks

Keep pushing queen!

 

[efm99]

VI was just before Christmas 2024, AC invite a month later on 24 Jan and I booked the last possible AC (last week)

Okay, thank you so much that's helpful for me to know! Good luck with hearing back!!

 

[Legalgirl]

Yea optimism has run out for me atp. I just didn't want hem to be one of those firms that leaves people in limbo

When did you book your slot btw?

Don't lose hope! When I received mine on Tuesday, there were only 2 slots (for next week Tuesday or Thursday - each with only one time option) - I think they only show you a few slots to choose from depending on when you get your invite.

A similar thing happened in my HSF AC, where I only saw 2 slots available (having received mine on a Monday), but grad rec said they were still holding ACs 2 weeks after mine, which I did not even see the dates of/wasn't aware. Sometimes from bookings, it seems like they are only interviewing a few people when really we just don't get to see all the slots if that makes any sense.

Also in my HSF AC, as mentioned I received an invite on the Monday (and selected the following Thursday), and someone in my AC received an invite later that week on Friday, for the same day! So I'd say especially for a firm like PW that is running ACs for the first time, it's not so clear cut.

Basically, don't lose hope unless you get that PFO!

 

[applicant457]

CC SPARK VI! any insights would be massively appreciated!

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hiya @gazdgazd11

Thanks for clarifying! To effectively address King & Spalding’s prompt, you’ll need to narrow your focus. Is there a specific set of tariffs you have in mind? Since taking office, the Trump administration has made several announcements, including a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, a reduced 10% tariff on Canadian energy resources (currently set to take effect in March, but not yet entirely clear if this will happen), and a 10% tariff on imports from China. There are also tariffs on specific products, such as aluminium and steel, which are likely to have a major impact on supply chains and consumers. A good starting point would be to briefly describe the tariffs you’re focusing on, outlining their scope and the industries most affected.

The second part of the question asks why you find these developments interesting. You don't need to say specifically how it affects King & Spalding or its clients, but you may want to allude to these. You might be drawn to how tariffs disrupt established supply chains, influence market dynamics, and reshape economic relationships between countries. If you can connect this to your personal experience or interests, that would strengthen your response. For example, I’m originally from Canada, and the threat of tariffs has directly affected people in my life - friends who work in the auto industry have faced significant uncertainty, and everyone I know has been worried about rising costs on products. What I’ve found particularly interesting is the Canadian government’s response and how they’ve worked to mitigate the impact of these tariffs without causing further economic strain. Your own reasons might be different. Maybe you’re interested in the legal side (e.g. how businesses respond to tariffs, how trade disputes play out politically between countries, etc). Whatever your angle, the key is to articulate why this topic genuinely interests you in a way that reflects your perspective.

In terms of structure, you could take the following approach:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce the recent tariffs imposed by President Trump, highlighting their scope and the sectors most affected.
  
  
• Impact on certain sectors: Discuss how these tariffs are expected to influence certain industries, and presumably you can focus on energy and construction here. For instance, the construction industry relies heavily on materials like steel and aluminium, which are subject to increased costs due to tariffs. The escalation in material costs can quickly lead to higher project expenses and potential delays. You can also briefly mention here how the tariffs might disrupt global supply chains, leading to increased costs and delays in project timelines. The energy sector, for example, could face challenges with the importation of critical components, affecting production and distribution.
  
  
• Personal Reflection: I'd conclude by articulating your personal interest in the topic. Here you'll want to emphasise your fascination with how such policy decisions can have considerable effects on global industries, economies, and legal practices. This will ensure that you've adequately addressed the second part of the prompt and showcase genuine interest with the tariff(s) you've chosen to discuss.

This advice is just to get you going. Hope this helps and good luck with the application!

Thank you so much for your thoughtful reply! I really appreciate it. This is such amazing support. Have a lovely day!

 

[4275purplerainbow]

It looks like my application season for this year might be over with no VS/TC offers. I have good A-Level marks (4xA*) and a (non-law) degree from Oxford and lots of extra-curriculars. I think my biggest weakness in my applications is a lack of legal-specific experience, for most of university I believed that I wanted to work as an economist so I didn't accumulate much of the CV law-stuff.

After doing lots of research over the last few months, I am certain that I want to work in commercial and competition law so will reapply next year. Does anyone have any tips of what I could do between now and then, as a graduate student, to improve my chances for next year. Specifically how can one gain the relevant experience? It feels really hard to get any real insight into commercial work when you're not already working at a commercial firm (a very draining catch-22).

Good luck everyone!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

I agree with this quite strongly. They did not run many interviews. Other firms like that provide feedback. E.g. Wilkie and White & Case. It's really not great at all.

They say online that they run around 40 first stage interviews and they’d only have to provide feedback to unsuccessful interviews so I’m guessing around 20 people at this stage and 10 at the next - sure they could find 10 minutes to gives us some feedback, it’s really not that hard.

I might do a SAR lol

 

[User5678]

Has anyone heard back from vwv or know when they will get back to applicants?

 

[Chris Brown]

I don't think law firms are in the business of lying, plus things may have changed over the years.

I don't see why it is a surprise that one of the most prestigious law firms in the world, with only 15 places, don't tend to hire from a university that is ranked 80th in the world. Universities are not a private school - they are a symbol of high academic perfomance and commitments to extra curriculars from an early age. People of all backgrounds have worked hard for a place at a top university, not handed it based on socio-economic factors. The biggest companies paying £1,000 p/h expect their lawyers to be educated at the best institutions. Of course there are exceptional circumstances, but that's the norm and will stay the norm.

I agree with you. That’s kind of the point that I was making. A firm shouldn’t claim to have no minimum entry requirements, or that they assess applications holistically, or that they adopt university or CV-blind recruitment, when in reality, they are after a particular kind of future trainee. I don’t think it’s unusual or unreasonable at all for a firm like Ropes & Gray to want to hire from certain elite RG universities, but for the firm to make it seem like they don’t adopt this policy (when it very clearly does), is highly misleading. 🤷🏾‍♂️

I’m not sure what you mean here: “universities are not a private school - they are a symbol of high academic performance and commitments to extra curriculars from a young age. People of all backgrounds have worked hard for a place at a top university, not handed it based on socio-economic factors.” Some people come from backgrounds where they don’t have access to certain resources due to financial constraints. That’s the reality for the majority of the UK population. As a result, these top RG universities make contextual offers. To imply someone who comes from this background (like myself) had their university place handed to them because of their background is crazy lmao. I had 3 RG uni offers based on the fact I had the grades. 🙂​

 

[AlegalA]

I don't think law firms are in the business of lying, plus things may have changed over the years.

I don't see why it is a surprise that one of the most prestigious law firms in the world, with only 15 places, don't tend to hire from a university that is ranked 80th in the world. Universities are not a private school - they are a symbol of high academic perfomance and commitments to extra curriculars from an early age. People of all backgrounds have worked hard for a place at a top university, not handed it based on socio-economic factors. The biggest companies paying £1,000 p/h expect their lawyers to be educated at the best institutions. Of course there are exceptional circumstances, but that's the norm and will stay the norm.

UOB is ranked 11th or 12th in the UK. I don't think you can really say it's not one of the top universities. Also, a lot of the top 100 are US universities. I'm gonna go out on a limb to say most US students are not coming to the UK to apply to a US firm following their law degree, but rather applying in the US directly, therefore the World ranking doesn't seem as relevant as the UK one.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

30+ apps and just endless rejections. Is there really any point anymore? I’m 27 and just feeling dejected. I’ve done several vac schemes previously. But they don’t seem to count. So few direct TC routes too. What is the point of continuing?

I feel you mate. I am constantly telling myself that it’s a game of luck to an extent and I just need the one yes to get there but it’s very hard not to feel like the universe and system is against you. No advice really, just saying I feel you.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

My fellow Paul, Weiss stragglers - anyone hear back yet?

Nope! Also nothing from Ropes & Gray… pls acknowledge my existence law firms

 

[klax]

It looks like my application season for this year might be over with no VS/TC offers. I have good A-Level marks (4xA*) and a (non-law) degree from Oxford and lots of extra-curriculars. I think my biggest weakness in my applications is a lack of legal-specific experience, for most of university I believed that I wanted to work as an economist so I didn't accumulate much of the CV law-stuff.

After doing lots of research over the last few months, I am certain that I want to work in commercial and competition law so will reapply next year. Does anyone have any tips of what I could do between now and then, as a graduate student, to improve my chances for next year. Specifically how can one gain the relevant experience? It feels really hard to get any real insight into commercial work when you're not already working at a commercial firm (a very draining catch-22).

Good luck everyone!

I've found the best way to break into a new area is always personal connections.

1) Reach out to anyone you can think of who might be in law or know someone in law (maybe from your economist exp.) and ask them to put you in touch. Even on nights out/normal social events (& legal events tbf)- you never know who might be able to help, so mention your aspirations with people you genuinely get on with and see where it goes. Talking to someone who works at the firm (eg on LinkedIn) is rlly helpful bc even if they only give you one piece of advice you can name drop them in interviews which helps the interviewer picture you at the firm.

2) In interviews, don't be afraid to disclose personal things if relevant. My paralegal interview at a top London law firm went rlly well bc I shared a health condition as my 'challenging situation' that I got through, and the interviewer had the same health condition…

You're clearly smart and hard-working so you got this, keep going!

 

[trainee4u]

UOB is ranked 11th or 12th in the UK. I don't think you can really say it's not one of the top universities. Also, a lot of the top 100 are US universities. I'm gonna go out on a limb to say most US students are not coming to the UK to apply to a US firm following their law degree, but rather applying in the US directly, therefore the World ranking doesn't seem as relevant as the UK one.

I don't think the QS university rankings are considered relevant in the UK. They are very key for example for applicants from foreign countries seeking scholarships where there is a requirement for "top 100 worldwide" or whatever.

However, I would avoid citing them in the UK. They are deliberately gamed by universities seeking foreign students and do not necessarily use relevant measures.

In addition, while undergraduate university is a strong indication of academic ability, the fact is about half (?) of English corporate lawyers do their legal education at a degree mill (Ulaw, BPP), so the idea that corporate clients are concerned that you learned about Shakespeare (or whatever your undergraduate degree was in) from the best profs at the best uni is a little unlikely. Plus general rankings don't reflect individual subject expertise.

 

[Tintin06]

27 is still very young in the grand scheme of a career. I'm 25 and only decided to switch to law last year. I have a vacation scheme this summer, but realistically, it could be years before I secure a training contract, and I’m okay with that—because when I finally land the role, it will be the best feeling after working so hard. If this is your dream career, you must pursue it for as long as it takes to get there. I have faith in you—if you've secured vacation schemes before, it’s clear that you possess qualities firms find attractive. Don't give up!

That’s all fair enough of course. Interview preparation time just feels wasted. That, and getting your hopes up. Vac schemes don’t feel helpful now. I want to give up, honestly.

 

[James Wakefield]

So for everyone, like me, still waiting for R&G, it seems they send out a lot of rejections and then wait a week before sending out more rejections/AC invites, looking at last year. Thinking maybe our apps are potentially reviewed a second time? So could be a while until hearing back.

 

[Maddy]

Might be of interest to anyone waiting to hear back from P,W - when I selected my interview slot, there were only three slots available. But they could obv open up more slots

Did you receive the invite today?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

It looks like my application season for this year might be over with no VS/TC offers. I have good A-Level marks (4xA*) and a (non-law) degree from Oxford and lots of extra-curriculars. I think my biggest weakness in my applications is a lack of legal-specific experience, for most of university I believed that I wanted to work as an economist so I didn't accumulate much of the CV law-stuff.

After doing lots of research over the last few months, I am certain that I want to work in commercial and competition law so will reapply next year. Does anyone have any tips of what I could do between now and then, as a graduate student, to improve my chances for next year. Specifically how can one gain the relevant experience? It feels really hard to get any real insight into commercial work when you're not already working at a commercial firm (a very draining catch-22).

Good luck everyone!

Hiya @4275purplerainbow

Just wanted to chime in and offer some support. Although I'm sure @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman and @Jessica Booker would also have more to add here. I completely sympathise with your point about the challenges faced by non-law students. Non-law graduates often struggle in the application process because they may have less exposure to legal practice areas and may find it harder to demonstrate a clear understanding of a firm’s work. In recent cycles, I've read posts by many non-law students on TCLA who've mentioned how difficult they find it to articulate why they're interested in commercial law (beyond the general idea that it involves businesses and transactions). That said, it's important to note that the cycle isn't over and it's completely possible for you to secure a TC through a direct training contract application.

In my own case, I came to commercial law from a completely different background. But I think there are several ways you can strengthen your profile before reapplying next year. I found attending insight and open days extremely helpful in allowing me to start gaining a sense of different firms and their specialities, as well as where they sat in the broader market.

I'd also recommend gaining practical experience in a legal setting, though this isn’t strictly necessary. For me, this was largely done by working in legal clinics during my studies and on pro bono projects alongside lawyers from large commercial firms. But you can also start applying for paralegal roles or even business development and compliance roles. I've generally found that many places are open to hiring graduates from diverse backgrounds for these kinds of roles.

One area that I think many, many applicants struggle with is commercial awareness. I'm really pleased that more people are recognising how challenging this can be for applicants. I'd highly recommend reading through ZipLaw, LittleLaw and also reviewing any TCLA threads on commercial awareness. Most law students often find it difficult to really draw out the financial, economic, and political implications of certain stories and trends. Given that your background is in econ, I think it's worthwhile thinking more about the legal aspects of the stories/trends that you're interested in. This could help ensure that your commercial awareness is more targeted to the legal profession and focussed on what lawyers do.

These are just some ideas that I wanted to send across, but I really think you can get that training contract. Keep at it and let us know if you have any questions about firms you can apply to for a direct training contract during this cycle

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Where is the implication I made that you had your university place handed to you? You’ve literally proved my point - universities make contextual offers so all universities are accessible to all.

I think what he means by 'accessibility' is the financial aspect of attending. For me personally, my dad lost his job around the time I was applying to unis and so, even though I got into one of the top unis in my home country, I decided to attend a lower-ranked one so that I wouldn't have to factor in living costs. So even if people get offers to places like Oxbridge, without a full residential scholarship, it might be difficult for someone of a lower socioeconomic background who's from a different part of the country to take up the place.