TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[EA95]

Don't worry - mine does too! The 77%/66% is just a conspiracy theory for us to pass the time 😅 😂 Hopefully we'll get some positive news soon - I think it should be the end of the month at latest but hopefully sooner.

Thank you for your response and the confidence booster 🤣🤣

 

[EA95]

Btw this is a bit random, but has anyone applied for the Discovering Linklaters event? And if so have they received a response?

 

[suhana]

is it okay to use v&e in the applications and not vinson and elkins full?

 

[BonanzaBih_]

INSPIRED BY the great @Tintin06

Here are the firms I applied to, by chronological order; unfortunately I completely neglected to write when I received online tests and VIs, so whatever I just wrote is from memory; I will clean and perfect it once examination period, way too busy

Applied​

Baker McKenzie

Allen & Shearman | ❌

Goodwin

Pinsent Masons |❌

Mayer Brown |❌

Skadden ❌

Morrison Foerster

Slaughter & May | ❌

Jones Day | ❌

Gibson Dunn (attended their first-year insight scheme but didn't hear anything yet so a bit worried)

Cooley

Linklaters

Willkie Farr & Gallagher | ❌

Latham & Watkins (online test, silent since sadly)

Forsters LLP (they're going to send out outcomes on the 10th)

TLT

Dechert LLP

Orrick

HFW

BCLP

Paynes Hicks Beach

Eversheds (reached VI, still waiting for outcome)

Clyde & Co

Addleshaw Goddard LLP

Kirkland

Covington LLP

White & Case

Macfarlanes

UN Legal Affairs Intern (New York HQ)

Clifford Chance Dubai | ❌

Weil | ❌

Katten

Charles Russel Speechlys

King & Spalding (TC)

Quinn Emmanuel (Paris)

Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (placed on hold since early December, so awaiting outcome)

Perth Thingy… (I randomly applied to a company in Perth Scotland, since it was just CV based, and I have no idea what the name was and they ghosted me I think because I didn't get an email or anything 😂 😂 😂 )

Deloitte (completely ghosted, no confirmation email whatsoever so 100% PFO 😂😂)

Vison & Elkins

Morgan Lewis

Walker Morris

CMS

Hogan Lovells

Osborne Clarke

Davis Polk

RPC

Ropes & Gray

Paul Weiss

Squire Patton Boggs

Mills & Reeve

Simmons & Simmons (VI stage so far)

Norton Rose Fulbright

Withers (they asked for visa info, and I didn't realise it's outside my term time, so they suggested transferring my application to a TC so there's hope I think)

Joelson

Capsticks LLP | ❌

Gowling WLG

Gide Loyrette Nouel London

DAC Beachcroft (TC)

Howes Spercival

PwC |❌

Cleary Gottlieb | ❌

Reed Smith | ❌

Farrer & Co

Shoosmiths

Freshfields

Debevoise & Plimpton

Greenberg Traurig (TC)

Lockton

Watson Farley & Williams (last second and they're rolling so highly unlikely)

I forgot to add HSF (among my top choices too; passed the benchmark, still waiting)

Once done with exams, I will definitely start applying for direct TCs, because I graduate in June 2026...

I would just like to add I applied to WFW a few hours before the deadline and made it to final interview for direct tc so don’t lose hope!!

 

[Legalgirl]

I have an interview with Davis Polk and a Cleary AC next week- would be very thankful for advice on either!

Congrats! Can I ask when you were invited to the Davis Polk Interview?

 

[fcac98]

Is no response better than a rejection? Or shall I just assume that I have been rejected?

I am assuming that if people have got passed the second round of the application process and I haven't had a response yet to the initial application then its a rejection. If theres no sign that anyones application has moved forward I'm assuming I'll hear back some point this month

 

[EA95]

I have an interview with Davis Polk and a Cleary AC next week- would be very thankful for advice on either!

Congrats!!

 

[Chris Brown]

I have an interview with Davis Polk and a Cleary AC next week- would be very thankful for advice on either!

Congrats!! 🥳

 

[BreadandButter]

I have been a lurker for a few months and finally made an account, I have made 10 applications. I am thinking of doing more. Sharing my journey with you all.

 

[Anonymousxyz]

For reference, I applied to DP on December 7 (spring and summer VS), and heard back today. I applied to Cleary (spring) at the beginning of November and got the invite yesterday. Good luck everyone!

I have an interview with Davis Polk and a Cleary AC next week- would be very thankful for advice on either!

 

[lawstudent2]

Does anyone know if firms like Hogan Lovells send all their AC invites in one go or not? I've done their WG but have seen an AC invite for someone who sat it like 12 days after me so am trying to figure out i've been rejected and they haven't sent it yet or not

 

[Ash4202]

Hey - did you do the VI and was said you will be considered for spring summer ?

yes

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know if firms like Hogan Lovells send all their AC invites in one go or not? I've done their WG but have seen an AC invite for someone who sat it like 12 days after me so am trying to figure out i've been rejected and they haven't sent it yet or not

On their website it mentions they get around 4-5,000 applications across all their different opportunities e.g., HL Lift Off/Launch Pad, VS and Direct TC’s. 🥲

Around 2-300 people get invited to the VS AC across WVS and SVS. I imagine they will read every application and select the best ones and send those invites out as they review. 🤷🏾‍♂️

They consider applications alongside WGT scores.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

@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!

 

[xMontmorency]

For reference, I applied to DP on December 7 (spring and summer VS), and heard back today. I applied to Cleary (spring) at the beginning of November and got the invite yesterday. Good luck everyone!

Is your Cleary AC on Jan 16?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

I would just like to add I applied to WFW a few hours before the deadline and made it to final interview for direct tc so don’t lose hope!!

hey is this for this cycle or last?

 

[bangarangbass39]

Has anyone heard back from AG (Addleshaw), Bates Wells, DAC, CMS (for the grad solicitor apprenticeship), and Lewis Silkin?

I have applied for all of them long before the end of October.

For AG = Completed the critical thinking test on the 26th of Oct
For CMS = Completed the WG on the 18th of Oct
For DAC = Completed the VI on the 3rd of Dec
I have heard nothing from Bates Wells - applied on the 10th of Oct; they are supposed to be reviewing applications on a rolling basis.
Similar with Lewis Silkin who I applied to on the 23rd of Oct.

 

[fcac98]

Has anyone heard back from AG, Bates Wells, DAC, CMS (for the grad solicitor apprenticeship), and Lewis Silkin?

I have applied for all of them long before the end of October.

For AG = Completed the critical thinking test
For CMS = Completed the WG on the 18th of Oct
For DAC = Completed the VI on the 3rd of Dec
I have heard nothing from Bates Wells; they are supposed to be reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

I applied for Bates Wells and haven't heard anything at all

 

[ren1110]

Has anyone completed the Simmons and Simmons blended application? Any advice, tips and tricks would be highly appreciated!

 

[jacksollaf]

Has anyone heard back from AG, Bates Wells, DAC, CMS (for the grad solicitor apprenticeship), and Lewis Silkin?

I have applied for all of them long before the end of October.

For AG = Completed the critical thinking test
For CMS = Completed the WG on the 18th of Oct
For DAC = Completed the VI on the 3rd of Dec
I have heard nothing from Bates Wells; they are supposed to be reviewing applications on a rolling basis.

I think I saw something about DAC replying quite late, so not before February/March I think... Also, for CMS, consider yourself lucky! I didn't even receive the WG and haven't heard anything yet so there's hope for you!