TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi there, I appreciate that this is mainly for vacation scheme discussion, but in light of recent VS rejections does anyone know the chances of securing a TC without prior legal experience/vacation scheme places etc?

Hiya @lawaspirant21

I think this really depends on the firm, but securing a training contract without a vacation scheme is definitely possible, although it can be a bit trickier without any legal experience at all. Most people I know who’ve successfully secured a TC without a vacation scheme have done so after gaining some paralegal experience. Two close colleagues of mine secured training contracts at Baker McKenzie and RPC without vacation scheme experience, but both had been paralegals for nearly a year before applying. If you're aiming for direct TC applications, I’d highly recommend trying to gain some relevant experience, whether as a paralegal or in related roles. Even business services, compliance, or regulatory roles can provide valuable experience that firms look upon favourably. Wishing you the best of luck with your applications!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

As a firm, we operate across a number of sectors and specialisms, and offer sector-specific training contracts in each of our business services, health and marine groups.

Which of our teams would you be most interested in completing a seat in and why?

 

[elsx]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

As a firm, we operate across a number of sectors and specialisms, and offer sector-specific training contracts in each of our business services, health and marine groups.

Which of our teams would you be most interested in completing a seat in and why?

I think so yes

 

[confusedbird]

GUYSSS my PW assessment came through, they're still sending them out!!! all hope is NOT lost!!!!

do you know if it is timed or not by any chance?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I think so yes

That's so strange. Thank you so much for confirming!

 

[elsx]

That's so strange. Thank you so much for confirming!

I know I would have preferred if it wasn't the case ..

 

[simplyfaith]

Dear LinkedIn,

I am proud to announce that after tremendous effort and patience, I have secured a post-app Cooley PFO at 13:17.

I would like to thank their event representatives and the lawyer who spent 45 minutes with me on the phone, for this would have not been possible without them. Most importantly, I would like to thank myself. For producing a truly generic application, displaying an unrivaled lack of aptitude and conviction for technology law. Comment with the keyword "Conviction" to get my free guide on how you, too, can join the 99%

"You can do anything you set your mind to, man" - Eminem

(yes, I'm on that copium)

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Omg just got paul weiss test despite missing the comma all throughout my application! Think it is automated and is maybe being sent out alphabetically cos my surname is wuite low down the alphabet?

I just received the test invite and also messed up the name a lot, switching between comma and no-comma so pretty sure it's automated :O

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Has anyone who was offered Milbank AC next week heard back about further details?

 

[kelisi88]

Hi, is there anybody here who aces amberjack assessments willing to have a chat with me about it? I bomb the SJT every single time and can't figure out why

 

[jojo23]

Dear LinkedIn,

I am proud to announce that after tremendous effort and patience, I have secured a post-app Cooley PFO at 13:17.

I would like to thank their event representatives and the lawyer who spent 45 minutes with me on the phone, for this would have not been possible without them. Most importantly, I would like to thank myself. For producing a truly generic application, displaying an unrivaled lack of aptitude and conviction for technology law. Comment with the keyword "Conviction" to get my free guide on how you, too, can join the 99%

"You can do anything you set your mind to, man" - Eminem

(yes, I'm on that copium)

This is how villains are made🤣🤣🤣

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I know I would have preferred if it wasn't the case ..

For that question on the application form, it would make sense to focus on one sector than? It's quite limiting lmao

 

[BillSikes]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

As a firm, we operate across a number of sectors and specialisms, and offer sector-specific training contracts in each of our business services, health and marine groups.

Which of our teams would you be most interested in completing a seat in and why?

Not sure - but they did use to run specific TC apps for each of those sectors - so I think it is likely that yes the seats will be specific.

 

[legalxp2]

How long after completing Cooley WG do you hear back? Same q for Akin Gump (completed their tests a while ago but yet to hear back)

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Not sure - but they did use to run specific TC apps for each of those sectors - so I think it is likely that yes the seats will be specific.

So should I focus on teams just in one sector or take a more open-minded approach and say, well, if I get the TC in health, I would like to do idk regulatory work. If business services, corporate. And so on? I mean I am assuming you don't get to choose your sector?

 

[CG_101]

Paul Weis SJT

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

My ropes and gray answer is 325 words... do I need to pump those numbers up to reach closer to 500?😭😭

Hiya @jojo23

Just to add to what everyone's said (and also congrats on getting that word count up), I wanted to echo the great comments by @Amma Usman here to anyone still working on the Ropes application! With Ropes' question, it’s important not just to identify the traits you’re discussing but also to clarify what you mean by them (whether it’s adaptability, commercial mindset, or another key characteristic). Beyond that, you’ll also want to directly tie each trait back to how it enables lawyers to drive growth. That could be through explaining how each trait allows the firm to do such things as expand its client base, stay ahead of emerging client needs, innovating in legal services, or another way of creating value.

It’s definitely tricky to cover all of this in just 325 words, so well done on expanding here. For anyone else still working on the application, I think it’s totally doable before midnight. I’m sure with a little more refining, you’ll all be in great shape. Best of luck, and hope it goes really well! 😊

 

[James Wakefield]

How long after completing Cooley WG do you hear back? Same q for Akin Gump (completed their tests a while ago but yet to hear back)

I’m still waiting for Cooley too but saw @Ram Sabaratnam say the turnaround is normally quick. So hoping we’ll hear back today/early next week.

 

[elsx]

So should I focus on teams just in one sector or take a more open-minded approach and say, well, if I get the TC in health, I would like to do idk regulatory work. If business services, corporate. And so on? I mean I am assuming you don't get to choose your sector?

Isn't there somewhere on the applciation where you mention the sector? I don't remeber as I applied sometime ago

 

[Cara888]

Anyone heard back for Arnold Porter? And with Cooley were the PFOs post WG?

Someone from GR told me that Cooley would inform us before the 6th post WG if we’re successful.