TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[NCTC2025]

If I haven’t heard back from Cooley post WG should I assume PFO? Does anyone know if they send out all their interview invites in one go? The email said we’d find out by next Thursday, but I saw some people received invites already. Tia 🤗

Was wondering this too so went through the forum and seems like they sent out invites in batches last year! Not over for us yet!

 

[legallady123]

Was wondering this too so went through the forum and seems like they sent out invites in batches last year! Not over for us yet!

Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 thanks!

 

[contemplator___]

I just have to say, this new SJT style with Grit, Applied Intellect, and Digital Mindset is the most inaccurate way of filtering candidates I have ever come across. The questions they ask to rate your abilities in these specific qualities are just unrelated and nonsensical. I would take the normal SJT and WG over this a million times.

 

[James Wakefield]

If I haven’t heard back from Cooley post WG should I assume PFO? Does anyone know if they send out all their interview invites in one go? The email said we’d find out by next Thursday, but I saw some people received invites already. Tia 🤗

They’ve not confirmed interview slots (just asked us to confirm our availability) so they may be assessing their capacity before inviting more people.

It does also say they’ll consider inviting other people for interview if they don’t get a response etc. etc. so I wouldn’t assume a PFO yet.

 

[seaweed.bond]

They’ve not confirmed interview slots (just asked us to confirm our availability) so they may be assessing their capacity before inviting more people.

It does also say they’ll consider inviting other people for interview if they don’t get a response etc. etc. so I wouldn’t assume a PFO yet.

Thank you for mentioning this detail!!

 

[lawgirlintheworld]

Akin AC
Goodwin VI
Weil VI
W&C VI
Dechert Written Task
Willkie Written Task
Linklaters
HSF VS
Reed smith AC
Macfarlanes AC
Addleshaw Goddard AC

12 applications, 5 ACs, 1 rejection

Successful with HSF and got an offer

Waiting for Weil, Linklaters, W&C and Goodwin.
Weil said 2 weeks but nothing yet. I saw a summer VS for Linklaters today, was that the fast track individuals.

is your VS summer or spring for HSF?

 

[EA95]

Ahhh I bombed this PW SJT. Definitely a PFO 😡😢

 

[Chris Brown]

Ahhh I bombed this PW SJT. Definitely a PFO 😡😢

Does it tell you your scores after you finish it? 🥲

I’m sure it’ll be fine because I don’t think they will have a pre-determined benchmark since we are the first ones to take it. 🙂​

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Ahhh I bombed this PW SJT. Definitely a PFO 😡😢

Is it that bad? I keep putting it off haha

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

if I got the Paul, Weiss test on Thursday and it says I must complete it within 5 days does that mean I have until the end of Tuesday to do it? Or it needs to be done by the beginning of Tuesday?

 

[EA95]

Does it tell you your scores after you finish it? 🥲

I’m sure it’ll be fine because I don’t think they will have a pre-determined benchmark since we are the first ones to take it. 🙂

I’m probably going to do mine tomorrow I’m too nervous lmao. 🤣

It shows you a graph on 4 qualities it assesses, and mine didn’t look great.

 

[EA95]

Is it that bad? I keep putting it off haha

Honestly, the test was challenging for me tbh ( I don’t really like SJT, much rather prefer WGT).

 

[Cool pigeon]

Does anyone know when Skadden interviews finish? Whens was the last date available to book?

 

[RANDOTRON]

To that I will just add that apparently clients (and particularly large corporates/financial institutions) are very conservative when it comes to legal services. A number of lawyers told me some are quite reluctant to allow the use of new legal tech on their matters. Although it would come with a potential discount, as automatization and increased efficiency will mean a lower number of billables, it seems in many cases they are reticent to accept any level of AI-related legal risk. As such, firms can find themselves in the difficult position of wanting to innovate and use AI but also needing to keep clients happy and untroubled by it.

Agreed, and a large part of this is that AI is a relatively "new" thing in law with the potential to disrupt the status quo on how things are typically done, so naturally this attracts a dose of skepticism and conservatism. Many different factors for this with some relating to confidentiality (which is why firms have a procurement process), some to a lack of understanding and some to the immaturity of the product. How receptive a client is to AI also does in large part link with that client's own corporate culture and risk appetite.

 

[RANDOTRON]

What are the different types of written exercises you can get at AC? I've seen letters, memos and reports. Are there any others I should prepare for?

I'd think less than about the types of exercise, and more about the skills that written exercises are designed to test you on - most skills tested are more or less overlapping.

 

[unknownnn7372]

Does anyone know when Skadden interviews finish? Whens was the last date available to book?

i think 3rd of Feb was the last date if i’m not wrong

 

[g.cl.2020344]

does any1 know how to improve your scores for deductive reasoning tests?- the ones where they will ask you to schedule meetings etc

 

[yeezyee]

any tips for the mischon ac? i’m petrified

 

[Cool pigeon]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

100% - Most of my successful applications this year have been firms where I didn't attend their open days.

 

[rapunzel]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Hey, I've applied to many firms without attending in-person events and have been offered ACs. There are many ways to show your interest in a firm like through attending online events, completing forage work experiences or even trying to link your work experience or insight events in a practice they are well known for from another firm!