TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Defnefresko]

Has anyone else not heard from AG after the initial application? Seeing people on here have already had ACs so I'm assuming PFO at this point.

Same.

 

[BobThebIlly]

last monday -
freshfields: here’s your invitation to our assessment, but if you want adjustments email us and do not attempt the test until we have responded

me: emails later the same day asking for reasonable adjustments, deadline for the assessment passes

today
ff: unfortunately we shall not be progressing with your application

me replying: im guessing this is because i didn’t do the assessment, but i emailed about adjustments and was not replied to

ff response just now -

How on earth is that fair??? I am so sorry that you had to go through that

 

[Chris Brown]

last monday -
freshfields: here’s your invitation to our assessment, but if you want adjustments email us and do not attempt the test until we have responded

me: emails later the same day asking for reasonable adjustments, deadline for the assessment passes

today
ff: unfortunately we shall not be progressing with your application

me replying: im guessing this is because i didn’t do the assessment, but i emailed about adjustments and was not replied to

ff response just now -

Icel that’s actually disgusting. Did they accept that you had emailed for adjustments and that they had failed to respond? Surely they should have been able to give at least a one day extension with the adjustments in place?

I’m sorry you had to go through all of that. It’s a joke in my opinion.

Tbh though, this doesn’t really surprise me. Have you seen the latest Legal Cheek article. 😂

Two siblings got given a New York secondment through nothing other than nepotism. *allegedly* 👀

A senior partner at Freshfields was a close family friend of theirs (the nepotism in question). *allegedly* 👀

Freshfields swapped several trainees’ secondments in order to give the New York secondments to the siblings in question (conveniently). *allegedly* 👀

 

[toad92]

last monday -
freshfields: here’s your invitation to our assessment, but if you want adjustments email us and do not attempt the test until we have responded

me: emails later the same day asking for reasonable adjustments, deadline for the assessment passes

today
ff: unfortunately we shall not be progressing with your application

me replying: im guessing this is because i didn’t do the assessment, but i emailed about adjustments and was not replied to

ff response just now -

How on earth is that fair??? I am so sorry that you had to go through that

nah it’s okay hahah, i sent a strongly worded email back -

i wasn’t hopeful anyway as i was rejected last year post-AC (which went so so badly)

 

[TC129129]

Same.

i am still waiting back on AG post VI. I did my VI on 20th December. I know they have sent out rejections to people post VI too. I emailed them last week asking when i can expect to hear back and they didn't give me a time frame, they just said they were still going through applications..

 

[trainee4u]

Just received Mishcon PFO following December VI

 

[toad92]

Icl that’s actually disgusting. Did they accept that you had emailed for adjustments and that they had failed to respond? Surely they should be able to give even a one day extension with the adjustments in place?

I’m sorry you had to go through all of this it’s a joke!

Tbh this doesn’t surprise me. Have you seen the latest legal cheek article. 😂

Two sisters got given a New York secondment through pure nepotism. *allegedly* 👀

its giving ‘guys i figured out a way to avoid having to employ disabled people omg!’

 

[oqnqng]

Taylor Wessing AC!! It's my first ever AC in this cycle so I'm super anxious..Does anyone have any insights/tips?

 

[Chris Brown]

its giving ‘guys i figured out a way to avoid having to employ disabled people omg!’

These same firms will bombard you with emails about their disability and neurodiversity affinity networks and commitment to diversity…

I feel like it’s all just very performative ngl. Some firms are genuine and supportive about adjustments though like Willkie and Macfarlanes.

 

[TC129129]

Does any1 know when we should expect to hear back from OC after the virtual AC?

How did you find the deductive reasoning test today?

 

[toad92]

Congrats! When did u apply/ get the VI invite?

i applied a day before the deadline, got the VI invite at like 1pm yesterday

(and to compare to the ff experience i just posted, i was responded to within 30 minutes of emailing them back to ask about extra time, then was sent a new link with extra time this morning at 10am, as well as a new 72 hour deadline)

 

[Bread]

2018: Slaughter and May work experience
2019: Debevoise & Plimpton summer VS
2020: Travers Smith virtual vac scheme
2024: Ropes & Gray spring VS

When do these count against me? Is it worth more VS apps? Should I only apply for TCs? Will these even matter for TCs? Not boasting but feeling very confused. Also feeling like these were pointless.

Not an expert by any means so don’t take this as advice, I’m just wondering whether it’s even worth including any experience prior 2020 at this point? Especially for week-long placements, like it’s been over five years…

 

[Chris Brown]

Not an expert by any means so don’t take this as advice, I’m just wondering whether it’s even worth including any experience prior 2020 at this point? Especially for week-long placements, like it’s been over five years…

I think it’s useful to include all work experience tbh but where they are similar just amalgamate them into one entry.

While one VS was 2020, the other one was recently in 2024. It wouldn’t make sense to not include the older work placements. They’re equally valuable imo. 🤷🏾‍♂️

 

[g.cl.2020344]

How did you find the deductive reasoning test today?

tbh was quite time rushed but not too bad hbu?

 

[helloj]

Heya huge congrats, when did you do your VI?

Hey thank you! I did it on the 6th Jan

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Hey thank you! I did it on the 6th Jan

same! hopefully I hear soon...

 

[Paul Jules Steullet]

Goodwin Interview invite!!

Congrats!!!

 

[EA95]

last monday -
freshfields: here’s your invitation to our assessment, but if you want adjustments email us and do not attempt the test until we have responded

me: emails later the same day asking for reasonable adjustments, deadline for the assessment passes

today
ff: unfortunately we shall not be progressing with your application

me replying: im guessing this is because i didn’t do the assessment, but i emailed about adjustments and was not replied to

ff response just now -

That is actually pathetic from FF. so sorry you had to go through that. At least it’s become more clear to you now that it’s not a firm you would want to apply for in the future.

 

[MilkMaid]

im really sorry to ask: which office was that?

Scotland Central Belt

 

[user9809]

There were only times available on Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday! Only around 2-3 slots per day, with Monday only having one slot!

Are they virtual or in person interviews?