TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[NCTC2025]

In my previous experience with Ashurst is that date is essentially rejection day for those who haven’t heard back. Could be wrong though.

After finishing that horrendous test I had no doubt that the rejection was on the way!

 

[AlegalA]

Honestly I had extenuating circumstances at an AC and didn’t do much… as in passed out in front of grad rec in the middle of an exercise and the feedback seemed as though I was assessed similarly to other candidates

It's hard to say - honestly it depends on the firm. I had bad COVID late last year during a period in which I was meant to do a 3+ hour blended assessment (with 4 VI questions) - I couldn't get it extended and ended up doing it anyway whilst feeling horrible - in some of my VI questions I broke into coughing fits despite trying my hardest not to. I emailed afterwards and got a very boilerplate response about how candidates would hear back in the new year. I got rejected on Jan 3 (which is pretty early as judging by this forum people didn't start getting PFOs for that firm until like 3 weeks after that lol).

I can definitely see another firm being sympathetic for illness, but I think the overarching mindset is probably that if you do the AC then you were "fit to sit" as decided by you and thus they will take your performance at face value and say that you should have rescheduled (even though it's often not possible to reschedule with a few hours' notice)

Thanks both for your answers- I ended up not sending an email to the AC firm as, like you said, by being there I was demonstrating I was "fit to sit". It's really frustrating but I couldn't reschedule and did my best so that's all I can do at the end of the day.

I did send an email to the VI firm and they've extended my deadline by three days! which is very kind of them and makes them look extra good in my books 😂 especially after your horror stories (fainting?!?).

Thank you so much for your advice and good luck for your apps!

 

[bangarangbass39]

I had a WG invite from Bates Wells for spring

You know how long we should expect to wait for them post WG?

 

[jacksollaf]

I got the Paul, Weiss PFO but what was really funny to me was that in the email they said, "thank you for your application to the Spring Vacation Scheme" I applied for the Summer Vacation Scheme...
Anyways this is going to be my last cycle - 4 unsuccessful cycles, 0 applications progressed past the first stage. Figured I could overcome my poor A-Levels and first degree's GPA but alas I am the architect of my own demise.

Next cycle you'll get something hopefully! My advice for next cycle is try to apply to more law firms, for instance I applied to 65 and got rejected from most but still secured a VS with one firm...

good luck!!

 

[BillSikes]

Sorry to hear that. When did you get the PFO? I applied to CRS London but haven't heard anything, even though I know VIs are going out

Applied deadline for VS. rejection received at 10:50 today

 

[lawaspirant!]

Is there any point in applying to Stephenson Harwood if they're rolling but still have two weeks left before the deadline?

 

[aphelion]

Jones Day AC invite! They came back less than 24 hours after my interview which is amazing.

 

[applicationzzzzz]

K&E PFO 😛😛

 

[Zaraa.x]

Can someone please provide a breakdown of the trump & DEI saga and how that might affect firms and its clients/why this won’t happen in UK. Would like to try to wrap my head around it. Thank you ✨

 

[Bread]

Can someone please provide a breakdown of the trump & DEI saga and how that might affect firms and its clients/why this won’t happen in UK. Would like to try to wrap my head around it. Thank you ✨

In a (very small) nutshell, the US has DEI quotas to fill, whereas the UK simply takes candidates’ background into consideration during the hiring process. The former is illegal in the UK bc it is a form of discrimination

Pls correct me if I’m wrong, this is just my understanding

 

[yasmars]

Can someone please provide a breakdown of the trump & DEI saga and how that might affect firms and its clients/why this won’t happen in UK. Would like to try to wrap my head around it. Thank you ✨

I’ve just seen K&L Gates recently come under fire for removing several references to D&I since Trump’s EO.

K&L Gates Responds After Scrubbing Diversity Language From Website - Above the Law

Hard to believe this will go over well.

abovethelaw.com

 

[jojo23]

If anyone has done the crs vi, would you mind dropping me a message please😭😭

 

[Steakbake]

Any insights into Dechert WE would be greatly appreciated

 

[bangarangbass39]

Can someone please provide a breakdown of the trump & DEI saga and how that might affect firms and its clients/why this won’t happen in UK. Would like to try to wrap my head around it. Thank you ✨

“Elitism” is defined by how exclusionary you can be

 

[legallawyer]

Does anyone that's completed the AG VI mind sharing some tips? I'd especially appreciate some insight into how many questions there are and how long we have to answer each question. Would appreciate any and all insights!

 

[fxy]

CRS VI any advice would be appreciated, BCLP AC insights can be given as well

 

[Zaraa.x]

In a (very small) nutshell, the US has DEI quotas to fill, whereas the UK simply takes candidates’ background into consideration during the hiring process. The former is illegal in the UK bc it is a form of discrimination

Pls correct me if I’m wrong, this is just my understanding

I’ve just seen K&L Gates recently come under fire for removing several references to D&I since Trump’s EO.

K&L Gates Responds After Scrubbing Diversity Language From Website - Above the Law

Hard to believe this will go over well.

abovethelaw.com

“Elitism” is defined by how exclusionary you can be

Thank you!! So basically in America the DEI targets are purely based on ethnicities so like if your black woman you’ll get the job because said organisation needs to meet its target. Whereas in the UK we have the Equality Act which prevents organisations hiring on the same basis… is that what it is?

So like with the example of K&L gates would clients will start to demand why the removal? Prospective clients would they ask for the firms DEI initiatives and targets (abit like clients who ask about sustainability)?

 

[latome19]

Thank you!! So basically in America the DEI targets are purely based on ethnicities so like if your black woman you’ll get the job because said organisation needs to meet its target. Whereas in the UK we have the Equality Act which prevents organisations hiring on the same basis… is that what it is?

So like with the example of K&L gates would clients will start to demand why the removal? Prospective clients would they ask for the firms DEI initiatives and targets (abit like clients who ask about sustainability)?

guys I don't know if you've been reading the news at all but DEI has been banned in the US

 

[FM302989]

Can someone please provide a breakdown of the trump & DEI saga and how that might affect firms and its clients/why this won’t happen in UK. Would like to try to wrap my head around it. Thank you ✨

Not sure I'd recommend this for a commercial awareness topic to discuss? Plenty going on in the UK commercial, property, corporate sphere to discuss that actually impacts our roles

 

[latome19]

Thank you!! So basically in America the DEI targets are purely based on ethnicities so like if your black woman you’ll get the job because said organisation needs to meet its target. Whereas in the UK we have the Equality Act which prevents organisations hiring on the same basis… is that what it is?

So like with the example of K&L gates would clients will start to demand why the removal? Prospective clients would they ask for the firms DEI initiatives and targets (abit like clients who ask about sustainability)?

the main difference in my mind is that in the UK DEI is much more subtle and many more times takes the form of "we favoured hiring this person because otherwise none of our trainees/vac schemers would belong to an X category of people". Also in the UK, the majority of US firms don't act in the same way as they do in the US in regard to DEI because historically it's the MC that feel the need to be more socially mobile etc....