TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[OliverTwist]

I did it last cycle, feel free to drop me a line!

Have received a fair amount of messages about the ML TI, I have been off the forum for the past few days as had my own AC yesterday, so tend to stay off things that distract me in the build-up (like this site).
Some general advice - I was not asked one commercial question.

Was generally relaxed and I think 5-10 mins at the start were purely conversational. I guess it's just to get a feel for your interpersonal skills and also check that your motivations check out, I wouldn't overthink it!

 

[Chris Brown]

anyone heard back from Travers Smith?

Based on last year’s forum, people began to hear back from around the 20th of Feb to early March so hopefully this time next week we will start to receive partner interview invites. 🙂

Best of luck to everyone that has applied to Travers Smith. Hopefully it’s good news for all of us. 🙂​

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Does anyone know when we’ll hear back from OC post the virtual AC?

Hey, just to reply to this again, had a look at the forum in previous years and people seemed to find back about the in person AC around 18th Feb and then VS offers around 10th March.

 

[noodlesdon'tnoodles]

For those who've gotten Skadden, could I check if we are still waiting for updates on their side to submit the DBS documents?

 

[ashwright]

I think they already replied to anyone who was successful. My friend got an AC (Summer), she wasn't fast tracked and apparently ACs are next week.

Do you by any chance know when your friend received the AC invite & how many slots were available?

 

[lou1707]

I am asking once again if anyone has heard back from Birketts 😔😔

 

[g.cl.2020344]

has any1 heard back post app for Summer Vs for any of these firms?
Russell Cooke, Arnold and Porter, MoFo, Katten, Wedlake Bell, Winston and Strawn, Bevan Britain, Hill Dickinson, Curtis ?

 

[FoxStella]

Does anyone who did an Ashurst interview last week know when they would get back to us?

 

[tiredtree]

One of two approach - chase Slaughters for a decision on Monday or accept HSF with the view that you could renege on them at a later date if you were offered Slaughters and decided to go with them over HSF.

Slaughters asked which firm gave me the VS offer. I've never dealt with a situation like this - is it okay/safe to simply tell them?

 

[JasmineM9]

Any news from Latham?🥹

 

[LawJ]

I have seen some people get interview invites for MoFo and I think I saw test invites for Hill Dickinson but I can’t remember if those were for DTC or VS. 🙂​

I haven't seen anyone post about Hill Dickinson test invites across this thread or DTC thread, do you mind sharing where you saw this?

 

[LawAspirer]

Hello everyone.
I am currently getting ready to make applications for direct training contracts.
I am graduated with an LLB from a Dutch university where we did a comparative study between EU law jurisdictions and England & Wales, and finished my LLM in London this year.
I know the PGDL is not a regulatory requirement anymore if you have an LLB, however, some firms still require people to do the PGDL if they didn't do an LLB in the UK.
Does anyone know of any firms that don't require the PGDL if one has the LLB? I don't want to waste one year doing the PGDL and it'll help me prioritise certain firms. I am aware Baker Mckenzie has such an arrangement, but I'm unsure about any other firms.
Does anyone have any insights? Thanks

 

[Leveraged]

Hello everyone.
I am currently getting ready to make applications for direct training contracts.
I am graduated with an LLB from a Dutch university where we did a comparative study between EU law jurisdictions and England & Wales, and finished my LLM in London this year.
I know the PGDL is not a regulatory requirement anymore if you have an LLB, however, some firms still require people to do the PGDL if they didn't do an LLB in the UK.
Does anyone know of any firms that don't require the PGDL if one has the LLB? I don't want to waste one year doing the PGDL and it'll help me prioritise certain firms. I am aware Baker Mckenzie has such an arrangement, but I'm unsure about any other firms.
Does anyone have any insights? Thanks

Orrick, V&E, probs a few others. Basically that ones that use BARBRI

 

[Ricky]

Has anyone heard back from Willkie post written exercise?

We will all find out at the same time and by no later than 7 pm on 26th.

 

[tom-sawyer]

We will all find out at the same time and by no later than 7 pm on 26th.

Thanks Ricky!

 

[andrecsaa]

Hello everyone.
I am currently getting ready to make applications for direct training contracts.
I am graduated with an LLB from a Dutch university where we did a comparative study between EU law jurisdictions and England & Wales, and finished my LLM in London this year.
I know the PGDL is not a regulatory requirement anymore if you have an LLB, however, some firms still require people to do the PGDL if they didn't do an LLB in the UK.
Does anyone know of any firms that don't require the PGDL if one has the LLB? I don't want to waste one year doing the PGDL and it'll help me prioritise certain firms. I am aware Baker Mckenzie has such an arrangement, but I'm unsure about any other firms.
Does anyone have any insights? Thanks

Probably US firms and some international firms like NRF, Hogan Lovells, Ashurst, and DLA. Best to check directly with grad rec

 

[Chris Brown]

I haven't seen anyone post about Hill Dickinson test invites across this thread or DTC thread, do you mind sharing where you saw this?

I may or may not have accidentally mixed up Hill Dickinson and Womble Bond Dickinson… 💀

I think from last year’s forum, people were getting test invites for Hill Dickinson from the 1st of March onwards. Best of luck! 🙂​

 

[Jessica Booker]

Slaughters asked which firm gave me the VS offer. I've never dealt with a situation like this - is it okay/safe to simply tell them?

Yes - it is not an issue to explain which firm it is with.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu

Quick question- I’ve got a summer vac scheme with GD, but have seen that a few people on LinkedIn who applied for direct tcs have received offers already. Knowing that the firm recruits such a few number of trainees, will these direct tcs impact the number of trainees taken from the vac scheme?

I would not expect it to. Firstly, because firms in general, but in particular American firms, have a clear preference for recruiting candidates that they can observe and test in the office. In fact, as far as I am aware, the only route available to enter biglaw in the US is the summer associate one. While US firms will give out a few TCs to people who apply via the direct route so as not to miss out great candidates who have more substantial legal work experience, they do not significantly alter the number of TCs available from the VS route. Doing so would mean missing out on a comparatively larger talent pool.

Secondly, for many US firms the number of TCs they offer is not fixed. While there will be a rough number they are looking to get, that can be increased or decreased in a given year. Some factors that impact it include: quality of candidates, state of the market and demand for core practice areas, retention rates from the previous cohorts, and reneging on the part of current offer holders.

 

[LawJ]

I may or may not have accidentally mixed up Hill Dickinson and Womble Bond Dickinson… 💀

I think from last year’s forum, people were getting test invites for Hill Dickinson from the 1st of March onwards. Best of luck! 🙂​

Okay thank goodness, I started panicking for a second 😭