TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[SamiyaJ]

Hi all,

I hope everyone’s doing well and had a good week!

I’ve been lurking in the past couple of weeks as I’ve got no updates to my applications and just wanted to know what’s everyone planning to do now? Like if you haven’t had a successful cycle with VS, are you planning to apply to training contracts?

Im planning to apply to Farrer & Co and Orrick within the next week or so, but everything now seems so spaced out with TC deadlines so I’m not sure if I should be doing something else too?!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

BCLP VS (Summer)

I received the call during the week but I've been taking time to soak it in! Because this has been a LONG journey.

I graduated in 2018, did a VS at a really good firm in 2020 and failed to convert it. Everybody told me that I'd definitely get something the next cycle, but every VS/DTC application I did was rejected at application/psychometric test. Then the cycle after that, I only managed to get to AC for one firm, but I didn't get the VS. I took a break from applying for the next cycle due to health issues and starting a Paralegal role at a magic circle firm (who said I couldn't get a TC there despite getting a 2.1 with mitigating circumstances - but that's a story for another day 💀). Honestly it has been a rollercoaster all these years, I knew that my applications were good, and I was passing the Watson Glaser (at least for the firms that would provide results). It felt like the only thing letting me down was some of my uni modules, even though I got a high 2:1 overrall.

But now this cycle is here, 7 years after graduating and 5 years after my last Vac Scheme, and I've finally managed to score this one!

I often see people talking about how they feel after not getting the TC offer a year or 2 after graduating, or feeling like being 25+ is too old. If anybody understands how you feel, it's me! So many people have told me to give up, try something else, but if this is truly what you want to do and you believe that you can do it, I say don't give up!! You only need one yes! Wishing everyone waiting on an outcome an abundance of good news this coming week ❤️

So much pleasure in reading this on a Sunday. If you need any support before the scheme, let us know. You're going to be great!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi all,

I hope everyone’s doing well and had a good week!

I’ve been lurking in the past couple of weeks as I’ve got no updates to my applications and just wanted to know what’s everyone planning to do now? Like if you haven’t had a successful cycle with VS, are you planning to apply to training contracts?

Im planning to apply to Farrer & Co and Orrick within the next week or so, but everything now seems so spaced out with TC deadlines so I’m not sure if I should be doing something else too?!

Hiya @SamiyaJ

This is usually the time when many people start prepping their direct training contract applications. Some firms, like Baker McKenzie, are already reviewing direct training contract applications on a rolling basis, but lots of others will wait until after the deadline. If you have some spare time, it could be really helpful to look back at your previous applications and see if there’s anything you can improve or tweak.

I’d definitely recommend applying to Farrer & Co, since they take a good chunk of their trainees directly from this application route. You might also want to consider applying to include Ashurst, BCLP, Freshfields, Shoosmiths, and White & Case. I'd also recommend applying to any open days or insight events that might still be open. Some firms hold these events later in the year, and I think they're a great way to get a feel for the firms and their culture before applying.

If you have more questions or need any help, let us know. Good luck!

 

[traineedreamer]

Huge congratulations @traineedreamer 🥳 🥳 your story is genuinely one of the best examples I have seen of determination and of why you should never give up chasing your goals; and I am sure it will motivate many forum members who are having second thoughts right now to keep moving forward! I know you will have a great time on the scheme and will nail it, but, as always, let us know if there is anything we can help out with in the meanwhile !

So much pleasure in reading this on a Sunday. If you need any support before the scheme, let us know. You're going to be great!

Thank you both much! TCLA and the forum has been such an amazing help! I will definitely let you know if I can think of anything that would help. Thank you 😊

 

[tc252627]

Denton's and BCLP VS offers!

Has anyone heard from Reed Smith after the AC? It's been a month 😢

At my AC they said they would get back to everyone mid March

 

[trainee4u]

Does anyone here happen to know how much K&L Gates pays for it's placement scheme? I can't find it anywhere...

It does tend to be around minimum wage regardless of the firm - doesn't seem to be a significant consideration to me?

 

[broalabear]

BCLP VS (Summer)

I received the call during the week but I've been taking time to soak it in! Because this has been a LONG journey.

I graduated in 2018, did a VS at a really good firm in 2020 and failed to convert it. Everybody told me that I'd definitely get something the next cycle, but every VS/DTC application I did was rejected at application/psychometric test. Then the cycle after that, I only managed to get to AC for one firm, but I didn't get the VS. I took a break from applying for the next cycle due to health issues and starting a Paralegal role at a magic circle firm (who said I couldn't get a TC there despite getting a 2.1 with mitigating circumstances - but that's a story for another day 💀). Honestly it has been a rollercoaster all these years, I knew that my applications were good, and I was passing the Watson Glaser (at least for the firms that would provide results). It felt like the only thing letting me down was some of my uni modules, even though I got a high 2:1 overrall.

But now this cycle is here, 7 years after graduating and 5 years after my last Vac Scheme, and I've finally managed to score this one!

I often see people talking about how they feel after not getting the TC offer a year or 2 after graduating, or feeling like being 25+ is too old. If anybody understands how you feel, it's me! So many people have told me to give up, try something else, but if this is truly what you want to do and you believe that you can do it, I say don't give up!! You only need one yes! Wishing everyone waiting on an outcome an abundance of good news this coming week ❤️

Legendary stuff - Congratulations!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hiya @SamiyaJ

This is usually the time when many people start prepping their direct training contract applications. Some firms, like Baker McKenzie, are already reviewing direct training contract applications on a rolling basis, but lots of others will wait until after the deadline. If you have some spare time, it could be really helpful to look back at your previous applications and see if there’s anything you can improve or tweak.

I’d definitely recommend applying to Farrer & Co, since they take a good chunk of their trainees directly from this application route. You might also want to consider applying to include Ashurst, BCLP, Freshfields, Shoosmiths, and White & Case. I'd also recommend applying to any open days or insight events that might still be open. Some firms hold these events later in the year, and I think they're a great way to get a feel for the firms and their culture before applying.

If you have more questions or need any help, let us know. Good luck!

Thank you so much Ram!

 

[A worried graduate]

Howden PFO

 

[Victor107]

Hey guys has anyone heard anything from K&S ?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

is ur grade/ percentile score for a Watson Glaser determined by how fast you do it? should I be looking to use the full time or complete it quickly?

 

[Victor107]

Also, if I still haven't heard back from W&C post VI and Latham post-app I guess it's reasonable to assume a PFO from both, right?

 

[Ali2020]

Hi everyone,

I just discovered in my spam folder that I was invited to the next stage (HR call) for Howden's vacation scheme! The invite was sent on February 21st from their graduate recruitment email, but unfortunately, it ended up in my spam folder and I only saw it this morning.

Today, I also received a PFO in my regular inbox from a generic Workday email. I've already reached out to graduate recruitment to inform them of this frustrating situation.

@Jessica Booker - Do you think there’s any hope of still moving forward with this?

 

[applebunny]

Should I assume PFO or is Travers Smith still giving out AC invites?

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (Arnold & Porter rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
Morgan Lewis* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅📝
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅❌
Arnold & Porter ✅❌
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 📞 = telephone interview; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

 

[sooae]

Hiya @SamiyaJ

This is usually the time when many people start prepping their direct training contract applications. Some firms, like Baker McKenzie, are already reviewing direct training contract applications on a rolling basis, but lots of others will wait until after the deadline. If you have some spare time, it could be really helpful to look back at your previous applications and see if there’s anything you can improve or tweak.

I’d definitely recommend applying to Farrer & Co, since they take a good chunk of their trainees directly from this application route. You might also want to consider applying to include Ashurst, BCLP, Freshfields, Shoosmiths, and White & Case. I'd also recommend applying to any open days or insight events that might still be open. Some firms hold these events later in the year, and I think they're a great way to get a feel for the firms and their culture before applying.

If you have more questions or need any help, let us know. Good luck!

Hi Ram,

Apologies if this has been asked before, but would you recommend someone with no legal experience yet to apply for DTC?

 

[ChloeC]

Arnold & Porter PFO :<

 

[Jessica Booker]

is ur grade/ percentile score for a Watson Glaser determined by how fast you do it? should I be looking to use the full time or complete it quickly?

It can be but for most firms I would say it isn't and they just provide a time limit to complete the test, and often that time limit is quite limited/not generous. Some firms have the assessment completely untimed too which would mean no time element is calculated.

So in short it would be very rare for a percentile score to factor in timings.

 

[Aww06]

Has anyone heard back from aspiring solicitors for their ethnicity pathway placement scheme with Stephenson Harwood? Their last email said they’ll get back to us by the 7th of this month

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone heard from Burges Salmon about an AC feedback call, I received an out of office email response and nothing since. Just wondering if that is everyones experience or if I need to email someone else.