TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[pax]

Ok, so after my doom and gloom post yesterday, I somehow received offers to DLA Piper at HSF for an AC. Less than 24 hours' notice for the HSF scheme (wtf...) - so I think I was on a waitlist and someone dropped out.

Over the moon, but now I'm so nervous about back-to-back ACs. I don't even have time to get my suit dry-cleaned. Best resources for last-minute AC prep? Best same-day dry cleaners lol? I'm trying to get ahold of Aspiring Solicitors for their AC prep people, but all slots are booked until Friday!

Congratulations! Is the HSF AC for their summer or spring scheme?

 

[CorpLawyer00]

Ok, so after my doom and gloom post yesterday, I somehow received offers to DLA Piper at HSF for an AC. Less than 24 hours' notice for the HSF scheme (wtf...) - so I think I was on a waitlist and someone dropped out.

Over the moon, but now I'm so nervous about back-to-back ACs. I don't even have time to get my suit dry-cleaned. Best resources for last-minute AC prep? Best same-day dry cleaners lol? I'm trying to get ahold of Aspiring Solicitors for their AC prep people, but all slots are booked until Friday!

When did you apply/ do WG for DLA?

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

just received my test invite for mayer brown, anyone got any advice for it?

Assuming this is the VR/SJT, they have a short practice for both on their website

 

[Kodak123]

Has anyone heard back from Linklaters, spring ?

 

[AvniD]

Ummmmm yesterday was raining ACs???? Congratulations all!!! 👏👏👏

Linking some of our best resources to help you practice for your ACs (those of you who don't have ACs around the corner can bookmark this for later!!) -

• TCLA's 260+ interview questions
• Avni's break-down of ACs
• James' tips on preparing for ACs to the point of feeling ready
• Jessica's insight into how ACs are assessed
• 3 ways to improve your speaking skills by Avni
• Article interview insight by George
• Jacob Miller's Definitive Guide to Case Studies

Any tips on AC for DLA Piper will be greatly appreciated

HSF summer AC invite 🎉🍾

Milbank AC!

Taylor Wessing AC invite! Has anyone done one before and have any advice? Thank you!

Just got invited for a Freshfields AC! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

skadden AC!!!!!! omg

skadden AC!

skadden AC!!

skadden ac omg! first ac ever im in disbelief

CMS AC!

Skadden AC! Shocking after that TI…

Skadden ac - could someone confirm if possible whether it matters if I choose slots on different days?

Taylor Wessing AC!!

CMS AC invite! Really thought I messed up my VI by not fully answering a question and having to fit the answer I missed into the next question. I'm never that confident with VIs so I'm really surprised! Hope this week brings good news for others too

 

[ChicoAnon]

When did you apply/ do WG for DLA?

I applied on the 28th and WG just before the deadline. Did not get WG results or feedback report.

Congratulations! Is the HSF AC for their summer or spring scheme

HSF AC for Spring!

 

[patternteddybear]

Assuming this is the VR/SJT, they have a short practice for both on their website

thank you! and yes it is for that

 

[Jessica Booker]

Skadden ac - could someone confirm if possible whether it matters if I choose slots on different days?

It won't impact any decisions - they won't organise too many assessment centres and will expect the same quality in someone who comes in on the first assessment centre as they do in the last.

 

[AvniD]

Thanks for taking time to write this. However, it does not make any sense because I am loosing my chances to get a TC. Most of the Firms recruit from their vacation scheme and the TC route is much harder. I don't know what to do.

Hi @Ghassen, I can imagine how disappointing it may have been to learn of the hurdles surrounding visa sponsorship when it comes to doing vacation schemes. The way the system is currently, international applicants have the best shot of securing a vacation scheme either on a student visa or a graduate visa. If you're on a work visa or applying from abroad, direct TC applications can be a great way to secure your TC, even if there are less spots available through this route.

Say that you receive an AC offer for a vacation scheme, you can also consider having a conversation with grad rec about converting it into a direct TC interview if at all possible, given your visa considerations. This way, your effort towards your vac scheme applications won't go to waste.

I got my TC through the direct route as an international applicant and I compiled my learnings/inisght about how you can make this route work for you in this thread here and post here. I 100% believe that this route can work for you if you open your mind to it and target the right firms (@BiancaR very generously shared a list of firms recruiting heavily from direct TCs here that you can refer to).

Wishing you all the very best for your TC journey ahead 🤝

 

[E_3919]

Has anyone heard back from Linklaters, spring ?

I'm wondering if it's just the fast-track people who've heard?

 

[Lawstudent803]

Sullivan & Cromwell interview, applied on the 13th of January!

 

[kokothemagicdragon]

Sullivan & Cromwell interview, applied on the 13th of January!

Wow!!!!!!! Did they email or call you? Congratulations chief

 

[Lawstudent803]

Wow!!!!!!! Did they email or call you? Congratulations chief

They emailed me asking to call them, said nothing about the interview in the email lol. Thank you!

 

[Ambs123]

Have such little hope about getting an AC this year from a law firm every year in apps I get at least 1 AC but this year I won’t even get to feel the pre and post-AC anxiety💔

 

[AvniD]

Have such little hope about getting an AC this year from a law firm every year in apps I get at least 1 AC but this year I won’t even get to feel the pre and post-AC anxiety💔

I completely relate @Ambs123, what you're going through is one of the hardest parts of this process and tests your conviction to be a solicitor like nothing else. I really do hope that you do get an AC and eventual TC in this application cycle, but if that does not happen, in order to both not take this personally and also to keep going, I highly recommend taking a break from making applications for however long you need.

For me, this was for about a couple months when I just needed to get away from this process and evaluate if I was committed to 1) putting myself through it again 2) taking a good look at what I may be doing wrong (was I targeting the right firms/routes, was I focusing on each aspect of the prep with sincerity, was my commercial awareness up to the mark etc).

Whatever ends up happening, you WILL get through it and this process does not define who you are and what you're capable of achieving, even if it may feel like that at times. I am rooting for you 🤝

 

[Phoebe123451]

Anybody know when Travers will get back?

 

[lllaaawww098]

Any chance that Latham is still sending out VI invites at this stage or should I expect PFO for spring?
How long was it between the first VI batch and the second? This may give me slight hope lol

 

[corporatelaw]

Hey! Anyone heard back from Linklaters vac scheme?

 

[sibs23]

Hahahah I guess it shows initiative! When did you do the VI?

That's what I was hoping for, haha! I did the VI last Thursday

 

[NMA]

Any chance that Latham is still sending out VI invites at this stage or should I expect PFO for spring?
How long was it between the first VI batch and the second? This may give me slight hope lol

Some people heard Sunday night/Monday evening for the first batch, I got mine as part of the 2nd batch on Friday