TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Ash2323]

Hi everyone, for Gibson's application there is a word limit of 250 words for each job section... anyone know how strict they are on this say if we wrote 200 words? As some experiences i would stuggle to fill this limit without waffling on

 

[Jessica Booker]

Sorry Jessica didn't understand this. How and why is QWE not needed (if one wants to qualify in UK) if one does JD from the US ?

You will need to have passed the NY bar too (or other state bar exams). If you are a qualified lawyer in another jurisdiction you do not need to accumulate the two years of qualifying work experience. I don’t agree with it, but those are the rules!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I'm so happy to say that I've received a TC offer from A&O! Thank you so much for your support on this platform

Amazing news - congratulations!

 

[Ali A]

First positive response this cycle - Dechert VI and Written Assessment invite! (Spring Vacation Scheme)

If anyone has any tips, please feel free to reach out!

 

[S87]

First positive response this cycle - Dechert VI and Written Assessment invite! (Spring Vacation Scheme)

If anyone has any tips, please feel free to reach out!

Congrats!! may I ask you when did you apply?

 

[futuretrainee2025]

Just an fyi for anyone looking to apply to BCLP, I went to their open day recently and according to current trainees the firm has gone downhill massively in the last few years. Profits per partner down significantly and only 2 NQ jobs offered for over 25 trainees… now I know why they’re not transparent about their retention rates.

Why does the firm invest so heavily in 25 trainees, if their intention is to keep 2? Surely it makes sense to have a smaller intake then. Any thoughts?

 

[Ali A]

Congrats!! may I ask you when did you apply?

5th December!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Why does the firm invest so heavily in 25 trainees, if their intention is to keep 2? Surely it makes sense to have a smaller intake then. Any thoughts?

Things can change in five years. The people qualifying in 2023 were most likely recruited in 2018/2019. Considering the firm merged in 2018, they may have been optimistic about the firm’s future and growth. If that hasn’t transpired (wouldn’t be overly surprising giving Covid hit shortly afterwards) or the growth has been outside of the U.K., it could be the case that the need for NQs has changed considerably in that period of time. Also NQ rates can be influenced by positive factors (eg low attrition rate), so it might not always be a bad reasons why it is low (although 2 out of 25 is exceptionally low - I have never heard of a less than 10% retention rate, although it might just be that firms have kept quiet if they have had that).

I strongly suspect their more recent intakes are smaller.

 

[thenublawyer]

Has anyone heard from Akin post TI??

Grad Rec said not to expect to hear back from them until late Dec/early Jan (basically TI marks the end of their rolling basis).

 

[Ellewoodz]

Congratulations! Would you mind sharing when was your AC? Or was it post WVS?

Thank you! It was WVS x

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Has anyone heard from HSF yet re AC? I wonder if they send out rejections or invitations first (applied for spring)

 

[CarolineC]

Thank you! It was WVS x

Thanks and congrats again!! It’s absolutely great news

 

[abnajj]

Has anyone heard from HSF yet re AC? I wonder if they send out rejections or initiations first (applied for spring)

I heard a response on Wednesday re: a rejection for their spring scheme! Hang in there - hopefully you receive some good news!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I heard a response on Wednesday re: a rejection for their spring scheme! Hang in there - hopefully you receive some good news!

Sorry about the rejection -- upwards and onwards 🙌 good luck with your other applications and thank you, I am hoping for good news!!

 

[futuretrainee202X]

Hi does anyone have any insight on the TW test? Is it critical thinking? I can see it's no longer arctic shores (yay!) so just wondering if anyone had any insight into the style of test. thank you!

Hi! Could I ask when you applied and when an invitation to complete the TW test was sent? I sent off my application on 30 November, and the portal still has not been updated (i.e., the date submitted remains the same).

 

[EllaClayton]

Hi! Could I ask when you applied and when an invitation to complete the TW test was sent? I sent off my application on 30 November, and the portal still has not been updated (i.e., the date submitted remains the same).

I applied 29th and mine is still the same, I’d imagine there’s a lot of us around the deadline they’re still working through

 

[futuretrainee202X]

I applied 29th and mine is still the same, I’d imagine there’s a lot of us around the deadline they’re still working through

Thank you! Crossed fingers for an outcome soon.

 

[academicweapon121]

if an application question says 'tell us about a recent news article you found interesting' do i interpret this as commercial related? or something i can link back to the firm in some way?

 

[futuretrainee2025]

Things can change in five years. The people qualifying in 2023 were most likely recruited in 2018/2019. Considering the firm merged in 2018, they may have been optimistic about the firm’s future and growth. If that hasn’t transpired (wouldn’t be overly surprising giving Covid hit shortly afterwards) or the growth has been outside of the U.K., it could be the case that the need for NQs has changed considerably in that period of time. Also NQ rates can be influenced by positive factors (eg low attrition rate), so it might not always be a bad reasons why it is low (although 2 out of 25 is exceptionally low - I have never heard of a less than 10% retention rate, although it might just be that firms have kept quiet if they have had that).

I strongly suspect their more recent intakes are smaller.

That makes sense. Thank you as always Jessica.

 

[Kodak123]

Anyone got tips for Willkie VI?