TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[bella98]

Legit same emailed for my WG score, never heard back

I applied in November, but they didn't send me the WG for three weeks. I emailed them to ask about it, but I didn't hear back. Eventually, I got the test, and after taking it, I emailed again, even though I was hesitant. I did it because I saw a lot of people here getting their WG scores. And they ghosted me again! 🤣

 

[TakeAChanceOnMe]

How long did it take to hear back from Bird&Bird post-WG?

Took a while over Xmas, understandably

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone got any tips for Latham AC?

 

[futurelegallyblonde]

Hi, I used to find this a tough question too. You definitely need to find some clear examples of the firm engaging in whatever work you choose to talk about, but it doesn't have to be one specific deal or piece of client work. Even if they don't talk about a specific piece of advice, they will definitely talk about capabilities that they have on the firm's website and often will write up articles on topics that they advise clients on. Also worth thinking about the firm's core practice areas and what are the main issues in those practices, then work backwards to find info about the firm doing work in those areas.

Thank you so much, that's great advice! Sorry, it's my first cycle so feel so out of the loop with it. One other thing - how do you actually find out what their core practice areas are, as each firm seems to list so many on their website?

 

[amrita6399]

Holding myself accountable (again):

A&O (TC) - ✅ 📕📍❌
Slaughters (TC) - ✅ 📍❌
Jones Day - ✅ 📞📍❌
Ashurst - ✅ 📕📍❌
W&C - ✅ 📞
CMS (TC) - ✅ 📕📞
Taylor Wessing - ✅ 📕 (test decision TBD)
Covington - ✅
Hogan Lovells - ✅ 📕 (passed)
Sidley Austin - ✅
Milbank - ✅
Cooley - ✅
Gibson Dunn - ✅
Herbert Smith Freehills - ✅ 📕❌ (didn't reach test benchmark)
Travers Smith - ✅ ❌
Clifford Chance (TC) - ✅ 📕❌ (passed test)
Linklaters - ✅ 📕❌

First (technically second, but last year I didn't know what I was doing) app cycle, so feeling good. If anyone has insights into Travers, Freshfields (TC), NRF or Bakers app process lmk, can give some help with the firms listed above!

✅ - applied 📕- online test📞- telephone/video interview 🖊️ - written exercise📍- AC❌ - PFO

I did the NRF direct TC application last cycle. It was an online application+ WG and game-based assessment + Telephone Interview+ AC.

 

[Percypig12]

I did the NRF direct TC application last cycle. It was an online application+ WG and game-based assessment + Telephone Interview+ AC.

No more WG now (I applied to Winter VS)

 

[anon12]

I have just seen someone on LinkedIn get an offer for a summer vac scheme for Linklaters!!! If this is true, waiting 5-6 weeks for rejection is so cruel.

guys I have a confession to make, I was one of the people that got fast tracked for an AC and also got a spring vac scheme for Linklaters 🎉🎉. Hang in there im sure they will be sending AC's out very soon.

 

[scotstudent23]

Passed the VI for Burness Paull 🙌 Now onto the aptitude tests, or as I like to call it: the 'end of the road'.

What were the questions asked in the VI if you don't mind me asking?

 

[SarahO]

guys I have a confession to make, I was one of the people that got fast tracked for an AC and also got a spring vac scheme for Linklaters 🎉🎉. Hang in there im sure they will be sending AC's out very soon.

Hiya, congratulations. Please how long did it take to hear back post AC? Plus did you see the offer coming? Did you think you passed all sections?

 

[anon12]

Hiya, congratulations. Please how long did it take to hear back post AC? Plus did you see the offer coming? Did you think you passed all sections

They called me two days after the AC and no I did not see it coming, im still in shock now. I mean im going to assume I passed all the sections since I got the scheme but im not sure they dont really dive into your results, they gave me feedback on areas to work on and said I really impressed in my partner inrerview but idk.

 

[Mike Wazaoski]

Anyone got any tips for Latham AC?

When did you hear back and apply?

 

[SarahO]

They called me two days after the AC and no I did not see it coming, im still in shock now. I mean im going to assume I passed all the sections since I got the scheme but im not sure they dont really dive into your results, they gave me feedback on areas to work on and said I really impressed in my partner inrerview but idk.

Oh fantastic, congratulations again

 

[trainingcontract]

For WBD, do they expect you to disclose your undergraduate grade breakdown? Seems like they only ask for your overall degree classification but I wouldn't want to be wrong haha

 

[axelbeugre]

HSF AC!! Cannot believe it, so happy!

Congratulations! Huge achievement!

 

[axelbeugre]

If you had a very glaringly obvious mistake in your CV (one of the headers), should you email the firm to give them an updated CV? Idk how I missed it

No, chances are they might not even notice it or think it is a big of a deal. By emailing them you are making the error obvious and I am not sure whether that would help anyway, so I would just leave it. I had errors in my applications too last year and I managed to get offers so I would not worry!

 

[axelbeugre]

CLEARY GOTTLIEB AC!!! For Spring VS, applied early December. I’m so overwhelmed omg first AC of spring cycle

Congratulations! Huge achievement!!

 

[sxw517]

I'm reading through my answer for Covington before I submit. I am worrying whether I have answered the question too specifically.

The question is: Focusing on a particular practice group at the firm, what challenges and opportunities do you foresee over the next 12 months?

Looking at the Cov website, practice areas are siloed into: Corporate, Litigations and Investigations, Regulatory and Public Policy and then Industries and Issues.

On chambers, they are listed as being: 'Trainees are able to choose two seats from five practice areas: Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Life Sciences Regulatory, Life Sciences Transactional, Project Development and Finance, and Technology Regulatory.'

I have written an answer on the challenges and opportunities in Project Dev and Finance - specifically focusing on the renewable PF, but I am now wondering if it should be PF in general (which seems overly broad), or even wider challenges and opportunities facing their corporate practice for instance...

 

[axelbeugre]

Hey guys, where do you begin looking when a firm says "what work have we done recently that interests you" I never know where to begin researching as a lot of things firms do are only reported on their website (from what I can tell), so it's difficult to draw 250-300 words out on this. I'd appreciate any advice on where to look and how to go about answering this 🤗🙏

I would start my research from the website of the firm but then there are a number of different legal sites you can use like chamber's student, legal500, I used to also use the lawyer, LinkedIn is a great source. Additionally, social media like Instagram (especially if the firm is very active on it it can be quite good) and youtube as well.

I hope these help and good luck with your applications!

 

[Hani156]

Preparing for SQE 1 exams which take place next week whilst simultaneously applying to firms for VS and paralegal roles has been incredibly stressful. Getting rejections can seriously dampen your mood which affects the energy with which you prepare for exams.

But those who will be sitting the SQE exams next week - best of luck with the exams and the law firm applications. We've got this!

 

[axelbeugre]

if I get rejected from S&C for the VS can I still apply for the TC? I know firms like W&C do it so Sullivan may as well

Yes you can, it will be quite difficult to get through the direct training contract route though as nothing in your application will severely change in less than 6 months (cause they open in May I believe). Moreover, they tend to give all the spots to vacation scheme students anyway so bear this in mind. I know this because I applied both for the vacation scheme and the direct training contract last year and that is what graduate recruitment told me.