TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[hopefulforatc]

i did their winter vac scheme and they got back to me around 2 weeks before the start of the scheme

When did you get their VI?

 

[hopefulforatc]

I emailed them about a week or so ago for an estimated timeline (because I'd have to move to London for it so would like a little warning) and they said 2 weeks (so end of this week in theory) is the estimate for hearing about Spring, but I'm not holding out hope that they stick to that 🤣

After the VI?

 

[Jaysen]

I was looking at a draft of my motivation for wanting to join a firm that I handed in a long time ago. (i'm not sure if it was the official one I handed in). I realised in my first paragraph I kinda bombed it. In it, I said that it was a regional firm when it's considered a national firm. I also said that I want to work in a firm that has a strong multi-jurisdictional environment (whatever the f that means). Lol don't judge, sometimes we have shakey starts and performances.

I just wanted to clarify on the differences between a National and Regional firm. there's so much crossover that sometimes I get confused about how a firm should be classified. I realise a rule of thumb is to go by what the firms say about themselves but it's hard to keep up when you read multiple sources about the firm that say different things.

For example, Chambers Students and AllAboutLaw will say Pinsent Masons, Addleshaw Goddard and CMS are national firms. But they are also international, particularly CMS because it was created by a merger with a German firm. A lot of the time these firms will say they are "global or international".

Mills and Reeve and Womble Bond Dickinson are considered national but M&R is referred to highly for its regional strengths and base by multiple sources. Sometimes it will be mentioned as a Regional Firm. Also, WBD is a US-based firm.

I know it's pedantic but I'm worried these minor references are super important for GradRec when reviewing. Do you think I will be forgiven if I make this sort of mistake when it's not wholly true or false?

With the multi-jurisdictional bit, I realised I should have been clearer because the firm is national and has no offices abroad but it regularly advises clients in different jurisdictions such as South Africa. It's not grouped as an international firm though.

Any advice?! Lol, I hope what I've said makes sense.

This is a great question. I think the reality is that it's not clear because firms will often use these terms interchangeably and different firms will prefer to use different words. As you saw with Chambers Student/All About Law, it can also be hard to categorise these firms accurately (what does it mean if a firm is called a 'national firm' when it has international offices?).

From graduate recruitment's perspective, my view is that the most important part is to show that you understand the type of firm you are applying to. If this is still clear, even if you use the 'incorrect word', I don't think this will be an issue. So if you mistakenly referenced a firm was regional, but the evidence you provided made it clear you understand the firm has a strong national presence, I wouldn't see an issue with this.

 

[bangarangbass39]

My Application Summary Credits: @Legalstalker
FYI: a mixture of winter, spring and summer vacation schemes + a few direct TCs

• Total applications this cycle ~ 47
• Rejections post app: ~ 10
• Rejections post 1st or 2nd stage: ~20
• Awaiting to hear from: ~15
• SJT/VI’s still to do: 1
• AC's this cycle: 2
• VS offers: 1 (Spring)
• Latest rejection: Goodwin
• Hardest rejection: Gowling WLG (I attended their whole webinar series!!!)
• Easiest rejection: Weightmans (I didn’t want to move up North anyway)
• Ghosted me: Stephenson Harwood, EY and Freeths
• Best Grad Recruitment: Baker McKenzie, Paul Hastings and Ropes & Gray
• Tedious Application Process: EY (I wouldn’t apply again)
• If I had converted my first AC, I would have done only 3 applications
• If I had converted my second AC I would have only done 10 applications
• If I had converted my third, fourth or fifth AC, I would have done 22 applications

Congrats on the Vac Scheme offer!

 

[holz567]

My Application Summary Credits: @Legalstalker
FYI: a mixture of winter, spring and summer vacation schemes + a few direct TCs

• Total applications this cycle ~ 47
• Rejections post app: ~ 10
• Rejections post 1st or 2nd stage: ~20
• Awaiting to hear from: ~15
• SJT/VI’s still to do: 1
• AC's this cycle: 2
• VS offers: 1 (Spring)
• Latest rejection: Goodwin
• Hardest rejection: Gowling WLG (I attended their whole webinar series!!!)
• Easiest rejection: Weightmans (I didn’t want to move up North anyway)
• Ghosted me: Stephenson Harwood, EY and Freeths
• Best Grad Recruitment: Baker McKenzie, Paul Hastings and Ropes & Gray
• Tedious Application Process: EY (I wouldn’t apply again)
• If I had converted my first AC, I would have done only 3 applications
• If I had converted my second AC I would have only done 10 applications
• If I had converted my third, fourth or fifth AC, I would have done 22 applications

Didn’t know you had an offer, congrats, so well deserved!! Which firm is it for?

 

[elektrajenkov]

After the VI?

Yeah! I completed the VI for the Spring VS in the first few days of Feb.

 

[hopefulforatc]

Did anyone get the VI for the SH summer scheme. Those who only applied for the summer scheme.

 

[dieinabush]

When did you get their VI?

i think it was around mid november

 

[AlCapone]

Yeah! I completed the VI for the Spring VS in the first few days of Feb.

Same … and haven’t heard anything from them since

 

[bella98]

Did anyone get the VI for the SH summer scheme. Those who only applied for the summer scheme.

I applied very close to the deadline and I didn’t get the VI

 

[TC seeker]

My Application Summary Credits: @Legalstalker
FYI: a mixture of winter, spring and summer vacation schemes + a few direct TCs

• Total applications this cycle ~ 47
• Rejections post app: ~ 10
• Rejections post 1st or 2nd stage: ~20
• Awaiting to hear from: ~15
• SJT/VI’s still to do: 1
• AC's this cycle: 2
• VS offers: 1 (Spring)
• Latest rejection: Goodwin
• Hardest rejection: Gowling WLG (I attended their whole webinar series!!!)
• Easiest rejection: Weightmans (I didn’t want to move up North anyway)
• Ghosted me: Stephenson Harwood, EY and Freeths
• Best Grad Recruitment: Baker McKenzie, Paul Hastings and Ropes & Gray
• Tedious Application Process: EY (I wouldn’t apply again)
• If I had converted my first AC, I would have done only 3 applications
• If I had converted my second AC I would have only done 10 applications
• If I had converted my third, fourth or fifth AC, I would have done 22 applications

Congratulations! How difficult to secure a VS!

 

[nliro85]

I applied very close to the deadline and I didn’t get the VI

For spring they sent me VI 2 weeks after the deadline then radio silence since doing the VI/Test 4 weeks ago.

 

[cattlawapps324]

Sorry about that! I have extended the deadline to Wednesday for the inconvenience. You can checkout here.

thanks so much!!

 

[hopefulforatc]

I applied very close to the deadline and I didn’t get the VI

same, I applied on 14th feb.

 

[bangarangbass39]

This is a great question. I think the reality is that it's not clear because firms will often use these terms interchangeably and different firms will prefer to use different words. As you saw with Chambers Student/All About Law, it can also be hard to categorise these firms accurately (what does it mean if a firm is called a 'national firm' when it has international offices?).

From graduate recruitment's perspective, my view is that the most important part is to show that you understand the type of firm you are applying to. If this is still clear, even if you use the 'incorrect word', I don't think this will be an issue. So if you mistakenly referenced a firm was regional, but the evidence you provided made it clear you understand the firm has a strong national presence, I wouldn't see an issue with this.

Okay great, thank you very much for the response! This is what I did in the first sections. I talked about its national dominance in the first paragraph but then said I liked to work for the firm because of its regional strengths in the 2nd paragraph and that I wanted to work in that said region (West Midlands/Birmingham). Tbf, I will just have to see what they respond with! Thanks Jaysen.

 

[yxngd2x]

I really don’t want to diminish anyone else’s achievements as know how hard people work, but what I find really difficult on here is when people post that they’re trying to decide between two VS offers or even being in the position to turn down one because of a clash with another.

I would kill for one VS. It’s my third cycle and I haven’t got one, yet I’ve seen people on here have multiple, then get an AC invite. I’ve seen someone on here with about 8 ACs this cycle alone.

I really don’t want to sound bitter or jealous but knowing people can seem to get a VS easily and are in the position to choose between offers while I can’t even get one after years just sucks.

I get your point, but you also don't see all the work that goes on behind the scenes or experiences they've had years in advance that might have prepared them unknowingly

 

[sxw517]

Has anyone heard back from Baker McKenzie post VI for summer vs?

 

[S87]

Hi, @Jessica Booker and @axelbeugre I am answering the following question "Why are your skills/attributes suited to a career at Paul Hastings? Why should we offer you a Training Contract? " However, I am not sure if am correctly tackling it. Should I mention that my ability/quality makes me suitable to succeed as a trainee at PH?

 

[lbiro98]

hello everyone! Does anyone know what to expect from Debevoise Open Day?

Hii, I was just wondering if anyone had replied? I have mine soon and I am soo scared ahah

 

[lbiro98]

Debevoise open day 🥺🥺🥺omg

Hii, I was just wondering if you had already had your open day? and if so, do you have any general tips? Anything would mean a lot as I am soo scared ahah