TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[erderlylars]

Is anyone waiting to hear back post arctic shores for NRF?

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (two more rejections):

CC* ✅📝
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅
Akin ✅
Sidley ✅
Willkie ✅🎥
Cooley ✅
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Skadden ✅
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅
Linklaters* ✅📝
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
King & Spalding* ✅

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

*Training Contract applications

I only do well without tests. SJTs I'm OK at nowadays though. I just don't like Watson Glasers. Still, if a firm isn't actually reviewing your application, do you really want to work there? That's how I justify not passing the Watson Glaser anyway.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have received an invite to AC with NRF. They've asked for my A-level certificates before the assessment day, but I received them in 2016, and cannot locate them.

In terms of next steps, should I just explain that I can contact the exam boards but will need more time to receive the certificates while sending over my uni transcripts?

Do you have any formal documents from your school (eg an email or letter) that confirmed your grades? If so, you could also include something like this while you get the exam board to replace your certificates.

 

[m12]

@Jessica Booker hi Jessica! how much do law firms value a high2.1 - in the event I’ve got very strong a levels & gcses (straight A*) and an overall higher end 2.1 around 66/67 from a Russell group uni but I’ve got a few 2.2s from 1st year and lower end 2.1 for 2nd year - Does this put me at a disadvantage if my uni grades aren’t as strong despite my a-levels, however I showed consistent improvement?

 

[kokoprep]

Have you got an interview? They gave me 4 slots to choose from, my interview was 4 days after the email inviting me.

Hey - was it online?

 

[TrainingContract2024]

Yes

Thank you Jessica

 

[TrainingContract2024]

does Freshfields' Graduate Workshop require us to submit a CV? thank you!

 

[lawyersum]

does Freshfields' Graduate Workshop require us to submit a CV? thank you!

Yes it does

 

[TrainingContract2024]

Yes it does

Thank you so much! Any tips on how I can present my CV so that it is more tailored to the firm? @Jessica Booker could you pls provide guidance, thank you in advance.

 

[lawyersum]

Thank you so much! Any tips on how I can present my CV so that it is more tailored to the firm?

You're welcome! I'm by no means an expert but the application also requires you to give a 400 word personal statement, so that would ideally be the best chance for you to take some of your experiences/skills and tailor them to the firm. I'm sure @Jessica Booker could provide some more accurate advice

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you so much! Any tips on how I can present my CV so that it is more tailored to the firm?

90%+ of your CV will not be tailored to the firm as it should just show the best evidence of your experiences to date.

However, the 10% that can be tailored can be done by:

• Prioritising content that is more focused on elements that align to the firm's work - e.g. if you did a vacation scheme where you worked in both private client and litigation departments, it would make sense to prioritise the litigation bullet points over the private client ones in your CV (literally putting them first)
• Thinking about highlighting the skills the firm is looking for. For instance, Freshfields say they look for "determination, enthusiasm, time management, flexibility, attention to detail, an interest in business, willingness to work as a team, and resilience". If it was me, I'd try to make references to time management, attention to detail and team working in my CV.

 

[tomsmitg]

Hi, just wondering if anyone got their linklaters WG back? What percentile scores are each mark ?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

HSF Iris Open Day!

 

[sammm10101]

HSF IRIS Open Day Invite !! 🎉🎉

 

[OliverTwist]

Could anybody share the Simmons & Simmons VI questions? It's unlimited preparation time as well?

 

[B2025]

Willkie PFO post app.

 

[lawstudent617]

anyone heard back from NRF or HSF post app/arctic shores????

 

[nodustollens]

Simmons PFO

 

[erderlylars]

Simmons PFO

I'm so sorry to hear, sorry to ask but when did you complete the online assessment?

 

[jojo23]

This might be a stupid question but, is it necessarily a bad thing if i accidentally missed out a gcse grade on an application (just one) that i submitted? - i only just noticed