TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

IneedaTCASAP

New Member
Oct 14, 2024
4
12
Anyone still waiting to hear back for Paul, Weiss Oct Open Day? Assuming it’s a rejection, but they first said 'everyone' would hear back by Monday, then Tuesday, and I'm still waiting! Just send me the rejection already, I'm feeling left out haha
Rejection received yesterday for the October Open day only. I have applied to multiple.
 
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B2025

Star Member
Premium Member
Jun 28, 2024
27
61
Anyone know if OC is more competitive for London or Bristol. They recruit more trainees in Bristol than London so was just wondering are they more competitive in Bristol. If anyone has applied for them in previous cycles feel free to provide guidance on their application process it will be appreciated.
 

asplawyer100

Star Member
Feb 13, 2024
27
9
Anyone know if OC is more competitive for London or Bristol. They recruit more trainees in Bristol than London so was just wondering are they more competitive in Bristol. If anyone has applied for them in previous cycles feel free to provide guidance on their application process it will be appreciated.
Whilst I don't know the exact statistics on number of applications vs number of trainees in each location, I believe (from anecdotal experience) that more and more people are applying to their London vac schemes / TC's, meanwhile they recruit a very small number of trainees into London. I would assume Bristol is less competitive given more places and Bristol being more of a niche legal market in comparison to London.
 
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Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,288
19,928
Anyone know if OC is more competitive for London or Bristol. They recruit more trainees in Bristol than London so was just wondering are they more competitive in Bristol. If anyone has applied for them in previous cycles feel free to provide guidance on their application process it will be appreciated.
I wouldn't worry about competitiveness levels and instead apply to the office you want a long term career in. The firm will be very used to people trying to game the system and thinking one location is more competitive than the other (this happens for lots of firms with offices across the UK) and they are pretty good at spotting people who do this and ensure they assess choice of location in the recruitment process.
 

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
494
1,171
Holding myself accountable (one more application):

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
Arnold & Porter
King & Spalding* ✅

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

*Training Contract applications
 
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tarty23

New Member
Oct 10, 2024
3
1
when applying to firms that excel in multiple practice areas, is it a good idea to zoom in on one as a reason for why you are applying? I.e. with a small word count e.g 300 is it better to go more in depth on one area or try and write a more holistic answer?
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,288
19,928
when applying to firms that excel in multiple practice areas, is it a good idea to zoom in on one as a reason for why you are applying? I.e. with a small word count e.g 300 is it better to go more in depth on one area or try and write a more holistic answer?
I don't think there is a right or wrong answer here as it is dependent on how it fits into other aspects of your application. For instance, if you have lots of evidence of an interest in a practice area elsewhere (work experience, academics, dissertation topic etc), you could potentially afford to be more focused on another area in why you are applying rather than needing the emphasis the interest in the area you have had a lot of exposure to once again.

Generally, I expect full-service firms to want people who are open-minded to the areas they work in and may qualify into though. You really only want to show a specialist/focused set of motivations to firms who are themselves specialised in that area.
 

B2025

Star Member
Premium Member
Jun 28, 2024
27
61
I wouldn't worry about competitiveness levels and instead apply to the office you want a long term career in. The firm will be very used to people trying to game the system and thinking one location is more competitive than the other (this happens for lots of firms with offices across the UK) and they are pretty good at spotting people who do this and ensure they assess choice of location in the recruitment process.
Thank you and was just wondering in general as am thinking of applying for London but was just curious as they have a big presence in Bristol. Some firms receive more application for regional offices.
 

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