TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[studentdelaw786]

how many trainees does gibson dunn take

9, per their website

 

[Andrei Radu]

how many trainees does gibson dunn take

For this year the firm announced they expect to take on up to 9 trainees.

 

[Willgetthere]

Do you think it’s ok to email Dechert again as I haven’t heard back from written exercise 15th oxt! I’ve already emailed them two weeks ago and they said I would hear soon

I did my written exercise on the 17th of October and heard back today. So I’d say wait a little longer.

 

[Unknowncabbage]

what open day was this for?

The one on the 28th

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I did my written exercise on the 17th of October and heard back today. So I’d say wait a little longer.

Ok thanks! Was it good news? Idk if not hearing means bad news

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Can anyone kindly provide insights into assessment days that only consist of interviews? Davis Polk and Sullivan & Cromwell are examples of firms that do this. Does this make the process ‘easier’ or is it just as difficult as a typical assessment centre?

Hiya @studentdelaw786, I think @Andrei Radu would likely have more insight here, but I wanted to chime in and say that I think it really depends on the individual! Some people feel more pressure in partner interviews, while others prefer them over assessment days with specific tasks like drafting or negotiation exercises. Personally, I enjoy interviews and the chance to connect with people, so I've often found partner interviews to be engaging. However, I completely appreciate that this format isn’t always ideal for everyone, and isn't always the best way of gauging the full range of skills a candidate could bring to a training contract.

For interview-focused assessment days, I think it’s important to be well-prepared to discuss your background and skills confidently, as well as your knowledge of the firm’s work, especially in its London office. I've also often found that with assessment centres that consist solely of partner interview, it's common to get asked off-the-cuff questions, which can be challenging to prepare for. Again, this doesn’t necessarily make it easier or harder than other formats. It’s all about which style best suits your strengths.

Best of luck if you’re preparing!

 

[LLB0711]

Dechert WVS offer!!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Can anyone kindly provide insights into assessment days that only consist of interviews? Davis Polk and Sullivan & Cromwell are examples of firms that do this. Does this make the process ‘easier’ or is it just as difficult as a typical assessment centre?

I think whether these assessments can be said to be 'easier' depends on your particular strengths and preferences. In my case, I did enjoy my Davis Polk AC more than those with firms who also had written exercises, group discussion or presentation-based assessments. However, I think that was mostly down on me being better prepared for and just generally liking competency interviews more.

One other point that I should add is that even if a more competency questions-heavy interview might feel easier or more enjoyable than other types of AC exercises, that does not necessarily translate to higher conversion chances. Many other people might also have the same experience, but the firm will still only be able to make the same number of offers regardless. For instance, many candidates tend to dislike written exercises - but as far as I know ACs which include a written task elements will by and large have similar conversion rates to ACs which do not.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Dechert WVS offer!!

✝️🐿️✝️🐿️🔥🔥🔥😩😩🔥🔥🔥🔥🥰😱😍♥️🥵♥️😭🥰🔥😩😳😩🥰🥰😭♥️🥵♥️😭🥰🔥🔥😩😩 😩😩😩😩 ✝️🐿️😩😩😩😩😩😩🥰😭 amazing how do you do it 😱😳♥️♥️😳😍😍😭🥰🥵😩😩🥵🔥🥰😳💦😳😍😍😭🥰🥵😩🥵🥰🥰😳♥️♥️😳😍😍🥰✝️🐿️😳😍🥰🔥🥵😍🥰🔥🥵🥵😩🥵


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[BM99]

Linklaters open day rejection‼️

Out of curiosity, is your open day application still showing on hold on the portal?

 

[Willgetthere]

Ok thanks! Was it good news? Idk if not hearing means bad news

It was good news yes! I think it could be good news for you too regardless of how long they take to get back.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

It was good news yes! I think it could be good news for you too regardless of how long they take to get back.

Amazing thank you! So Dyu have an AC for the WVS?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Out of curiosity, is your open day application still showing on hold on the portal?

Nope, it is now saying application unsuccessful

 

[Bbhu19]

Anyone receive a HFS post AC response

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Dechert AC invite.

 

[Walon290]

Anyone heard back from the White and Case winter vacation scheme after the Video Interview? I still haven't but it says the WVS starts in about 3 weeks does that mean I've been rejected if I haven't been invited to the AC yet?

 

[Sad_Old_Grad]

Out of curiosity, is your open day application still showing on hold on the portal?

My application status is still listed as 'On Hold' and it is, quite frankly, killing me

 

[lolasparks]

Linklaters open day rejection‼️

Did you get it today ?

 

[studentdelaw786]

I think whether these assessments can be said to be 'easier' depends on your particular strengths and preferences. In my case, I did enjoy my Davis Polk AC more than those with firms who also had written exercises, group discussion or presentation-based assessments. However, I think that was mostly down on me being better prepared for and just generally liking competency interviews more.

One other point that I should add is that even if a more competency questions-heavy interview might feel easier or more enjoyable than other types of AC exercises, that does not necessarily translate to higher conversion chances. Many other people might also have the same experience, but the firm will still only be able to make the same number of offers regardless. For instance, many candidates tend to dislike written exercises - but as far as I know ACs which include a written task elements will by and large have similar conversion rates to ACs which do not.

thank you for your insights, Andrei!

 

[studentdelaw786]

Hiya @studentdelaw786, I think @Andrei Radu would likely have more insight here, but I wanted to chime in and say that I think it really depends on the individual! Some people feel more pressure in partner interviews, while others prefer them over assessment days with specific tasks like drafting or negotiation exercises. Personally, I enjoy interviews and the chance to connect with people, so I've often found partner interviews to be engaging. However, I completely appreciate that this format isn’t always ideal for everyone, and isn't always the best way of gauging the full range of skills a candidate could bring to a training contract.

For interview-focused assessment days, I think it’s important to be well-prepared to discuss your background and skills confidently, as well as your knowledge of the firm’s work, especially in its London office. I've also often found that with assessment centres that consist solely of partner interview, it's common to get asked off-the-cuff questions, which can be challenging to prepare for. Again, this doesn’t necessarily make it easier or harder than other formats. It’s all about which style best suits your strengths.

Best of luck if you’re preparing!

thanks for your insights, Ram!