TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Apple]

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

I thought I got progressed to VI haha

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

I’m getting a lot of messages about VIs. I’m not in a frame of mind to deal with these and have been depressed since not converting the VS I did in spring. I’m not sure how many more months of waiting I can take. I’m 27 and I was once told that if you don’t qualify by 30 it seriously impacts your chances of making Partner. That, plus my concern that multiple VSs raises questions about your abilities. I know resilience is important here but even so.

I wouldn’t care if I never got partner. I expect your definition of success is different to mine as an oxbridge grad, but honestly, despite telling firms I want to be a partner someday, I would feel like I hit the jackpot just being there. The salaries are incredible even for just an NQ and something I could be happy with my entire life. For a non Russell group grad with average A levels I still have a mountain to climb. You have achieved so much more than me and probably more than 95% of the people on here. There’s no reason to give up now.

Edit: Besides, you’re not obliged to declare all your vac schemes if you think putting just one or two down will look better. You’re in an enviable position my friend

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

Haha so was I! Even screenshot the email as proof. It’s ridiculous. I believe they have already rejected us and they’re dragging it along just like Ashurst. They’ve invited people to Vi who have taken the WG after I had. People have been invited to AC and they applied after me. I’m fed up of firms rejecting me and not telling me. Why give false hope. What do they gain out of this. It makes me less inclined to apply again. I can’t stress how bad Ashurst was for dragging applicants along for over 6 weeks. W&C following suit of not even acknowledging applicants post app. I anticipate an influx of “W&C rejection” on the forum in a few days/weeks.

 

[Apple]

Haha so was I! Even screenshot the email as proof. It’s ridiculous. I believe they have already rejected us and they’re dragging it along just like Ashurst. They’ve invited people to Vi who have taken the WG after I had. People have been invited to AC and they applied after me. I’m fed up of firms rejecting me and not telling me. Why give false hope. What do they gain out of this. It makes me less inclined to apply again. I can’t stress how bad Ashurst was for dragging applicants along for over 6 weeks. W&C following suit of not even acknowledging applicants post app. I anticipate an influx of “W&C rejection” on the forum in a few days/weeks.

I mean this is for their summer internship, its over half a year away. I think people are really jumping the gun on presuming a PFO with that amount of time between now and the scheme. They also don't offer a winter scheme and will have received substantially more applications than other firms which they are working through.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

I mean this is for their summer internship, it’s over half a year away. I think people are really jumping the gun on presuming a PFO with that amount of time between now and the scheme. They also don't offer a winter scheme and will have received substantially more applications than other firms which they are working through.

They’ve closed their applications and have progressed people who have applied weeks after myself. Yes it’s in summer but my point still stand in the fact of dragging people along. I passed the WG over a month ago. Whereas you made it to VI I’d assume progressing to AC requires a more in-depth review. Not jumping the gun of a rejection at all just saying what I see based on the progress of others on this forum.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Has anyone heard from Hill Dickinson about their open days?

 

[abhuzaifa]

They’ve closed their applications and have progressed people who have applied weeks after myself. Yes it’s in summer but my point still stand in the fact of dragging people along. I passed the WG over a month ago. Whereas you made it to VI I’d assume progressing to AC requires a more in-depth review. Not jumping the gun of a rejection at all just saying what I see based on the progress of others on this forum.

Last year, I had a lot of friends who progressed to AC in late December.

 

[James Wakefield]

Meet Cooley virtual event invite !!! Thank GOD kept receiving rejections. I know this is a small win but honestly having the mentality of not giving up and that it only takes one yes has helped me incredibly.

Just got an invite too and feeling the same! 🏆

 

[hanz123]

Anyone know about Evershed's Middle East app process?

 

[Audric_T]

I’m pushing 30 (5 months to go) so you’ve got 2-3 years on me! The competition is insane so don’t take it too personally (hard to do, I know.) As well there are plenty of careers outside of law that give better working hours with just as much money so not necessarily the end of the world (which maybe you’re not in the mindset to hear but it’s true.) I’ve been in insurance for 5 years and would recommend it to anyone. I work in London, earn a great wage, and it’s a genuine 9-5 with fantastic people - plus you get invited to lots of firm events and networking so you get that side of it too. Keep your head up and keep your options open. Best of luck! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Over 30 also - got an AC - I wouldn't;t give up, having built a career external to law, and spoken with lawyers it is never to late - also making partner doesn't mean you have to get into law before 30, some never make partner - everyone's path is different

 

[Parsorandini]

Over 30 also - got an AC - I wouldn't;t give up, having built a career external to law, and spoken with lawyers it is never to late - also making partner doesn't mean you have to get into law before 30, some never make partner - everyone's path is different

30 in 3 months here, glad to see us ‘oldies’ are alive and kicking in this application process

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone know how much Linklaters takes the WG into account when shortlisting candidates?

While I do not know of the precise weighing policies and application assessment procedures, it is generally believed that Linklaters is one of the firms that places the most emphasis on the WG. This would explain in part why the firm asks for no written answers for their open day applications, despite the fact that its open day attendees automatically get a place on the AC.

 

[Arbiter141]

Anyone got any word from Weil's Insight Day on the 20th?

 

[SamiyaJ]

30 in 3 months here, glad to see us ‘oldies’ are alive and kicking in this application process

Haha yes! turned 30 a few months ago. Life begins at 30… let’s do this!

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

uhhh I am bombing these video interviews. What do people say when a question asks you, 'how do you build rappor with a client who is seeking to expand into a new market?' More specifically how do you speak for 2 minutes

I thought it was asking about reassuring a client.

I would talk about, (1) informing the client that the firm conducts business in this region regularly and all the benefits that brings, e.g. (1a) knowledge of both the physical landscape, (1b) knowledge of the legal landscape - incl offices or best friend firms, and regulators required for the transaction and contacts on the ground, (2) perhaps language expertise, (3) provide examples of similar deals done in the region, (4) host a meeting with the client and the full team both in London and in that country so they can rest assured that we have them covered...

A client implies that we have worked with them before. (5) remind the of the success we have had on previous transactions and that (6) we know how they like to work and their team and so the deal will be smooth if they let us act for them, (rather than them going elsewhere)...

That would be enough for 2 minutes

But that's just my interpretation...

 

[Andrei Radu]

I’m getting a lot of messages about VIs. I’m not in a frame of mind to deal with these and have been depressed since not converting the VS I did in spring. I’m not sure how many more months of waiting I can take. I’m 27 and I was once told that if you don’t qualify by 30 it seriously impacts your chances of making Partner. That, plus my concern that multiple VSs raises questions about your abilities. I know resilience is important here but even so.

Hey @Tintin06 I understand the frustration you may be feeling right now, having gotten so close to your goal before. I also understand your anxieties as to the future impact to your career. However, I cannot emphasize enough that you cannot let your ideas about what you can achieve in the future be defined by the struggles you are facing at the moment.

There's this short inspirational story (which you can read here) that you could take a look at. It's about Richard Youle, the current head of Skadden's London office. He started of as a 2:2 graduate from Newcastle, worked at a high street firm in Yorkshire and subsequently had one of the most impressive career trajectories to reach the very top of the corporate law world. My point is that you should not focus so much this supposedly traditional or 'straight' path to success. We all have our own unique challenges and journeys - and entering the profession 'late' will not be as big of a roadblock as you think regarding your chances of making partner.

While it may statistically be true that not many people who qualify after 30 make partner, this is not necessarily because of any prejudice against them. Rather, I would expect this is in large part explained by the fact that as people get older, their motivation to stay in Big Law diminishes. After making a lot of money for a few years and once they reach an age where settling down and family start becoming increasingly important, even many associates who qualify at 24 decide to seek jobs with a better W/L balance. Truth is, the reason why a majority of people do not make partner is that they do not even try.

If you reach 8-9 PQE and you are constantly doing great work and are well liked by clients and the partnership, I would be really surprised for your age to hold you back in any way. When deciding on partnership promotion, what any firm fundamentally cares about is your ability to generate profits - and this ability has nothing to do with your age.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Not an answer but a second cry for help 💀💀 could anyone who aces/passes VIs give any tips ?

Or @Ram Sabaratnam are there any entry articles on TCLA that give advice ?

Just before @Ram Sabaratnam comes back to you - for general VI preparation and advice, I have linked here a detailed guide I recently wrote on the topic - which led to me being progressed in 4/5 of my VIs. It includes a step by step preparation guide and section with my key VI tips.

Besides that, I have also quoted here @The-PFO-Collector 's great reply to the specific question being discussed.

I thought it was asking about reassuring a client.

I would talk about, (1) informing the client that the firm conducts business in this region regularly and all the benefits that brings, e.g. (1a) knowledge of both the physical landscape, (1b) knowledge of the legal landscape - incl offices or best friend firms, and regulators required for the transaction and contacts on the ground, (2) perhaps language expertise, (3) provide examples of similar deals done in the region, (4) host a meeting with the client and the full team both in London and in that country so they can rest assured that we have them covered...

A client implies that we have worked with them before. (5) remind the of the success we have had on previous transactions and that (6) we know how they like to work and their team and so the deal will be smooth if they let us act for them, (rather than them going elsewhere)...

That would be enough for 2 minutes

But that's just my interpretation...

 

[NCTC2025]

While I do not know of the precise weighing policies and application assessment procedures, it is generally believed that Linklaters is one of the firms that places the most emphasis on the WG. This would explain in part why the firm asks for no written answers for their open day applications, despite the fact that its open day attendees automatically get a place on the AC.

Thanks Andrei! Any idea which other firms place high emphasis on the WG?

 

[Tintin06]

Hey @Tintin06 I understand the frustration you may be feeling right now, having gotten so close to your goal before. I also understand your anxieties as to the future impact to your career. However, I cannot emphasize enough that you cannot let your ideas about what you can achieve in the future be defined by the struggles you are facing at the moment.

There's this short inspirational story (which you can read here) that you could take a look at. It's about Richard Youle, the current head of Skadden's London office. He started of as a 2:2 graduate from Newcastle, worked at a high street firm in Yorkshire and subsequently had one of the most impressive career trajectories to reach the very top of the corporate law world. My point is that you should not focus so much this supposedly traditional or 'straight' path to success. We all have our own unique challenges and journeys - and entering the profession 'late' will not be as big of a roadblock as you think regarding your chances of making partner.

While it may statistically be true that not many people who qualify after 30 make partner, this is not necessarily because of any prejudice against them. Rather, I would expect this is in large part explained by the fact that as people get older, their motivation to stay in Big Law diminishes. After making a lot of money for a few years and once they reach an age where settling down and family start becoming increasingly important, even many associates who qualify at 24 decide to seek jobs with a better W/L balance. Truth is, the reason why a majority of people do not make partner is that they do not even try.

If you reach 8-9 PQE and you are constantly doing great work and are well liked by clients and the partnership, I would be really surprised for your age to hold you back in any way. When deciding on partnership promotion, what any firm fundamentally cares about is your ability to generate profits - and this ability has noting to do with your age.

Thank you. I’m less extremist about things now.

 

[megs18]

VI for Slaughter and May! Anyone got any tips? I’m so bad with interviews