TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[EquityTraineeGPT]

Has anyone heard back from Sidley Austin Winter AC or Slaughter and May TC or White and Case TC or Paul Hasting TC??? I am tired man.

I saw that some people got the White & Case AC on some law applicants group chat, nothing from the rest

 

[EquityTraineeGPT]

I’ve seen a few things recently about an LLM AI model that reviews law firm applications.
Of course, I haven’t seen the T&Cs, so don’t want to make assumptions. But, I have no idea what the model is trained on + how they use our data/applications.
I’d say to be cautious.

It is dodgy as hell, apparently they used the TCLA and CLA databases w/o permission

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

It is dodgy as hell, apparently they used the Tcla and CLA data base

I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re scraping everyone’s applications. There’s even a LinkedIn post from the guy that shows he can see everyone’s prompts.

There’s 0 reason to use an AI model for law applications. There will be nothing unique it can add.

Everyone is better off doing their own unique research and just using ChatGPT for grammar edits etc.

 

[MayaM0921]

They did say what questions there are on the Insight event, but probably not the exact text. They are: What challenge did you have and how did you overcome it and how did you demonstrate resilience? Why do you want to be a corporate solicitor and what skills will make you the best solicitor?

Thank you so much !!! 😇

 

[saminoriya]

I saw that some people got the White & Case AC on some law applicants group chat, nothing from the rest

Maybe it is for the previous cycle TC because I've received a rejection from White&Case today when I applied in July...

 

[Jessica Booker]

I’ve seen a few things recently about an LLM AI model that reviews law firm applications.
Of course, I haven’t seen the T&Cs, so don’t want to make assumptions. But, I have no idea what the model is trained on + how they use our data/applications.
I’d say to be cautious.

Please can you (or anyone else) let us know if you have been contacted about this via the forums or private messages.

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Guys, what were the questions for Akin Gump last cycle? They haven't opened yet but want to get ahead of it and start drafting.

 

[lawyersum]

Guys, what were the questions for Akin Gump last cycle? They haven't opened yet but want to get ahead of it and start drafting.

Unfortunately I don’t remember the exact questions so hopefully can someone provide more info, but I do remember there being a hefty no of questions (5/6) and one was quite distinct as it asked why you would specifically want to work in the London office.

 

[futuretrainee2025]

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman, Milbank, and/or Watson Farley are rolling?

 

[Kay Aston]

Is it only an online application for Latham & Watkins Open Day and is it rolling?

Hi @legal18 - I believe that it is just an application stage for the L&W open day. Although it doesn't specify rolling or non-rolling on the L&W website, it does state here; 'Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.', which implies rolling, if true. I have reached out to someone I know at L&W to confirm for sure though!

 

[saminoriya]

Has anyone else here applied for the HSF Social Mobility Open Day? Does anyone know roughly when we'll hear back? The deadline was the 8th and the Open Day is at the end of the month, so I was hoping we might know soon so the trains to and from London won't be ridiculously expensive.

I am waiting as well, but I think it will be till the end of the week or Monday next week at the latest.

 

[l789]

Is the Latham & Watkins graduate recruitment open day for any year of degree- first years as well?

 

[👩🎓]

Hi @Jessica Booker, what would you recommend the cover letter divide to be for why law, why the firm, and why you - my section on why the firm is the longest with 2 paragraphs (but I have linked personal experiences/interests in there, as it is relevant to the firm's practice areas) and my other sections are 1 paragraph each. Any thoughts would be highly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Kay Aston]

Is the Latham & Watkins graduate recruitment open day for any year of degree- first years as well?

Hey @l789 - unfortunately the website states that these open days are only applicable to 'Penultimate and final year law and non-law students, and graduates', which means that you wouldn't be eligible to apply in your first year. However, L&W do have a First Year Spring Scheme, for which the applications are open now!

 

[l789]

Hey @l789 - unfortunately the website states that these open days are only applicable to 'Penultimate and final year law and non-law students, and graduates', which means that you wouldn't be eligible to apply in your first year. However, L&W do have a First Year Spring Scheme, for which the applications are open now!

Thank you for clarifying Kay

 

[l789]

@Kay Aston

Hi Kay,

Thank you so much for replying to my previous question about lathams open day!

I read a bit about your background on the ask future trainees anything thread and have found your journey very admirable.

I wanted to ask about your experience with applying to US law firms (those with AAB reqs) and Alevel grades - as I’m in a bit of a similar position.

If you feel comfortable speaking about this, alternatively I’m happy to message privately

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Does anyone have any tips for the Taylor Wessing cover letter?

 

[legal18]

For the Latham open day application the first question is 'What area of law are you interested in learning more about, and why?' Would it be okay to say employment law - is this something the firm has a focus on?

 

[sammm10101]

just received an invitation today

I received an email from them today which basically said that while I didn't make the cut, they were 'impressed' by my application and that I'm on the waiting list if a place opens up. Am assuming that this is just a very polite PFO... 😭

 

[Kay Aston]

@Kay Aston

Hi Kay,

Thank you so much for replying to my previous question about lathams open day!

I read a bit about your background on the ask future trainees anything thread and have found your journey very admirable.

I wanted to ask about your experience with applying to US law firms (those with AAB reqs) and Alevel grades - as I’m in a bit of a similar position.

If you feel comfortable speaking about this, alternatively I’m happy to message privately

Hi @l789 ! You're very welcome and I am so glad you took something positive from my story 😁

Unfortunately, I don't have a ton of experience with applying to US firms, as my applications were focussed on MC, SC and other top 20 UK firms. However, my generic advice would be the same as it is for UK firms which have high grade requirements and are more grade-focussed:

• If you have any mitigating circumstances, definitely flag these. If you are unsure about something in this regard, or how to evidence your circumstances, email grad rec at the firm ahead of applying and check the best way to flag the circumstances in your application form (I did this, and most firms were extremely helpful and receptive, and it never hurts to be on a first name basis with grad rec).
• Focus on the parts of your application which are great and which you can control, and don't get bogged down in what you don't have. For example, I knew that my grades weren't great, so I went above and beyond in selling my professional experience, highlighting how it made me a unique candidate, and demonstrating how much firm research I had done. This really helped to set my application apart, despite my grades.

I appreciate that your question is more US firm-centric, and some of those are perhaps known for being slightly less forgiving with grades, but don't fall into the trap of self-selecting yourself out of applying. You miss 100% of shots you don't take 🚀