TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[0livia.pope]

Did people get the BM report on the same day?

 

[Tintin06]

companies of interest to me? or the firm?

To you for some questions I’ve had. Understanding the firm's clients helps too.

 

[Toenails]

has anyone done willkie written task last year, was this on zoom. I have done my vi today and I’m awaiting the results but want to know more on next stage. is extra time given if you need it and are granted at other firms.
sorry @WillkieGemma if you could answer please

 

[Toenails]

What are some commercial awareness/understanding of law firm questions that are likely to come up in a VI?

i have had a few different ones

how did you research our firm
what do you use to research and stay up to date
what client of ours interests you and why

 

[Tintin06]

has anyone done willkie written task last year, was this on zoom. I have done my vi today and I’m awaiting the results but want to know more on next stage. is extra time given if you need it and are granted at other firms.
sorry @WillkieGemma if you could answer please

I’d suggest you email Gemma Baker. It wasn’t on zoom for me.

 

[Toenails]

will freshfields have a summer TC application window this year. I don’t want to apply to the winter one as I have deadlines

 

[Tintin06]

Do McDermott take non law graduates? I’m slightly frustrated by the process. I’ve already done three Vacation Schemes. Direct TCs do feel quite rare. Few hiring a majority through those. Might multiple VSs hurt VS applications? It’s just frustrating in some ways. I don’t think being 27 hurts. So that’s something positive, I guess.

Then there is obviously another question. How do you get direct TCs? What do you have to prove? Especially for the US law firms.

It’s been a rough week, tbh. Struggling to get out of bed. Writing 30 applications was certainly energising. This current stage not so much. I got Milbank VS in 2019. It clashed with another firm’s VS. So I regret not doing it. I also regret not converting Ropes. These two things greatly depress me.

 

[nliro85]

For DWF application it has a question about one of their values and the question is as follows. The DWF value 'Be Better Together' is key to our business. Please identify when you have demonstrated this value and how you would apply this to the role of a Trainee Solicitor.

My question is would it be OK to talk about one example or should I mention two examples of demonstrating this value.

 

[Jessica Booker]

i have done a vacation scheme before i did not convert can i apply to the same firm training contract route, feed back was on commercial awareness mostly, i really like the firm any advice

I think if you can show you have gone out of your way to improve your commercial awareness through tangible evidence, then you can generally apply again.

As you have a connection to the firm, it might be worthwhile contacting them and getting their thoughts on you reapplying though - I know this is something I have seen several previous VS people do in other firms.

Contacting them will also allow you to check the firm's policy about reapplying.

 

[Toenails]

I think if you can show you have gone out of your way to improve your commercial awareness through tangible evidence, then you can generally apply again.

As you have a connection to the firm, it might be worthwhile contacting them and getting their thoughts on you reapplying though - I know this is something I have seen several previous VS people do in other firms.

Contacting them will also allow you to check the firm's policy about reapplying.

thank you

I was told in my feedback call that i can apply again as there are no rules on this my application will be treated as new. i have opted for the direct tc route another vs application there would be silly. with them saying it will be a new application is that a good thing. they won’t be able to use previous feedback ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

thank you

I was told in my feedback call that i can apply again as there are no rules on this my application will be treated as new. i have opted for the direct tc route another vs application there would be silly. with them saying it will be a new application is that a good thing. they won’t be able to use previous feedback ?

Depends on their data retention policy. They could easily use old feedback if the data is still available to them.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Do McDermott take non law graduates? I’m slightly frustrated by the process. I’ve already done three Vacation Schemes. Direct TCs do feel quite rare. Few hiring a majority through those. Might multiple VSs hurt VS applications? It’s just frustrating in some ways. I don’t think being 27 hurts. So that’s something positive, I guess.

Then there is obviously another question. How do you get direct TCs? What do you have to prove? Especially for the US law firms.

It’s been a rough week, tbh. Struggling to get out of bed. Writing 30 applications was certainly energising. This current stage not so much. I got Milbank VS in 2019. It clashed with another firm’s VS. So I regret not doing it. I also regret not converting Ropes. These two things greatly depress me.

I'm 99% certain the McDermott deadline has passed

 

[WillkieGemma]

has anyone done willkie written task last year, was this on zoom. I have done my vi today and I’m awaiting the results but want to know more on next stage. is extra time given if you need it and are granted at other firms.
sorry @WillkieGemma if you could answer please

Hi @Toenails if you get through you will be sent all relevant information. With all firms, extra time will be given if it is requested. There is genuinely no need to check this with any firm - making adjustments is very normal and common practice.

 

[Eeeazyyy8]

Hi, I haven’t received my test result from TW yet, but if anyone has done the written task, could you provide some insight?

 

[C_AJH]

waitlisted for Sullivan and Cromwell- good or bad?

 

[AS24]

Do you have a previous employer you could use instead?

I have always been a contractor and have been working in my role for almost 6 years now..someone on the forum suggested using my agency as a referee. What do you think?

 

[user23]

Hi! Is this VI for London office?

For the Bham office but I imagine the process is the same

 

[ashwright]

Honestly same! But remember it only takes one yes!!

You're absolutely right - thank you for reminding me ☺️ 🫶 We've got this 🤝

 

[wqueens8]

Taylor Wessing PFO, not entirely surprised as I don't meet grade req, and I only started my application a few hours before the deadline as a hail mary.

Linklaters Capp report came back, my best traits were Motivation and Respect, and my worst was apparently Commercial Thinking so I can't imagine that's a good thing 🥲

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have always been a contractor and have been working in my role for almost 6 years now..someone on the forum suggested using my agency as a referee. What do you think?

Yes - your agency could be a good alternative. If you are through your own limited company and have an accountant, your accountant may also be a good referee (this is what I have had to do in my line of work before).