TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[ReedSmithBecca]

does anyone know the benchmark for reed smith?

Hi! This isn't information we publish, or tell successful applicants. We review Legal High Potential test scores as well as video interviews holistically, so you wouldn't be able to tell the benchmark from previous outcomes. We review both scores holistically so that candidates can showcase different skills and experiences and so that candidates who might not have scored as well as they would like on one element are still considered. Hope this is useful!

 

[James Wakefield]

Thank you for answering questions on the forum! @ReedSmithBecca would you still encourage applicants who are looking to apply to Reed Smith this close to the deadline?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

It isn't too late for Reed Smith! Whilst we review applications on a rolling basis, we will consider all applications received up until the deadline of 6th Jan equally.

Thank you for answering questions on the forum! @ReedSmithBecca would you still encourage applicants who are looking to apply to Reed Smith this close to the deadline?

Hi - Becca said earlier that it is not late to apply to RS as they view all applications

 

[ReedSmithBecca]

Thank you for answering questions on the forum! @ReedSmithBecca would you still encourage applicants who are looking to apply to Reed Smith this close to the deadline?

Yes, as @pleasepleaseplease said, we will be considering all applications received up until the deadline!

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Does BCLP send a feedback report after you finish taking the test? If so, how long does it take to recieve?

They do - I got mine back in a couple of days

 

[AnonKn635]

how did you everyone find Skadden? Timing was brutal

 

[sooae]

I Hope not as I’m still drafting my app for Reed Smith.

me too.

Well...Skadden people. How was it? Everyone is all quiet 😂😂

Hahahahah. Most likely, people opted to do theirs tomorrow. I have mine tomorrow and my anxiety is through the roof. LOL

 

[ttyl]

was that post-test)? If yes, did they initially tell you that you passed the benchmark?

Thanks!

Yes they said I passed their benchmark + I had also attended one of their Open Days

 

[M_m]

Hi! I applied for Slaughter and May's direct TC on October 15th and still haven't heard back. I've seen that people who applied after me have either received rejections or progressed to the next stage. Does anyone know if this is a good/bad sign? I'm just a bit confused as to how their process works.

 

[Shandy101]

how did you everyone find Skadden? Timing was brutal

Mathieu just emailed us and said there were some issues with the link as well, so he's sending it via email instead 😂😂

 

[Rania123]

Has anyone heard back from Linklaters (rejection or offers to the AC) ??

 

[Iwanobealawyer]

Baker McKenzie PFO Post-SJT, My feedback results were okay even got 9/9 for one of the sections. I really don't understand sometimes

 

[Tintin06]

Baker McKenzie PFO Post-SJT, My feedback results were okay even got 9/9 for one of the sections. I really don't understand sometimes

Plenty more firms about - chin up. I'm sure you'll get something eventually. I haven't heard from them post-SJT.

 

[suhana]

I have heard of some people who have been invited to Linklaters AC for spring and summer already- has anyone here heard back?

dont they have a video interview stage before they process for AC?

 

[lawstudenttt2003]

anyone heard back from hsf spring?

 

[kokoprep]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone knows any experiences of international students - Aka those that did their bachelor's abroad but are trying to secure a training contract in London. I am wondering, are people with outside bachelor's disadvantaged?

I know law firms group graduates in Oxbridge and Russel group etc, but I am not entirely sure about the international status. Does anyone have any input they could share?

In which country you did the bachelors in?

 

[kokoprep]

Has Latham and Watkins, started sending AC invites or PFOs?

 

[fcac98]

Hey guys, I am applying for a TC position at Hogan Lovells and the final question on the application form is:

"Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector. (Max 250 words)"

I have attended a couple of open days, but neither of them have been at Hogan Lovells. Could you please provide some guidance as to how to respond to this question?

Many thanks!

Did you get a response on this? Im also wondering what to put

 

[Amma Usman]

is it too late to apply to firms with deadlines in early jan? also I'm planning on doing like 12 ish applications for vac schemes- is this too little? i don't want to put in rushed or simply ok applications but loads of people say you cant really submit more than that and them still be decent applications. also any advice on what to do in January in terms of applications if you don't get anything?

Hey there @LawLawLawLawLaw ,

I believe you are not late at all if you apply now to firm's with Jan deadlines, seeing as most firms receive the bulk of their applications in the last two weeks. I recommend for those January deadlines, however, submitting them before the two -week mark for each firm. This approach will also depend on whether each firm has rolling or non-rolling deadlines. For the rolling ones, I recommend definitely prioritising them ahead.

The number point is also a really interesting and heavily debated one. There are no set number of applications you need to submit, it all depends on your personal approach. For example, submitting a small number of carefully written applications enables you to focus on quality over quantity. This could improve your chances of moving past the application stage. On another hand, the process is also sometimes really a numbers game. I have submitted applications which I knew were not perfect, but had gotten me to the next round. I know of someone that only submitted one application, but got a direct TC offer. I know of people that have submitted 25, and got an offer from the last firm they applied to. Yor decision to choose 12 is great as I also always recommend applicants applying to at least 10 firms per cycle.

Overall, whichever approach to take is dependent on your schedule and capacity.

 

[DulyDiligent]

Anyone know if HSF have sent out summer ACs?