TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[qaz99]

Heard nothing from Bird & Bird since submitting app (20 Nov). Should I assume PFO?

 

[Looper88]

Has anyone heard from Gibson Dunn lately? Applied start of this month, but have not heard back yet. 😟

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Has anyone heard from Gibson Dunn lately? Applied start of this month, but have not heard back yet. 😟

I only heard back after about two and a half months, so I wouldnt worry too much

 

[Looper88]

I only heard back after about two and a half months, so I wouldnt worry too much

Thank you. Do you know if the wait time is roughly the same for PFO/next stage? I remember applying last year and they PFO-ed me after 3 exact months. (Must have been automated)

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Thank you. Do you know if the wait time is roughly the same for PFO/next stage? I remember applying last year and they PFO-ed me after 3 exact months. (Must have been automated)

I applied last year and got a PFO after four months but this year heard back with interview invite so I’m not actually sure. They obviously get way more applications closer to the deadline so I’d imagine the wait would be longer the later you applied.

 

[kokoprep]

Does anyone know how Baker McKenzie likes their work experience section?

 

[fcac98]

i did this and got the same result. those same rankings progressed me to the Job Simulation earlier this year for the Direct TC, so i hope it’s a similar result for you this time.

As for the grading of the same, I would love to understand this too.

What were you given for each, if you can remember

 

[Looper88]

I applied last year and got a PFO after four months but this year heard back with interview invite so I’m not actually sure. They obviously get way more applications closer to the deadline so I’d imagine the wait would be longer the later you applied.

Thank you, that is helpful! Congratulations on your interview invite by the way! Wishing you all the best! (if you've not yet done it)

 

[sibs23]

Hi, does anyone know whether a cover letter is necessary (or encouraged) for Cripps please? The application form allows you to upload one but nowhere on the grad recruitment part of the website does it say that it is required. It also lets you turn to the next page without a pop up that the section is incomplete without uploading a cover letter. Thanks in advance!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Has anyone who completed the first set of mayer brown tests in mid-december/later heard back for the job sim?

 

[studenttolawyer]

First off, I can completely empathize with how disappointing it can feel to be rejected from a firm you really like and after putting a lot of effort in the application. However, remember that this is no indication as to your worth - even the very best candidates have to face so many more rejections than acceptances. The cycle before last I was rejected at first stage in every single application. The way I eventually turned the situation around was by refusing to give up, always coming back more committed to doing better and to keep moving forward. I think this is the only way to succeed and this is the attitude I would advise you to try to embrace.

Secondly, it is not that uncommon for people to be rejected in one competitive application and be accepted in another in the same application cycle and at the same firm - I remember @Ram Sabaratnam wrote about being rejected for an open day at Cooley and still getting a VS and TC offer afterwards. Since applications are so competitive, progression is a game of small margins as recruiters have to make judgement calls in deciding between multiple strong candidates. I think a combinations of potential improvements in your application (even if you think your Lift Off applications were really good, trust me that there is always room for improvement) and the factor of luck (as different recruiters on different days will emphasize different criteria when making those difficult judgement calls) could definitely lead to VS progression, so I think it is worth a shot.

thanks a lot Andrei, really appreciate your advice! it means a lot.

 

[studenttolawyer]

Hey there @studenttolawyer ,

Yep, I totally agree with @Andrei Radu. A rejection on one programme doesn‘t automatically cancel out your chances of succeeding in VS or TC applications at the same firm. I had been rejected for open days at firms but gotten offers for their ACs/VS. I know of many people who will say the same too. Keep going!!!

thank you Amma! staying strong!

 

[Tintin06]

Open day applications =/= VS ones. As other said on here earlier. Far more people try open days. Why is that the case then? Open day apps are much shorter. Thus, they attract many more applicants. Some open day attendees won’t apply. So it’s not the same competition. Cast the net far and wide. I deviate from others on this. I think it’s a numbers game. That’s just been my experience applying. Getting surprisingly progressed by law firms. And then rejections that also surprised. Some aspects are just so subjective. Open day rejections aren’t always fatal.

You can still connect with trainees. You can simulate open day interactions. Firms advertise themselves elsewhere as well. Open days often benefit London-based applicants. I am fortunate in this respect. Just put your best foot forward.

 

[lawaspirant!]

Hi, I don’t think anyone has received the “met the benchmark” email yet but the feedback email takes 2-3 days (I don’t know if weekends are included) .

Oh I don't know if I've misunderstood, I just know that I have seen a few people say that they received a benchmark met email a few days after assessment completion? Apparently it was sent as a separate email to their feedback report (which I received after doing the test a few weeks ago) but I could be misunderstanding! Only time will tell I guess

 

[futuretrainee!]

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good week, particularly leading up to the holidays. I think this is lowkey a rant and I want to get it off my chest but also hopefully this resonates with someone in the same situation. I have been applying to law firms since 2022 and two cycles, in I am exhausted. What is truly triggering about this process is that back in 2023 when I was in my final year of a non-law degree I was invited to assessment centres with Ashurst and Macfarlanes. Fast-forward to this year when I not only graduated with an 81% in my PGDL but also ended up for the semis on some of the most coveted commercial awareness competitions. You'd think I'd have a competitive application? Well, I'd think again because I literally cannot get past the application stage for a single firm this entire year. I literally do not know what else I could possibly do - I cannot even land a paralegal role to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice or ideas on why this may be? Is this because I am an international student? If so why make the promise to offer sponsorships? I am absolutely deflated and not going to lie, the upcoming holidays when you see families and friends etc is not making it any better. I absolutely in my bones KNOW I want to be a lawyer and know this dream will come true but boy it's tough out here. Being a part of TCLA has also made me realise how tenacious and hard-working this community is, and if you're feeling low and disappointed too, you are not alone and I am praying for you all!

 

[NCTC2025]

Open day applications =/= VS ones. As other said on here earlier. Far more people try open days. Why is that the case then? Open day apps are much shorter. Thus, they attract many more applicants. Some open day attendees won’t apply. So it’s not the same competition. Cast the net far and wide. I deviate from others on this. I think it’s a numbers game. That’s just been my experience applying. Getting surprisingly progressed by law firms. And then rejections that also surprised. Some aspects are just so subjective. Open day rejections aren’t always fatal.

You can still connect with trainees. You can simulate open day interactions. Firms advertise themselves elsewhere as well. Open days often benefit London-based applicants. I am fortunate in this respect. Just put your best foot forward.

I 100% agree with this. The quality of the application is way more important than having been to an open day. For example, the four ACs I've completed have been with firms who's open days I have never attended before. At the same time, I've failed to progress on multiple occasions with firms who's open days I've attended. This year, I'm taking the numbers approach too and hoping to be surprisingly progressed!

 

[NCTC2025]

Oh I don't know if I've misunderstood, I just know that I have seen a few people say that they received a benchmark met email a few days after assessment completion? Apparently it was sent as a separate email to their feedback report (which I received after doing the test a few weeks ago) but I could be misunderstanding! Only time will tell I guess

I received a separate benchmark met email after my assessment completion email three days after completing the test.

 

[Mug Fan]

Has anyone who completed the first set of mayer brown tests in mid-december/later heard back for the job sim?

Not answering your question but I do have one for you on MB… how long after submitting your application did you received invites to the online test? (Not the day in the life of SJT, just the automatic ones).

I’ve not heard anything from MB and it’s been ages! Also, did you submit a covering letter or any additional questions? It was just work experience when I applied and I’m worried I’ve done something wrong! Should I email HR?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Not answering your question but I do have one for you on MB… how long after submitting your application did you received invites to the online test? (Not the day in the life of SJT, just the automatic ones).

I’ve not heard anything from MB and it’s been ages! Also, did you submit a covering letter or any additional questions? It was just work experience when I applied and I’m worried I’ve done something wrong! Should I email HR?

Heyy
It took me like a week, and I wouldn't worry because at a grad rec event, they did say it would take some time to get the tests as they have to send it manually.
No, I didn't submit a cover letter or anything else. It's just the one question regarding academic/non-academic achievements. I don't think you've done anything wrong and you will probably receive it soon 😊🤞

 

[Tintin06]

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good week, particularly leading up to the holidays. I think this is lowkey a rant and I want to get it off my chest but also hopefully this resonates with someone in the same situation. I have been applying to law firms since 2022 and two cycles, in I am exhausted. What is truly triggering about this process is that back in 2023 when I was in my final year of a non-law degree I was invited to assessment centres with Ashurst and Macfarlanes. Fast-forward to this year when I not only graduated with an 81% in my PGDL but also ended up for the semis on some of the most coveted commercial awareness competitions. You'd think I'd have a competitive application? Well, I'd think again because I literally cannot get past the application stage for a single firm this entire year. I literally do not know what else I could possibly do - I cannot even land a paralegal role to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice or ideas on why this may be? Is this because I am an international student? If so why make the promise to offer sponsorships? I am absolutely deflated and not going to lie, the upcoming holidays when you see families and friends etc is not making it any better. I absolutely in my bones KNOW I want to be a lawyer and know this dream will come true but boy it's tough out here. Being a part of TCLA has also made me realise how tenacious and hard-working this community is, and if you're feeling low and disappointed too, you are not alone and I am praying for you all!

You clearly have done a lot. But how are you packaging it? It can be hard to hear. But sometimes I feel quite similar. I have x and deserve y. However sometimes other things matter more. I’m also feeling low and disappointed. I have an Oxford Uni degree. I have done multiple Vacation Schemes. But I often over-inflate these experiences. They aren’t silver bullets for applications. Realising that fact took me years. I got nothing whatsoever in 2019-20.

I’ve been applying on and off. Things like firms’ values matter apparently. So I started including these recently. Experiences aren’t always that important really. Skills gained can be more so.