TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Do you have strong A Levels?

A*AA

 

[TC129129]

Hi all, which U.S. firms are known to be strict on grades? I currently have Debevoise, Sidley, V&E, Orrick, Covington, and Ropes & Gray on my list. Should I avoid any of these with a mid 2:1 overall🥹

I did a Vac Scheme at White & Case last year with a low 2.1

 

[MH05]

If you don’t mind me asking, did Grad Rec confirm if they offer Training Contracts from their Placement Scheme? Or do you have to apply for both roles separately (or just apply to the Training Contract role itself) ?

I don’t really remember tbh I didn’t ask directly. They told all of us on the insight day we should only apply to the TC.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, you've said 1400-1600 across the 4 questions but the final question is 'Please include any other information that you consider to be relevant to your application', is it necessary to answer this question? Since there's no word count for the other questions I feel like I won't need to include anything in this box and it wouldn't make sense to split information between this question and another just for the sake of having a more even spread of the word count and putting an answer in this box - can you please advise?

You don’t have to answer this question but I would question whether there could be something in this answer. I’d say for around 80-90% of candidates they have something to include in this which doesn’t naturally fit into other application questions or they haven’t had the opportunity to present elsewhere.

 

[bsh]

Hi @Jessica Booker, following our phone call, I was wondering if you could please send or attach here any written exercise resources you think may be useful in preparing for Willkie's written assessment and Latham's written exercise for their AC. I would be keen to have a go at practising both with feedback if possible - which paid service and options would be best to select?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi @Jessica Booker, following our phone call, I was wondering if you could please send or attach here any written exercise resources you think may be useful in preparing for Willkie's written assessment and Latham's written exercise for their AC. I would be keen to have a go at practising both with feedback if possible - which paid service and options would be best to select?

Congratulations on both! Can i ask if the AC for Latham is for spring and if so, when did you apply? Thank you!

 

[M_m]

Hi everyone! This is slightly off topic, but I’m an international student who did both my schooling and law degree abroad. While I am applying for VS and TCs this year, I also want to have a firm backup plan. I’ve reached out to a few law firms, and given that my law degree is not a qualifying degree in the UK, they would require me to finish the PGDL. Do you think it would be wise for me to self-fund the PGDL this year in case I don’t get a TC? Would it be beneficial in any way?

 

[bsh]

Congratulations on both! Can i ask if the AC for Latham is for spring and if so, when did you apply? Thank you!

Thank you! Yes for spring and I applied on deadline.

 

[kokoprep]

Thank you! Yes for spring and I applied on deadline.

Hi - Have people who applied for summer on the deadline, heard back yet?

 

[bsh]

Hi - Have people who applied for summer on the deadline, heard back yet?

I don't know.

 

[thelawstudent]

Hi - Have people who applied for summer on the deadline, heard back yet?

not heard back yet

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Is a question like this testing research skills?

1. Please reference below all sources used including any usage of AI

What's the best way to respond to this, if anyone knows. Thank u!! xx

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Is a question like this testing research skills?

1. Please reference below all sources used including any usage of AI

What's the best way to respond to this, if anyone knows. Thank u!! xx

@Jessica Booker Hi, I was wondering if you may be able to share your insights on this, please. Do you think it's fine to list use of common AI like ChatGPT as well?

 

[RSK]

Thank you! Yes for spring and I applied on deadline.

Hey - congrats on the AC. If you don't mind me asking - did you attend the open day by any chance?

 

[kokoprep]

Is NRF test automatic?

 

[bsh]

Hey - congrats on the AC. If you don't mind me asking - did you attend the open day by any chance?

Thank you! I did, yes.

 

[rjn]

Hey : ) I hope you're all alright; I received an Eversheds VI invite which is due tomorrow, and wanted to ask if anyone has any advice/insights on how to prepare for it? Thanks a lot : )

 

[Shandy101]

for the VI portion of the Mayer Brown job sim, how long is the prep/answer time?

2 mins

 

[Zaraa.x]

Is NRF test automatic?

It gets sent directly from artic shores a few days after you submit the rare form.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi all,

I hope you’re all doing well!

Just wanted to give a random update on this cycle so far. Need to get back into it after I wrap up some exams in a couple of weeks:

VS

-NRF ❌
-W&C ❌
-Bird & Bird ❌ (post WG)
-HSF ❌
-Cleary ❌
-Covington ❌
-Linklaters ❌
- Sidley Austin ❌
- Jones Day ❌
-Reed Smith- SJT/VI completed
-Baker McKenzie Summer VS- -app submitted
-Gibson Dunn- app submitted
-Cooley- app submitted
-Womble Bond Dickinson- app submitted

TC

- Sullivan & Cromwell ❌
- Clifford Chance ❌
- CMS ❌ (post WG)
- AO Shearman ❌
- Freshfields- app submitted
- HFW- app submitted
- Goodwin- app submitted
- Mayer Brown- app submitted
- Greenberg Taurig- app submitted
- Trowers & Hamlins- SJT done

Thoughts: I am very happy to know that I am starting to move past the application stage for some firms! Also been working hard to understand the logic behind SJT/WG tests, just hope it fully clicks sooner rather than later.