TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[User5678]

Just to check you spelt it Forsters on your app!

Hahaha omg, good attention to detail! Yes I did, I have a supermarket in my home town called foresters so it’s my phone autocorrect😂😂😭

 

[floral.tcla]

any advice for applying to Linklater's open day?

 

[JessicaTC27]

Any advice for the willkie VI?

Congrats!! When did you apply and when is your VI set to take place and did they offer multiple dates to choose from? (I’m thinking of applying next year)

 

[JessicaTC27]

Hey everyone, I've just received a Willkie VI invite! A big win for me, so I would really appreciate any insights or advice please (I am yet to successfully pass a VI stage...) thank you

Congrats!! When did you apply and when is your VI set to take place and did they offer multiple dates to choose from? (I’m thinking of applying next year)

 

[yasmars]

Congrats!! When did you apply and when is your VI set to take place and did they offer multiple dates to choose from? (I’m thinking of applying next year)

They give you one week to submit it upon receiving an invite the VI

 

[jacksollaf]

Is it ok if we use abbreviations for firms while writing cover letters or answers to questions... For instance, is it ok if we say "White & Case" once and then the subsequent ones employ the abbreviation "W&C", or do they mind?

Other examples, HL for Hogan Lovells, S&C for Sullivan & Cromwell, L&W for Latham & Watkins, etc..

 

[James Wakefield]

Is it ok if we use abbreviations for firms while writing cover letters or answers to questions... For instance, is it ok if we say "White & Case" once and then the subsequent ones employ the abbreviation "W&C", or do they mind?

Other examples, HL for Hogan Lovells, S&C for Sullivan & Cromwell, L&W for Latham & Watkins, etc..

Probably fine but I’d check what abbreviation they use (if you can find it through research).

For example Trowers & Hamlins seem to be ‘Trowers’ rather than T&H.

 

[spade]

Is it ok if we use abbreviations for firms while writing cover letters or answers to questions... For instance, is it ok if we say "White & Case" once and then the subsequent ones employ the abbreviation "W&C", or do they mind?

Other examples, HL for Hogan Lovells, S&C for Sullivan & Cromwell, L&W for Latham & Watkins, etc..

i've done it all the time and been fine! i always write out the full name then in brackets the abbreviation when first mentioning it
for latham & watkins tho, i'd choose latham over l&w bc i've heard far more people just say latham, but that might just be a personal preference

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it ok if we use abbreviations for firms while writing cover letters or answers to questions... For instance, is it ok if we say "White & Case" once and then the subsequent ones employ the abbreviation "W&C", or do they mind?

Other examples, HL for Hogan Lovells, S&C for Sullivan & Cromwell, L&W for Latham & Watkins, etc..

This varies from firm to firm.

For instance, Latham & Watkins can just be referred to as Latham rather than L&W. The firm themselves shorten it to Latham on their website.

If a firm’s name is only two words like Hogan Lovells, I don’t think it needs to be shortened.

 

[81104]

Slaughter and May - PFO. Low 2:1 in all Oxbridge modules, banging CV + cover letter. Will improve for next cycle because tbh I know that they focus a lot on grades.

Can I please ask when you applied and if this was for the summer vac scheme?

 

[walterwhite]

That Debevoise application was a marathon, I am so burnt out looool

 

[kevin28394]

hey everyone, I'd really appreciate any insights on the wilkie VI, it's my first this cycle so I have no idea what to expect

 

[chrisbrown]

hey everyone, I'd really appreciate any insights on the wilkie VI, it's my first this cycle so I have no idea what to expect

Firstly congrats on making it to the VI stage - that’s very impressive because it is super competitive.

I did my Willkie VI last week and this is also my first cycle so I was really unsure as to what to expect in a VI as well because it was my first this cycle!

In terms of what to expect or how to prepare, in the VI invite email it says that it will cover motivation and strengths, commercial knowledge and awareness, and an understanding of law firms, so I would ensure to focus on these sorts of questions.

I would advise to go over your application so you have a clear idea of what you wrote for the standard motivation questions but then as part of preparation, do some additional research so that in the VI you are not just simply repeating everything again.

Additionally, I would practice answering questions under timed conditions. You can using the practice test link which is in the second email you will have received (the same email that has the link to the actual VI platform). The practice test link is at the bottom of the email under the name of the recruiter (Gemma).

You will have four questions in total with about 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to then answer each question - use the 30 seconds as time to collect your thoughts and form a plan of how you will structure your answers. Do not use this time to think of your answers to the questions because that will inevitably lead to an unsuccessful VI.

Lastly, best of luck with the VI and don’t worry about feeling nervous it’s perfectly fine! I was super nervous myself!

Side note: I don’t know the outcome of my VI yet as I only did it last week

 

[LauraWilliams256]

Any tips for Reed Smith VI and SJT?

 

[Gin]

hi guys I just got the Kirkland & Ellis VI. Any tips? Tysm )

 

[user9809]

Any tips for Reed Smith VI and SJT?

When did you apply?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

hi guys I just got the Kirkland & Ellis VI. Any tips? Tysm )

Congrats~! When did u apply?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Any tips for Reed Smith VI and SJT?

When did you receive it and when did you apply?

 

[lawyersum]

Any tips for Reed Smith test + VI? Applied 10 Dec and received test yesterday evening x

 

[Gin]

Congrats~! When did u apply?

12.31