TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amiyrerose]

No I haven't taken it yet! Have you??? Hopefully tomorrow. If you have taken it , how did you find it

Nope I’m taking it today !!😭 I’m just going to try my best good luck to you

 

[bangarangbass39]

For AG = Completed the Voice Interview on the 10th of Jan. Went much better than I expected but it is so up in the air. Been waiting since May last year for this one application so if I don’t make AC that’s so disappointing😭.

For CMS = Completed the WG on the 18th of Oct. Honestly not to fussed. It’s at the bottom of my list. I only want to see what stages I need to improve on for other apps.

For DAC = Completed the VI on the 3rd of Dec.

I have heard nothing from Bates Wells - applied on the 10th of Oct; they are supposed to be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. The one I’m most nervous about because of the size of the firm and their communication style. There is very little I can assume reliably.


Similar with Lewis Silkin who I applied to on the 23rd of Oct.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Anyone know what a good score for the NRF Arctic Shores Feedback is?

For anyone interested the tests that came up were:
1. Tickets
2. Directions
3. Patterns
4. Emotions

Emotions had some nightmarish AI-generated eldritch horror faces to figure out.

thanks for this 🙏 What do the first two mean?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Not heard from Taylor Wessing… probably a PFO?

Wondering the same...

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to prepare for the analytical interview portion of the Freshfields AC?

I’ve been regularly reading the FT and Watson’s Daily but I’m struggling to find overarching trends so feel this puts me as a disadvantage. Is there any recommendations for a website that clearly articulates how each story affects the overarching industry.

Thanks!

If by overarching industry you mean the broad big law industry, I would recommend the legal press itself: The Lawyer, Law.com, Business Law, The Global Legal Post and Bloomberg Law. Some of this are only available on a subscription basis while some are have both freely accessible content and premium content. For some you will also be able to get a free subscription through your univerisity.

Besides these, as a free resource, I would recommend looking for good commercial law podcasts. Some law firms run periodic podcasts on important news stories - I found Latham's and White & Case's to be particularly useful. The legal press also hosts some free podcast episodes, among which i would recommend: Law, disrupted; The Lawyer Podcast; and Bloomberg Law.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi! I was just wondering, when we are asked to give references to previous employers it would only be for ones with formal work experience? For example, a part-time jobs/ internships rather than let’s say a volunteering position or a society role/ mentorship scheme?

Also, if I’m a tutor on a platform like tutorhunt, and I count as self-employed how would I go about providing a reference for my work?

Society roles are not employment (and generally should not be in your work experience section), so wouldn’t be requested.

I have seen references requested for some volunteer roles - it usually depends on the organisation, the nature of your role and how long you did it for.

For self-employment you would provide either a form of tax return (if earning above the threshold), or some kind of document from your client to show you had done the work. Some of these platforms do provide such references to confirm the period you were active on it.

 

[NCTC2025]

thanks for this 🙏 What do the first two mean?

Watch this video, he covers all four!

 

[AlegalA]

Apologies for asking again, but if anyone's done the Kennedys VI would you mind sharing how long the questions were? Thank you!!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

NRF test was so odd!

 

[lawyersum]

NRF test was so odd!

I am literally holding it off till tomorrow lol - trying to practice memory games and reaction time games today, lets see whether that helps or not🙃

 

[OliverTwist]

What is the Akin test like? Is the critical thinking part normal WG style?

 

[ashwright]

Have u heard from them ( bakers)?

Unfortunately no

 

[member3804]

does anyone know for Reed Smith's online test that is recorded, is that a factor that is taken into account? Thanks!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

good scores in the NRF test was a much-needed nice start to my weekend haha

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

does anyone know for Reed Smith's online test that is recorded, is that a factor that is taken into account? Thanks!

I think the recording is just there to flag cheating…like it will flag if someone is sat next to you or if you’re sat typing on your phone. I use my phone as my calculator so I’m always showing the camera the calculator screen on my phone before I use it so I don’t get flagged 😂

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Reed Smith VI - are the questions motivation, competency or commercial awareness? Working out what to practice and whether I need to do research prep first (I know the prep time is unlimited but assume I can’t be on other windows researching)

 

[Zaraa.x]

Anyone know what a good score for the NRF Arctic Shores Feedback is?

For anyone interested the tests that came up were:
1. Tickets
2. Directions
3. Patterns
4. Emotions

Emotions had some nightmarish AI-generated eldritch horror faces to figure out.

I passed the test for their open day majority of my qualities were on the right with the least on the left.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Reed Smith VI - are the questions motivation, competency or commercial awareness? Working out what to practice and whether I need to do research prep first (I know the prep time is unlimited but assume I can’t be on other windows researching)

I don't remember the questions from last year but you can absolutely be on other windows. It'll keep recording you.

 

[Zaraa.x]

For AG = Completed the Voice Interview on the 10th of Jan. Went much better than I expected but it is so up in the air. Been waiting since May last year for this one application so if I don’t make AC that’s so disappointing😭.

For CMS = Completed the WG on the 18th of Oct. Honestly not to fussed. It’s at the bottom of my list. I only want to see what stages I need to improve on for other apps.

For DAC = Completed the VI on the 3rd of Dec.

I have heard nothing from Bates Wells - applied on the 10th of Oct; they are supposed to be reviewing applications on a rolling basis. The one I’m most nervous about because of the size of the firm and their communication style. There is very little I can assume reliably.


Similar with Lewis Silkin who I applied to on the 23rd of Oct.

Lewis Silkin is non-rolling and in the confirmation email after submitting your application it states they’ll be in touch with an update on applications no later than week commencing 17th February - and they will only review applications after the deadline (15th Jan). This is the reason why you haven’t heard from them.

 

[ren1110]

Has anyone done the Bakers or White & Case AC?

Have u received a response from bakers?