TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

rapunzel

Active Member
Jan 10, 2023
12
25
Does anybody have advice for the nrf Arctic Shores test?

I don't know if it's just me but when I did the facial expressions one in the past, the majority looked exactly the same🤣
I tried to pick the faces apart which sounds weird, but I tried to look at differences of eyebrows, corner of mouths, and if there were more lines on a face I just assumed they were frowning with a negative expression?
 

rapunzel

Active Member
Jan 10, 2023
12
25
Ffs. I was good at that test on my first cycle, but this cycle I’ve been not doing as well. Looks like I’ll need to bite the bullet and buy the JobTestPrep kit or something.

Does anyone else have any WG prep websites they use? I’ve already used the Clifford Chance free test quite a few times. I’m scoring 80%+ in those but was only in the 32nd percentile when I did the Linklaters test.
I brought the JobTestPrep last year and it was okay but I still found that I preformed badly on tests, so what I did instead is I made applications to firms with WG which I wasn't interested in to get practice, and I started to see the same type of questions pop up. I found this works better because u become used to the formatting of these questions and it doesn't put you off when you are doing the test for a firm you are interested in.
 
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chrisbrown

Esteemed Member
Jul 4, 2024
77
81
How long does one application usually take people?
It depends on the application and firm but it takes me between 1-3 weeks per application.

I tend to start a few at the same time and add to them gradually. I submit them roughly at the same time. 🙂

I do it in this way because I am neurodivergent. I find it difficult to focus for long periods of time. 🥲

Some people can finish applications in 1-2 days. 💀
 
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rapunzel

Active Member
Jan 10, 2023
12
25
NRF Test report

How you understand others - 4/4

How you attend to tasks and decisions - 1/4

How you respond to change - 3/4

How you identify patterns and rules - 4/4

Not sure if this is a good enough report ://
From what I have seen in this thread and previous ones is that NRF doesn't fully rely on the report when they are assessing candidates. I remember this was written somewhere that this report is what the grad rec team might use to guide which questions to ask candidates in the interview. hopefully this is true though.
 
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Law queries

Distinguished Member
  • Dec 3, 2024
    71
    37
    From what I have seen in this thread and previous ones is that NRF doesn't fully rely on the report when they are assessing candidates. I remember this was written somewhere that this report is what the grad rec team might use to guide which questions to ask candidates in the interview. hopefully this is true though.
    oh okayy, understood. thank you for informing this!
     
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    shays

    Active Member
    Jun 2, 2024
    14
    17
    From what I have seen in this thread and previous ones is that NRF doesn't fully rely on the report when they are assessing candidates. I remember this was written somewhere that this report is what the grad rec team might use to guide which questions to ask candidates in the interview. hopefully this is true though.
    ah hopefully this is true, I was hoping they would still look at the application and not just have a benchmark for a buzzfeed style test and base on that
     
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    andrewk

    New Member
    Nov 17, 2024
    4
    9
    @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu
    Would it be a bad idea to mention a Kirkland open day in an application to Travers? IK Travers are strong in private equity, and what sparked my interest in PE was a debt finance workshop at the Kirkland open day. But I also go on to talk about how I like the Travers room-sharing system because of the high level of supervision + training (which Kirkland doesn't really have)

    Ofc I could deflect this in an interview by saying I didn't like Kirkland's culture after attending the open day, but I'm wondering whether grad rec might discard it because I'm applying to wildly different firms and so won't be a good fit (which is partially true, it's one of my least favourites). Then again it would be difficult to substantiate my interest in PE work without mentioning the open day.

    Would appreciate any advice to be honest
     

    jacksollaf

    Legendary Member
    Dec 17, 2024
    145
    163
    APPLICATION UPDATE; I will be fixing this table in a couple of days, because it is so unorganised and anarchical

    Applied​
    Baker McKenzie (6th of October)
    Allen & Shearman | ❌
    Goodwin (6th of October)
    Pinsent Masons |❌
    Mayer Brown |❌
    Skadden
    Morrison Foerster (7th of October)
    Slaughter & May | ❌
    Jones Day | ❌
    Gibson Dunn (11th of October | First-year insight scheme attended)
    Cooley (8th of October)
    Linklaters
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher | ❌
    Latham & Watkins (online test, silent since sadly | 25th of October
    Forsters LLP ❌
    TLT
    Dechert LLP
    Orrick
    HFW Assessment Center on the 28th of Jan
    BCLP
    Paynes Hicks Beach
    Eversheds ❌ post VI
    Clyde & Co
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Kirkland
    Covington LLP
    White & Case
    Macfarlanes
    UN Legal Affairs Intern (New York HQ)
    Clifford Chance Dubai | ❌
    Weil | ❌
    Katten
    Charles Russel Speechlys
    King & Spalding (TC)
    Quinn Emmanuel (Paris) ❌
    HSF SADDEST PFO SO FAR
    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (placed on hold since early December, so awaiting outcome)
    Perth Thingy… (I randomly applied to a company in Perth Scotland, since it was just CV based, and I have no idea what the name was and they ghosted me I think because I didn't get an email or anything 😂 😂 😂 )
    Deloitte (completely ghosted, no confirmation email whatsoever so 100% PFO 😂😂)
    Vison & Elkins
    Morgan Lewis
    Walker Morris
    CMS
    Hogan Lovells
    Osborne Clarke
    Davis Polk
    RPC
    Ropes & Gray
    Paul Weiss
    Squire Patton Boggs
    Mills & Reeve
    Simmons & Simmons (VI stage so far)
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Withers (they asked for visa info, and I didn't realise it's outside my term time, so they suggested transferring my application to a TC so there's hope I think)
    Joelson
    Capsticks LLP | ❌
    Gowling WLG
    Gide Loyrette Nouel London ❌
    DAC Beachcroft (TC)
    Howes Spercival
    PwC |❌
    Cleary Gottlieb | ❌
    Reed Smith | ❌
    Farrer & Co
    Shoosmiths
    Freshfields
    Debevoise & Plimpton
    Greenberg Traurig (TC)
    Lockton ❌
    Watson Farley & Williams (last second and they're rolling so highly unlikely)
     

    James Wakefield

    Valued Member
    Oct 7, 2024
    104
    197
    @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu
    Would it be a bad idea to mention a Kirkland open day in an application to Travers? IK Travers are strong in private equity, and what sparked my interest in PE was a debt finance workshop at the Kirkland open day. But I also go on to talk about how I like the Travers room-sharing system because of the high level of supervision + training (which Kirkland doesn't really have)

    Ofc I could deflect this in an interview by saying I didn't like Kirkland's culture after attending the open day, but I'm wondering whether grad rec might discard it because I'm applying to wildly different firms and so won't be a good fit (which is partially true, it's one of my least favourites). Then again it would be difficult to substantiate my interest in PE work without mentioning the open day.

    Would appreciate any advice to be honest
    Obviously wait for official advice on here, but couldn’t you talk about the PE workshop, and not explicitly name the other firm? I don’t see why you’d need too.
     
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