TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lawstudent2]

I wish I were as optimistic as you in life. I wouldn't think about it/change your plans personally. I did a VI for W&C in October for example and received an email from them before new year saying they will get back to me in the new year and they never did.. I adjusted my plans for this week thinking about the possibility of an AC and regret it now. I am in the same spot for HL btw, but there are still a lot of people in the process (about 50% I think), so I would just take it as a nice surprise if it does come without changing your plans.

haha dw I am very much anticipating a pfo, it wld just be nice to be able to go away and not have to think abt applications at all as they have consumed my life at this point so was wondering if they will get back to me by then or not

sorry about W&C tho I didn't apply but from what I've seen they really do take their time, it must be frustrating

but yeh thanks for the advice I'll defo keep the plans then

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi,
Speaking of adjustement,
I reached out to OC once I got invited to the virtual AC. They replied quite quickly asking for more details but I have not hear back since then and my AC is on Wednesday. Has anyone been in contact with them regarding adjustements and heard back? I am just stressed since it's my first interview with a law firm that is not recorded and my first time asking for adjustements.

Do have have an individual you have been in contact regarding this at OC or have you been responding to a shared inbox? I ask as sometimes find sending such details to a specific person rather than an inbox can be more helpful/you get a quicker response.

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

M&A in caps always but 'debt finance' and 'funds' and that sort of thing in caps only when referring to the names of specific practice groups at firms - this approach has got me past app stage many times before

Also tiny unrelated point if you're talking about DD on a M&A deal I'd specify legal DD as a M&A deal will have loads of other types of DD workstreams that the deal lawyers won't be working on such as financial DD etc.!

Oh this is very helpful thank you!

 

[lawbear123]

any insights on dechert written exercise?

 

[fitzer401]

Has anyone heard from Goodwin post VI?

 

[elsx]

Do have have an individual you have been in contact regarding this at OC or have you been responding to a shared inbox? I ask as sometimes find sending such details to a specific person rather than an inbox can be more helpful/you get a quicker response.

Hi @Jessica Booker ,
Thank you.
I have been in contact using the general trainee recruitment email. Would you advise to send another email to the person I have been in contact with? Their email address is at the signature of their email.

 

[MR10]

anyone not heard back from pinsent birmingham

 

[LawJourney101]

haha dw I am very much anticipating a pfo, it wld just be nice to be able to go away and not have to think abt applications at all as they have consumed my life at this point so was wondering if they will get back to me by then or not

sorry about W&C tho I didn't apply but from what I've seen they really do take their time, it must be frustrating

but yeh thanks for the advice I'll defo keep the plans then

Honestly- I've probably spent more time thinking about my applications than doing them.

 

[theruleofno]

I didn’t get a Paul, Weiss test invite but I’ve checked and double checked every inch of my application and the SPAG is perfect. Anyone else?

 

[BillSikes]

Anyone yet heard back from Pinsents Manchester?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker ,
Thank you.
I have been in contact using the general trainee recruitment email. Would you advise to send another email to the person I have been in contact with? Their email address is at the signature of their email.

I would try and follow up with them directly if you have their direct email. You can just ask politely whether the adjustments you requested will be able to be accommodated ahead of the day, or ask whether the firm needs any further information from you ahead of your AC. You can explain that you just want to ensure you are aware of what will happen on the day so you can prepare for the assessments.

 

[lawstudent2]

Honestly- I've probably spent more time thinking about my applications than doing them.

literally, I've had dreams about applications

 

[EA95]

Congrats!! Did you just get it today?

Thank you and yeah I received the email today.

 

[elsx]

I would try and follow up with them directly if you have their direct email. You can just ask politely whether the adjustments you requested will be able to be accommodated ahead of the day, or ask whether the firm needs any further information from you ahead of your AC. You can explain that you just want to ensure you are aware of what will happen on the day so you can prepare for the assessments.

Thank you very much @Jessica Booker ! I will do that!

 

[pmpmpm123]

Hi everyone,

I can imagine this gets asked every year but I am wondering if anyone has any tips on finding accommodation in London for a spring vac scheme. I am not from London myself and all of the advice I have seen on the forum on the matter is usually relevant for the summer when student residences offer short-term accommodation for the summer only.

 

[vr36]

any insights on dechert written exercise?

Hey! Congratulations on the written exercise.

If you don’t mind me asking, is this for summer?

 

[legallycece]

I am in the same boat, I emailed them today and still waiting for a response. Did you apply for a VS or direct TC?

Direct TC - hoping that may explain the silence …would u let me know what they respond ?

 

[legallycece]

Was this for SVS or DTC?

DTC - does that make a difference ?

 

[avocadob]

Has anyone applied to OC in Jan 2025 and heard back?

 

[jojo23]

There are two ways to view this. On one hand, if it is the only application question on the form, then you will ideally want to spend as much words covering all the relevant aspects, backed up with specific examples. On another hand, meeting the word count exhaustively when you do not have much to say, may come at the expense of tarnishing the quality you have already built. That said, I do know that the ropes question asks one to cover three qualities their lawyers must have. In 300 words, you may not be able to cover this fully. Thus, I would personally try to up the word count by critiquing your own work and deducing what would make it better when added.

I'd strongly recommend getting closer to 500 words but not by just filling it out. Often when people are not using closer to the 500 words they are really missing the detail needed in the question, especially how the characteristic will drive the firm's business.

Thank you guys! I've managed to push it to around 485. I think content wise it seems pretty decent and well structured 😅