TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Chris Brown]

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.

If you meet the firm’s social mobility criteria they might offer financial support with accommodation, especially because you live outside of London. 🙂

Some firms offer this as standard (e.g., SH, Macfarlanes and Paul, Weiss) but for others you would need to send an email to grad rec. 🙂

Firms also generally reimburse travel expenses so if you do pick a place outside of London and commute in, I’m sure they would help cover the costs associated with it.​

 

[coolpanda]

Cooley PFOOO! I don't get it. Got an invite to the Meet Cooley event, researched everything thoroughly and followed the application tips given during the event to a T. I don't know what firms want from me anymore tbhh

same here - honestly put in so much effort and I have quite a solid background. Was wondering if someone could give my app a read and give me some outside perspective.

 

[coolpanda]

For the Paul Weiss Amberjack assessment - what is the timing per question and is it multiple choice? Do you need a calculator for the numerical questions? Are they similar to Oxbridge/Medical School admission tests with logic maths-type questions?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Actually getting so impatient with Withers omg 😭 I have a feeling I should just wait until first week of February for all my spring scheme applications. Withers' VS is in March so I would have thought they would try to get back by this week latest for interview invite/ rejection.

 

[elsx]

Hi,

For this question :
Please tell us about any interests you pursue outside work and/or study, including any achievements you believe are noteworthy.
Would you include positions of responsibilities? I am a bit confused.
Would be grateful for any advice.

 

[elena11]

Hi guys I've got my first ever AC coming up so if anyone has any general advice for preparation that would be really appreciated!

Also I had a more specific question about how to answer a question about firm's competitors in an interview? I hear some people are asked about other firms that they have applied to. Is it best to state firms that are similar to the firm so that your 'interest' in the firm seems more genuine? Or does it not really matter what the other firms you've applied to are as long as you state why you prefer the firm you're interviewing for? I've applied to a mixed bag of firms so just wanted some more info on best practice for these types of questions. Thanks everyone!

 

[OliverTwist]

That is my last application sent for the cycle (Orrick VS).

Still awaiting to hear back from around 80% of my applications, with the majority being for direct TC, as I'm in full time employment.

Good luck to all!

*now off to my interpretative dance session to blow off some steam* I joke...

 

[rapunzel]

Hi,

For this question :
Please tell us about any interests you pursue outside work and/or study, including any achievements you believe are noteworthy.
Would you include positions of responsibilities? I am a bit confused.
Would be grateful for any advice.

Are you part of any committee in a university society? Or volunteered in a particular initiative? These are experiences I would mention in this question and expand on what transferable skills you have developed from them which would be useful as a lawyer like communication or interpersonal skills.

 

[elsx]

Are you part of any committee in a university society? Or volunteered in a particular initiative? These are experiences I would mention in this question and expand on what transferable skills you have developed from them which would be useful as a lawyer like communication or interpersonal skills.

I have volunteering/society committee experiences so I will add them there. Thank you!

 

[rapunzel]

Hi guys I've got my first ever AC coming up so if anyone has any general advice for preparation that would be really appreciated!

Also I had a more specific question about how to answer a question about firm's competitors in an interview? I hear some people are asked about other firms that they have applied to. Is it best to state firms that are similar to the firm so that your 'interest' in the firm seems more genuine? Or does it not really matter what the other firms you've applied to are as long as you state why you prefer the firm you're interviewing for? I've applied to a mixed bag of firms so just wanted some more info on best practice for these types of questions. Thanks everyone!

I would recommend mentioning firms that are similar to the one you are applying to so if they are US, MC, silver or regional firms. They normally ask this to gauge how interested you are in the firm in an indirect way and haven't just applied there on a whim because they will be investing a lot in you if you do secure a TC there. Hope this helps!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

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.

heya, when I did one in 2023, the people who were not form London were put up in student accommodation and the firm sorted it and paid for it

 

[tom-sawyer]

Hi guys, how is everyone preparing for the Willkie written exercise? The email said "the written exercise is based on a legal due diligence in relation to a potential acquisition and is reflective of a typical trainee task". Not sure how to balance commercial and legal analysis with the way it's phrased.

 

[b4PFO]

Has anyone heard from W&C post AC or know anyone who has (for spring/summer)
As for winter, almost everyone heard from W&C post AC within 6-8 days.
Can I assume if it's been 2 weeks since my AC I have been rejected?

 

[ren1110]

Is everyone invited to take Paul Weiss online test?

 

[James Wakefield]

Reed Smith PFO post SJT/VI

 

[Rhohia]

Reed Smith PFO post SJT/VI

same

 

[Rus]

Actually getting so impatient with Withers omg 😭 I have a feeling I should just wait until first week of February for all my spring scheme applications. Withers' VS is in March so I would have thought they would try to get back by this week latest for interview invite/ rejection.

If it helps I think they're notorious for taking a long time, last year they invited me for a summer vs interview in the first week of May lol

 

[Applebanana425]

OC AC and NRF interview!

 

[yeezyee]

wasn’t there supposed to be a squire update today? 👀

 

[LiveLaughLawyer]

NRF pfo

Did you receive an email or log into see ?