TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[TC seeker]

White & Case AC! Anyone has tips about that?

 

[Chris Brown]

did anyone not get a test from paul, weiss but also had no errors in their application??? 😭😭😭😭

They might send out more tests today. I think they were sending them out gradually to people yesterday.

Best of luck for Paul, Weiss! 🙂

 

[jojo23]

My ropes and gray answer is 325 words... do I need to pump those numbers up to reach closer to 500?😭😭

 

[Chris Brown]

My ropes and gray answer is 325 words... do I need to pump those numbers up to reach closer to 500?😭😭

Ideally you want to use the max word count as it’s the only question on the application. 🙂

 

[Cara888]

This forum is like Lord of the Flies 🤣

 

[zonnonomo]

man can we take smoke breaks during assessment centres

 

[Mug Fan]

White & Case AC! Anyone has tips about that?

Congrats on the AC, mind if I ask when you completed your VI?

I literally just came on to ask what the usual turnaround time is and saw you’d posted!

 

[papaya]

So it’s looking unlikely that I will get a vac scheme this year 🙃 Is it worth applying to a few direct TCs? I’m career changer and plan on starting the gdl in the fall. It would be ideal to have an offer before then but I’m just wondering how realistic that is? I graduated from architecture and have worked in practice for about 1.5 years, but it seems like most people who get a direct TC worked as paralegals beforehand.

Working full time and going through the application process has been torturous. I don’t want to put myself through it again unless there’s some hope.

 

[marisachr]

man can we take smoke breaks during assessment centres

realest thing i have ever read on this forum tbh

 

[studentdelaw786]

“Does anyone know what I can get”

You are making your reasonable adjustments sound like you have just won a free burger at Burger King.

Ideally, you should have a support plan in place which has been created by a medical expert or disability coordinator. That’s where you will find out what adjustments you will require for work/studies. If they deem that you require written materials or questions in advance, then absolutely you may request this.

If you do not have this, and you have self diagnosed your neurodivergence, then it is most likely self curable too.

It’s highly unlikely that you will get the questions in advance as this is a massive risk to law firms and they have no way to stop you from circulating or leaking the information.

this was very inappropriate of you.

 

[Rhohia]

“Does anyone know what I can get”

You are making your reasonable adjustments sound like you have just won a free burger at Burger King.

Ideally, you should have a support plan in place which has been created by a medical expert or disability coordinator. That’s where you will find out what adjustments you will require for work/studies. If they deem that you require written materials or questions in advance, then absolutely you may request this.

If you do not have this, and you have self diagnosed your neurodivergence, then it is most likely self curable too.

It’s highly unlikely that you will get the questions in advance as this is a massive risk to law firms and they have no way to stop you from circulating or leaking the information.

Why is it your business? It’s an open forum to ask questions - drop the self-righteousness

 

[Rhohia]

Hi guys- does anybody know off the top of their head which deadlines today are non-rolling before I go ahead and search? Thank you!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

All adjustments that someone requires are clearly stated in a support plan or needs based report. The OP should just refer to what is in there and let grad rec know.

However, from the tone of the post, It seems like they were trying to get extra adjustments which they were not entitled to

This is just not correct? What constitutes reasonable adjustments will vary depending on the format of an assessment/interview. Also I’ve personally never been given a support plan or needs-based report with a list of examples even..

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi guys- does anybody know off the top of their head which deadlines today are non-rolling before I go ahead and search? Thank you!

Ropes and Gray and Orrick are both non-rolling and the deadline is today. 🙂

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

My ropes and gray answer is 325 words... do I need to pump those numbers up to reach closer to 500?😭😭

I think Jessica has previously said that the most an answer should be below the word limit is around 10%? Might be misremembering but pretty sure

 

[Mug Fan]

So it’s looking unlikely that I will get a vac scheme this year 🙃 Is it worth applying to a few direct TCs? I’m career changer and plan on starting the gdl in the fall. It would be ideal to have an offer before then but I’m just wondering how realistic that is? I graduated from architecture and have worked in practice for about 1.5 years, but it seems like most people who get a direct TC worked as paralegals beforehand.

Working full time and going through the application process has been torturous. I don’t want to put myself through it again unless there’s some hope.

I’d say do it. There aren’t that many that are still open anyway so might as well give it a shot. I’m a career changer too and I’ve got an AC for a DTC coming up and am waiting to hear back after VI for multiple others.

 

[Amma Usman]

My ropes and gray answer is 325 words... do I need to pump those numbers up to reach closer to 500?😭😭

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.

 

[ashwright]

Question for anyone who has received a WG from Freshfields - how soon after completing the Online Assesment did you receive the WG?
Thank you so much!

edit: in reference to the direct TC

 

[legalxp2]

Question for anyone who has received a WG from Freshfields - how soon after completing the Online Assesment did you receive the WG?
Thank you so much!

is this for direct TC?

 

[Katy12345]

Does anyone know for AG if you can be considered for a direct TC if successful at the AC? The app name is 2025 Placement Scheme / 2027 Training Contract / Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship so I am assuming (praying there is that possibility). Is it worth asking their recruitment?