TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[legallybrunette8]

Anyone yet heard back from Pinsents Manchester?

I got a PFO a few days ago so this might be good news for you!

 

[legalxp2]

How long after completing Cooley WG do you hear back? Same q for Akin Gump (completed their tests a while ago but yet to hear back)

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Not sure - but they did use to run specific TC apps for each of those sectors - so I think it is likely that yes the seats will be specific.

So should I focus on teams just in one sector or take a more open-minded approach and say, well, if I get the TC in health, I would like to do idk regulatory work. If business services, corporate. And so on? I mean I am assuming you don't get to choose your sector?

 

[C_AJH]

Paul Weis SJT

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

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

Hiya @jojo23

Just to add to what everyone's said (and also congrats on getting that word count up), I wanted to echo the great comments by @Amma Usman here to anyone still working on the Ropes application! With Ropes' question, it’s important not just to identify the traits you’re discussing but also to clarify what you mean by them (whether it’s adaptability, commercial mindset, or another key characteristic). Beyond that, you’ll also want to directly tie each trait back to how it enables lawyers to drive growth. That could be through explaining how each trait allows the firm to do such things as expand its client base, stay ahead of emerging client needs, innovating in legal services, or another way of creating value.

It’s definitely tricky to cover all of this in just 325 words, so well done on expanding here. For anyone else still working on the application, I think it’s totally doable before midnight. I’m sure with a little more refining, you’ll all be in great shape. Best of luck, and hope it goes really well! 😊

 

[James Wakefield]

How long after completing Cooley WG do you hear back? Same q for Akin Gump (completed their tests a while ago but yet to hear back)

I’m still waiting for Cooley too but saw @Ram Sabaratnam say the turnaround is normally quick. So hoping we’ll hear back today/early next week.

 

[elsx]

So should I focus on teams just in one sector or take a more open-minded approach and say, well, if I get the TC in health, I would like to do idk regulatory work. If business services, corporate. And so on? I mean I am assuming you don't get to choose your sector?

Isn't there somewhere on the applciation where you mention the sector? I don't remeber as I applied sometime ago

 

[Chris Brown]

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?

I think Paul, Weiss are just going through a list of people and gradually sending the tests out.

I saw some people getting test invites today and a lot of us yesterday. 🙂🙂

 

[Cara888]

Anyone heard back for Arnold Porter? And with Cooley were the PFOs post WG?

Someone from GR told me that Cooley would inform us before the 6th post WG if we’re successful.

 

[Mug Fan]

Hi, is there anybody here who aces amberjack assessments willing to have a chat with me about it? I bomb the SJT every single time and can't figure out why

Is this the SJT that has a mix of VI, numerical, verbal as well? If so I did Reed Smith one and it was a b*tch (sorry). I’ve only noticed it be called amberjack the last few days though.

I also got PFO’d after it so not sure how useful my input would be!

 

[simplyfaith]

This is totally unrelated to your post but can I just say as a proud cat owner, I am in LOVE with your profile pic and of course the only person with any relevance and importance living at 10 Downing Street is Larry the Cat!!! 💜

I'm glad you love it 🤣 given the state of politics, I've decided to go full absurdist and endorse only representative we can truly trust 🙏

 

[Chris Brown]

Omg just got paul weiss test despite missing the comma all throughout my application! Think it is automated and is maybe being sent out alphabetically cos my surname is wuite low down the alphabet?

I remember seeing someone mention on the forum that at the Paul, Weiss open day they went to, Paul said that as long as the spelling is consistent, they don’t mind if you write it as Paul, Weiss or Paul Weiss. 🙂

Paul has said that the first stage is a SPAG review and only those who pass it get the test invite. This review might not be a intense one hence why most people will get the test invite.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

As a firm, we operate across a number of sectors and specialisms, and offer sector-specific training contracts in each of our business services, health and marine groups.

Which of our teams would you be most interested in completing a seat in and why?

Hiya @Miss Chocolate


Yes, you're right! Hill Dickinson’s training contracts are divided into three distinct streams: business services, healthcare, and marine. This basically means that trainees choose a stream when applying and will complete their four seats within that area. So, if you apply for a health sector training contract, your seats will be focused on healthcare-related work, including seats such as clinical negligence, public law, or inquests rather than marine work. Similarly, those in the marine stream will work in areas like shipping litigation and yacht transactions, while the business stream typically covers covers corporate, real estate, and commercial litigation. Having spoken to the firm at a law fair a few cycles ago, they think this structure allows for more specialised training, helping trainees develop expertise in their chosen sector.

If you’re particularly interested in a cross-sector experience, this structure may not be ideal, but if you’re keen to develop deep expertise in a specific area, it can be a great fit. Hope that helps, and best of luck with your application! 😊

 

[hopefulforatc]

I think Paul, Weiss SJt is not automatic. It’s like CMS WG a lot of people get it.

 

[ashwright]

and linklaters STILL hasn't gotten back to us 😭

 

[Chris Brown]

and linklaters STILL hasn't gotten back to us 😭

Meanwhile Linklaters rejected me for an open day I did not even apply for… strange… 😂

 

[BillSikes]

I got a PFO a few days ago so this might be good news for you!

Thanks for letting me know this. When did you apply?

 

[elsx]

Anyone heard back for Arnold Porter? And with Cooley were the PFOs post WG?

Someone from GR told me that Cooley would inform us before the 6th post WG if we’re successful.

I haven't heard anything from Arnold Porter

 

[missTCLA]

Hi all, I would be grateful to anyone who can PM me any tips for white and case video interview (vacation scheme).

 

[Miss Chocolate]

K

Hiya @Miss Chocolate


Yes, you're right! Hill Dickinson’s training contracts are divided into three distinct streams: business services, healthcare, and marine. This basically means that trainees choose a stream when applying and will complete their four seats within that area. So, if you apply for a health sector training contract, your seats will be focused on healthcare-related work, including seats such as clinical negligence, public law, or inquests rather than marine work. Similarly, those in the marine stream will work in areas like shipping litigation and yacht transactions, while the business stream typically covers covers corporate, real estate, and commercial litigation. Having spoken to the firm at a law fair a few cycles ago, they think this structure allows for more specialised training, helping trainees develop expertise in their chosen sector.

If you’re particularly interested in a cross-sector experience, this structure may not be ideal, but if you’re keen to develop deep expertise in a specific area, it can be a great fit. Hope that helps, and best of luck with your application! 😊

You are amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that, it's really appreciated. I am for sure interested in cross-sector expertise and personally I find that the firm's way of training may not be right for me. Now I can't decided whether I should apply for the sake of applying or just focus on other firms. I feel desperate enough to send off an app anyway as I have loads of healthcare-related experience so would be able to sell myself 😭😭