TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[James Wakefield]

Congrats to both! - when did you submit/complete the WG?

Thank you, I did mine on Tuesday.

 

[applicant457]

Hiya @LiveLaughLawyer

@Jessica Booker would definitely have more insight on this, but it might be worth reaching out to graduate recruitment for clarification. You could send them a quick email asking if they can confirm your application status. I’ve not come across that specific portal update before, so I can understand why it might be a bit confusing. Hopefully, you’ll get some clarity soon.

Mine says 'in progress', but no email received? any insights would really help thanks in advance @Jessica Booker

 

[applicant457]

NRF interview!!!! Any insight is VERY welcomed

what time did you receive this? did they send them out all at once?

 

[👩🎓]

Please message if anyone has completed a PMC Assessment Centre.

Happy to share insights into Reed Smith, RPC, and NRF Assessment Centres/interviews in return.

Hi congratulations on getting an AC with PMC! Do you mind me asking when you heard back

 

[👩🎓]

This morning for their London vac scheme!

Thank you, hope it goes well.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi, I recently did a Vac Scheme (large international - no TC offer) and I have an AC coming up soon (mid-sized commercial). Is it okay to mention I did a vac scheme (completed it after my app was sent with AC firm so it isn't on my WE).

For example, in answering the "Why Firm A" Q , I wanted to say something like:

"I am interested in your disputes practice because (xyz). Last year, I did a WVS at firm B and sat in disputes and did (xyz) which has made me more motivated to be a trainee at your firm because I want to work on disputes on the claimants side whereas firm B did more work on the defendant side"

Also wanted to ask the best way to respond if I get asked why I did not get the TC at the other firm (if they ask that). Is it likely they would???

Thank you

Hiya @Chelsea101


I'm sure @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu would have more to add here, but it's absolutely fine to mention your vacation scheme, and I’d really actually encourage you to do so. Many candidates at the AC may be in a similar position, and what matters most is how you frame your experience to strengthen your answers. I think the key is to show how your previous scheme deepened your interest in disputes (or any other practice area) and how that newfound/refined interest connects specifically to the firm you’re interviewing at.

However, rather than just stating that the scheme motivated you to work in disputes, try to be more precise about why this firm’s practice appeals to you. For example, you could say:

• “During my recent vacation scheme at [Firm B], I worked on X in the disputes team and gained insight into A and B aspects of contentious work. I realised I was particularly drawn to [feature of disputes you're interested in]. This interest is why I’m drawn to your firm’s strengths in [specific area, e.g., international arbitration or claimant-side litigation]”

Try to elaborate on how the firm you're interviewing at will give you exposure to the aspects of disputes you're interested in. I think this approach shifts the focus onto what makes this specific firm a great fit for you while using your past vacation scheme experience as supporting evidence.

As for being asked why you didn’t secure a TC, it’s possible this might came up. It did for me on several occasions during my second cycle. I think the best way to handle it is to mention one or two points from your feedback and show how you’re actively working on them. This was the approach that I took myself, and I was frequently told that my answer to the question was quite factual whilst demonstrating growth and self-awareness. It's helpful to keep your answer to any such follow up question as concise, positive, and forward-looking as possible. For example: “I received feedback that I needed to develop [specific skill], so I’ve been doing X to improve, and I’m confident I’ll be able to bring that learning into this role.”

Hope this helps and good luck with the AC!

 

[Hana ♥]

what time did you receive this? did they send them out all at once?

Today at 5pm. I'm unsure if they send them all out at once

 

[AlegalA]

This morning for their London vac scheme!

Can I ask when you submitted you app please?

 

[AlegalA]

DWF PFO

 

[mulan0]

For orrick what do I discuss in the cover letter when the other questions cover why the firm and commercial law? Just why me and maybe practice areas I’m interested in? It’s 500 words

 

[Chris Brown]

For orrick what do I discuss in the cover letter when the other questions cover why the firm and commercial law? Just why me and maybe practice areas I’m interested in? It’s 500 words

Hiya @OliverTwist

Completely agree with @Jessica Booker here, and this is basically the approach I adopted when applying to Orrick. I tried to use the cover letter to discuss/address “why me” and use examples/points that didn't fit neatly into my "why Orrick"/ "why commercial law" answers. As Jess mentioned, the cover letter is a great place to highlight what interests you about Orrick’s culture or any experiences you might have had meeting people at the firm.

To avoid overlapping with the “why Orrick” question, I tried to focus my answer to that question on the firm's practice area strengths and sectoral expertise. Orrick's quite unusual combination of not only tech expertise, but also energy and finance expertise made it stand out to me compared to other firms that I'd applied to, including Cooley and Vinson & Elkins. They'd also worked on really interesting EC/VC matters that allowed me to distinguish them from the other US-headquartered firms in London whose client bases typically encompass key private equity firms and their portfolio companies.

By dedicating the cover letter to address why you and what it is about the culture/training at the firm that interests you, I think you can avoid repetition when answering the "why Orrick" question. You'll also be using the “why Orrick” question to focus directly on specific areas where the firm excels, like their strengths in technology, energy, or venture capital, etc.

Hope this helps and good luck with the application!

I haven’t applied to Orrick but I definitely think that the approach @Ram Sabaratnam suggested in the above comment will work well! I remember looking at it earlier today. 😂

Best of luck in your application to Orrick! 🙂

 

[a512003]

I saw a couple of people asking for Milbank AC insights- I applied for Spring vac scheme and did the AC a few weeks ago. I was offered a VS on Wednesday but have switched from Spring to Summer. Happy to offer some insights on the process just PM me

 

[VacSchemer]

NRF VI interview! Would appreciate any insights!!

 

[applicant457]

NRF VI interview! Would appreciate any insights!!

When did you receive the imvite?

 

[SonghaivAngel]

Has anyone who was offered Milbank AC next week heard back about further details?

Yes I was sent the timetable and agenda for my AC yesterday!

 

[librame17]

congrats! i did the interview in 23 it was breezy w 2 associates who asked all the basic STAR/ competency questions so polish a heckload of your experiences from work+studies+activities

though i remember i was talking about organising my exgirlfriends wedding for half the time & still got through cause i laughed at the interviewers jokes n made suave small talk

thank you so much!

 

[librame17]

Congrats to both! - when did you submit/complete the WG?

tuesday morning

 

[librame17]

Hi, has anyone applied to Gateley and can confirm if they have a London vacation scheme or TC intake. Their website states the salary for London but I cannot seem to find an application for it.
Thank you!

@Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker

i'm pretty sure i remember seeing on their application form that they weren't recruiting for london this year

 

[ThelawgraduateX]

Yep, applied like minutes before the deadline and got my test invite today.

Same received it today as well!

 

[simplyfaith]

I'm questioning whether Linklaters still exists as a firm, or if they're a figment of my imagination