TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[KJ]

anyone have any advice or insights on Osborne Clarke's virtual AC? is the research topic fairly broad?

 

[defiledpenguin]

Holding myself accountable again (Latham rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Morgan Lewis ✅
Paul Hastings* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell, possibly White & Case.

Expecting only rejections at this point.

Wait when did you hear back from Linklaters??

 

[Chris Brown]

Wait when did you hear back from Linklaters??

I think it was for a Direct TC application because it has an * next to it. That may have had an earlier window. 🙂

 

[Tintin06]

2018: Slaughter and May work experience
2019: Debevoise & Plimpton summer VS
2020: Travers Smith virtual vac scheme
2024: Ropes & Gray spring VS

When do these count against me? Is it worth more VS apps? Should I only apply for TCs? Will these even matter for TCs? Not boasting but feeling very confused. Also feeling like these were pointless.

 

[Diana54]

Holding myself accountable again (Latham rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Morgan Lewis ✅
Paul Hastings* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell, possibly White & Case.

Expecting only rejections at this point.

Really sorry to hear about Latham. Do you mind letting us know when you heard back from Latham?

 

[Tintin06]

Really sorry to hear about Latham. Do you mind letting us know when you heard back from Latham?

I got the rejection this evening.

 

[TonyStark]

I got the rejection this evening.

Sorry to hear that. Did you get a holding email on Friday?

 

[jta227]

Just received an NRF VI an hour ago, but the only available dates are tomorrow and the email says all interviews must happen before this Wednesday or your application is considered withdrawn?? Is this common practice lol

Also if anyone has insights that'd be great

 

[Tclarocks123]

I am so sorry to hear this, truly. I wish you the best in your other applications!!! Hopefully good news comes your way soon

Without sounding insensitive lol I did want to ask if this was for the TC or the VS?

TC. I missed my SJT deadline

 

[ashwright]

Freshfields TC rejection really threw me off today. I'm waiting on my last few apps so I've been reflecting on my cycle - my lack of progression is just astonishing. I'm pretty ashamed of myself. The likelihood of success for the remaining ones is pretty low - a couple of them were rolling deadlines which I applied for late.
I've learned a lot from this process but I worry that I've not learned enough. Working on building my commercial awareness for ACs that never come, improving on the Watson Glaser yet still getting rejected etc.
Just a journey of self-improvement, just need to remember there's light at the end of the tunnel, even if I can't see it...!

 

[Tintin06]

Freshfields TC rejection really threw me off today. I'm waiting on my last few apps so I've been reflecting on my cycle - my lack of progression is just astonishing. I'm pretty ashamed of myself. The likelihood of success for the remaining ones is pretty low - a couple of them were rolling deadlines which I applied for late.
I've learned a lot from this process but I worry that I've not learned enough. Working on building my commercial awareness for ACs that never come, improving on the Watson Glaser yet still getting rejected etc.
Just a journey of self-improvement, just need to remember there's light at the end of the tunnel, even if I can't see it...!

You have a positive attitude though. I have actually given up before. Took two years off applying once. I feel the same way, honestly. But Freshfields is just one firm. They just have too many steps. Other firms get by with fewer. Good luck with your other apps.

 

[NJS]

Freshfields TC rejection really threw me off today. I'm waiting on my last few apps so I've been reflecting on my cycle - my lack of progression is just astonishing. I'm pretty ashamed of myself. The likelihood of success for the remaining ones is pretty low - a couple of them were rolling deadlines which I applied for late.
I've learned a lot from this process but I worry that I've not learned enough. Working on building my commercial awareness for ACs that never come, improving on the Watson Glaser yet still getting rejected etc.
Just a journey of self-improvement, just need to remember there's light at the end of the tunnel, even if I can't see it...!

feel the same, I did quite well last cycle, and have gotten nowhere this time, I'm bascially going backwards despite getting better, its mentally draining, but time to docus on direct TC's and other jobs....

 

[NJS]

I assume the standard for Paul, Weiss SJT is going to be very high given the number of applicants, doubt I passed given my report, but was worth a shot I guess....

 

[Anonymous3444543]

Do we need to have our cameras/mics on for the Willkie written exercise?

How did you guys find it

 

[Tintin06]

feel the same, I did quite well last cycle, and have gotten nowhere this time, I'm bascially going backwards despite getting better, its mentally draining, but time to docus on direct TC's and other jobs....

Rejection is redirection as they say. There are too few direct TCs. This is part of the issue.

 

[Babablacksheep]

Still haven’t heard from NRF after test - Should I assume PFO?

 

[jta227]

Still haven’t heard from NRF after test - Should I assume PFO?

Their last interview date is tomorrow at 2pm, so probably, unfortunately. They've only progressed me with half a day's notice 🙃

 

[Chris Brown]

Their last interview date is tomorrow at 2pm, so probably, unfortunately. They've only progressed me with half a day's notice 🙃

Half a day is crazy how do you even start to prepare in that time frame!

They should give you a TC just for being able to do that alone in my opinion. 🙂

 

[NJS]

Rejection is redirection as they say. There are too few direct TCs. This is part of the issue.

Exactly almost as if it’s a disadvantage to be experienced

 

[jta227]

Half a day is crazy how do you even start to prepare in that time frame!

They should give you a TC just for being able to do that alone in my opinion. 🙂

If I'm honest, unless they've done this intentionally I'm not very impressed with their gradrec - I went to their open day in November, they said everyone would be fast-tracked to the VI and to email when you apply so they can do it. I emailed right when I applied but they waited until the last possible day to invite me to interview and there were only 4 options, all between 10am and 2pm and the very next day, or else your application is withdrawn. Given that other people were invited several days before this I'm not sure how this is fair, unless they also only had 1 day of options to select, in which case I suppose they are looking for adaptability 👀