I hate Amberjack, my neurodivergent brain does not get along with the most and least effective questions lollllll. The numerical questions were so lengthy lol was sure I’d make a mistake somewhere
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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Morgan Lewis TI invite this morning - love this firm so any tips would be appreciated 🙏🏻
Also feel like I’m the only person who still hasn’t heard from Latham?
Also feel like I’m the only person who still hasn’t heard from Latham?
Paul Gascoyne said: "I can confirm that the assessment is not timed. You will simply need to complete it at your own pace within the 5 day timeframe"
Though, the test itself said something along the lines of "this test is not timed, but try to complete it as fast as you can" ??? what if I don't want to lmao
They read your application then progress you based on that + SJT then after the WG they read your application again and process people based on the combo of all 3. Ngl their process is a bit baffling because last year there was no SJT and I got invited to WG but then rejected afterwards despite getting 98 percentile on the WG - my application clearly wasn’t good enough but why progress me to WG at all if it wouldn’t be good enough even in combination with what was likely full marks on the WG?
Literally how it was for me. My neurodivergent brain did not want to cooperate with me for the test at all. 🥲🥲
I literally drew diagrams with the ✅ and ❌ options to determine which ones seemed most and least effective and just hazarded guesses. 🥲🥲
PW test submitted. Applied on the deadline. High end of numerical and verbal intellect. Scores were 6,4,4,7. Idk what they are looking for really. Hopefully I have it. Good luck everyone still working through the test this week.
That’s what confused me like the wording in the video implied it was being timed. I hope it isn’t because I took my sweet time answering the questions lmao. 🤣
Morgan Lewis TI!! Love this firm (applied day before deadline) - I was wondering if anyone had the list of competencies they look for? Couldn’t find them on the website or brochure so just wanted to check!
I’m an NRG student applying to firms with an A Level requirement, but I have really good A Level grades. Over two cycles, I’ve progressed with Forsters, Mishcon and Withers. I’ve received lots of PFOs from other firms too, so A Level grades aren’t everything!
does anyone know how long macfarlanes gives you to prepare the business case study (for the SVS AC) or just how the format is? do we get to read and then have to present and be questioned or are there just questions to answer and no formal presentation? any rough insight on the formalities of that wld be super helpful thanks as its my first time doing smth like this
It’s a very good firm, you should apply.
Thank you so much for this detailed response!To be honest I think the best approach here would be to be constantly following what's happening in the economy and macro-economic trends, which can best be connected to practice areas at commercial law firms. If you know what's going on and what's been going on / is relevant, you have a better list of options to choose from. If you haven't been following things as closely as you'd like, it might
Regarding question 4 and having reached final stage for VS and direct TCs (and having secured a VS last year at a US firm), I would say there are two big differences between the year I received no offers and did not make it to AC often vs the years I did:
I hope this is helpful
- Number of applications sent. It is important to maintain quality of applications, but unfortunately it took me talking to a trainee at a firm to realise that I was not doing myself a favour by submitting only around 5 applications a cycle. All you need is one yes, so the more you send out, the more you maximise your chances. This does not mean sending out generic apps but it is a lot easier to get your numbers up once you have done more apps as you can recycle certain wording (e.g. why commercial law) and you have a better idea of what works/vs what doesn't work. I work full time on M&A timelines and have managed to send 15 applications so far this cycle. If I can do it, so can you!
Yes it's hard, but once you start getting past app stage more and more, this gives you momentum to keep going and keep pushing.
- Understanding the business of the law firms I apply to and the business of their clients. This shows in commercial questions at app stage and in interview. Unfortunately one of the main ways I did this was through my job in private equity which I recognise isn't realistic for someone that may still be in their second year of university. What you can do however is reach out to trainees on Linkedin for coffee chats, attend networking events / open evenings and generally stay up to date on the commercial news, which will help you better connect what's happening in the real world with the business of those law firms and their clients. Understanding key concepts behind the work of a lot of City law firms (if that's who you're applying to!) such as private equity, leveraged buyouts and why leverage is used, funds, etc. This will show in interviews if it's authentic and make you stand out a lot vs. other candidates.
I was considering maybe sending out a couple direct TC this cycle since some are still open — would you recommend I wait until next cycle to send these applications instead ? The firms I am looking at include King & Spalding, Bakers and maybe Stephenson Hardwood’s VS. I don’t know much about these firms and have maybe a month left for them
When Paul, Weiss are deciding who to invite for the virtual AC, do you think SJT scores will be considered in conjunction with written applications? Or will there be a benchmark for the SJT that once you pass your written app is then looked at?
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