TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[thelegalstudent]

Hi, would it be possible to ask for a training contract in an earlier intake than the one applied for if offered a training contract after the vacation scheme?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, would it be possible to ask for a training contract in an earlier intake than the one applied for if offered a training contract after the vacation scheme?

Yes - you can ask. Whether the firm can offer this will be dependent on a load of variable factors though.

Some firms offer waiting lists for people who want to move intakes though.

 

[Cats688]

Guys should I email withers for an update? I applied for March scheme (17th) and haven't heard back post online test. I feel like I am on the rejection pile maybe but it's ridiculous, like tell me my outcome

I'm the same, it's been ages !

 

[kelisi88]

guys, does it matter how long it takes you to do the amberjack (pw)

 

[EA95]

ye

Yeah that was it

ahh sorry again mate, hopefully you smashed the interview with Skadden.

 

[camrxc]

Morgan Lewis phone interview invite 👌

Hi, congrats! When did you receive the invite ?

 

[walterwhite]

guys, does it matter how long it takes you to do the amberjack (pw)

no, it's fortunately untimed

 

[Chris Brown]

guys, does it matter how long it takes you to do the amberjack (pw)

I think the test has been confirmed to be untimed. I took 90 minutes to do mine so I’m hoping timing won’t be an issue. 🥲

 

[Paul Jules Steullet]

Hi, congrats! When did you receive the invite ?

Earlier today at 13:00

 

[DesperateForVac]

anyone make it past HSF assessment centre for the spring scheme 2025?

What do you mean?

 

[floral.tcla]

does anyone have any advice for how you'd go about structuring the following question, please, because it asks for soooooo many things in a short word count. I will give you a virtual cookie!

‘In no more than 500 words, please tell us about your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of. How will these experiences help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer? Please note your interviewers will have access to this answer only at interview should you be invited to an assessment day. The rest of the assessment process is entirely CV blind.’

good luck

don't ignore this pls 🥸

 

[toad92]

They did this shit on purpose!!! As I also emailed 5 mins after I got the email asking for adjustments and they never responded I had to do the test 1 hour before it was due. Just a way to cut down the numbers. It’s ridiculous.

a way to cut down numbers in what seems like a blatantly discriminatory way.... targeting disabled/neurodivergent people to cut numbers is crazy💀

 

[Tintin06]

a way to cut down numbers in what seems like a blatantly discriminatory way.... targeting disabled/neurodivergent people to cut numbers is crazy💀

I never got a response either. Maybe I’ve dodged a bullet here. Pretty shoddy from the firm, honestly.

 

[Chris Brown]

a way to cut down numbers in what seems like a blatantly discriminatory way.... targeting disabled/neurodivergent people to cut numbers is crazy💀

Next thing it will be targeting anyone who went to state school or who was a first gen student. I think it’s a poor reflection on them tbh.

Doing all of this to cut down numbers is crazy work but it’s their loss not ours at the end of the day. 🙂

 

[toad92]

I hate it when law firms do this! Same thing happened to me twice, I received no reply for adjustments and had to just complete the test without it.

i didn't take that initiative unfortunately, i had too much trust in them! not sure how else to take this message in their email other than not taking the assessment, even if it was due...

'If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email us on ukearlycareers@freshfields.com to let us know what adjustments you require. We will consider your particular needs and implement any reasonable adjustments as far as possible. Please do not attempt to complete the test until you have heard back from us.'

 

[toad92]

Next thing it will be targeting anyone who went to state school or who was a first gen student. I think it’s a poor reflection on them tbh.

freshfields wants to be a boys club again i guess😍

 

[toad92]

I never got a response either. Maybe I’ve dodged a bullet here. Pretty shoddy from the firm, honestly.

yeah... they were good with all of this when i applied only last year, quick replies and i got through to AC... this year there must be different grad rec

 

[Chris Brown]

yeah... they were good with all of this when i applied only last year, quick replies and i got through to AC... this year there must be different grad rec

Imagine if it’s not anyone on graduate recruitment and instead it’s some dodgy automated AI system… 😱

Filter out all the disabled and state school applicants in a flash. 💥

 

[Jessica Booker]

i didn't take that initiative unfortunately, i had too much trust in them! not sure how else to take this message in their email other than not taking the assessment, even if it was due...

'If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email us on ukearlycareers@freshfields.com to let us know what adjustments you require. We will consider your particular needs and implement any reasonable adjustments as far as possible. Please do not attempt to complete the test until you have heard back from us.'

Given the number of people mentioning this (I have had several private message me too), I have contacted the firm's recruitment team to try and see if there is a way to resolve this. I will update everyone if I hear back.

 

[Chris Brown]

Given the number of people mentioning this (I have had several private message me too), I have contacted the firm's recruitment team to try and see if there is a way to resolve this. I will update everyone if I hear back.

Thank you for doing this @Jessica Booker! It means a lot to us all on this forum. 🙂