TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker

Do law firms tend to see it as bad if a candidate asks to be moved to the direct tc process after an interview for a vac scheme? I have accepted an offer for a vac scheme at another firm and have moved to the interview stage at another firm that I really like. The vac scheme dates overlap so I wouldn't be able to attend both (neither firm runs a spring scheme either). If I was progressed to an AC with the second firm, would it be likely for them to be okay with moving me to the TC process or would they see it as proof that I was not interested in them enough if I didn't cancel my first offer to attend the second firm's (in the very hopeful event, of course, that I was offered one for the vac scheme)?

They won’t see it as bad as such. It’s really just going to depend on how the firm deals with such requests.

Some may not be generous in offering a direct TC process because you are choosing another firm over them. Reality is they know they have a much slimmer chance of you accepting a TC with them if you do a vacation scheme with another firm. Other firms will take the view that you are a competitive candidate and it’s probably worthwhile taking a chance just in case you decide the other firm isn’t for you.

Many firms will encourage you to contact them again later in the summer when both you and their vacation schemes are complete, and that they will consider the request at that point. From experience, so many candidates then don’t even contact the firm because they secure a TC they are happy with elsewhere.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

They won’t see it as bad as such. It’s really just going to depend on how the firm deals with such requests.

Some may not be generous in offering a direct TC process because you are choosing another firm over them. Reality is they know they have a much slimmer chance of you accepting a TC with them if you do a vacation scheme with another firm. Other firms will take the view that you are a competitive candidate and it’s probably worthwhile taking a chance just in case you decide the other firm isn’t for you.

Many firms will encourage you to contact them again later in the summer when both you and their vacation schemes are complete, and that they will consider the request at that point. From experience, so many candidates then don’t even contact the firm because they secure a TC they are happy with elsewhere.

Would the firm consider it more acceptable if i informed that I had accepted the offer over a month before the interview invite (and that I only had a week to accept it), and that I didn't want to be disrespectful by cancelling that offer? This firm is just one of my dream firms, and I'm scared that if I didn't get a TC from the first firm and reapplied next cycle, they would see me as undesirable because I couldn't get a TC and am going with the "second-best" option by reapplying instead?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Would the firm consider it more acceptable if i informed that I had accepted the offer over a month before the interview invite (and that I only had a week to accept it), and that I didn't want to be disrespectful by cancelling that offer? This firm is just one of my dream firms, and I'm scared that if I didn't get a TC from the first firm and reapplied next cycle, they would see me as undesirable because I couldn't get a TC and am going with the "second-best" option by reapplying instead?

I think it is fine to say that if you are having the conversation with them before you interview with the second firm. My concern would be if you do this after the interview, as you are effectively wasting their time with the interview if there is no chance of you accepting their offer.

 

[elsx]

No problem at all, it’s also an amberjack test

So ofc there’s that bar marking for applied numerical and verbal intellect (I was placed at the middle of the bar for both)

The main categories are (all marked out of 10)
1. Clients (I got a 7/10)
2. Firm (6/10)
3. People (7/10)

It’s the same type of ques which were there for wbd and Paul Weiss if it helps

Nope, so once you finish the sjt part, there is a video in which there is this person saying that you won’t receive your feedback report and your assessment won’t be submitted until you finish the written assessment on the next page. In order to receive the report you need to finish the whole assessment including the written assessment.

That was annoying, I went into the assessment not knowing there were two 500 words ques and it really caught me off guard😭 I should’ve checked if someone posted about this on the forum first but luckily I had some extra spare time in hand when I did the assessment!

Hope this helps!

Thank you for all these details and for sharing the categories! I feel like your marks are good ! I guess I'll see how it goes this week.

 

[Ash4202]

Any updates regarding White & Case post-assessment centre? It’s been nearly a month since I completed it, and I have yet to receive any feedback.

grad rec said they’d get back to us before the end of the month

 

[lolololol]

this is random but how does a feedback call work?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

this is random but how does a feedback call work?

They take you through your performance throughout the different exercises you performed on the day and emphasise the strengths and weakness in your approach. It's usually a chill call but also take notes so you can use it in your next interview 😊

 

[vr36]

Any tips for Dechert written exercise? Can exchange for insights for W&C AC, Jones Day AC, Mayer Brown AC. Thanks!

 

[User5678]

I know a few have heard back but has addleshaw sent out all telephone interviews and ac invites? I haven’t heard back since the online assessment and it’s one of the firms I really like!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

How long should my answers for “why commercial law” and “why X firm” be for a telephone interview? Or rather, what is too long lol

 

[ysr567]

4 questions, you get 2 minutes to prepare for each and get 2 recording takes

Thank you so much!! Also do you know what type of questions they were like motivational, commercial, competency ect., just so I can direct my focus to where it matters. Thanks again

 

[crt1s]

Hey, just wondering if anyone uses Watson’s Daily? What are your thoughts? I’ve read reviews that the app is really bad - logs people out and doesn’t let users log back in. Considering subscribing but don’t want to waste my money! Advice appreciated. Thank you!

The apps isn't amazing but can be accessed using a laptop. I think there is a free trial too

 

[u64928428]

grad rec said they’d get back to us before the end of the month

Really appreciate this - thank you !

 

[legallady123]

Is there any way to prepare for SJT?

 

[sapphireoreos]

CRS VI - applied 12/01 !

Hi, congrats! Which scheme did you apply for?

 

[seaweed.bond]

Have all the Mishcon comments/updates been for the Spring VS process?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Have all the Mishcon comments/updates been for the Spring VS process?

I think so! I applied to Mishcon’s summer scheme and the last update I got was a standard holding email saying that they’ll get back to us by mid-February at the latest

 

[ysr567]

Has anyone here done the critical thinking test for DAC Beachcroft and how did you find it! Is it a watson glaser and i'm hoping it's not too difficult 🥲

 

[manifestingthetc]

Morgan Lewis TI! :')

 

[Chris Brown]

Has anyone heard back from Ropes & Gray for either Spring or Summer VS?​