TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Chris Brown]

Also unrelated, did you go to a Russell or non Russell Group university

I went to a Russell Group uni. However, in terms of my background:

1. I went to a comp state school and was eligible for free school meals between the ages of 5-16.
2. I think the average A-level grades of my sixth form college were roughly DDD around the time I did my A-levels.
3. I am from a low-income, working-class background. I have grown up and lived on a council estate my whole life.
4. I am in the first generation of my family to go to uni and first person in my entire family to go to a Russell Group and study Law.​

 

[EA95]

Hi Everyone nervous first time poster! I have been watching the forum for a while and have seen how supportive you all are. I wanted some advice.

I have secured a vacation scheme at Akin Gump and I have got a Paul, Weiss interview. I applied to the spring scheme for Paul, Weiss and I’m panicking that if I’m successful I’ll have to pick between them.

Hi welcome, and congrats on the VS with Akin and interview with PW.

 

[Chris Brown]

Paul Weiss might be rn prioritising those who applied for only a spring VS (not sure if that was possible), or they will be sending more invitations as they open more AC spots (like a rolling system). Either one would mean that some people who’ll get an AC will have to wait. But I feel like if you haven’t been rejected by this point, it’s a good sign.
However I find this situation very annoying lol 😭

They might be doing it like this. I applied for both Spring and Summer because I’m just too indecisive lmao. 🤣​

 

[Chris Brown]

Those with Paul, Weiss interviews, what did you get on the Amberjack SJT?

I think I got 7566 in the SJT, mid verbal and high numerical.​

 

[tosin4774]

I did go to a RG uni, but I also went to a comp state school, was eligible for FSM, first gen to go to uni in my family and I have lived on a council estate. The jump from that to doing law at a RG was super intense and scary ngl. 🥲​

Do u have an idea how the AC will look like

 

[Willgetthere]

To everyone who got the Paul, Weiss Ac huge congratulations!!!!🥳

And to everyone else that has been rejected like myself- there are definitely other amazing firms waiting for us. I hope we all get there soon enough !!

 

[Joey green]

Is there anyone who got an update on PW in the last 10 minutes, either pfo or not…

 

[Amma Usman]

MY ADVICE TO FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

• Before I begin this, I have linked our first-year schemes deadlines tracker here - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/first-year-scheme-deadlines-2024-25.9090/
• Notice how I didn’t specify law, or non-law first years. This is because over the years, firms are increasingly opening up their first year schemes to both law and non-law students in their first year. Typically, this was first year law and second year non-law students. Check the eligibility criteria before applying to be sure.
• These schemes are quite beneficial. They range from anything between two days, to a week. There are also insight days, which usually run over a day.
• The best way to get an insight into the profession, is by speaking to the people who work there. Such schemes accommodate for that through panel or networking sessions with trainees and lawyers.
• Through the networking sessions, you build your public speaking skills, how to interact in a professional setting, and your overall confidence - which will help in applications for VS’ and TCs.
• You get an insight into the application process; what commercial law firms look for; practice areas, and so on. You get to deduce what you like, but appreciate also that no one expects you to know what you want to qualify into at this stage.
• It shows proactivity - firms will be able to see the effort you put into learning more about the profession early on. NB: first year schemes are not the only way to show this - open days or other experiences do that as well.
• Fast-tracked - some firms fast-track candidates on their FYS for VS or TC assessment centres/ interviews.

 

[Paul Jules Steullet]

Skadden people if you’d like to connect pm me!

 

[tosin4774]

Since it is the first recruitment cycle for Paul, Weiss, I don’t know anything about what the AC or interview process will look like. I don’t think any of us will know until we all go through it for the first time. 🙂​

I know you can do it. Just watch all the past recordings of Paul weiss, also if you go on jaysens page on LinkedIn he recently released a podcast where an associate at Travers Smith went into detail about private equity

Also, if you didn't really understand the life cycle of private equity deal. They went into indepth here

and here

Then if they ask you what practice area ae u interested in and you have an idea but feel its foundational go here. https://youtube.com/@lawcareersnet?si=wiFgKYacFykdyVya

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Hoping some more firms get back to us today as a valentines gift!!!

 

[Amma Usman]

I know you can do it. Just watch all the past recordings of Paul weiss, also if you go on jaysens page on LinkedIn he recently released a podcast where an associate at Travers Smith went into detail about private equity

Also, if you didn't really understand the life cycle of private equity deal. They went into indepth here

and here

Then if they ask you what practice area ae u interested in and you have an idea but feel its foundational go here. https://youtube.com/@lawcareersnet?si=wiFgKYacFykdyVya

Thank you for sharing these, @tosin4774 - loving how supportive this community is

 

[VacSchemer]

I might be wrong here but there’s another account spamming ‘🤣’ under my posts and i think it’s the same person from last time lmao.

Is @Yourworstnightmareisback the same person as @BreadandButter.​

Could be since the account was made an hour ago🤣🤣

 

[Amma Usman]

Quick question: I accept that I did not secure a vacation scheme, but I still want to give this recruitment cycle my utmost effort. Therefore, my question is: which firms should I apply to, considering the following?

• Ultimately, I do not mind which firm I join; my primary goal is to secure a training contract. I want to focus on firms that offer a realistic chance of obtaining a TC, rather than those where securing one is virtually impossible.
• I am from mainland Europe, so I would require visa sponsorship. Therefore, I need to target firms that offer sponsorship, unlike, for example, Shoosmiths.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

My main advice for this is to target the firms which have non-rolling deadlines still open. I have linked our VS and TC deadlines thread here. That said, I would not completely give up on applying for VS/TCs at firms which have rolling deadlines also, as you never really know of what could be if you applied!

Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2024-25 (with rolling/non rolling checklist!)

Hey everyone, Vacation Scheme application season is fast approaching! To make things easier for those of us preparing to apply, I have put together a list to track all the applications and their due dates for the Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes. I will keep this list updated! Please...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Training Contract Deadlines 2024/25 (Training Starting in 2027)

Hey friends! We have put together a list of firms currently recruiting trainees via the direct training contract application route. We hope this makes things easier for those of you looking to apply, especially if you aren’t able to do a vacation scheme. The list below is mainly for training...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[theruleofno]

Hi Everyone nervous first time poster! I have been watching the forum for a while and have seen how supportive you all are. I wanted some advice.

I have secured a vacation scheme at Akin Gump and I have got a Paul, Weiss interview. I applied to the spring scheme for Paul, Weiss and I’m panicking that if I’m successful I’ll have to pick between them.

That’s a good position to be in! I would recommend emailing Paul, Weiss and informing them you have already made a commitment for a spring scheme and if there is any chance you can move to summer, the success of this wholly depends on the firm. Otherwise just interview as normal and if you have two offers I’d probably go for Paul, Weiss just because of the future potential of the firm in London.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Paul Weiss might be rn prioritising those who applied for only a spring VS (not sure if that was possible), or they will be sending more invitations as they open more AC spots (like a rolling system). Either one would mean that some people who’ll get an AC will have to wait. But I feel like if you haven’t been rejected by this point, it’s a good sign.
However I find this situation very annoying lol 😭

It’s SO ANNOYING. I was thinking the same about spring vs summer: I applied for both but would’ve preferred spring because of work commitments so hoping it’s just batches (and I get one lol). Who knows, this state of limbo sucks tho

 

[theruleofno]

anyone heard back from wfw post-vi🥹it's been a solid month since my vi

They are doing ACs right up until the middle of March so I wouldn’t let up hope yet!

 

[Bread]

Paul Weiss might be rn prioritising those who applied for only a spring VS (not sure if that was possible), or they will be sending more invitations as they open more AC spots (like a rolling system). Either one would mean that some people who’ll get an AC will have to wait. But I feel like if you haven’t been rejected by this point, it’s a good sign.
However I find this situation very annoying lol 😭

Ugh I just wish firms were transparent with their timelines…
Since I always expect the worst, I’m guessing if we don’t hear back by the end of today it will be PFOs on Monday

 

[Amma Usman]

Is the Goodwin interview their version of the AC? It says in the email that any further assessment would be on the vacation scheme?

Yes, I believe after the interview is the assessed vacation scheme. I was speaking to someone who mentioned this is the last stage of their process.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I might be wrong here but there’s another account spamming ‘🤣’ under my posts and i think it’s the same person from last time lmao.

Is @Yourworstnightmareisback the same person as @BreadandButter.​

We have now banned the "yourworstnightmareisback" account - this means their content is removed from the forums. I will also be tidying up any posts that may have quoted their posts too, so if anyone see's I have edited or removed their posts, please note it is most likely where they have quoted the banned account (rather than anything they have done).

A bit shout out to our community for flagging this user via the reporting system. I encourage anyone who feels that any member is breaching TCLA's terms to use the report function, whether it is via the forums or private messages. The TCLA team will always look into any content/behaviour and take necessary action when needed. We rely on our community raising such issues to help us deal with such matters in a timely fashion.

If anyone has any concerns regarding any other users, they are also welcome to private message me if they do not want to use the report function.