TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[simplyfaith]

No updates at all this week 😔 I hope I get some actual answers next week, so I can figure out what to do with myself

 

[anon12]

Thank you!

Do you have any advice on the cappfinity test…I’m failing it every time, and desperate for help.

I get this question a lot and I struggle to answer these because I did the test at 2am in bed, so whenever people ask for advice in person i really dont know what to say but whats already out there like using the links personality grid and answering questions based on that (it has a specific name but i cant remember it now).

It also doesnt help that i did this test last year and have no recollection of it so sorry I dont have any specific advice for it other than use the links tool, be true to yourself and practice online.

its always hit or miss with these types of tests like ive failed far more than ive passed so dont beat yourself up on it.

And, i get this question a lot whenever we do like events or q&as and i always say yeah i agree with my trainees because i have no idea what to say lol.

edit: also, i think the reason i passed is that i didnt think too hard about the right answer, i just answered with what i was feeling was right rather than analysing it too hard.

 

[vr36]

Does anyone know how many applicants Weil invites to AC relative to number of Vacation Scheme places?

 

[BillSikes]

Congratulations! May I know when you completed VI?

Whenever the desdline was

 

[librame17]

gowling svs offer! i think i may have used up all my good luck at the AC though cause i accidentally got the wrong train home going the opposite direction of where i live...

 

[BillSikes]

Russell-Cooke VS virtual interview for the second year running. 😁

Did you change your app or submit same app?

 

[floral.tcla]

I have survived two rounds of HL PFOs. WG completed early december. What is going on??

Bro survival is so real, makes me feel like this is the squid game or something😭

 

[trainee4u]

Did you change your app or submit same app?

My work experience changed from paragraphs to bullet points.

My last year's news article was about AI, which is just a bit hackneyed at this point, so I wrote about the Budget instead.

My "Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility (or something you are proud of) and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application." was a rewritten version, with similar themes but would pass a plagiarism test.

My " Please tell us about something which did not turn out as you expected." was the same theme (educational achievements), but a different example written from scratch.

My "If you couldn’t work in law, what do you think you would do and why." was essentially copy pasted, my existing answer explaining that I have an existing career, and only lightly edited.

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Andrei Radu hi andrei! im assuming youd have so much more info on the prestige/expertise of top firms so i thought youd be the perfect person to answer this. on the basis of prestige in PE (and simply prestige/rep!) - how would you rank the following firms? kirkland, skadden, latham, davis polk, weil, paul weiss.

 

[Chris Brown]

@Andrei Radu hi andrei! im assuming youd have so much more info on the prestige/expertise of top firms so i thought youd be the perfect person to answer this. on the basis of prestige in PE (and simply prestige/rep!) - how would you rank the following firms? kirkland, skadden, latham, davis polk, weil, paul weiss.

I think one way someone could measure prestigious is from the PEP of the firm. I think Kirkland and Paul, Weiss have the highest PEP’s out of these firms. Davis Polk is smaller in terms of the number of lawyers it has whilst also having a high PEP. I would say it’s one of these three firms. Most likely I would say Kirkland because it also has the highest overall revenue. To be honest though prestige is very subjective.​

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

My work experience changed from paragraphs to bullet points.

My last year's news article was about AI, which is just a bit hackneyed at this point, so I wrote about the Budget instead.

My "Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility (or something you are proud of) and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application." was a rewritten version, with similar themes but would pass a plagiarism test.

My " Please tell us about something which did not turn out as you expected." was the same theme (educational achievements), but a different example written from scratch.

My "If you couldn’t work in law, what do you think you would do and why." was essentially copy pasted, my existing answer explaining that I have an existing career, and only lightly edited.

Ahhh should I expect rejection I applied on the deadline, another forum member who also applied on the deadline got an interview invite 😭

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Russell-Cooke interview. I applied on the deadline so quite happy about that. 😅

Congratulations!! Would you have any idea if theyve communicated to the successful applicants at the same time?

 

[trainee4u]

Congratulations!! Would you have any idea if theyve communicated to the successful applicants at the same time?

might be worth logging into allhires to see if there's an email hiding.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

might be worth logging into allhires to see if there's an email hiding.

I did but no. But thank you! At least I’m more mentally prepared now

 

[benxi]

huge congrats!! out of interest, when did you apply? and is this the next round after the initial app?

Thank you! applied 20/1 (deadline) and yes it is

 

[librame17]

When did you realise you were on the wrong train and have you managed to make it back to your home town safely now? 🥲​

halfway through haha i basically fell asleep straightaway but thankfully woke up in time

 

[AspiringSolicitor25]

Does anyone know how many applicants Weil invites to AC relative to number of Vacation Scheme places?

Weil invited 60 to AC round - 30 spots across Spring/Summer (info from Grad Rec @Weil)

 

[trainee4u]

Have a look at Paul Gascoyne’s session with TCLA, I think it was very helpful for understanding what they are looking for in candidates. I scored 23 in total in this year’s amberjack, and was invited to interview, so can confirm that a score of 23 overall will meet their benchmark. (just putting this out there to spread info)

Is that 23 out of 27 on a three-component SJT, no verbal/numerical reasoning?

 

[Chris Brown]

Is that 23 out of 27 on a three-component SJT, no verbal/numerical reasoning?

The test had four pillars for the SJT: grit, applied intellect, digital mindset and creative force. Each pillar was scored out of 9, so it was 36 in total. In my case, I got 24/36 across the four pillars (7566) which I’m guessing was high enough to get invited to the AC/interview stage. I imagine getting anything over 20 will probably be enough to meet the benchmark. 🙂

There is also a set of verbal and numerical reasoning questions (5 each). For reference, I scored in the middle for verbal and high for numerical. I am assuming this means I got around 3/5 for the verbal reasoning questions and 5/5 for the numerical reasoning questions. I am horrid at maths so this one definitely caught me off guard. 🥲

In total, there were 12 SJT questions, 5 verbal and 5 numerical reasoning questions. In terms of %, I think I got 66-67% on the SJT (8/12 of the questions). Overall, I think I got 16/22 for the test, which is around 72-73%. I remember Paul said they would assess the test scores and applications holistically so I don’t think too much emphasis was placed on the test. 🙂​

 

[tosin4774]

The test had four pillars for the SJT: grit, applied intellect, digital mindset and creative force. Each pillar was scored out of 9, so it was 36 in total. In my case, I got 24/36 across the four pillars (7566) which I’m guessing was high enough to get invited to the AC/interview stage. I imagine getting anything over 20 will probably be enough to meet the benchmark. 🙂

There is also a set of verbal and numerical reasoning questions (5 each). For reference, I scored in the middle for verbal and high for numerical. I am assuming this means I got around 3/5 for the verbal reasoning questions and 5/5 for the numerical reasoning questions. I am horrid at maths so this one definitely caught me off guard. 🥲

In total, there were 12 SJT questions, 5 verbal and 5 numerical reasoning questions. In terms of %, I think I got 66-67% on the SJT (8/12 of the questions). Overall, I think I got 16/22 for the test, which is around 72-73%. I remember Paul said they would assess the test scores and applications holistically so I don’t think too much emphasis was placed on the test. 🙂​

Do you know any website where one can practice?