TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Chris Brown

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Jul 4, 2024
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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. The average A-level grades of my sixth form college were 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.

The jump from this to doing LLB Law at a Russell Group uni was super intense and scary at first ngl. 🥲​
 
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EA95

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Dec 10, 2024
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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.
 
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Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
538
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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. 🤣​
 
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Amma Usman

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Sep 7, 2024
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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.
 

tosin4774

Esteemed Member
Jun 6, 2024
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49
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


 

Amma Usman

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Sep 7, 2024
812
963
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 ;)
 

Amma Usman

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Future Trainee
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Sep 7, 2024
812
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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!


 
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theruleofno

Star Member
Jan 5, 2024
45
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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.
 
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desperateTCseeker1998

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Jan 1, 2023
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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
 
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Bread

Valued Member
Jan 30, 2024
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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
 
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