TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

QUESTION ABOUT FRESHFIELDS AS A GRADUATE:

I was looking at their eligibility requirements for the Summer Vac Scheme, Winter Vac Scheme and direct TC.

Under Summer they state: The Summer Vacation Scheme is available to penultimate-year undergraduate students completing a law or non-law degree.

Under Winter they state:
The Winter Vacation Scheme is available to final-year students undergraduate students completing a law or non-law degree and beyond. This includes graduates and individuals who are currently enrolled on a: Law Conversion Course (GDL/PGDL)

As someone who has completed their GDL, and is now a Paralegal, does that mean I only have the option to do the DIRECT TC route for Freshfields?

Why would they allow graduates on the Winter Vac scheme and not the summer? What is the better route to do as a graduate who is now a paralegal ? Winter? or TC?

@Jessica Booker
@axelbeugre

Thank you

You’d only be eligible for the direct TC, unfortunately.

They will have different criteria for different schemes as the winter scheme candidates can be recruited earlier in the cycle, while it doesn't make sense to recruit penultimate year students until the summer between their penultimate and final year.

 

[BM2004]

For those of you who have heard back from NRF already, do you recall how much time it took them more or less to contact you after completing the AS test?

I'm wondering this too. Applied a while back. Did the test early too. Saw a few NRF rejections here on this thread. Just wondering what is happening.

 

[Hana ♥]

Dla discovery day!

 

[Amma Usman]

Dla discovery day!

Congratulations @Hana ♥

 

[jojo23]

This might be a stupid question but, i haven't had time to finish any applications until now (am i going to need to hold myself accountable). I've almost finished the White&Case one but is it worth submitting for the winter vs considering the date?

also, is 1k words too much for the cover letter....

 

[fingersarecrossed]

Has anyone heard from DLA Piper's summer VAC scheme?

 

[AveragePoster]

Has anyone received a VI yet for White & Case’s Winter VS? I’ve heard nothing since applying.

 

[NJS]

Has anyone received a VI yet for White & Case’s Winter VS? I’ve heard nothing since applying.

They make decisions after the deadline

 

[asplawyer100]

Has anyone received a VI yet for White & Case’s Winter VS? I’ve heard nothing since applying.

Pretty sure they don’t review until after the deadline

 

[ttyl]

Sorry to hear this. Do you mind sharing when you applied?

Sept 13 and heard back on the 30th

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi, I've applied for a VS with Ashurst and now have 3 days to do their 3 psychometric assessments. Does anyone know how long each is, if they are timed, and if you can do them separately, or if they are one after another? Any info on the tests would be much appreciated! Thank you!

They're one after the other and each game has a timer but overall, the test isn't timed. You can take a break between emotify, cognify and the values test. I believe there's a time gap between each game (there are 6 parts to cognify , if my memory's correct) and a tutorial practice session to help you get a gist of the game before.

 

[kokoprep]

Just did the HSF test and was wondering how soon do they reply with a response on whether you have passed or not . Thanks

1-2 days!

 

[Tintin06]

CC* ✅📝
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅
Akin ✅
Sidley ✅
Willkie ✅🎥
Cooley ✅
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Skadden ✅
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅
Linklaters* ✅📝
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
A&O Shearman ✅📝
Vinson & Elkins ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

 

[kokoprep]

Hey - For the Q that asks for three personal qualities that make a successful lawyer. Can 1. Problem Solving; 2. Teamwork, 3. Attention to Detail - be used or are these not personal qualities? @Jessica Booker

 

[Jessica Booker]

This might be a stupid question but, i haven't had time to finish any applications until now (am i going to need to hold myself accountable). I've almost finished the White&Case one but is it worth submitting for the winter vs considering the date?

also, is 1k words too much for the cover letter....

1,000 words is okay to use - we usually see around 800-1000 roughly (sometimes slightly over).

I think if you have put the effort into the application I would apply anyway. You have worked hard to get to this point, and it would be a shame to waste those efforts.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey - For the Q that asks for three personal qualities that make a successful lawyer. Can 1. Problem Solving; 2. Teamwork, 3. Attention to Detail - be used or are these not personal qualities? @Jessica Booker

I would say these are more skills than qualities. Think more about your character that allows you to apply those type of skills.

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

With cover letters that are expressed to be one page rather than by word count is the general consensus that we don't put our address/their address? It takes up so much space.

@Jessica Booker

 

[Jessica Booker]

With cover letters that are expressed to be one page rather than by word count is the general consensus that we don't put our address/their address? It takes up so much space.

@Jessica Booker

If for Slaughter and May, then you don’t have to put the formalities of a cover letter in.

If this is another firm, let me know who it is and I’ll check what their stance is (as it varies from firm to firm).

 

[Smart water 0403]

If for Slaughter and May, then you don’t have to put the formalities of a cover letter in.

If this is another firm, let me know who it is and I’ll check what their stance is (as it varies from firm to firm).

Hi Jess, do you know what Taylor Wessing’s stance is ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jess, do you know what Taylor Wessing’s stance is ?

Have they changes their application format? It hasn't had a cover letter previously (as far as our records show anyway).