TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jasonbourne]

Has anyone heard back from Slaughter and May or Addleshaw Goddard? W&C hasn't gotten back to be by now, should I expect a PFO?

nothing from W&C either

 

[s9111]

Does anyone know when Linklaters' Winter VS apps typically open? There's nothing on their website yet. Thanks!

 

[VV]

nothing from W&C either

Emailed W&C today; they said that they are still sorting through apps in batches

 

[Stef]

Anything from Sidley?

Nothing yet

 

[Zi48]

I suppose, I still thought it being on a rolling basis would mean early applicants would hear back earlier, and it would be staggered from there on

Maybe, I was thinking they’d make decisions on a rolling basis but wait to communicate them, but I’m not 100% sure

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Emailed W&C today; they said that they are still sorting through apps in batches

is this for the direct tc or the vac scheme? sorry if this is a stupid question

 

[floral.tcla]

They've adopted A&O's old application approach.
You'll automatically get sent a SJT, following the submission of the written form.
This SJT will then also have a few video-recorded questions that you'll need to answer.

From their website directly:

1. Online Application​

You will be required to submit an online application which details your work and education history.

You will then be sent an email which will contain a link to complete an interactive assessment. The assessment will include verbal and numerical reasoning items and two short motivation questions to complete via video. The interactive assessment is untimed and should take around 45 minutes. The interactive assessment is designed to provide a realistic preview of what you may experience as a trainee at A&O Shearman as well as give us an insight into your motivations.

thank you for this! I'm new to TCLA so I'm sorry if this is redundant, but do you know where I could receive advice for preparing for the A&O online assessment? I completed it last year for their first-year scheme and I didn't score high enough.

 

[floral.tcla]

hi everyone, I thought that for MCs as long as you have a 2:1, your application is fine and other parts like the assessment centre and written questions are more important. I go to Cambridge University and I study a non-law humanities and I just completed my first year getting the following grades in my papers alongside a few extracurriculars where I developed a lot professionally: 60, 60, 62, 64.
Should I apply to any magic circle firms or are my grades sufficient enough to be able to make a successful application? What should I focus on?
Thanks and good luck for your applications.

 

[Thom&as]

hi everyone, I thought that for MCs as long as you have a 2:1, your application is fine and other parts like the assessment centre and written questions are more important. I go to Cambridge University and I study a non-law humanities and I just completed my first year getting the following grades in my papers alongside a few extracurriculars where I developed a lot professionally: 60, 60, 62, 64.
Should I apply to any magic circle firms or are my grades okay enough? What should I focus on?
Thanks and good luck for your applications.

MC firms put a lot of emphasis on your extra-curricular and professional journey. I think your grades shouldn't be an issue, especially considering the subject isn't related to law. I will say though from personal experience, Slaughter and May will certainly ask why your grades for certain modules were 'low' (by their standard) if they were anything below 63.

 

[floral.tcla]

If anyone has signed up to the A&O Shearman application masterclass for this coming monday, have you received any invite?

hi how did you find out about this?

 

[floral.tcla]

MC firms put a lot of emphasis on your extra-curricular and professional journey. I think your grades shouldn't be an issue, especially considering the subject isn't related to law. I will say though from personal experience, Slaughter and May will certainly ask why your grades for certain modules were 'low' (by their standard) if they were anything below 63.

thanks for letting me know! that's a shame because I liked their work culture :/ I do have some extenuating circumstances for the exams I got a grade 60 (and I have always been state-educated so I had no idea how to do well in university exams). I heard that employers regard an Oxbridge 2:1 as a high 2:1 or even a first compared to non-Oxbridge universities. Do you know what they would think?

 

[Thom&as]

thanks for letting me know! that's a shame because I liked their work culture :/ I do have some extenuating circumstances for the exams I got a grade 60 (and I have always been state-educated so I had no idea how to do well in university exams). I heard that employers regard an Oxbridge 2:1 as a high 2:1 or even a first compared to non-Oxbridge universities. Do you know what they would think?

I would be lying if I said the oxbridge factor didn't matter as I've heard from others that partners have previously asked applicants "why didn't you go to oxbridge instead?". I'm not entirely sure how much weight they put on each factor in your application, but I'd apply anyway if you're confident you're a strong candidate. Above all, what they're looking for is that you are passionate about commercial law and that you are committed to the firm in the long term.

 

[Thom&as]

hi how did you find out about this?

This is on the a&o shearman website. Search "A&O Shearman Events" and it should be your first result. btw if you sign up, your invite might end up in your spam mail like a few of us.

 

[floral.tcla]

I saw a couple posts from Jessica about this. Essentially, it’s not necessary to link your answers back to the firm if the question doesn’t directly ask you to.

In the case of Q1, the firm just want to hear about your interests and, perhaps more importantly, why you’re interested.
Brief references to the firm in passing etc. are fine, but not required. Trying to anticipate questions can often mean that applicants avoid answering the direct question completely. So, it’s probably better to just answer what’s being asked.

To parrot Jessica (lol), my advice for Q1 is to focus on something specific, in order to distinguish yourself from others and show a depth of analysis on that commercial topic.

On a personal note:
I wouldn’t say the commercial topic needs to be directly relevant to a firm’s core practice areas / clients, when the question doesn’t specify otherwise. If a firm is full-service, for example, mentioning a more unique topic that genuinely interests you (and that you can therefore go into depth with) is probably more likely to help you stand out.

Thanks a lot for this - it's really insightful. How would you recommend finding out about these topics, especially unique topics? How long do you need to follow a news story for? What's your definition of a 'unique' news story? Anything that isn't on covid, ai, etc or something that's genuinely obscure?

 

[floral.tcla]

This is on the a&o shearman website. Search "A&O Shearman Events" and it should be your first result. btw if you sign up, your invite might end up in your spam mail like a few of us.

ah I see, thank you so much for your help! )

 

[bangarangbass39]

thanks for letting me know! that's a shame because I liked their work culture :/ I do have some extenuating circumstances for the exams I got a grade 60 (and I have always been state-educated so I had no idea how to do well in university exams). I heard that employers regard an Oxbridge 2:1 as a high 2:1 or even a first compared to non-Oxbridge universities. Do you know what they would think?

Is the big difference between how they perceive a non Hums degree from Oxbridge v a uni like Warwick? I ask because I went to Warwick n completed History. I’m not applying for MC/SC so I think my grades matter slightly less.

 

[Apple]

Is the big difference between how they perceive a non Hums degree from Oxbridge v a uni like Warwick? I ask because I went to Warwick n completed History. I’m not applying for MC/SC so I think my grades matter slightly less.

Honestly, I feel like if you go to any of the RG universities as long as you have a mid 2:1 grades shouldn't really limit you except for the select US firms and Slaughter & May etc.

I feel like the Oxbridge favour gets overblown a bit. a 2:1 from a RG uni puts you in a great position almost always if the extra-curriculars are there too.

 

[Jessica Booker]

thanks for letting me know! that's a shame because I liked their work culture :/ I do have some extenuating circumstances for the exams I got a grade 60 (and I have always been state-educated so I had no idea how to do well in university exams). I heard that employers regard an Oxbridge 2:1 as a high 2:1 or even a first compared to non-Oxbridge universities. Do you know what they would think?

That is not true, unfortunately.

 

[TC seeker]

That is not true, unfortunately.

Hi Jessica! Does Slaughter and May has a higher standard than other Magic Circle law firms ( especially on grades

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica! Does Slaughter and May has a higher standard than other Magic Circle law firms ( especially on grades

Supposedly that is the case in terms of academics. However, I have seen enough people with average graders get into Slaughters to know it’s not a hard and fast rule and that if they can find other parts of your application exceptional they may be more interested in that than just your academics.