TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AS24]

Hi guys, White & Case mentions its new 2025 strategy after having achieved its old one. However, I cannot find any resource which gives a detailed picture of the new strategy. Could anyone help me?

 

[JLaw56]

Hi, does anyone know if Sidley Austin send invites/rejections after the deadline?

 

[sunshine101]

Hello Everyone,

Could I have some tips on practising for SJT's.

Thank You !

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Jessica Booker Hi! I contacted the GR of a US firm asking if my application would be considered and if I should go ahead with the process despite my low 2.1 and the response I received was, "Whilst I can’t say if your application at this stage will be one of our strongest, I can confirm we consider all applications holistically."

Should I proceed with this firm?

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi! I contacted the GR of a US firm asking if my application would be considered and if I should go ahead with the process despite my low 2.1 and the response I received was, "Whilst I can’t say if your application at this stage will be one of our strongest, I can confirm we consider all applications holistically."

Should I proceed with this firm?

Yes

 

[Interested_In_Law]

Probably overthinking this, but when filling out work experience in chronological order does that mean in terms of start date or end date?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Probably overthinking this, but when filling out work experience in chronological order does that mean in terms of start date or end date?

Should be the end date.

 

[VV]

Anyone who still hasn’t heard back from W&C?

 

[bri]

Hello Everyone,

Could I have some tips on practising for SJT's.

Thank You !

I use a website called Graduates First, it's worth checking whether your University gives you access to it. Might not be the case for everyone but mine did and we were never told. It has hundreds of practice Situational, Verbal, Numerical reasoning tests etc.

 

[InvesmentBanker]

Do you think it gets harder to get a TC as each year passes? It seems like the number of applicants increase year-on-year

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do you think it gets harder to get a TC as each year passes? It seems like the number of applicants increase year-on-year

Generally, no it’s not getting more competitive each year. It goes up and down in different years as different things influence the number of candidates and the number of roles.

It’s definitely not as competitive as it was in 2008-09/2009-10 anyway!

 

[hanz123]

Hi everyone,

I'm a recent law grad, starting a paralegal job and will be entering my third application cycle
I got to my first ever AC last cycle but was unfortunately unsuccessful
I would appreciate any top tips for applications, AC's etc and also any advice on managing applications whilst working full-time

Thank you!

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Hi, are law firms okay with a few modules having just above 50 in the PgDL? Or is having 60+ a must?

 

[Holly2002]

Hi, I am currently writing an application and one of the questions is asking about what qualities a lawyer needs. I know in the past people have been successful when talking about things like communication, teamwork etc but these are more skills than qualities. Does anybody have any advice on what I should talk about, I was thinking more down the line of proactivity, resilience etc?

 

[Solking456]

Has anyone heard back from withers post final stage interview?

 

[J53]

Hi, I am currently writing an application and one of the questions is asking about what qualities a lawyer needs. I know in the past people have been successful when talking about things like communication, teamwork etc but these are more skills than qualities. Does anybody have any advice on what I should talk about, I was thinking more down the line of proactivity, resilience etc?

My advice would be to look at what qualities the firm highlights in the job description or their about page. Are there any buzzwords which they say their trainees should have or how they conduct themselves? The ones you’ve highlighted sound good and are usable but it’s just a bit of extra tailoring and shows you read the job role and what they’re looking for

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Guys, who do I address the Gibson Dunn cover letter to? Do I just put "Dear Graduate Recruitment"?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Guys, who do I address the Gibson Dunn cover letter to? Do I just put "Dear Graduate Recruitment"?

Their LCN profile suggests applications should be addressed to Graduate Recruitment, so this is fine to do.

 

[cleojwilliams]

That is not true, unfortunately.

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.

Would the fact that I received a 1:1 at university be enough to over look the fact that my A-levels were not good (BBB) because I did not sit my A- Levels due to COVID, and my GCSE's were average. I would like to apply for Slaughter and May but I am not sure if this will hinder my chances.

 

[Tom smith]

If I was talking about a firm's work in a ground-breaking deal that impressed me, would it be inappropriate for that deal to have happened a long time ago i.e. in 2012?