TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Kay Aston

Star Member
Staff member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 8, 2024
28
50
Anyone knows which firms don't really care about whether you attended an RS uni but more so just look at your grades?
Hi @danielles ! Legal Cheek firm pages are a great resource for this, as they have pie charts which show the university breakdown of the current trainees at the firm (by group). Generally, you will find that elite US firms are more selective about university type, for example, Kirkland & Ellis trainees are made up exclusively of RG and Oxbridge grads:

1726613460348.png

Whereas UK firms appear to be more diverse in their selection, for example Ashurst:

1726613552848.png

I will caveat this by saying that just because there is no 'Other UK' section to these charts, it doesn't mean you are definitely wasting your time applying for these firms. Firms are changing their recruitment strategies all the time, especially with the current focus on diversity, and I do believe a lot of candidates 'self-select' themselves out of some firms by believing they would simply never get in, which can perpetuate the RG/Oxbridge dominance. However, I do appreciate that in application cycles, your time is extremely valuable and you do have to play the odds, so for that, these charts are really helpful. I hope that helps! ✨
 

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
580
1,326
Hi @danielles ! Legal Cheek firm pages are a great resource for this, as they have pie charts which show the university breakdown of the current trainees at the firm (by group). Generally, you will find that elite US firms are more selective about university type, for example, Kirkland & Ellis trainees are made up exclusively of RG and Oxbridge grads:

View attachment 6265

Whereas UK firms appear to be more diverse in their selection, for example Ashurst:

View attachment 6266

I will caveat this by saying that just because there is no 'Other UK' section to these charts, it doesn't mean you are definitely wasting your time applying for these firms. Firms are changing their recruitment strategies all the time, especially with the current focus on diversity, and I do believe a lot of candidates 'self-select' themselves out of some firms by believing they would simply never get in, which can perpetuate the RG/Oxbridge dominance. However, I do appreciate that in application cycles, your time is extremely valuable and you do have to play the odds, so for that, these charts are really helpful. I hope that helps! ✨
As an Oxbridge graduate, I can tell you that the numbers for those small firms can change radically from year to year. I did the Ropes & Gray Vacation Scheme and they didn't take many Oxbridge people at all this year. An Oxbridge degree isn't a guarantee of success - I've been rejected from everything in the end (even VSs with a. 3-1 conversion rate).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jessica Booker

ThelawgraduateX

Standard Member
Jul 10, 2024
5
0
Hi everyone! For anyone that applied for a VS at Jones Day, on the question "Have you have chosen to use AI tools (such as ChatGPT) in your application?" Did you provide an explanation even though your answer is 'No' or do you have to explain your choice regardless of whether your used AI or not? Thanks!
 

Legalstalker

Legendary Member
Premium Member
  • Oct 9, 2023
    402
    1,721
    As an Oxbridge graduate, I can tell you that the numbers for those small firms can change radically from year to year. I did the Ropes & Gray Vacation Scheme and they didn't take many Oxbridge people at all this year. An Oxbridge degree isn't a guarantee of success - I've been rejected from everything in the end (even VSs with a. 3-1 conversion rate).
    It’s good to see Ropes and Gray are changing their ways! Applying to vac schemes as an Oxbridge graduate is an advantage in itself let alone getting a vac scheme! Both vac schemes I was on took all oxbridge with a dash of RG😄 guess it depends on the firm…
     
    Reactions: The-PFO-Collector

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    14,505
    20,199
    As an Oxbridge graduate, I can tell you that the numbers for those small firms can change radically from year to year. I did the Ropes & Gray Vacation Scheme and they didn't take many Oxbridge people at all this year. An Oxbridge degree isn't a guarantee of success - I've been rejected from everything in the end (even VSs with a. 3-1 conversion rate).
    Similarly to this, I used to say that although I recruited more Oxbridge candidates ant an MC firm, also used to reject more Oxbridge candidates than any orher pair of universities.

    Oxbridge candidates generally have little to no fear in applying and so apply in their hundreds/thousands each year, and that’s despite them being two of the smaller universities by student population in the U.K. When you get a disproportionate number of high quality applicants from a university, they will be over represented in trainee populations, because they are also over represented in application pools.
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    14,505
    20,199
    Hi everyone! For anyone that applied for a VS at Jones Day, on the question "Have you have chosen to use AI tools (such as ChatGPT) in your application?" Did you provide an explanation even though your answer is 'No' or do you have to explain your choice regardless of whether your used AI or not? Thanks!
    I’d briefly explain why whether it is yes or no.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: ThelawgraduateX

    09tata

    Standard Member
    Premium Member
    Oct 28, 2020
    7
    0
    Hi, @WillkieGemma :)

    To what extent can you talk about cases you have worked on to demonstrate skills you have developed?

    For example I am working on a conspiracy claim and want to use this as an example of when I have shown analytical ability, In my answers I will be discussing how I was able to identify evidence that contradicts the claimants claim (with a bit more detail).

    I wanted to confirm that we can talk about cases in some detail as long as we don't disclose the specific case name and parties involved, I assume,
     

    nliro85

    Distinguished Member
    Jan 25, 2024
    65
    92
    I am writing my NRF application. The first question asks why are you interested in commercial law and why NRF. As the 2nd question asks about which sector has the most potential for growth in 12 months. Wanted to ask if I focus on the energy Sector growth for Q2 will it be okay to talk about the firm's project finance work in Q1 or will that be repetition. Any advice will be appreciated @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Kay Aston
     

    WillkieGemma

    Legendary Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Nov 4, 2021
    141
    341
    Hi, @WillkieGemma :)

    To what extent can you talk about cases you have worked on to demonstrate skills you have developed?

    For example I am working on a conspiracy claim and want to use this as an example of when I have shown analytical ability, In my answers I will be discussing how I was able to identify evidence that contradicts the claimants claim (with a bit more detail).

    I wanted to confirm that we can talk about cases in some detail as long as we don't disclose the specific case name and parties involved, I assume,
    Hi @09tata I'm afraid I can't answer that - you would need to verify that with your current employer.
     

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.