TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[l789]

just been put on the waiting list for the Hogan Lovells REAHL open day 👏🏽

 

[legal18]

Hi, has anybody got an invitation to attend an in person open day by A&O Shearman? It says it’s for people studying in London so I filled out the form (just name etc. no Q’s about grades or motivations) and automatically got a place? I just thought this was a bit random so wanted to see if anybody else got the same

Do you have a link for this?

 

[bangarangbass39]

Has anyone heard back from Mishcon about the Open Day or their Vac scheme app? I've heard that some ppl have had a response already. I'm shocked that firms can respond so quickly.

 

[AGRACHEL]

Does anybody know how long Ashurst takes after the test to let you know if you've progressed or not?

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Hi, has anybody got an invitation to attend an in person open day by A&O Shearman? It says it’s for people studying in London so I filled out the form (just name etc. no Q’s about grades or motivations) and automatically got a place? I just thought this was a bit random so wanted to see if anybody else got the same

I know someone who just signed up as well. I do not think it’s application based

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Has anyone heard back from Mishcon about the Open Day or their Vac scheme app? I've heard that some ppl have had a response already. I'm shocked that firms can respond so quickly.

I haven’t heard anything re the open day

 

[BonanzaBih_]

For an open day a firm is asking why I want to attend the open day and what achievements/extracurricluars I am proud of that would help me excel. How should I approach this?

Should I do a 50/50 split between why id like to attend and my achievements? Or like 40/60?

And when speaking of my achievements should I just pick 2 or 3 to talk about in detail is mention about 5 in summary?

I have 500 words btw. Any help would be appreciated! @Jessica Booker

 

[crt1s]

Does anybody know how long Ashurst takes after the test to let you know if you've progressed or not?

On the website it says interviews are scheduled for Oct/Nov so we should probably hear at some point this week or next.

 

[seaweed.bond]

Does anyone know if Ashurst sends you your Cognify and Emotify scores? Or is it just your Workplace Insights report?

 

[DarrenB]

Amma went to a non-RG uni and has a TC with them! You should still apply if you like the firm despite them mostly hiring RG grads.

thank you so much for this!!!

 

[User5678]

Does anyone know if Ashurst sends you your Cognify and Emotify scores? Or is it just your Workplace Insights report?

Just insight report no scores

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

For an open day a firm is asking why I want to attend the open day and what achievements/extracurricluars I am proud of that would help me excel. How should I approach this?

Should I do a 50/50 split between why id like to attend and my achievements? Or like 40/60?

And when speaking of my achievements should I just pick 2 or 3 to talk about in detail is mention about 5 in summary?

I have 500 words btw. Any help would be appreciated! @Jessica Booker

Hi @BonanzaBih_ 🥳

I think either 50/50 or 40/60 is completely alright, so long as you showcase genuine interest in the firm and the open day, while still highlighting the key strengths that will help you excel. Firms are typically very interested in your motivations, so I wouldn't dedicate anything less than 40% of the word count to saying why you're interested in attending the open day with them in particular.

When talking about achievements, I often found it more effective to focus on 1-2 (max 3) key examples, because this allowed me to provide context, describe what I did, and really show the reader how difficult it might have been to achieve the goal in question. It also gave me adequate space to briefly discuss how the achievement would help me excel at my firm. By contrast, covering all this ground can be quite challenging when you're trying to discuss 4-5 accomplishments in 300-350 words.

I think @Jessica Booker might have more to add, but I wanted to offer some suggestions based on my own experience of having successfully applied to open days in previous cycles. Good luck! I hope you're able to attend!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Anybody know if Gibson Dunn prefers RG graduates to non-RG?

Hiya @DarrenB

This is a really common question - and having worked with many bright, talented non-Russell group students, please, please don't be reluctant to apply just because you went to a non-RG university. Firms tend to look at the strength of your overall application rather than focusing exclusively on whether you attended a Russell Group university. While attending a Russell Group university can be a plus, it's definitely not the only factor that firms consider. Many non-Russell Group graduates have successfully secured training contracts at US firms, including Gibson Dunn, so focus on what work experiences, extracurriculars, and interests you bring to the table rather than just your university.

In terms of Legal Cheek stats, these can be useful for giving an idea of where current trainees come from, but they’re not often an accurate or complete reflection. The data usually comes from small sample sizes, and firms don’t rely exclusively on university background when selecting candidates. Legal Cheek breakdowns also don’t give insight into other important factors firms consider, such as individual academic performance, work experience, and extracurricular activities.

Best of luck with the application if you end up making one!

 

[DarrenB]

Hiya @DarrenB

This is a really common question - and having worked with many bright, talented non-Russell group students, please, please don't be reluctant to apply just because you went to a non-RG university. Firms tend to look at the strength of your overall application rather than focusing exclusively on whether you attended a Russell Group university. While attending a Russell Group university can be a plus, it's definitely not the only factor that firms consider. Many non-Russell Group graduates have successfully secured training contracts at US firms, including Gibson Dunn, so focus on what work experiences, extracurriculars, and interests you bring to the table rather than just your university.

In terms of Legal Cheek stats, these can be useful for giving an idea of where current trainees come from, but they’re not often an accurate or complete reflection. The data usually comes from small sample sizes, and firms don’t rely exclusively on university background when selecting candidates. Legal Cheek breakdowns also don’t give insight into other important factors firms consider, such as individual academic performance, work experience, and extracurricular activities.

Best of luck with the application if you end up making one!

Hey @Ram Sabaratnam

Thank you for your reply! This puts things into perspective and you're right - it's not one particular factor that will make or break an application.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Hi @BonanzaBih_ 🥳

I think either 50/50 or 40/60 is completely alright, so long as you showcase genuine interest in the firm and the open day, while still highlighting the key strengths that will help you excel. Firms are typically very interested in your motivations, so I wouldn't dedicate anything less than 40% of the word count to saying why you're interested in attending the open day with them in particular.

When talking about achievements, I often found it more effective to focus on 1-2 (max 3) key examples, because this allowed me to provide context, describe what I did, and really show the reader how difficult it might have been to achieve the goal in question. It also gave me adequate space to briefly discuss how the achievement would help me excel at my firm. By contrast, covering all this ground can be quite challenging when you're trying to discuss 4-5 in accomplishments in 300-350 words.

I think @Jessica Booker might have more to add, but I wanted to offer some suggestions based on my own experience of having successfully applied to open days in previous cycles. Good luck! I hope you're able to attend!

Thank you so much!!

 

[nliro85]

Sorry to hear that! can I ask how long after completing the tests did you hear back?

Did the test last Tuesday

 

[User5678]

Has anyone received the test link for DLA Piper? If yes, after how long after submission did you receive it? Thanks.

 

[RonRod13]

PM me if you want to compare HSF feedback reports

 

[Tintin06]

Where on the LCN website can I find the statistics?

Read a firm profile. Click on details. It will say vacancies and also vacation scheme spots.

E.g. implied VS to TC conversion rates for a few firms ...

Firm / VS / TCs / conversion

Covington & Burling / 30 / 9 / 30%

Milbank / 20 / 12 / 60%

Willkie Farr & Gallagher / 20 / 6 / 30%

Arnold & Porter / 10 / 4 / 40%

Sidley Austin 60 / 17 / 29.82%

Sullivan & Cromwell / 12 / 8 / 66%

White & Case 75 / 50 / 66%

A&O Shearman 80 / 90 / c90%

Hogan Lovells 70 / 50 c70%

Linklaters 100 / 100 / 100%

Ashurst 50 / 40 / 80%

N.B. US firms don't generally give out many direct TCs, whereas firms like the magic circle are more likely to do so.

 

[erderlylars]

PM me if you want to compare HSF feedback reports

How did you manage to see your feedback report?