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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
- Start date
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- vacation scheme
I think from mid Oct we could hear something as I looked at the thread from last year and saw people mentioning PFOs and ACs from then. I could be wrong and we could hear earlier (praying we do)
On the application page it said we should expect to hear back w/c 7th October for the winter VS
hii i just checked and i saw that dla piper's discovery day is available for graduates too https://earlycareers.dlapiper.com/uk/opportunity/discovery-days.htmlHi everyone!
There are no DLA Piper events this recruitment cycle for grads so I've had to resort to this forum.
Does anyone or @Jessica Booker have tips for how to approach this question, 'If successful in securing a training contract after the Summer Internship, what do you anticipate will be the key challenges of the International Training Programme for you? How would you approach these challenges, and what resources or support do you believe you would need to overcome them?'
Also, does anyone know where I can find information about the the key practise areas that each of DLA Piper's UK offices specialise in (I've checked the website)? Finding it difficult to apply when there are very limited resources outside of the Discovery Days which I can't apply for as a grad
Thank you in advance!
17th then, my mistake! I just knew I applied a day after they opened, and must have got the dates mixed up. I just received the WG today. I think you're fine, a friend of mine applied towards the end of Oct and got the VS and then TC, so it's fine if you haven't got around to it yet!
I applied on the 17th and was invited for to do the test today.
Does anyone have advice on applying to Convington? I'm really struggling to communicate my genuine interest as they're really niche- my experiences don't match anything they're really good at; how do I go about this? This is for the first question:
- Why would you like to pursue a career as a solicitor at Covington, and how do you see yourself contributing to the firm's success? Word Count (Max 300 words)
You have to be creative, you will definitely have some experiences you can relay back to the firm.
I've received ACs by referencing my time working at Subway and how that built resilience because of x situation. Convert the experience to a skill and then the skill to the firm.
- Sep 7, 2024
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Hey @SoonToBeTrainee . First of all, I want to say that what you’re feeling is completely valid. The cycle of rejection is one of the hardest parts of pursuing a career in law. Like you said, we all hear about the success stories, but so rarely do we talk about the rejections, the self-doubt, and how it can sometimes feel like you’re just not enough. But here’s the thing—rejection doesn’t mean you’re not enough. It means that the process is doing exactly what it’s designed to do: refine, challenge, and prepare you for the next step.
I know firsthand how demoralising it can be. During my first-year scheme applications, I was rejected from most of the firms I applied to. And, during my vacation scheme application cycle, Jones Day was actually the first firm to reject me after an interview. But what I realised, after allowing myself a little time to reflect, was that rejection was never the end. It was part of the process that would make me stronger, more informed, and more determined.
The most important thing I learned during that time is that motivation isn’t a straight line. Sometimes you’re at the top of your game, feeling like you can take on the world, and other times, you’re struggling to even send out another application. That’s okay. What really matters is consistency. Even when your motivation is at its lowest, keep pushing forward. Keep sending out those applications. Keep showing up for yourself. Because every time you do, you’re moving closer to that opportunity that’s meant for you.
I can’t stress this enough: rejection is not a reflection of your value or your ability to succeed. It’s an opportunity to learn. Every “no” you receive isn’t a failure; it’s a lesson that sharpens your skills, clarifies your goals, and prepares you for the next challenge. After each rejection, I took time to reflect on what I could improve on. Whether it was my commercial awareness, or my understanding of practice areas, I used each setback as an opportunity to grow. And by the end of my first-year scheme cycle, I had learned so much from my rejections that I started to secure offers.
If I had given up after my first post-interview rejection, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would’ve missed the chance to take stock of what I’d learned, to understand the areas I could grow in, and to return to the process with more knowledge, more focus, and more confidence. The reason I’m sharing this is because I want you to know that your journey isn’t over—it’s just beginning.
The law is a highly competitive field, yes. But that competitiveness isn’t meant to discourage you; it’s meant to prepare you. It’s meant to push you to discover just how resilient, capable, and deserving you really are. Your path may not look like someone else’s, and that’s okay. Every person who succeeds in this field has faced rejection—sometimes more than they care to admit. But those rejections, as hard as they are, are stepping stones. They’re teaching you, guiding you toward the right opportunity, the right firm, the right fit.
So, don’t lose hope. Soon, you will realize that it was never about being rejected or accepted. It was about becoming the person who could face setbacks, keep going, and ultimately thrive. It won’t just be a result of your skills or your interviews. It’ll be a testament to your persistence, your ability to pick yourself up after every “no” and say, “I’m not giving up.” And let me tell you, that’s something far more valuable than any single interview or application. That’s the kind of mindset that will take you through the highs and lows of this profession—and in life.
You’re already showing resilience by just being in this process. The fact that you’re continuing to push forward, even when it feels like you’re going against the tide, is proof of your determination. Keep going. Rejections will happen, yes. But they will never define you. Your mindset, your persistence, your ability to keep going when things get tough—that’s what defines you.
So, if you’re feeling down, take a moment to breathe. Acknowledge that it’s okay to feel this way. But then remind yourself that you’re not done yet. You’re on this journey for a reason. Stay strong, stay consistent, and don’t let rejection convince you that you’re not worthy, because you absolutely are. Keep showing up, and your resilience will carry you through.
Can I add headings for application answers?
For instance, for this question to separate my answers to the experiences I want to talk about: "Please give details of any interests and extra-curricular activities, including any positions of responsibility or achievements. Tell us what skills and competencies you have developed in the activities you have undertaken and how you developed these"
@Amma Usman
For instance, for this question to separate my answers to the experiences I want to talk about: "Please give details of any interests and extra-curricular activities, including any positions of responsibility or achievements. Tell us what skills and competencies you have developed in the activities you have undertaken and how you developed these"
@Amma Usman
Absolutely. I did this for White & Case and got to interview so I think it's useful to break things up with headings. Lawyers will often skim read things because time is money (among other things) so accessible formats have a lot of currency.
Holding myself accountable (again).
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Sidley ✅
Willkie ✅🎥
Latham ✅
Skadden ✅
Covington ✅
Linklaters* ✅📝
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅
White & Case ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
A&O Shearman ✅📝
Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.
*Training Contract applications
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Sidley ✅
Willkie ✅🎥
Latham ✅
Skadden ✅
Covington ✅
Linklaters* ✅📝
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅
White & Case ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
A&O Shearman ✅📝
Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.
*Training Contract applications
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