TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jasonbourne]

Just building on what @Jessica Booker said in response. It’s great that you’re considering both the open day and the vac scheme! Your concern about potentially waiting a long time to hear back about the open day and the impact that might have on your vac scheme application also makes sense. Like Jess, though, I'd suggest waiting until you've made the open day application, especially if you feel that attending the open day will give you additional insights and help you strengthen your vacation scheme application.

Alternatively, I don’t think attending the open day is strictly necessary to write a compelling vac scheme application. If you've written strong, well-researched answers, there's no harm in applying for the vac scheme now. For context, when I was applying to Cooley, I was unsuccessful in securing an open day, but made it through to the vac scheme during the same application cycle. Whatever you decide, best of luck with both applications! Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions

cheers Ram, appreciate that, thank you!

 

[s9111]

Hi, I've applied for a VS with Ashurst and now have 3 days to do their 3 psychometric assessments. Does anyone know how long each is, if they are timed, and if you can do them separately, or if they are one after another? Any info on the tests would be much appreciated! Thank you!

 

[user3883930]

Hi, has anyone heard back from Vinson & Elkins for their Winter VS

 

[legallady123]

Hi, I've applied for a VS with Ashurst and now have 3 days to do their 3 psychometric assessments. Does anyone know how long each is, if they are timed, and if you can do them separately, or if they are one after another? Any info on the tests would be much appreciated! Thank you!

I completed the tests 3 weeks ago, and, if I remember correctly, they take around 1 hour and 15 mins in total. It is the Cognify first, then the Emotify and last is the values test. You have the option to click “begin” before each test, so you probably can take time in between, but imo there isn’t really much you can do to prepare or prep for them.

 

[User5678]

Hi, I've applied for a VS with Ashurst and now have 3 days to do their 3 psychometric assessments. Does anyone know how long each is, if they are timed, and if you can do them separately, or if they are one after another? Any info on the tests would be much appreciated! Thank you!

They’re all timed and it’s 3 assessments in one test so ideally need to give it in one go but you can take a break between the three assessments but I’m unsure if you can do it the next day (i think you can). Time is less so practice as much as u can. Total time is approx an hour.

 

[s9111]

I completed the tests 3 weeks ago, and, if I remember correctly, they take around 1 hour and 15 mins in total. It is the Cognify first, then the Emotify and last is the values test. You have the option to click “begin” before each test, so you probably can take time in between, but imo there isn’t really much you can do to prepare or prep for them.

This is very useful, thank you so much!

 

[CHLTC]

QUESTION ABOUT FRESHFIELDS AS A GRADUATE:

I was looking at their eligibility requirements for the Summer Vac Scheme, Winter Vac Scheme and direct TC.

Under Summer they state: The Summer Vacation Scheme is available to penultimate-year undergraduate students completing a law or non-law degree.

Under Winter they state:
The Winter Vacation Scheme is available to final-year students undergraduate students completing a law or non-law degree and beyond. This includes graduates and individuals who are currently enrolled on a: Law Conversion Course (GDL/PGDL)

As someone who has completed their GDL, and is now a Paralegal, does that mean I only have the option to do the DIRECT TC route for Freshfields?

Why would they allow graduates on the Winter Vac scheme and not the summer? What is the better route to do as a graduate who is now a paralegal ? Winter? or TC?

@Jessica Booker
@axelbeugre

Thank you

 

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

Has anybody received a women's open day invite from Baker Mckenzie?

Yes I received an invite on Monday.

 

[s9111]

They’re all timed and it’s 3 assessments in one test so ideally need to give it in one go but you can take a break between the three assessments but I’m unsure if you can do it the next day (i think you can). Time is less so practice as much as u can. Total time is approx an hour.

Thank you!

 

[sammm10101]

Has anyone heard anything back from HSF on their IRIS Open Day?

 

[user3883930]

QUESTION ABOUT FRESHFIELDS AS A GRADUATE:

I was looking at their eligibility requirements for the Summer Vac Scheme, Winter Vac Scheme and direct TC.

Under Summer they state: The Summer Vacation Scheme is available to penultimate-year undergraduate students completing a law or non-law degree.

Under Winter they state:
The Winter Vacation Scheme is available to final-year students undergraduate students completing a law or non-law degree and beyond. This includes graduates and individuals who are currently enrolled on a: Law Conversion Course (GDL/PGDL)

As someone who has completed their GDL, and is now a Paralegal, does that mean I only have the option to do the DIRECT TC route for Freshfields?

Why would they allow graduates on the Winter Vac scheme and not the summer? What is the better route to do as a graduate who is now a paralegal ? Winter? or TC?

@Jessica Booker
@axelbeugre

Thank you

I was wondering the same, also I'm confused about whether their winter VC applications are closed since I can't find a way to apply on their website—I can only see an option to apply for the summer VC?

 

[LW123]

Is CMS accepting applications from recent LAW graduates? The wording on their websites looks a bit confusing?

I was also quite confused. From what I can tell, only the training contract is available for law graduates (and the Business Development & Marketing Graduate Programme)

 

[Looper88]

I think I've seen two comments by people who said they've been rejected.

Just received my report which averaged 'moderate competency'. There was no confirmation that I met the benchmark. Does that mean that I have been rejected?

 

[danielles]

For those of you who have heard back from NRF already, do you recall how much time it took them more or less to contact you after completing the AS test?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I looked at the FAQ's for DLA Piper and it states they do not accept separate CV's. However, it is part of the application for the summer internship I am not sure if I am over thinking this but is it a definite that their is no need for a CV?

I have heard different things from different people - it isn’t unclear unfortunately. But if it is optional (eg you can progress your application without submitting it) and there are no explicit instructions to include a CV, I would expect it to just be optional and not necessary.

 

[asplawyer100]

I was wondering the same, also I'm confused about whether their winter VC applications are closed since I can't find a way to apply on their website—I can only see an option to apply for the summer VC?

They are closed. The deadline for Freshfields Winter VS was early September. I believe all Magic Circle winter scheme applications have closed by now.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Yes I received an invite on Monday.

Ah!
Thank you for letting me know!

 

[lawstudent2002]

Just did the HSF test and was wondering how soon do they reply with a response on whether you have passed or not . Thanks

 

[VMS]

Just received my report which averaged 'moderate competency'. There was no confirmation that I met the benchmark. Does that mean that I have been rejected?

Just did the HSF test and was wondering how soon do they reply with a response on whether you have passed or not . Thanks

I received an email saying I'd passed two days after taking the assessment, so you'll probably hear around then!

 

[Looper88]

I received an email saying I'd passed two days after taking the assessment, so you'll probably hear around then!

Thank you kindly. Did your report hint at how likely you were to pass? How did you do?

Just wondering what to expect 🥲