TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[VMS]

Congrats! A great firm to get positive news from.

Thank you! I was so happy when it came through I cried, haha. Then tried to get myself a Costa, only for the Costa to be closed, so ended up at the M&S café with the biggest hot chocolate known to mankind and cream on my nose.

 

[RonRod13]

Anyone else delete negative outcomes ASAP? I barely scan before deleting them. This sounds very conceited, but I'm very angry. I have done four Vacation Schemes (Slaughter and May, Debevoise & Plimpton, Travers Smith and Ropes & Gray). What was the point? Firms don't seem to value these at all. I also try to emphasis transferable skills from other roles. Again, what is the point? It just feels like every cycle is the same - and this is why I gave up for two years. I'm tempted to do it again.

Bro I’m gonna be honest, how do u get four vac schemes and not convert one. MC firms convert virtually everyone from their scheme too I thought? No hate genuinely curious.

 

[Tintin06]

Bro I’m gonna be honest, how do u get four vac schemes and not convert one. MC firms convert virtually everyone from their scheme too I thought? No hate genuinely curious.

Slaughters work experience was not assessed.
Debevoise I wasn’t a team player.
Travers I messed up written task.
Ropes & Gray written task again.

 

[RonRod13]

Slaughters work experience was not assessed.
Debevoise I wasn’t a team player.
Travers I messed up written task.
Ropes & Gray written task again.

What do u mean the slaughters work experience was not assessed?

 

[SamiyaJ]

It is a beautiful and positive day on the forum today. Genuinely happy to see so many receiving positive news!!! A win is a win 🫶🏾

Feeling inspired, let’s keep up the hard work. It is going to pay off for each and every one of us. ✨🤞🏾

 

[Tintin06]

What do u mean the slaughters work experience was not assessed?

The spring one wasn’t in 2018.

 

[Apple]

Bro I’m gonna be honest, how do u get four vac schemes and not convert one. MC firms convert virtually everyone from their scheme too I thought? No hate genuinely curious.

I know a few people who did the Slaughters one and never converted, but I think Links gave 100% of vac schemers a TC.

 

[RonRod13]

The spring one wasn’t in 2018.

Damn that’s crazy bro, you’ll get something eventually tho. Just apply to easier firms or consider applying out of London. Competition can be up to 80% less. I know it’s not ideal as an oxbridge grad but u can always move to London later as an NQ. Just a thought tho

 

[l789]

For those that applied to HSF for a vac scheme, did you apply for the winter one- they had their last headlines event today and was wondering if people feel it’s worth waiting to attend that (virtually or in person) to gain more insight and then apply (this is for next year)

Or do people just send an application straight away, without doing any virtual events with the firm?

 

[James Wakefield]

BCLP first stage interview invite!!

I am SO SO over the moon after having a really tough last week. I'm weirdly looking forward to it?? I'm going to try and blow their socks off, haha!

Congrats!! Can I ask when you applied, if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[BonanzaBih_]

I know a few people who did the Slaughters one and never converted, but I think Links gave 100% of vac schemers a TC.

I know someone who didn’t convert a links vac last year so not sure how accurate that is either

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

For those that applied to HSF for a vac scheme, did you apply for the winter one- they had their last headlines event today and was wondering if people feel it’s worth waiting to attend that (virtually or in person) to gain more insight and then apply (this is for next year)

Or do people just send an application straight away, without doing any virtual events with the firm?

I sent an app without going to any of their events. Can’t help but feel if I’d had contact with them before applying it might have prevented my app from sitting in the ‘wait and see’ pile to decide on after the deadline. If you can meet them so they know you when your application comes through, I would do it.
Just make sure you go into it knowing about the firm and with a bunch of good questions.

 

[Tintin06]

I know someone who didn’t convert a links vac last year so not sure how accurate that is either

100% unlikely - someone will mess up. Slaughters’ Easter scheme may have changed. I appreciate people’s feedback on here. I’m not in a good place. This forum is very useful honestly.

 

[Brandon93]

Can anyone provide guidance on Taylor Wessing's online assessment? Have no idea what to expect.

 

[l789]

I sent an app without going to any of their events. Can’t help but feel if I’d had contact with them before applying it might have prevented my app from sitting in the ‘wait and see’ pile to decide on after the deadline. If you can meet them so they know you when your application comes through, I would do it.
Just make sure you go into it knowing about the firm and with a bunch of good questions.

Thank you so much for this insight!

 

[safari3]

Can anyone provide guidance on Taylor Wessing's online assessment? Have no idea what to expect.

I can't remember each section as I did it a while ago, but it's a critical thinking test a lot easier than the WG. Use assessment day materials as prep and you should be fine 🙂

 

[Zi48]

I sent an app without going to any of their events. Can’t help but feel if I’d had contact with them before applying it might have prevented my app from sitting in the ‘wait and see’ pile to decide on after the deadline. If you can meet them so they know you when your application comes through, I would do it.
Just make sure you go into it knowing about the firm and with a bunch of good questions.

Just wanted to say, HSF is non-rolling, so everyone that passes the test is put in the ‘wait and see pile’. The people that have progressed to AC already must’ve applied for the winter VS.

 

[Brandon93]

I can't remember each section as I did it a while ago, but it's a critical thinking test a lot easier than the WG. Use assessment day materials as prep and you should be fine 🙂

Thank you very much. Just one more question, does it follow the same structure as the WG (deduction, evaluation etc.)?

 

[Jo05]

I don’t feel lucky anymore. I’m fairly blunt but use my experiences to help this. No condescension is meant. Which posts are you referring to? I’m just bored of waiting for a TC. I believe I should have got it

I don’t feel lucky anymore. I’m fairly blunt but use my experiences to help this. No condescension is meant. Which posts are you referring to? I’m just bored of waiting for a TC. I believe I should have got it by now.

It is actually helpful. Not condescending at all in my opinion.

 

[safari3]

Thank you very much. Just one more question, does it follow the same structure as the WG (deduction, evaluation etc.)?

Hopefully someone else answers aswell because I genuinely can't remember, sorry My best guess is that it had less sections (I think three). It definitely wasn't structured exactly like the WG, but tested similar skills in a shorter, more condensed format. Any prep you've done for WG assessments will be beneficial.