TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lawyersum]

@lawyersum

Hi, it doesn't seem like anyone else has replied to this

As someone who has a pretty high success rate with SJTs (let's hope I don't jinx), this is what I do:

- Do not answer honestly. This is the worst piece of guidance you could follow. SJTs are meant to be hard, you are meant to think about your answer in relation to the competencies and values of the firm you are applying to. This requires strategy, critical thinking and application. Thankfully, most situational judgement tests are untimed, so you have the time to really sit and think about the best option. If you really care about the firm, you will put in the effort.

- Following from above, there have often been times where I have personally disagreed with the answer I have given, but am confident that it is exactly what the firm is looking for having matched the options against the firm's competencies. My second tip is to have these values / competencies written out for you to easily refer to throughout the test, as well as the definitions. Knowing what each competency / value actually means is so important. For example, there is a difference between being a collaborator and being a team player. Search up each of the terms, write a definition and even ask chat gpt how to demonstrate the competency. This will help you to distinguish between the nuances of each competency / value so that you are choosing the best suited option (may also help when determining whether an extreme option is appropriate).

- Lastly, act on feedback. For example, I bombed the SJT of the first firm that I applied to. The next year, I read through the feedback report, identified the exact areas I needed to work on and used them as guidance for this years application, where I scored much higher on every single category.

SJTs are something that you need to prepare well for and be smart about. Of course what works for me may not work for you, but hopefully this helps😊

Hi @safari3 - thank you so much for these comprehensive tips! Really appreciate it Will be a journey but hopefully I’ll be able to get better

 

[l789]

I spoke to a few firms todays.

White & Case stated they recruit in stages even though they’re published as rolling. Meaning they are giving VI invites out once they review your application it’s not done based on when you applied as all applications are dispensed between graduate recruitment. No decisions are given on a rolling basis so one won’t get a VS and another a VI at the same time.They have no limit on the amount they invite to VI or AC. They’re flexible with the numbers on the Vs even though it’s 25 they’ll take more if people are good.
EDIT - they have a bank of questions for the VI so once someone does a VI the next person to do it will get a different set of questions. They are apparently not the same as last year but still 15sec prep time. The whole process is virtual including AC

Covington & Burling - I have seen loads of messages regarding this firm yet it literally states they’re non rolling… applications are still open and patience is a virtue. However, they have been screening applicants as they come in so I doubt the wait will be long post deadline. They invite 40 to AC and 15 on the scheme so very slim pickings. I was told they get roughly 700 applications.
EDIT - virtual AC is held no in person tasks. Once graduate recruitment pick the best people they think for the AC the partners overlook this and they agree/disagree and narrow it down to 40 applicants. It is all screened by the recruitment partners and a bunch of partners too. Your name and info is blind but your grades, experiences, and application answers are not.

Debevoise & Plimpton - Very strict on honesty on the application the graduate recruitment manager is very firm on how an application can be and said academics are nothing if you don’t show the values they’re looking for. not a fan of people approaching the firm and not having an idea of what the firm actually does. She highlighted this many times. Stating many do not know the firm, apply and it’s the most generic answer that could be used for any firm.

Milbank - care more about sports, roles of responsibility, experiences you’ve done. Also want you to have an interest in an area they practice in and why. They know many firms are like theirs so they want to know why them graduate recruitment emphasises that a lot.

V&E - apparently not doing that winter scheme thing they had open. Non rolling and said they rather you submit on the last day than the first day as they want good applications.

HSF - banged on about social mobility and how you should highlight this in an application if it’s applicable to you and why it’s important. They are known. As the best in this area and want you to know that too. They have neurodivergent graduate recruitment which was nice to see and how positive they spoke about this. They offer a range of adjustments for applicants and lawyers.

HFW - need to state why their sector as opposed to the normal corporate work. Use any modules or experience to highlight this as they are looking for people with an open mind you need to be interested in the firm and going in to a range of seats not just shipping

I spoke to a few more and have notes on them. I do not want to fill up the feed with this information if it is of no use to anyone.

Did you speak to Skadden by any chance?

I think I’ve absolutley given up with some US firms like Akin and also probably not going to bother with Davis Polk.

Neither firms have any grad rec events outside Davis polks VERY competitive open day and Akin who advertised open days in partnership with Aspiring solicitors and have yet to publish any information regarding applications for it on either website (even though Akins open day is literally next week)

Atleast with white&case they have a virtual series events on their practice areas and also Molly from grad rec posted of another virtual trainee insider event on LinkedIn today.

It just feels near impossible to apply to firms without knowledge beyond their website and legal info pages. Given how ridiculously competitive it’s now getting, I feel ridiculous sending anything other than an extremely tailored application- sprinkled with insights I’ve learned from interactions from those firms ( and then relating it back to me and why it’s important to me and any further personal links)

Idk after seeing all the advertised events with aspiring solicitors on Akins website which are next week and yet there’s no way to apply through AS website or Akins, I just feel the need to rant. Aspiring solicitors is supposedly a platform to help break the barriers to legal profession- so this Akin situation is a complete contradiction.

On second thoughts- I reckon the akin events are exclusively for those on an AS programme and not generally applicable to Aspiring solicitors members as a whole

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know the questions asked for Bird and Bird's TC application? - the deadline is tomorrow and want to just get to drafting as opposed to having to fill out the whole form first

1. Why do you want to be a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird? Max 300 words
2. Based on your research, what do you understand to be the biggest opportunity for one of the sectors in which we specialise? Max 300 words
3. As a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird it is important to be enthusiastic about a wide variety of learning opportunities. Please describe a situation where you have stepped outside of your comfort zone to try something new. How did you approach this and what did you learn about yourself? Max 300 words

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Did you speak to Skadden by any chance?

I think I’ve absolutley given up with some US firms like Akin and also probably not going to bother with Davis Polk.

Neither firms have any grad rec events outside Davis polks VERY competitive open day and Akin who advertised open days in partnership with Aspiring solicitors and have yet to publish any information regarding applications for it on either website (even though Akins open day is literally next week)

Atleast with white&case they have a virtual series events on their practice areas and also Molly from grad rec posted of another virtual trainee insider event on LinkedIn today.

It just feels near impossible to apply to firms without knowledge beyond their website and legal info pages. Given how ridiculously competitive it’s now getting, I feel ridiculous sending anything other than an extremely tailored application- sprinkled with insights I’ve learned from interactions from those firms ( and then relating it back to me and why it’s important to me and any further personal links)

Idk after seeing all the advertised events with aspiring solicitors on Akins website which are next week and yet there’s no way to apply through AS website or Akins, I just feel the need to rant. Aspiring solicitors is supposedly a platform to help break the barriers to legal profession- so this Akin situation is a complete contradiction.

On second thoughts- I reckon the akin events are exclusively for those on an AS programme and not generally applicable to Aspiring solicitors members as a whole

I understand your frustration. I am not successful with AS. I don’t think they advertise well and they shut the applications early every time.

Yes I did speak to Skadden. Very upbeat firm to say the least. Hone in on their practice areas in your application. Apply to an open day is what she said. October one is closed but there is another one next month I think she said. She did say “find 5 firms you like and work really hard on those 5 tailor everything to those firms make it impossible to use for another firm that’s when you’ll know you’ve made a great application” she says she can see ChatGPT easily through applications so spend time in the application they’re competitive they hold 3 VS. They were very very popular today no doubt. Why do you want to apply to them? What is it about their work that appeals to you? There are many other US firms why Skadden. Academics are of course looked at. They only have an academic requirement of 2.1 but expect to see good level of intellect. Use the time of the deadline to the fullest it’s non rolling.

Akin was not present no surprise there

 

[l789]

I understand your frustration. I am not successful with AS. I don’t think they advertise well and they shut the applications early every time.

Yes I did speak to Skadden. Very upbeat firm to say the least. Hone in on their practice areas in your application. Apply to an open day is what she said. October one is closed but there is another one next month I think she said. She did say “find 5 firms you like and work really hard on those 5 tailor everything to those firms make it impossible to use for another firm that’s when you’ll know you’ve made a great application” she says she can see ChatGPT easily through applications so spend time in the application they’re competitive they hold 3 VS. They were very very popular today no doubt. Why do you want to apply to them? What is it about their work that appeals to you? There are many other US firms why Skadden. Academics are of course looked at. They only have an academic requirement of 2.1 but expect to see good level of intellect. Use the time of the deadline to the fullest it’s non rolling.

Akin was not present no surprise there

You’re so kind!

Thank you so much for a detailed response and for sharing all of the information you have.

I don’t know how to feel about aspiring solicitors anymore. Especially now after Akingate. I’ve noticed some disparities with the applicants who have been offered their formula 1 vacation schemes and Akins work experience scheme which took place in the summer. They’re not an organisation I can rely on for help even though I fit their “diversity” criteria.

Skadden for me is a high priority firm, their reputation in contentious and non contentious sticks out like a sore thumb ( in a good way) I saw a post on linkedin by the firms counsel that they’ve been ranked tier 1 in lit/ int arbitration for 15 years now. Really incredible!

I haven’t visited the firm yet, but through previous virtual events the firm hosted I got really good vibes and these days I lead with my intuition as it’s never failed me- so skadden is an application I will be heavily investing in.

Thanks for all the advice though, I took a screenshot so will refer back when I’m writing my application

 

[AGRACHEL]

Any advice on how to improve commercial awareness in SJT?

 

[cleojwilliams]

Do we need to submit a cover letter for DLA Piper?

No I was sent a Watson glaser test and I didn’t have one.

 

[Interested_In_Law]

Fingers crossed for you! When did you apply and when did they get back to you regarding you moving onto the interview stage? I haven't heard anything from them and applied first half of September :/

Thank you! I applied early August and interviewed on 25th September, they contacted me about a week before that.

Fingers crossed for you too!🤞

 

[member7830]

any jones day interview insights/ tips?

 

[lookingforaTC]

Oh that’s a shame, considering I just submitted my application on Friday and the deadline is the 25th of Oct

And you can do the test 10 days after the deadline as well. There will be more ACs.

 

[Brandon93]

Can anyone please tell me the second question for the video interview part of the A&O Sherman app and how long we have to prepare? I know the first one is why commercial law at the firm.

 

[Tintin06]

Hopefully one day these firms have Vacation Schemes and Training Contracts: Boies Schiller Flexner; Cahill, Gordon & Reindel; Cravath, Swaine & Moore; Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett; Quinn Emanuel; Wachtell, Rosen, Lipton & Katz.

 

[nodustollens]

passed the benchmark for DLA VI

 

[marisachr]

Has anyone heard from Hogan post-WG?

 

[TrainingContract2024]

has anyone heard from w&c today? thank u

 

[bella98]

I applied on 26/09, received WG on 10/10

Best of luck!! 🤞 I applied on 04/10 and I'm still waiting for their WG, I'm wondering if it's automatic but manually assigned or if they review our application first🤔

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Did you speak to Skadden by any chance?

I think I’ve absolutley given up with some US firms like Akin and also probably not going to bother with Davis Polk.

Neither firms have any grad rec events outside Davis polks VERY competitive open day and Akin who advertised open days in partnership with Aspiring solicitors and have yet to publish any information regarding applications for it on either website (even though Akins open day is literally next week)

Atleast with white&case they have a virtual series events on their practice areas and also Molly from grad rec posted of another virtual trainee insider event on LinkedIn today.

It just feels near impossible to apply to firms without knowledge beyond their website and legal info pages. Given how ridiculously competitive it’s now getting, I feel ridiculous sending anything other than an extremely tailored application- sprinkled with insights I’ve learned from interactions from those firms ( and then relating it back to me and why it’s important to me and any further personal links)

Idk after seeing all the advertised events with aspiring solicitors on Akins website which are next week and yet there’s no way to apply through AS website or Akins, I just feel the need to rant. Aspiring solicitors is supposedly a platform to help break the barriers to legal profession- so this Akin situation is a complete contradiction.

On second thoughts- I reckon the akin events are exclusively for those on an AS programme and not generally applicable to Aspiring solicitors members as a whole

I did a vacation scheme with Skadden last year, PM me and id be happy to help

 

[SamiyaJ]

Best of luck!! 🤞 I applied on 04/10 and I'm still waiting for their WG, I'm wondering if it's automatic but manually assigned or if they review our application first🤔

Thanks! WG is second stage so I think our applications are reviewed first

 

[TrainingContract2024]

is anyone still waiting for a&o Shearman post app? thanks.

 

[Roisin]

Hi, any ideas how long HSF take to get back to you after an AC for winter vac scheme?