TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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?

 

[addy2004]

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

Just had mine on Monday and still waiting - they said within a week, so just have to wait unfortunately

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anyone know, roughly, what the % conversion rate is for ACs -> VCs? Is it generally above or below 50%?

Hi @Tsitsipas10S , generally it depends on how many people are invited to the AC and how many spots there are on the vacation scheme. For example, if 50 people are invited to an AC for only 15 vacation scheme spots, then the conversation rate will be lower than 50%. However, these rates differ between firms so try to look less at the numbers.

 

[erderlylars]

Is anyone still waiting post arctic shores for NRF?

 

[georgejacob55]

Just had mine on Monday and still waiting - they said within a week, so just have to wait unfortunately

When did you get the AC invite?