TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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?

 

[Amma Usman]

Any advice on how to improve commercial awareness in SJT?

Hey @AGRACHEL , SJTs will rarely focus on commercial awareness, but will try to test more of your competencies/how you react to different situations. That said, commercial awareness should still be a skill one constantly develops over a sustained period of time.

 

[addy2004]

When did you get the AC invite?

I got my AC invite last Tuesday. I think they are sending them out in batches as I saw some people get invites later on too

 

[Willgetthere]

Does anyone have insight into Jones Day and HSF AC? I have good advice/ insight on Macfarlanes AC and Simmons. Please PM me.

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Does anyone have insight into Jones Day and HSF AC? I have good advice/ insight on Macfarlanes AC and Simmons. Please PM me.

Sounds like you’re slaying it. Nice work.

 

[student101!]

Does anyone have any tips for the Ashurst virtual case study?

Hi can I please ask if they got back to you with this after completing the online tests? Congrats if so

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

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.

That's great - thank you! How do I work out how many people have been invited to AC?

 

[Tintin06]

Meet Cooley November open day invite. The rollercoaster of all this stuff!

 

[Legalstalker]

Does applying and participating in the Latham and Linklaters Open bypass doing the assessments for their VS?

Are there any firms that take this approach?

 

[lolololol]

i applied for the hogan lovells life off on the 4th and haven’t received anything after, should i email or wait a bit?

 

[Tintin06]

Does applying and participating in the Latham and Linklaters Open bypass doing the assessments for their VS?

Are there any firms that take this approach?

Latham & Watkins it absolutely does.

 

[Legalstalker]

Latham & Watkins it absolutely does.

Interesting, thank you.

Do you know how many they take for each open day? and does this apply for all open days inc black lawyers?

 

[Tintin06]

Interesting, thank you.

Do you know how many they take for each open day? and does this apply for all open days inc black lawyers?

Maybe around 10 our so - cosy.