TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

AlarmedBookkeeper448

Star Member
Premium Member
  • Dec 18, 2019
    37
    29
    Anyone heard anything from Cleary and Hogan Lovells post-WG WVS, Slaughter's TC, JD SVS? Also, if W&C has yet to send a VI and people have completed them and received invitation to AC, should I assume PFO?
    I saw someone post that for Slaughters TC (non-law) they had received an interview invite :)
     

    Andrei Radu

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 9, 2024
    427
    637
    Anyone have any tips on key areas to discuss for Freshfields personal statement. Am thinking of focusing on (1) cross-border expertise with focus on success in US market, (2) cross-functionality of corporate and litigation practices, and (3) uniqueness of training programme?
    Hi @DulyDiligent! Just to add to @Ram Sabaratnam's great response, I think (1) and (3) are great, especially if you provide further analysis like Ram suggested. I think (2) can work as well, but you will have to be careful as to how you draft this as a USP, because there are other firms who arguably have this cross-functionality as well.

    Regarding tips as to what else you could include, I would discuss Freshfields' leading corporate M&A credentials. In 2023 Freshfields was ranked above all the other magic circle firms in terms of both average deal value and total deal value. It is also arguably the leading firm for European M&A, topping most of the deal rankings.
     

    bangarangbass39

    Legendary Member
    Sep 13, 2023
    207
    305
    Two birds, one stone, one disillusioned and disheartened vac scheme applicant.

    Brief update on my app cycle experience so far.

    Rejected by those Two Birds from London today. Weren't a big fan of my chat evidently. Perhaps I was punching a bit much considering I didn't meet their "standards" (ABB instead of AAB).

    Tried to set up a date with a bobby (CPS Paralegal Officer) also rejected me. In the meeting stage, I tend to get nervous and waffle, which I guess turned them off. Their friend (Paralegal assistant) seems quite nice, however. I'm sure we could have a nice time.

    Banter aside, pretty disappointed by the CPS outcome. I'd drop all of my Commercial law apps for a public law position. It's so jarring because NONE of the services allow non-law grads w/o the PGDL to apply. It makes no sense why they are so behind the market. Every commercial firm accepts non-law students w/o PGDL and only requires that they complete the SQE (which they fund!) This means unless I self-fund, I can't apply for the direct trainee scheme. Arguably not beneficial for socially mobile backgrounds - I'm black and from a low socio-economic household.

    A wise man once said, "I know you're sad, but listen...Two birds, one sky, just forget it"
     

    Apple

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Jul 23, 2023
    219
    429
    Anyone heard anything from Cleary and Hogan Lovells post-WG WVS, Slaughter's TC, JD SVS? Also, if W&C has yet to send a VI and people have completed them and received invitation to AC, should I assume PFO?

    You know you’ve been on here too long when you understand all the acronymish😭
    Imagine reading this as someone with no interest in commercial law, its literally gibberish ahahah.
     

    Tintin06

    Legendary Member
    Oct 23, 2019
    656
    1,481
    Holding myself accountable (one more application):

    CC* ✅📝
    HSF ✅📝❌
    NRF ✅📝❌
    Weil ✅
    Akin ✅
    Sidley ✅
    Orrick
    Willkie ✅🎥❌
    Cooley
    Latham
    Milbank ✅
    Dechert
    Kirkland ✅
    Skadden
    Goodwin ✅
    Covington ✅
    Linklaters* ✅📝
    Freshfields
    Paul, Weiss ✅
    Slaughters* ✅❌
    Gibson Dunn
    Macfarlanes* ✅📝
    White & Case ✅
    Morgan Lewis
    Hogan Lovells* ✅
    Cleary Gottlieb ✅
    A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
    Vinson & Elkins
    Arnold & Porter
    King & Spalding* ✅
    Morrison Foerster

    Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

    *Training Contract applications
     
    Last edited:

    legalxp2

    Star Member
    Jan 4, 2024
    33
    12
    Does anyone know about Goldman Legal.

    They run a summer analyst internship for 10 weeks but not sure how it works
    Do they give you a training contract? Do they help you qualify or do you just do paralegal work
    It is merely an in-house role, and does not guarantee a grad role. The analyst position itself to my understanding qualifies as SQE qualifying experience but the programme does not sponsor or give time off to complete the SQE.
     

    bella98

    Legendary Member
  • Mar 9, 2023
    280
    1,005
    Two birds, one stone, one disillusioned and disheartened vac scheme applicant.

    Brief update on my app cycle experience so far.

    Rejected by those Two Birds from London today. Weren't a big fan of my chat evidently. Perhaps I was punching a bit much considering I didn't meet their "standards" (ABB instead of AAB).

    Tried to set up a date with a bobby (CPS Paralegal Officer) also rejected me. In the meeting stage, I tend to get nervous and waffle, which I guess turned them off. Their friend (Paralegal assistant) seems quite nice, however. I'm sure we could have a nice time.

    Banter aside, pretty disappointed by the CPS outcome. I'd drop all of my Commercial law apps for a public law position. It's so jarring because NONE of the services allow non-law grads w/o the PGDL to apply. It makes no sense why they are so behind the market. Every commercial firm accepts non-law students w/o PGDL and only requires that they complete the SQE (which they fund!) This means unless I self-fund, I can't apply for the direct trainee scheme. Arguably not beneficial for socially mobile backgrounds - I'm black and from a low socio-economic household.

    A wise man once said, "I know you're sad, but listen...Two birds, one sky, just forget it"
    If it helps, I passed the interview for the paralegal officer position back in May, but I've been stuck on the reserve list ever since, with no sign of a job in sight 😭
     
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    Reactions: The-PFO-Collector

    helloj

    Star Member
    Sep 1, 2023
    35
    89
    On my Cover Letter for White & Case I mentioned that I was applying for the Spring Vacation Scheme however on the choice of options for my preferred scheme I somehow put Winter first and then Spring as my second option. Do you think I should email them stating my preference for the Spring scheme or will my application be acknowledged for the Spring over Winter Scheme anyway?
     

    helloj

    Star Member
    Sep 1, 2023
    35
    89
    hey, did you complete it? what kind of questions were asked and how long did they give for preparation and speaking?
    I completed it and passed! You have around 2-3 minutes to prep and 2 minutes to give a response. There are three questions one around alignment with values and two competency based questions about how you have showcased a certain skill through previous experiences!
     

    Ram Sabaratnam

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    241
    441
    @Andrei Radu or @Ram Sabaratnam

    Can I ask if there's something similar to this but for VIs instead of AC interviews?

    Hiya @Aspiringsolicitor01

    I had meant to send you this response yesterday - my apologies for the delay in getting this to you!

    Just wanted to built on what @Jessica Booker said. Many firms' video interviews tend to ask similar questions to those in TCLA's interview question bank. The key is to practice answering these questions in a clear and concise way, making sure you can fit your responses within the typical 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes that most VIs allow.

    One tool I found really useful for practicing is this page by ULaw: https://go.shortlister.com/marketplace/universityoflaw. It simulates video interviews done by various law firms, which can help you get used to the format and timing constraints. I used it myself before doing VIs for different firms, and it was a great way to prepare by recreating a realistic interview environment. Alternatively, you can also record yourself on your phone or laptop. This helps you refine your answers and get comfortable speaking on camera.

    Best of luck!
     
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    a1024

    Star Member
    Premium Member
    Jun 7, 2024
    25
    8
    I completed it and passed! You have around 2-3 minutes to prep and 2 minutes to give a response. There are three questions one around alignment with values and two competency based questions about how you have showcased a certain skill through previous experiences!
    congratulations! did you get invited to the AC? would you mind telling me what questions they asked if you remember?
     

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