TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Zaraa.x]

How would you go about answering this question- Which sectors do you think has the most potential for growth over the next 12 months, and why, and what opportunities do you see for NRF to maximise this potential.

 

[avocadob]

Hi guys, if I stuttered/ fumbled on 1 out of 2 points of a VI question, but the other two answers went alright, would it still likely be a rejection? :/

 

[Zi48]

Thank you! Did you apply? I just wanted to check if you added grades subject/ module wise or only an overall grade. It is a bit unclear from their application format! Thank you

I haven’t applied yet so I'm not sure, sorry!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi , I just wanted to check if the Kennedys tc is open to final year law students or is it only for graduates?

@Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu please can you kindly assist

Thanks very much in advance

It depends which vacancy you are applying to. Some you will need to be a graduate and if a non-law graduate, have completed the GDL too. Which vacancy are you considering?

 

[Zi48]

Hello, @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam Do you know of any firms to which you can apply for Vacation schemes multiple times in one cycle?

NRF lets you apply again if you didn't make it to the AC, their FAQs say:

"If you’ve taken part in an assessment day and were unsuccessful, please wait 12 months from the date of your original application before reapplying. However, if you were unsuccessful at the application stage you can apply for another vacancy, within the same calendar year. If you reapply, we strongly advise rewriting your application."

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, if I stuttered/ fumbled on 1 out of 2 points of a VI question, but the other two answers went alright, would it still likely be a rejection? :/

I doubt an interview would be determined on this basis alone

 

[Apple]

Hi guys, if I stuttered/ fumbled on 1 out of 2 points of a VI question, but the other two answers went alright, would it still likely be a rejection? :/

I was so nervous in my VI, I was stuttering and basically waffling for the last 20 seconds, but I got progressed to AC. Don't give up just yet 😂

 

[Tom smith]

How far back in the past can we give examples from in competency-based interviews, e.g. if I was in the last year of my degree, could I give an example from sixth form, for example?

 

[DesperateForVac]

Clyde and co summer PFO

Sorry to hear this, when did you apply and complete the VI?

 

[Bread]

Sorry if this is a really stupid question but how can you tell whether a law firm organises itself by practice group or sector? because they tend to have both sections on websites and i can't tell which one is the primary way they organise themselves...

Sectors are the industries in which they work (pharmaceutical, tech, life sciences, etc), practices are the areas of law that they specialise in, or practice(M&A, tax, antitrust, etc), but usually multiple practices apply to the same sector and viceversa

 

[DesperateForVac]

Clyde and Co TC pfo what a nice week am really enjoying the PFO's.

Sorry to hear this!

when did you apply?

 

[Mariyam_M]

What are the key traits/values/skills/competencies that Clifford Chance is looking for? I wanted to know how to tailor their application question to the firm.

 

[Mariyam_M]

What are the key traits/values/skills/competencies that Clifford Chance is looking for (apart from what's given on their website)? I wanted to know how to tailor their application question to the firm.

 

[User5678]

It depends which vacancy you are applying to. Some you will need to be a graduate and if a non-law graduate, have completed the GDL too. Which vacancy are you considering?

I am a law final year student. I can see that there are many programs mainly the sqe graduate program which is sector specific and the 2026 training contract. Am I eligible for both?

@Jessica Booker

 

[AGRACHEL]

Is osborne clarke VS rolling?

 

[KBanana]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam !

Any advice on how to tackle the following question (and how I should divide the word count)?: "Please choose a recent (less than 12 months) development in UK/European news. How are such developments relevant for Skadden’s clients?"

I was thinking of writing 1-2 sentences outlining the recent development. Then, I am not sure about whether I should discuss why I find the development I chose interesting because usually the 'commercial' question like this in an app would explicitly state "a news story that interests you" in the question, but this is not the case in here. So, should I spend the rest of my word count simply outlining how the news/developments would affect Skadden's clients and how Skadden would get involved as a result?

Thank you!

 

[yumjuicebox]

Does anyone have any advice for the Bird & Bird VI?

Thank you!

 

[yumjuicebox]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu!
I am planning to write cover letters for Freshfields/ Davis Polk, and was wondering if you have any advice on how I can discuss my mitigating circumstances (which seriously impacted my first and second-year grades) without breaking the flow of my cover letter?

Thank you

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Hi @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu!
I am planning to write cover letters for Freshfields/ Davis Polk, and was wondering if you have any advice on how I can discuss my mitigating circumstances (which seriously impacted my first and second-year grades) without breaking the flow of my cover letter?

Thank you

I did a direct TC app for Freshfields, and I recall seeing a space in the application for extenuating circumstances under 'contextual information.' I'm not applying to DP, but I'm sure they have the same, so it does not need to go in the CL.

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (Covington rejection)

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

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

*Training Contract applications