TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[g.cl.2020344]

Yeah, GD only recruits through vac schemes. I'm just really nervous tbh, i know they test more commercial awareness and general abilities but then also some of the questions on glassdoor are stressing me out. Someone said they got asked "what makes GD different to Cleary and Linklaters?" Is this likely to be cos that applicant said they also applied to those firms, or just randomly? Because I could answer that compared to other firms i applied to but definitely not with random ones. Does anyone have advice?

I would assume they were asked to compare to those firms cos that’s where they applied to. When did you apply to GD?

 

[AI212121]

I would assume they were asked to compare to those firms cos that’s where they applied to. When did you apply to GD?

I applied on 08/09, got an invite for a first stage interview 22/11, had it on Tuesday, then got a response today.

 

[emma.d]

Could attending a competitive open day go under this: Please tell us about your achievements and positions of responsibility. (500 words)

 

[Deleted member 37508]

if anyone has the done the Dechert written exercise and is able to provide any tips, please PM me! Applied 4/11

Have you been invited for the spring?

 

[jta227]

Could attending a competitive open day go under this: Please tell us about your achievements and positions of responsibility. (500 words)

It could but consider the types of things people will be writing about here and think about whether that will be a competitive achievement to write about. In addition there's probably other places to write about your open days too

 

[emma.d]

It could but consider the types of things people will be writing about here and think about whether that will be a competitive achievement to write about. In addition there's probably other places to write about your open days too

Thanks for your reply I'm just struggling because I have mentioned a lot of my other achievements and positions of responsibility in the other two application questions and so do not want to repeat myself. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Thanks for your reply I'm just struggling because I have mentioned a lot of my other achievements and positions of responsibility in the other two application questions and so do not want to repeat myself. Anyone have any advice?

What were the two other application questions. I’m sure you can take those examples out or refine them so that you can use them in the question you’re struggling with.

 

[studenttolawyer]

Sorry to hear! Was this post app, test or VI?

post app!

 

[plshireme]

anyone applying to Eversheds, how much work experience did you enter? every job you've ever done?

 

[plshireme]

I’m struggling with this too, I don’t have much left to say other than a charity volunteer position as most of my experiences come under work experience!

Can I ask if you managed to reach the word count? I also don't really have much to say for this section so I'm thinking I'll have to just put the few points I have and hope for the best

 

[Jessica Booker]

Could attending a competitive open day go under this: Please tell us about your achievements and positions of responsibility. (500 words)

I wouldn’t put it in there - it can be included elsewhere in applications, but jobs generally can be competitive and so it’s not really what they are looking for in this section.

 

[allwillbewell]

Have you been invited for the spring?

Yes

 

[NCTC2025]

Does anyone know whether Taylor Wessing provides a feedback report for their test?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

For those that did the Latham SJT and VI, how much time do we get to prep for the VI and how much time to speak?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Holding myself accountable again (another app).

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 ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

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

*Training Contract applications

I'm actually ineligible for S&C VS. I'll be applying for their TC. 13 firm's rejections overall now.

Applications left to do: Fried Frank; McDermott, Will & Emery; Paul Hastings.

Didn’t McDermott, Will & Emery already close?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

For those that did the Latham SJT and VI, how much time do we get to prep for the VI and how much time to speak?

Do people also know if the test has to be done by the application deadline

 

[Audric_T]

Holding myself accountable again (another app).

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 ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

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

*Training Contract applications

I'm actually ineligible for S&C VS. I'll be applying for their TC. 13 firm's rejections overall now.

Applications left to do: Fried Frank; McDermott, Will & Emery; Paul Hastings.

why these firms? You seem to have missed off a lot of good firms that would probably given you a higher chance of success, also by applying to this many firms does it affect your applications? Apologies, this is my first cycle in about 7-10 years (career changer) so I am unclear of the protocol.

Is there a specific area of law you wish to qualify in?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

A&O Shearman PFO… even though they already sent me one on Wednesday?

 

[Tintin06]

why these firms? You seem to have missed off a lot of good firms that would probably given you a higher chance of success, also by applying to this many firms does it affect your applications? Apologies, this is my first cycle in about 7-10 years (career changer) so I am unclear of the protocol.

Is there a specific area of law you wish to qualify in?

Generally prefer the US firms. Learning by doing. Early responsibility etc. Have had more success with them. Not sure about your second question. I got three ACs last cycle. Not sure how typical that is. I'm also a career changer. What are you doing currently? I don't know about qualification yet. I enjoyed doing tax.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Generally prefer the US firms. Learning by doing. Early responsibility etc. Have had more success with them. Not sure about your second question. I got three ACs last cycle. Not sure how typical that is. I'm also a career changer. What are you doing currently? I don't know about qualification yet. I enjoyed doing tax.

Can you be a career changer if you’ve been chasing a career but doing another whilst chasing. Surely you left university and since then have been applying to law ever since I’m not sure that’s a career changer. But nonetheless I’m sure the experience you’ve gained working alongside applying has been ever so useful for transferable skills.