TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[christina04]

Has anyone heard from Irwin Mitchell?

 

[LegallyStressedOut]

yep PFO

Sorry to hear :/ Can I ask when you applied?

 

[jacksollaf]

Has anyone heard back from CMS post-online test? Or know when they started sending out invites/rejections last year?

was the online test automatic? I applied on the 5th of November and still haven't received anything besides a confirmation email, no test nor VI; safe to assume PFO then I guess?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I did a VI yesterday and I thought it went ok bar one question - where I only managed to answer half the question in the allotted time. I'd be grateful for your opinion on how this might be viewed?

Its quite common for candidates to not answer one question quite as well as the others. Its hard to know how the firm will view this as its subject to so many variables, but I can say that it is possible to not do well in one question and have a stronger response in the others, which effectively compensate and still get through to the next stage of the process.

 

[NCTC2025]

Hogan Lovells Summer AC!! Got rejected from Liftoff so assumed my VS app would be binned too but hope is not lost! There were two timeslot options: 14th Jan & 16th Jan

 

[YW113380]

Does anyone know how many questions are asked in Kirkland's VI?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

just heard from W&C if you haven't heard back from them about WVS- either post app, VI or AC you are being considered for spring or summer!

 

[suhana]

anyone get any update for dentons after vi?

 

[jacksollaf]

Does anyone know when Debevoise usually answers regarding their Open Day/VS/TC?

 

[jacksollaf]

BTW, did a lot of you apply to Debevoise? I feel like not many people applied, compared to other firms...

 

[0livia.pope]

just heard from W&C if you haven't heard back from them about WVS- either post app, VI or AC you are being considered for spring or summer!

Is this after you emailed or was this a general email to everyone?

 

[murm]

BTW, did a lot of you apply to Debevoise? I feel like not many people applied, compared to other firms...

I think they get around 1000 applications a year when i spoke to Grad Rec

 

[seaweed.bond]

Does anyone know when Debevoise usually answers regarding their Open Day/VS/TC?

I just looked on last year's thread and quite a few people heard back in early February, so maybe expect a response around late Jan/early Feb? Although ofc it might not be the same timeframe this year

 

[jacksollaf]

I think they get around 1000 applications a year when i spoke to Grad Rec

Oh alright, thank you! They send out about 100 invites they said on their website, so I suppose that isn't actually that bad, 10% chance I guess (I'll be replying to this if I get the PFO 😂 😂 )

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Is this after you emailed or was this a general email to everyone?

I emailed them

 

[jacksollaf]

would it be a good idea to email W&C and ask them about the status of my application? I haven't heard back yet, even though I applied quite early (13th of October)

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I completely agree with what @jta227 and @Jessica Booker said. I only have two things to add. Firstly, I think it would be beneficial to do some extra research on the firm, which will allow you to naturally discover questions you might have an interest in asking. I would specifically target my research around the firm's unique selling points which I would consider using in a VS/TC application. This is both because I would have an actual interest in learning more about those aspects of the firm (so, I could make a good impression without looking like I am trying too hard) and because getting more information on those points is what would enable me to write a better VS/TC application. To give an example, when I recently attended an insight event at Davis Polk, someone asked about the firm's plans for its London corporate practice, as the firm had recently invested in a number of top lateral hires. This shows off the attendee's research but is also a genuine query that has a bearing on their decision making if they have an interest in doing a certain type of corporate work. Furthermore, the response someone from someone at the the firm can often be more nuanced and insightful view than can be found in the legal press, and will thus enable the attendee to write a more impressive application.

Secondly, if you have the opportunity, I think it is a good idea to go and say hi to the graduate recruitment team. As the other members said, definitely avoid going looking like you just want to impress. Instead, if your attitude and intention is just to try to get to know some people at the firm and learn about their experiences, I cannot see how this could negatively impact you. Quite the opposite - if the graduate recruitment team sees you as nice and sociable, the kind of person they might enjoy chatting with over a coffee, they might remember you when they are reading your application or reviewing a VI. This will not have a decisive influence on the ultimate outcome, but in a game of such small margins everything helps.

thank you so, so much! Incredibly helpful and definitely something I will keep in mind

 

[Miss Chocolate]

was the online test automatic? I applied on the 5th of November and still haven't received anything besides a confirmation email, no test nor VI; safe to assume PFO then I guess?

it wasn't automatic, I don't believe so. I don't know whether they send them out in batches so sorry not very helpful

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I got my VI mid December and submitted 18th. Some AC's were given just before Christmas, believe the next batch of AC's are due to be sent within next 10 days or so

oooh how long did you wait to get the VI invitation after the online test? thanks!!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

would it be a good idea to email W&C and ask them about the status of my application? I haven't heard back yet, even though I applied quite early (13th of October)

Tbh that’s what I did yesterday cos I applied in sept