TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[BBsharkk]

@Jessica Booker May I ask which written exercise is suited for Wilkie?

 

[futuretrainee!]

Posting this again as I think it got lost...
Also, if anyone from the aspiring solicitors group has any insights or connections willing to share I'd be grateful and if I secure anything I promise to pass it on! <3

Hi @Andrei Radu , @Amma Usman @Jaysen
Hope you're well.
Could please provide some insights into Macfarlanes AC? Especially for those who haven't been on ACs before.
More specifically, for group exercise, written exercise, business case study, competency interview, how to best prepare and practice? Thank you so much.

Negotiation - fairly easy, the key is to come to an outcome. The funniest thing is it is often the most insignificant agenda item that can prolong the exercise. For example, if I remember correctly, as a part of a director's compensation the opposing team wanted a Ferrari but we were prepared to go as far as a Toyota. It was kinda funny with the grad rec giggling along but remember to share your thoughts, take space in the process and more importantly, if members of your team are hesitant, invite them to share their opinions!

Written exercise - the biggest mistake I made was not showing my working. There was a significant math element (very basic don't worry although note that no calculators are allowed) and I tend to just do them in my head and my answers were basically numbers with no explanations of how I got there. The grad team would likely want to see how you got to your answers so no matter how easy the calculations are, make sure you write it ALL down so you can take the grad rec through your thinking process. Timing is KEY - it is more important to address 5-6 issues in depth rather than 10+ superficially. I would also ask for a highlighter so you can get through the material quickly.

Interview - like the written exercise, you are given a piece of news or contract (I was given the latter) and this is where I totally bombed it as I kept answering questions based on memory instead of looking at the damn paper. Also, the partner interviewing me asked some really challenging questions which I think can be overcome if you interpret the document to Mac's clients and the commercial environment. I am afraid I can't remember the exact type of questions asked but they were rather technical from a commercial sense - like if an employee is made redundant based on the contractual nuances I was given, what sort of role would Mac play, etc. The motivational questions went super well so make sure to know what you wrote on your application but do not regurgitate the same reasons for why Mac etc.

In general - You will also have the opportunity to have lunch with trainees one-on-one so remember to ask questions, about their trainee journey (a lot of them happen to be paralegals at the firm who were eventually brought on as trainees) and as hard as it may be, have fun! If you practice enough of the case studies, it can be really exciting to tackle the assessment case studies with the adrenaline going. Also, grad rec gives off very no-bullshit vibes so don't try and be overly friendly and act interested in them because they honestly couldn't care less but are genuinely interested in you as a talent. It is a very VERY academic firm so I would focus on reading their blogs and articles prior to the assessment which is also likely to help you in the partner interview because there are some really intelligent people interviewing you!

Really hope this helps, best of luck and I am sure you'll smash it!

 

[Careergal]

Ashurst written AC invite 🥳

Hi, congratulations! I was just wondering when did they email you and how long are they giving you before the AC in terms of notice?

 

[zoobla20]

Does anyone know if RPC's WG is automatic? Haven't heard anything since I submitted early this month

It is not no. I was rejected post app last year.

Thanks for letting me know! I'm assuming a PFO then as I applied on 6th Jan and people who also applied around then seemed to have heard back.

 

[zoobla20]

Unsure if it's automatic, I submitted 6th January, got WG on 9th and then an email saying they're in the process of reviewing all apps on 13th

thanks for letting me know - i applied the same day so i'm assuming it might be a PFO.

 

[Careergal]

Ashurst written AC invite 🥳

Hi, congratulations!! I was just wondering when they emailed you and how long they are giving you (notice wise) before the AC?

 

[Careergal]

HL SVS Offer!! Been rejected by the firm 3 times so this feels incredible!

Congratulations, massive achievement!! I was just wondering how long they gave you before the AC once they emailed you (notice wise) & when they emailed you too

 

[Cats688]

Has anyone heard back from Withers post online test?

 

[AlegalA]

Has anyone heard back from Withers post online test?

I did for spring VS!

 

[NCTC2025]

Congratulations, massive achievement!! I was just wondering how long they gave you before the AC once they emailed you (notice wise) & when they emailed you too

thank you! they emailed on 7th Jan - Options was 14 or 16

 

[Anonymousxyz]

If anyone has insights into Skadden AC (the interview part) or Freshfields AC please dm me

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Negotiation - fairly easy, the key is to come to an outcome. The funniest thing is it is often the most insignificant agenda item that can prolong the exercise. For example, if I remember correctly, as a part of a director's compensation the opposing team wanted a Ferrari but we were prepared to go as far as a Toyota. It was kinda funny with the grad rec giggling along but remember to share your thoughts, take space in the process and more importantly, if members of your team are hesitant, invite them to share their opinions!

Written exercise - the biggest mistake I made was not showing my working. There was a significant math element (very basic don't worry although note that no calculators are allowed) and I tend to just do them in my head and my answers were basically numbers with no explanations of how I got there. The grad team would likely want to see how you got to your answers so no matter how easy the calculations are, make sure you write it ALL down so you can take the grad rec through your thinking process. Timing is KEY - it is more important to address 5-6 issues in depth rather than 10+ superficially. I would also ask for a highlighter so you can get through the material quickly.

Interview - like the written exercise, you are given a piece of news or contract (I was given the latter) and this is where I totally bombed it as I kept answering questions based on memory instead of looking at the damn paper. Also, the partner interviewing me asked some really challenging questions which I think can be overcome if you interpret the document to Mac's clients and the commercial environment. I am afraid I can't remember the exact type of questions asked but they were rather technical from a commercial sense - like if an employee is made redundant based on the contractual nuances I was given, what sort of role would Mac play, etc. The motivational questions went super well so make sure to know what you wrote on your application but do not regurgitate the same reasons for why Mac etc.

In general - You will also have the opportunity to have lunch with trainees one-on-one so remember to ask questions, about their trainee journey (a lot of them happen to be paralegals at the firm who were eventually brought on as trainees) and as hard as it may be, have fun! If you practice enough of the case studies, it can be really exciting to tackle the assessment case studies with the adrenaline going. Also, grad rec gives off very no-bullshit vibes so don't try and be overly friendly and act interested in them because they honestly couldn't care less but are genuinely interested in you as a talent. It is a very VERY academic firm so I would focus on reading their blogs and articles prior to the assessment which is also likely to help you in the partner interview because there are some really intelligent people interviewing you!

Really hope this helps, best of luck and I am sure you'll smash it!

You are a Star⭐️Thank you so much! I wasn’t even the one that asked this question but this is super helpful. Thank you!

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Any news for Kirkland & Ellis Summer VS? Not heard anything since VI

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone who applied to freshfields summer vac scheme on the 8/9th received the WG?

 

[NCTC2025]

Does anyone know whether you need to include salutations for Freshfields PS? like thank you, yours sincerely etc at the end?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I did for spring VS!

Congrats! Were u invited to interview?

 

[bella98]

Does anyone have any insights for Penningtons AC? like anything, even just the structure of the interviews/exercise

Thank you so much in advance🤞🏻

 

[shreyachopra1]

Their AC's were 3 days last week and 3 days this week. I've also heard that they will have 3 more ACs in Feb, so still in with a chance...

do you know how much time you have between the invite and the AC for Milbank? how much time did they give you to prepare?

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

do you know how much time you have between the invite and the AC for Milbank? how much time did they give you to prepare?

3 days!!

 

[NJS]

Anyone receive confirmation when applying to Winson & Strawn?