TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

My ropes and gray answer is 325 words... do I need to pump those numbers up to reach closer to 500?😭😭

Hiya @jojo23

Just to add to what everyone's said (and also congrats on getting that word count up), I wanted to echo the great comments by @Amma Usman here to anyone still working on the Ropes application! With Ropes' question, it’s important not just to identify the traits you’re discussing but also to clarify what you mean by them (whether it’s adaptability, commercial mindset, or another key characteristic). Beyond that, you’ll also want to directly tie each trait back to how it enables lawyers to drive growth. That could be through explaining how each trait allows the firm to do such things as expand its client base, stay ahead of emerging client needs, innovating in legal services, or another way of creating value.

It’s definitely tricky to cover all of this in just 325 words, so well done on expanding here. For anyone else still working on the application, I think it’s totally doable before midnight. I’m sure with a little more refining, you’ll all be in great shape. Best of luck, and hope it goes really well! 😊

 

[James Wakefield]

How long after completing Cooley WG do you hear back? Same q for Akin Gump (completed their tests a while ago but yet to hear back)

I’m still waiting for Cooley too but saw @Ram Sabaratnam say the turnaround is normally quick. So hoping we’ll hear back today/early next week.

 

[elsx]

So should I focus on teams just in one sector or take a more open-minded approach and say, well, if I get the TC in health, I would like to do idk regulatory work. If business services, corporate. And so on? I mean I am assuming you don't get to choose your sector?

Isn't there somewhere on the applciation where you mention the sector? I don't remeber as I applied sometime ago

 

[Cara888]

Anyone heard back for Arnold Porter? And with Cooley were the PFOs post WG?

Someone from GR told me that Cooley would inform us before the 6th post WG if we’re successful.

 

[Mug Fan]

Hi, is there anybody here who aces amberjack assessments willing to have a chat with me about it? I bomb the SJT every single time and can't figure out why

Is this the SJT that has a mix of VI, numerical, verbal as well? If so I did Reed Smith one and it was a b*tch (sorry). I’ve only noticed it be called amberjack the last few days though.

I also got PFO’d after it so not sure how useful my input would be!

 

[simplyfaith]

This is totally unrelated to your post but can I just say as a proud cat owner, I am in LOVE with your profile pic and of course the only person with any relevance and importance living at 10 Downing Street is Larry the Cat!!! 💜

I'm glad you love it 🤣 given the state of politics, I've decided to go full absurdist and endorse only representative we can truly trust 🙏

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

As a firm, we operate across a number of sectors and specialisms, and offer sector-specific training contracts in each of our business services, health and marine groups.

Which of our teams would you be most interested in completing a seat in and why?

Hiya @Miss Chocolate


Yes, you're right! Hill Dickinson’s training contracts are divided into three distinct streams: business services, healthcare, and marine. This basically means that trainees choose a stream when applying and will complete their four seats within that area. So, if you apply for a health sector training contract, your seats will be focused on healthcare-related work, including seats such as clinical negligence, public law, or inquests rather than marine work. Similarly, those in the marine stream will work in areas like shipping litigation and yacht transactions, while the business stream typically covers covers corporate, real estate, and commercial litigation. Having spoken to the firm at a law fair a few cycles ago, they think this structure allows for more specialised training, helping trainees develop expertise in their chosen sector.

If you’re particularly interested in a cross-sector experience, this structure may not be ideal, but if you’re keen to develop deep expertise in a specific area, it can be a great fit. Hope that helps, and best of luck with your application! 😊

 

[hopefulforatc]

I think Paul, Weiss SJt is not automatic. It’s like CMS WG a lot of people get it.

 

[ashwright]

and linklaters STILL hasn't gotten back to us 😭

 

[Chris Brown]

and linklaters STILL hasn't gotten back to us 😭

Meanwhile Linklaters rejected me for an open day I did not even apply for… strange… 😂

 

[BillSikes]

I got a PFO a few days ago so this might be good news for you!

Thanks for letting me know this. When did you apply?

 

[elsx]

Anyone heard back for Arnold Porter? And with Cooley were the PFOs post WG?

Someone from GR told me that Cooley would inform us before the 6th post WG if we’re successful.

I haven't heard anything from Arnold Porter

 

[missTCLA]

Hi all, I would be grateful to anyone who can PM me any tips for white and case video interview (vacation scheme).

 

[Miss Chocolate]

K

Hiya @Miss Chocolate


Yes, you're right! Hill Dickinson’s training contracts are divided into three distinct streams: business services, healthcare, and marine. This basically means that trainees choose a stream when applying and will complete their four seats within that area. So, if you apply for a health sector training contract, your seats will be focused on healthcare-related work, including seats such as clinical negligence, public law, or inquests rather than marine work. Similarly, those in the marine stream will work in areas like shipping litigation and yacht transactions, while the business stream typically covers covers corporate, real estate, and commercial litigation. Having spoken to the firm at a law fair a few cycles ago, they think this structure allows for more specialised training, helping trainees develop expertise in their chosen sector.

If you’re particularly interested in a cross-sector experience, this structure may not be ideal, but if you’re keen to develop deep expertise in a specific area, it can be a great fit. Hope that helps, and best of luck with your application! 😊

You are amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that, it's really appreciated. I am for sure interested in cross-sector expertise and personally I find that the firm's way of training may not be right for me. Now I can't decided whether I should apply for the sake of applying or just focus on other firms. I feel desperate enough to send off an app anyway as I have loads of healthcare-related experience so would be able to sell myself 😭😭

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

K

You are amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain that, it's really appreciated. I am for sure interested in cross-sector expertise and personally I find that the firm's way of training may not be right for me. Now I can't decided whether I should apply for the sake of applying or just focus on other firms. I feel desperate enough to send off an app anyway as I have loads of healthcare-related experience so would be able to sell myself 😭😭

Hiya @Miss Chocolate

It might still be worth applying for their business services stream, given the quite wide range of seats that stream allows for. Based on looking at their website, the business services stream actually has the following seats available:

Banking
Commercial Dispute Resolution
Commercial, TMT & IP
Construction
Corporate
Education & Ecclesiastical
Employment
Family
Pensions
Private Client
Real Estate
Real Estate Finance
Real Estate Litigation
Regulatory
Restructuring
Tax and Financial Services

This could make for a quite varied training contract in terms of the sectors/industries to which you'll gain exposure. So I'd still highly recommend that you apply. Just ensure that you discuss the business services stream in a way that's compelling and speaks to your own personal motivation.

Good luck! You'll be great!

 

[EA95]

and linklaters STILL hasn't gotten back to us 😭

It’s crazy because I’m waiting for their response to my application before I can decide on whether I apply for a spring VS scheme for another firm or their summer one.

 

[EA95]

Yeah I imagine a lot of people will get it purely because a lot of people may have applied.

If Paul, Weiss received around 2,000 applications, they may have selected 50% of people to get the test which is 1,000 people. 🙂

I don’t think it’s automatic otherwise we all would have received it after submitting our applications! 🥲

I wonder how they will get the numbers down though, given they are only taking on up to 10 trainees.

Do you think they may up their intake for the vacation scheme (not TC) ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone,

I can imagine this gets asked every year but I am wondering if anyone has any tips on finding accommodation in London for a spring vac scheme. I am not from London myself and all of the advice I have seen on the forum on the matter is usually relevant for the summer when student residences offer short-term accommodation for the summer only.

Speak to the firm and see if they have any recommendations first of all. It maybe that they have given advice on this to other vacation scheme students.

Typically, I find one of the cheapest options, especially for a short 1-2 week scheme is budget hotels like Travelodge/Premier Inn/Ibis/EasyHotels, especially if you look at places just outside of central London but on major train routes. Hotels (particularly Travelodges) near easily commutable stations like Clapham Junction, Walthamstow, Brent Cross, Finchley, Croydon, and City Airport tend to be cheaper (e.g. £40-80 per night) depending on dates. I understand it may still be a drain on finances to cover something like this, but this is why speaking to the firm might be worthwhile as they may provide additional support for those who don't live locally or who can't commute.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

So it’s looking unlikely that I will get a vac scheme this year 🙃 Is it worth applying to a few direct TCs? I’m career changer and plan on starting the gdl in the fall. It would be ideal to have an offer before then but I’m just wondering how realistic that is? I graduated from architecture and have worked in practice for about 1.5 years, but it seems like most people who get a direct TC worked as paralegals beforehand.

Working full time and going through the application process has been torturous. I don’t want to put myself through it again unless there’s some hope.

Hiya @papaya

Having been in a very similar position, I completely sympathise. I'm sure @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu would have more time say here, but wanted to chime in before.
First off, yes, I think’s absolutely worth applying for direct training contracts! These routes often receive fewer applications, which can work in your favour. That being said, it’s worth taking a close look at your past applications to identify areas for improvement, whether in writing applications, interviews, or commercial awareness. This is because direct training contract routes can sometimes be more stringent in their assessment of these skills.

As I previously mentioned, while many of the people I've known have secure direct training contracts have had paralegal experience, I’ve met several trainees at large firms who did so without a vacation scheme. I’d highly recommend looking into legal work experience, business services, or compliance roles to strengthen your application. When I was applying, I had some project management experience that involved working with legal clinics, charities, and City firms on pro bono initiatives, which helped demonstrate relevant skills. Your architecture background could also be a real asset, especially at firms with strong real estate practices. I think it’s definitely worth highlighting how your skills/experiences could be transferrable to a career in law.

Working full-time while applying is incredibly tough, and I completely understand not wanting to go through it again unless it feels worthwhile. But given your experience and skills, I do think applying is still a live option. Wishing you the best of luck, and feel free to ask if you need any help on direct training contract applications! 😊

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi everyone,

I can imagine this gets asked every year but I am wondering if anyone has any tips on finding accommodation in London for a spring vac scheme. I am not from London myself and all of the advice I have seen on the forum on the matter is usually relevant for the summer when student residences offer short-term accommodation for the summer only.

If you meet the firm’s social mobility criteria they might offer financial support with accommodation, especially because you live outside of London. 🙂

Some firms offer this as standard (e.g., SH, Macfarlanes and Paul, Weiss) but for others you would need to send an email to grad rec. 🙂

Firms also generally reimburse travel expenses so if you do pick a place outside of London and commute in, I’m sure they would help cover the costs associated with it.​