TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[marisachr]

Hi guys!

I'm just looking to double check something. I've been invited to Kennedys AC. They state that they have a strengths-based interview. Does that mean there will be NO motivational/commercial questions or that it will be mostly strengths-based but still have "why Kennedys", "why you" etc.

Could anyone that has completed the Kennedys AC in the past please reach out to me I have so many questions 😭 their AC seems so confusing

Hi, I'm also invited for the Kennedys AC! Is your AC for the Direct TC or one of their SQE programmes?

Re your question - most of the trainees I spoke to told me that their interview was fairly straightforward, no trick questions and focused on strength based and some competency questions e.g. tell us about a time you handled conflicting deadlines

 

[sibs23]

Hi guys!

I'm just looking to double check something. I've been invited to Kennedys AC. They state that they have a strengths-based interview. Does that mean there will be NO motivational/commercial questions or that it will be mostly strengths-based but still have "why Kennedys", "why you" etc.

Could anyone that has completed the Kennedys AC in the past please reach out to me I have so many questions 😭 their AC seems so confusing

Also invited to their AC and glad I’m not the only one feeling confused. I’ve done some general prep but still feeling underprepared as I have very little clue as to what to expect 😩

 

[zoobla20]

Haven’t heard back post VI for Mishcon - should I assume PFO?

i haven't either - i've seen they've invited some people for ACs so i'm not holding out much hope (but i guess we never know!)

 

[cwhite233]

hey guys
does anyone know what the V&E VI is like this year? can you see the questions and re record like last year?

I have the same question! Would really like to know if you have the option to re-record answers as this seems to have been the case in previous years!

 

[SSR27]

Congrats! Just curious, was this for the summer scheme? How close to the deadline did you apply, if so?

Thank you!! I think I applied on the deadline if not a day before. Yes it was summer vac

 

[coolpanda]

how did everyone find the Paul Weiss amberjack exam? any advice?

 

[Mace2121]

Hi everyone,

For the Covington AC, the email from the firm states that the assessment will consist of a competency interview and a case study exercise. Does anyone know whether the case study will require a written response (like a written exercise) or if it will be discussed in an interview format (like a case study interview)?

It would be much appreciated if anyone has any recommendations of where I can practice case study exercises.

@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman any insight would be much appreciated

 

[AlegalA]

Also invited to their AC and glad I’m not the only one feeling confused. I’ve done some general prep but still feeling underprepared as I have very little clue as to what to expect 😩

no me too, and I also don't like the fact the interviews are two WHOLE weeks after the AC it just feels so long 😭😭

 

[allenpopi]

Thank you! Out of curiosity have you done the LPC?
They have a separate intake for LPC students, so thinking to apply to that instead?

No i haven't!

 

[marisachr]

no me too, and I also don't like the fact the interviews are two WHOLE weeks after the AC it just feels so long 😭😭

OMG! My interview with them is on the same day of the AC!

 

[Moo&mak]

Has anyone done Pinsent Masons AC before?

Please if you have can you provide any guide or pm me please 🙏

 

[BillSikes]

Has anyone done Pinsent Masons AC before?

Please if you have can you provide any guide or pm me please 🙏

What office - and when did you apply?

 

[sibs23]

no me too, and I also don't like the fact the interviews are two WHOLE weeks after the AC it just feels so long 😭😭

Mine is less than one week after. I think it just depends on interviewer availability. 2 weeks after seems long - I feel for you!

Do you have any idea whether to expect a group exercise for the AC? I’ve heard mixed things

 

[Moo&mak]

What office - and when did you apply?

London. In December

 

[AlegalA]

Mine is less than one week after. I think it just depends on interviewer availability. 2 weeks after seems long - I feel for you!

Do you have any idea whether to expect a group exercise for the AC? I’ve heard mixed things

I didn't think it was a group exercise tbh, I thought it was three mini written exercises? they say we're "asked to complete a written task and a video question" for all three

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

10 rejections, 10 applications remaining. Praying that just one pulls through. Anyone heard from MDR for summer?

 

[thelawstudent]

hey, anyone have NRF grad rec interview insights? first time getting this far so would really appreciate any insights and help on pm tysm guys

 

[jacksollaf]

After a tough cycle: Hope, Light at the end of the tunnel, Silver lining. When everyone says you only need one, it truly is 100% true !!!

My favourite update so far:

HFW ✅✅✅ (AC on last Tuesday, received a call yesterday CONFIRMING MY ACCEPTANCE FOR THEIR SUMMER VACATION SCHEME!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳) They said that they'll reply within two weeks, and I got my offer two days after! HOWEVER, graduate recruitment told me that I was the first offer, so please do not be discouraged, she told me there are a lot of offers coming up as they still haven't done the rest of their ACs, so do not think me getting it should discourage you, there are still a bunch of other places and they hold three vacation schemes, so you got this!!

Gibson Dunn (VI was last week, awaiting 2 weeks for outcome)

Baker McKenzie ❌
Allen & Shearman | ❌
Goodwin
Pinsent Masons |❌
Mayer Brown |❌
Skadden ❌
Morrison Foerster
Slaughter & May | ❌
Jones Day | ❌
Cooley ❌
Linklaters
Willkie Farr & Gallagher | ❌
Latham & Watkins
Forsters LLP ❌
TLT
Dechert LLP ❌
Orrick
BCLP
Paynes Hicks Beach
Eversheds ❌
Clyde & Co
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Kirkland
Covington LLP
White & Case ❌
Macfarlanes ❌
UN Legal Affairs Intern
Clifford Chance Dubai | ❌
Weil | ❌
Katten
Charles Russel Speechlys
King & Spalding (TC)
Quinn Emmanuel (Paris) ❌
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP ❌
Legal intern at random company in Scotland ❌ (ghosted so probably not)
Deloitte ❌
Vison & Elkins
Morgan Lewis
Walker Morris ❌
CMS
Hogan Lovells
Osborne Clarke
Davis Polk
RPC
Ropes & Gray
Paul Weiss
Squire Patton Boggs
Mills & Reeve
Simmons & Simmons
Norton Rose Fulbright
Withers (TC)
Joelson
Capsticks LLP | ❌
Gowling WLG ❌
Gide Loyrette Nouel London ❌ (ghosted)
DAC Beachcroft (TC)
Howes Spercival
PwC |❌
Cleary Gottlieb | ❌
Reed Smith | ❌
Farrer & Co
Shoosmiths
Freshfields ❌
Debevoise & Plimpton
Greenberg Traurig (TC)
Lockton ❌
Watson Farley & Williams ❌
HSF ❌

 

[BobThebIlly]

After a tough cycle: Hope, Light at the end of the tunnel, Silver lining. When everyone says you only need one, it truly is 100% true !!!

My favourite update so far:

HFW ✅✅✅ (AC on last Tuesday, received a call yesterday CONFIRMING MY ACCEPTANCE FOR THEIR SUMMER VACATION SCHEME!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳) They said that they'll reply within two weeks, and I got my offer two days after! HOWEVER, graduate recruitment told me that I was the first offer, so please do not be discouraged, she told me there are a lot of offers coming up as they still haven't done the rest of their ACs, so do not think me getting it should discourage you, there are still a bunch of other places and they hold three vacation schemes, so you got this!!

Gibson Dunn (VI was last week, awaiting 2 weeks for outcome)

Baker McKenzie ❌
Allen & Shearman | ❌
Goodwin
Pinsent Masons |❌
Mayer Brown |❌
Skadden ❌
Morrison Foerster
Slaughter & May | ❌
Jones Day | ❌
Cooley ❌
Linklaters
Willkie Farr & Gallagher | ❌
Latham & Watkins
Forsters LLP ❌
TLT
Dechert LLP ❌
Orrick
BCLP
Paynes Hicks Beach
Eversheds ❌
Clyde & Co
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Kirkland
Covington LLP
White & Case ❌
Macfarlanes ❌
UN Legal Affairs Intern
Clifford Chance Dubai | ❌
Weil | ❌
Katten
Charles Russel Speechlys
King & Spalding (TC)
Quinn Emmanuel (Paris) ❌
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP ❌
Legal intern at random company in Scotland ❌ (ghosted so probably not)
Deloitte ❌
Vison & Elkins
Morgan Lewis
Walker Morris ❌
CMS
Hogan Lovells
Osborne Clarke
Davis Polk
RPC
Ropes & Gray
Paul Weiss
Squire Patton Boggs
Mills & Reeve
Simmons & Simmons
Norton Rose Fulbright
Withers (TC)
Joelson
Capsticks LLP | ❌
Gowling WLG ❌
Gide Loyrette Nouel London ❌ (ghosted)
DAC Beachcroft (TC)
Howes Spercival
PwC |❌
Cleary Gottlieb | ❌
Reed Smith | ❌
Farrer & Co
Shoosmiths
Freshfields ❌
Debevoise & Plimpton
Greenberg Traurig (TC)
Lockton ❌
Watson Farley & Williams ❌
HSF ❌

Huge congratulations!!! I wish you the best on their scheme and I pray I receive at least one VS this cycle too haha.

 

[Chris Brown]

After a tough cycle: Hope, Light at the end of the tunnel, Silver lining. When everyone says you only need one, it truly is 100% true !!!

My favourite update so far:

HFW ✅✅✅ (AC on last Tuesday, received a call yesterday CONFIRMING MY ACCEPTANCE FOR THEIR SUMMER VACATION SCHEME!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳) They said that they'll reply within two weeks, and I got my offer two days after! HOWEVER, graduate recruitment told me that I was the first offer, so please do not be discouraged, she told me there are a lot of offers coming up as they still haven't done the rest of their ACs, so do not think me getting it should discourage you, there are still a bunch of other places and they hold three vacation schemes, so you got this!!

Gibson Dunn (VI was last week, awaiting 2 weeks for outcome)

Baker McKenzie ❌
Allen & Shearman | ❌
Goodwin
Pinsent Masons |❌
Mayer Brown |❌
Skadden ❌
Morrison Foerster
Slaughter & May | ❌
Jones Day | ❌
Cooley ❌
Linklaters
Willkie Farr & Gallagher | ❌
Latham & Watkins
Forsters LLP ❌
TLT
Dechert LLP ❌
Orrick
BCLP
Paynes Hicks Beach
Eversheds ❌
Clyde & Co
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Kirkland
Covington LLP
White & Case ❌
Macfarlanes ❌
UN Legal Affairs Intern
Clifford Chance Dubai | ❌
Weil | ❌
Katten
Charles Russel Speechlys
King & Spalding (TC)
Quinn Emmanuel (Paris) ❌
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP ❌
Legal intern at random company in Scotland ❌ (ghosted so probably not)
Deloitte ❌
Vison & Elkins
Morgan Lewis
Walker Morris ❌
CMS
Hogan Lovells
Osborne Clarke
Davis Polk
RPC
Ropes & Gray
Paul Weiss
Squire Patton Boggs
Mills & Reeve
Simmons & Simmons
Norton Rose Fulbright
Withers (TC)
Joelson
Capsticks LLP | ❌
Gowling WLG ❌
Gide Loyrette Nouel London ❌ (ghosted)
DAC Beachcroft (TC)
Howes Spercival
PwC |❌
Cleary Gottlieb | ❌
Reed Smith | ❌
Farrer & Co
Shoosmiths
Freshfields ❌
Debevoise & Plimpton
Greenberg Traurig (TC)
Lockton ❌
Watson Farley & Williams ❌
HSF ❌

Congrats on getting a VS with HFW! 🥳

Just out of curiosity, how were you able to send almost 70 applications in a time span of 3-4 months! Absolute machine! 😯

I’ve only managed 14 and planning on applying for one more: Stephenson Harwood. 💀