TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Aleila]

Akin AC
Goodwin VI
Weil VI
W&C VI
Dechert Written Task
Willkie Written Task
Linklaters
HSF VS
Reed smith AC
Macfarlanes AC
Addleshaw Goddard AC

12 applications, 5 ACs, 1 rejection

Successful with HSF and got an offer

Waiting for Weil, Linklaters, W&C and Goodwin.
Weil said 2 weeks but nothing yet. I saw a summer VS for Linklaters today, was that the fast track individuals.

is your VS summer or spring for HSF?

 

[EA95]

Ahhh I bombed this PW SJT. Definitely a PFO 😡😢

 

[Chris Brown]

Ahhh I bombed this PW SJT. Definitely a PFO 😡😢

Does it tell you your scores after you finish it? 🥲

I’m sure it’ll be fine because I don’t think they will have a pre-determined benchmark since we are the first ones to take it. 🙂

I’m probably going to do mine tomorrow I’m too nervous lmao. 🤣

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Ahhh I bombed this PW SJT. Definitely a PFO 😡😢

Is it that bad? I keep putting it off haha

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

if I got the Paul, Weiss test on Thursday and it says I must complete it within 5 days does that mean I have until the end of Tuesday to do it? Or it needs to be done by the beginning of Tuesday?

 

[Chris Brown]

if I got the Paul, Weiss test on Thursday and it says I must complete it within 5 days does that mean I have until the end of Tuesday to do it? Or it needs to be done by the beginning of Tuesday?

I imagine it would be 5 days from the time the email was sent.

To be safe, I would do the test by Tuesday morning just in case. 🙂

My deadline is also Tuesday. I’m planning on doing it by Monday evening. 🙂

 

[EA95]

Does it tell you your scores after you finish it? 🥲

I’m sure it’ll be fine because I don’t think they will have a pre-determined benchmark since we are the first ones to take it. 🙂

I’m probably going to do mine tomorrow I’m too nervous lmao. 🤣

It shows you a graph on 4 qualities it assesses, and mine didn’t look great.

 

[EA95]

Is it that bad? I keep putting it off haha

Honestly, the test was challenging for me tbh ( I don’t really like SJT, much rather prefer WGT).

 

[Cool pigeon]

Does anyone know when Skadden interviews finish? Whens was the last date available to book?

 

[RANDOTRON]

To that I will just add that apparently clients (and particularly large corporates/financial institutions) are very conservative when it comes to legal services. A number of lawyers told me some are quite reluctant to allow the use of new legal tech on their matters. Although it would come with a potential discount, as automatization and increased efficiency will mean a lower number of billables, it seems in many cases they are reticent to accept any level of AI-related legal risk. As such, firms can find themselves in the difficult position of wanting to innovate and use AI but also needing to keep clients happy and untroubled by it.

Agreed, and a large part of this is that AI is a relatively "new" thing in law with the potential to disrupt the status quo on how things are typically done, so naturally this attracts a dose of skepticism and conservatism. Many different factors for this with some relating to confidentiality (which is why firms have a procurement process), some to a lack of understanding and some to the immaturity of the product. How receptive a client is to AI also does in large part link with that client's own corporate culture and risk appetite.

 

[RANDOTRON]

What are the different types of written exercises you can get at AC? I've seen letters, memos and reports. Are there any others I should prepare for?

I'd think less than about the types of exercise, and more about the skills that written exercises are designed to test you on - most skills tested are more or less overlapping.

 

[unknownnn7372]

Does anyone know when Skadden interviews finish? Whens was the last date available to book?

i think 3rd of Feb was the last date if i’m not wrong

 

[g.cl.2020344]

does any1 know how to improve your scores for deductive reasoning tests?- the ones where they will ask you to schedule meetings etc

 

[member7830]

anyone who's done the Mayer Brown AC - was there a general/ competency style interview as well, or just the tasks that they've mentioned?

 

[yeezyee]

any tips for the mischon ac? i’m petrified

 

[Cool pigeon]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

100% - Most of my successful applications this year have been firms where I didn't attend their open days.

 

[rapunzel]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Hey, I've applied to many firms without attending in-person events and have been offered ACs. There are many ways to show your interest in a firm like through attending online events, completing forage work experiences or even trying to link your work experience or insight events in a practice they are well known for from another firm!

 

[rapunzel]

What are typical adjustments made to online teams interviews?

 

[Newport@2008]

For anyone who has done the Paul, Weiss test, are the verbal reasoning questions similar to a WGT?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it worth applying to firms if I haven't attended an open day or one of their virtual events? (My interest in the firm would only be shown through my online research and also perhaps speaking to one of the firm's solicitors)

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Definitely - you don't always have to attended an open day or careers event with the firm.