TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Lizzie_Sullivan]

I heard back from a Scottish firm that I applied for that said my application scored well, but fell very narrowly below the threshold for the first selection of the AC- but said that they will hold my application on reserve in case any slots should become available.

Has this happened to anyone else? If so how like do you think a spot opens up for the AC? I am really keen on this firm and I'm trying not to get my hopes up too high!

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know when we the virtual ACs for Paul, Weiss will be held? Or even know when we’ll hear back following the test?

It depends on how many people have taken the test and when they took it. Majority of us heard back last Thurs and Fri and have until at least tomorrow or Wednesday to complete the test. 🙂🙂

The deadline was the 19th and we all heard back by the 31st. Assuming Paul, Weiss take around the same time post test, we could expect to hear back by mid Feb.

I imagine virtual AC’s will be from 14-28th Feb because the Spring AC starts 31st March so it needs to be done at least a few weeks before. 🙂🙂

Best of luck for Paul, Weiss!!

 

[Careergal]

NRF VI this morning; anyone has tips?

Would love to know if anyone does have any tips too!

 

[jacksollaf]

For Paul Weiss' assessment feedback; does anyone know how it works? I got 4, 6, 7, 4 with high applied verbal intellect and medium applied numerical intellect... Is this strong enough to at least pass the benchmark, cuz I see it as terrible

 

[James Wakefield]

For Paul Weiss' assessment feedback; does anyone know how it works? I got 4, 6, 7, 4 with high applied verbal intellect and medium applied numerical intellect... Is this strong enough to at least pass the benchmark, cuz I see it as terrible

I got the exact same scores for Reed Smith and got a PFO. But they took ages to get back to me so could have been on a ‘maybe’ pile. You do see much lower scores too on here.

 

[ACivilLawyer]

It's not like bad. I mean even if you answer all the scenarios correctly or get most of them correct you could still score low on those 4 pillars based on your choices even if they are the correct ones and your efficiency while answering. I know these don't make sense at all but it is what it is and also basing this on our speed and efficiency is quite non-sensical in my opinion because we have to watch the instructions video and get ads every now and then while answering which yes we can skip but it takes a bit time to do so and there are numerical reasoning which itself takes a lot more time and trust me they are no primary school or secondary school type maths not even trainee level maths, those are like proper associate level figures (atleast that's what I felt like), not particularly very difficult but a lot time consuming and needs proper attention. But just take the test with a positive mind and hope for the best.

Wait, are we being assessed on how fast we complete the SJT? I thought it was untimed 🥲

 

[Tattyasha]

any1 who has done or is doing the OC virtual AC, how are you preparing?

Badly 🙈

 

[xxrr.18]

does anyone have any insight on how to approach the BCLP TC questions? they're a bit odd

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (Freshfields rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Morgan Lewis ✅
Paul Hastings* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell.

 

[LawJ]

I got the exact same scores for Reed Smith and got a PFO. But they took ages to get back to me so could have been on a ‘maybe’ pile. You do see much lower scores too on here.

I got the exact same for SH and was successful so I guess it really does depend on the firm!

 

[MaryAra299]

Has anyone heard from Debevoise & Plimpton yet post app for the open day?

 

[jacksollaf]

Has anyone heard from Debevoise & Plimpton yet post app for the open day?

not yet, but I'm impatiently waiting because it's my among my top 3 of what I have left (Gibson, K&S and Debevoise)

 

[Amma Usman]

This may have been asked already but... I have an in-person AC interview coming up and I believe that there will be (at a minimum) two fee-earners interviewing me. When one of them asks me a question, and I have to respond, should I look at both interviewers back-and-forth when responding? Or should I only focus on the person that’s asked me?

Alternatively, does it depend on the question/who is writing notes on my answers lol💀

@Jessica Booker @Amma Usman

Hey,

This is a really valid question.

When I was interviewing, I would look at both interviewers regardless of who asked the question. This is because it’s like any conversation… even like the ones you have with friends. Subconsciously, you look at every one of your friends in convos to engage all of them on what you’re saying. Good eye contact is a keeper of many conversations. If you don’t look at one person in a group of people, they will not be completely engaged in what you have to say. That said, you should still have main eye contact with the person who actually asked the question. This is a difficult balance to strike, which I appreciate. However, do make it natural and you’ll be fine!

 

[MaryAra299]

Also what is the benchmark for passing PW amberjack does anyone know? How can we calculate the overall percentage that we scored including verbal and numeric reasoning?

 

[Chris Brown]

Also what is the benchmark for passing PW amberjack does anyone know? How can we calculate the overall percentage that we scored including verbal and numeric reasoning?

I don’t think anyone will know what the SJT benchmark is because we are all doing the test for the first time. I imagine Paul, Weiss don’t even have a fixed benchmark determined yet. I hope it isn’t too high though. 🥲🥲

If each pillar is scored out of 9 and there is 4 pillars, the total is out it 36. If you add up the scores and it exceeds 18 that would be 50%. I guess that’s one way to figure out the score. 🙂🙂

Not sure how it works when adding the numerical and verbal reasoning scores. I guess we just have to hope for the best! 🥲🥲

 

[vr36]

Has anyone heard or emailed Weil to ask for an update?

 

[bb123]

When did you apply?

05/09/24

 

[Alessio1642]

Has anyone heard or emailed Weil to ask for an update?

Haha Freshfields rejection today I am PRAYING for some good news from Weil!

 

[ren1110]

Wait, are we being assessed on how fast we complete the SJT? I thought it was untimed 🥲

me too! Is it timed?

 

[legallycurly]

Honestly does anyone know when Linklaters will respond re AC?

Was this for the summer scheme or spring?