TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[cwhite233]

I have an AC coming up. I was wondering what the best way is to answer a question about a news story that I have read and explain how it relates to the firm.
Also, how do people go about finding a suitable news story?

@Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman Do you have any advice on this?

To be honest I think the best approach here would be to be constantly following what's happening in the economy and macro-economic trends, which can best be connected to practice areas at commercial law firms. If you know what's going on and what's been going on / is relevant, you have a better list of options to choose from. If you haven't been following things as closely as you'd like, it might

After receiving my final rejection for this year’s VS cycle, I've quickly realised that I underestimated just how competitive it really is. I only applied to four firms (all extremely competitive) and assumed that my extensive experience with two of them would be enough to secure an AC invitation. Looking back, I see that this was a naive approach, but this was my first real taste of rejection at this level.

I would really appreciate any advice, especially from @Amma Usman , as your daily commercial updates have been incredibly helpful.

I want to make sure I prepare as effectively as possible for the next VS and TC cycle. Im currently in my penultimate year, so I’ll be entering my final year in September. My key questions are:

1. How should I balance my applications between vacation schemes and direct training contract applications? Ie should I split it between 10 VS applications and 10 TC or is it based on other factors?

2. Where can I find someone who can provide detailed, constructive feedback on my applications? I found that the person I previously relied on did not offer the most helpful insights.

3. How do I strategically select firms to apply to? I am still keen on the MC firms and US firms

4. For those who secured VS or TC offers after rejections in previous cycles, what changes did you make that had the biggest impact?

Any guidance would be massively appreciated!

Regarding question 4 and having reached final stage for VS and direct TCs (and having secured a VS last year at a US firm), I would say there are two big differences between the year I received no offers and did not make it to AC often vs the years I did:

1. Number of applications sent. It is important to maintain quality of applications, but unfortunately it took me talking to a trainee at a firm to realise that I was not doing myself a favour by submitting only around 5 applications a cycle. All you need is one yes, so the more you send out, the more you maximise your chances. This does not mean sending out generic apps but it is a lot easier to get your numbers up once you have done more apps as you can recycle certain wording (e.g. why commercial law) and you have a better idea of what works/vs what doesn't work. I work full time on M&A timelines and have managed to send 15 applications so far this cycle. If I can do it, so can you! Yes it's hard, but once you start getting past app stage more and more, this gives you momentum to keep going and keep pushing.
2. Understanding the business of the law firms I apply to and the business of their clients. This shows in commercial questions at app stage and in interview. Unfortunately one of the main ways I did this was through my job in private equity which I recognise isn't realistic for someone that may still be in their second year of university. What you can do however is reach out to trainees on Linkedin for coffee chats, attend networking events / open evenings and generally stay up to date on the commercial news, which will help you better connect what's happening in the real world with the business of those law firms and their clients. Understanding key concepts behind the work of a lot of City law firms (if that's who you're applying to!) such as private equity, leveraged buyouts and why leverage is used, funds, etc. This will show in interviews if it's authentic and make you stand out a lot vs. other candidates.

I hope this is helpful

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Hopefully man imma be honest that amberjack test was really difficult it took me 90 minutes to get through. I do hope they don’t account for time taken since they said it was designed to not take longer than 60. 😞

The numerical reasoning was really hard also I spent 15 minutes on one question. 😭

I hate Amberjack, my neurodivergent brain does not get along with the most and least effective questions lollllll. The numerical questions were so lengthy lol was sure I’d make a mistake somewhere

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Morgan Lewis TI invite this morning - love this firm so any tips would be appreciated 🙏🏻

Also feel like I’m the only person who still hasn’t heard from Latham?

 

[Tclarocks123]

Latham finally put me out of my misery bright and early this morning. BTW are NRG students applying to firms with an Alevel requirement? If yes, can you share which firms you have progressed with?

 

[simplyfaith]

Hopefully man imma be honest that amberjack test was really difficult it took me 90 minutes to get through. I do hope they don’t account for time taken since they said it was designed to not take longer than 60. 😞

The numerical reasoning was really hard also I spent 15 minutes on one question. 😭

Paul Gascoyne said: "I can confirm that the assessment is not timed. You will simply need to complete it at your own pace within the 5 day timeframe"

Though, the test itself said something along the lines of "this test is not timed, but try to complete it as fast as you can" ??? what if I don't want to lmao

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Just received Freshfields WG invite for TC. The email says your test score, combined with your application, will form the basis of whether you are then invited through to the final AC stage. Does that mean I have 'only' passed the SJT, and that they have not read my application yet, they only will in conjunction with my WG test? Or they have read my form, then invited me to do the WG, and they will look at both again to decide ACs?

They read your application then progress you based on that + SJT then after the WG they read your application again and process people based on the combo of all 3. Ngl their process is a bit baffling because last year there was no SJT and I got invited to WG but then rejected afterwards despite getting 98 percentile on the WG - my application clearly wasn’t good enough but why progress me to WG at all if it wouldn’t be good enough even in combination with what was likely full marks on the WG?

 

[Chris Brown]

I hate Amberjack, my neurodivergent brain does not get along with the most and least effective questions lollllll. The numerical questions were so lengthy lol was sure I’d make a mistake somewhere

Literally how it was for me. My neurodivergent brain did not want to cooperate with me for the test at all. 🥲🥲

I literally drew diagrams with the ✅ and ❌ options to determine which ones seemed most and least effective and just hazarded guesses. 🥲🥲

 

[Tclarocks123]

PW test submitted. Applied on the deadline. High end of numerical and verbal intellect. Scores were 6,4,4,7. Idk what they are looking for really. Hopefully I have it. Good luck everyone still working through the test this week.

 

[manifestingthetc]

Morgan Lewis TI invite this morning - love this firm so any tips would be appreciated 🙏🏻

Also feel like I’m the only person who still hasn’t heard from Latham?

Congrats! when did you apply?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Anyone who has completed an AC with PMC know if they will be holding anymore for the summer scheme?

I’ve heard nothing from them (summer VS). Are they sending out holding emails?

 

[wise readers]

Morgan Lewis TI!! Love this firm (applied day before deadline) - I was wondering if anyone had the list of competencies they look for? Couldn’t find them on the website or brochure so just wanted to check!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Deadline day

Congrats! when did you apply?

 

[baj5]

Anyone heard back from Debevoise yet?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Latham finally put me out of my misery bright and early this morning. BTW are NRG students applying to firms with an Alevel requirement? If yes, can you share which firms you have progressed with?

I’m an NRG student applying to firms with an A Level requirement, but I have really good A Level grades. Over two cycles, I’ve progressed with Forsters, Mishcon and Withers. I’ve received lots of PFOs from other firms too, so A Level grades aren’t everything!

 

[EA95]

Latham PFO just now, Skadden interview in 10 mins

Sorry to hear about the Latham PFO, and good luck with the Skadden interview. Is the PFO for the summer vacation scheme?

 

[lawstudent2]

does anyone know how long macfarlanes gives you to prepare the business case study (for the SVS AC) or just how the format is? do we get to read and then have to present and be questioned or are there just questions to answer and no formal presentation? any rough insight on the formalities of that wld be super helpful thanks as its my first time doing smth like this

 

[EA95]

Any point applying for Stephenson Harwood now?

It’s a very good firm, you should apply.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Morgan Lewis TI!! Love this firm (applied day before deadline) - I was wondering if anyone had the list of competencies they look for? Couldn’t find them on the website or brochure so just wanted to check!

Heya huge congrats! When did you apply?

 

[BobThebIlly]

To be honest I think the best approach here would be to be constantly following what's happening in the economy and macro-economic trends, which can best be connected to practice areas at commercial law firms. If you know what's going on and what's been going on / is relevant, you have a better list of options to choose from. If you haven't been following things as closely as you'd like, it might

Regarding question 4 and having reached final stage for VS and direct TCs (and having secured a VS last year at a US firm), I would say there are two big differences between the year I received no offers and did not make it to AC often vs the years I did:

1. Number of applications sent. It is important to maintain quality of applications, but unfortunately it took me talking to a trainee at a firm to realise that I was not doing myself a favour by submitting only around 5 applications a cycle. All you need is one yes, so the more you send out, the more you maximise your chances. This does not mean sending out generic apps but it is a lot easier to get your numbers up once you have done more apps as you can recycle certain wording (e.g. why commercial law) and you have a better idea of what works/vs what doesn't work. I work full time on M&A timelines and have managed to send 15 applications so far this cycle. If I can do it, so can you! Yes it's hard, but once you start getting past app stage more and more, this gives you momentum to keep going and keep pushing.
2. Understanding the business of the law firms I apply to and the business of their clients. This shows in commercial questions at app stage and in interview. Unfortunately one of the main ways I did this was through my job in private equity which I recognise isn't realistic for someone that may still be in their second year of university. What you can do however is reach out to trainees on Linkedin for coffee chats, attend networking events / open evenings and generally stay up to date on the commercial news, which will help you better connect what's happening in the real world with the business of those law firms and their clients. Understanding key concepts behind the work of a lot of City law firms (if that's who you're applying to!) such as private equity, leveraged buyouts and why leverage is used, funds, etc. This will show in interviews if it's authentic and make you stand out a lot vs. other candidates.

I hope this is helpful

Thank you so much for this detailed response!

I was considering maybe sending out a couple direct TC this cycle since some are still open — would you recommend I wait until next cycle to send these applications instead ? The firms I am looking at include King & Spalding, Bakers and maybe Stephenson Hardwood’s VS. I don’t know much about these firms and have maybe a month left for them

 

[Newport@2008]

When Paul, Weiss are deciding who to invite for the virtual AC, do you think SJT scores will be considered in conjunction with written applications? Or will there be a benchmark for the SJT that once you pass your written app is then looked at?