TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[EA95]

Any point applying for Stephenson Harwood now?

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

 

[Runsim]

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?

Not sure if this is helpful, NRG graduate. Over two cycles I have progressed with Jones Day, Dechert, Mishcon, W&C, Reed Smith, DLA, CMS, HFW, Slaughter & May, Eversheds and WFW. I think most times it depends on how strong your application is.

 

[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?

 

[TCpleasex]

This is a bit of an odd q & maybe only @Jessica Booker can answer however I have a bit of a predicament.

So basically at the end of the month I’m flying to Japan to spend 3+ months travelling around. I’m still waiting to hear back from some firms for potential AC’s & I am planning if I get them to fly back to do the AC. Would it be alright if I was to email grad rec for the firms i’m waiting for to see if they have any idea of the potential AC dates? I’m apprehensive to start booking flights/trains/accom around Japan & pay a fortune to have the fly back to Tokyo & waste that money. I also don’t want to email grad rec & look silly asking about an AC I don’t even have an invite to.

Any advice would be great thank you!!

 

[Alessio1642]

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?

They will be considered alongside. The text at the end said: Your results have been saved and will be reviewed along with your application.

 

[MilkMaid]

I'm sorry! Would you mind sharing when you completed the VI?

Sort of saw it coming but still sad! Submitted the VI on 28/11

 

[Chris Brown]

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

Bakers Direct TC is until April and SH Direct TC route is till June or July I believe. 🙂

King and Spalding Direct TC and SH SVS deadlines are in February. 🙂

I think there is a deadlines list on TCLA for both VS and Direct TC.

 

[member7830]

for a girl, for attending an AC... is a top with a formal type cardigan appropriate? or is just a shirt okay, or would you reccomend a blazer as well?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Does any1 know when we should expect to hear back from OC after the virtual AC?

 

[Jessica Booker]

for a girl, for attending an AC... is a top with a formal type cardigan appropriate? or is just a shirt okay, or would you reccomend a blazer as well?

You don't have to wear a blazer - a smart blouse or smart blouse and cardigan combination can be suitable.

I haven't worn a women's suit in a law firm since 2006! When I did wear blazers after that they were always really untailored ones but even then I haven't worn one in nearly 10 years.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Application Update - This is my first application cycle | Final-year law student, RG, 2.1 Avg.

HFW - AC - SVS OFFER! (Found out last Friday, day after my AC)

Forsters - VI - (Waiting for response)

Ropes & Gray - (Waiting for response)

Linklaters - (Waiting for response) - (84th Percentile WG but only 66% progress)

PMC - (Waiting for response)

CRS - (Waiting for response)

Gibson Dunn - Interview - PFO

Willkie - VI - PFO

W&C - PFO

Jones Day - PFO

Sidley Austin - PFO

HSF - PFO

Dechert - PFO

 

[EA95]

Application Update - This is my first application cycle | Final-year law student, RG, 2.1 Avg.

HFW - AC - SVS OFFER! (Found out last Friday, day after my AC)

Forsters - VI - (Waiting for response)

Ropes & Gray - (Waiting for response)

Linklaters - (Waiting for response) - (84th Percentile WG but only 66% progress)

PMC - (Waiting for response)

CRS - (Waiting for response)

Gibson Dunn - Interview - PFO

Willkie - VI - PFO

W&C - PFO

Jones Day - PFO

Sidley Austin - PFO

HSF - PFO

Dechert - PFO

Congrats on HFW, can you let me know how you got your result for the WGT with Linklaters?

 

[ECNWalker]

Does anyone know if the Freshfields WG is the classic timed, 30 minute, 40 questions one?

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Congrats on HFW, can you let me know how you got your result for the WGT with Linklaters?

Thanks! Just politely email their grad rec asking for your score and they'll send it to you

 

[jacksollaf]

I am quite lit

Application Update - This is my first application cycle | Final-year law student, RG, 2.1 Avg.

HFW - AC - SVS OFFER! (Found out last Friday, day after my AC)

Forsters - VI - (Waiting for response)

Ropes & Gray - (Waiting for response)

Linklaters - (Waiting for response) - (84th Percentile WG but only 66% progress)

PMC - (Waiting for response)

CRS - (Waiting for response)

Gibson Dunn - Interview - PFO

Willkie - VI - PFO

W&C - PFO

Jones Day - PFO

Sidley Austin - PFO

HSF - PFO

Dechert - PFO

I quite literally am in the same situation as you, however PFO for forsters post-app; when will you be attending your HFW VS? I picked July! Hope to see you there!

Also, when did you do your interview with Gibson Dunn? I had mine on last Monday but still didn't hear back; how long after your interview did you hear back from them?

 

[Hghasvision]

is Skadden vs offer based on written exercise and partner interview or just the partner interview?

 

[ish12345]

Hi, I have an AC next week and have also just have been invited to a final stage virtual interview however the date and time in the email for this interview is during when my AC is.

Do I reply asking for the date to be changed because of my AC? Should I just be honest? @Jessica Booker

 

[lolasparks]

Anyone received any Latham positive news or should we just expect PFO from now on ...? Thank you!