TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[LiveLaughLawyer]

Anyone heard back from Jones Day Summer Vac Scheme ?

 

[Bread]

I think it’s useful to include all work experience tbh but where they are similar just amalgamate them into one entry.

While one VS was 2020, the other one was recently in 2024. It wouldn’t make sense to not include the older work placements. They’re equally valuable imo. 🤷🏾‍♂️

yes, but what about 2018? This isn't specific to vacation schemes btw, I am just wondering whether there is any point including experience from 7 years ago

 

[Chris Brown]

yes, but what about 2018? This isn't specific to vacation schemes btw, I am just wondering whether there is any point including experience from 7 years ago

I guess it depends on what it is ultimately. If someone is a career changer for example, it is very likely they have valuable experience that goes back several years. It is probably fine for this person to discuss all of their work history from 5-10 years prior up until now. 🙂

For students and graduates I would imagine it would be similar. Some people had to work during GCSE’s and A-levels. I have written about my work experience and part time jobs that I did during this period and it’s been okay so far (I hope). 🙂

I think @Jessica Booker could probably give a stronger answer because idrk for sure.

 

[BobThebIlly]

I am thinking about applying for Baker's direct TC and would love for some advice when approaching the first application question Discuss a topic that you are passionate about. How did you become interested in it, and how has it influenced your personal or professional life. (300 words max) *

What is the best recommended structure for this question? I am also not sure what topic I can passionately discuss whilst also linking it back to professional skills

 

[AlegalA]

Taylor Wessing AC whoooo 🎉

Question- they offer both in person and online ACs. I theoretically could do both. I do think in person ACs allow you to show your personality more but I feel that online interviews are less nerve wracking and I'm able to keep more calm and deliver better answers.
Do you think it is better to do in person or online? do they take in consideration the fact that we might have notes if we're online and therefore perform less well in person?
Any advice/opinion is welcome!!

 

[jacksollaf]

Interview invite for BCLP London/Paris VS, so that's good I guess

 

[jacksollaf]

Can i just ask why this emoticon? Is it not a respectable firm? Asking for my own application!

no no, that's not what I meant; it's just that I received 3 PFOs today within the span of 1h30 😂

 

[librame17]

When did you apply?

applied 31/12 and completed the blended assessment 02/01

 

[Tintin06]

Not an expert by any means so don’t take this as advice, I’m just wondering whether it’s even worth including any experience prior 2020 at this point? Especially for week-long placements, like it’s been over five years…

I honestly don’t know the answer. If felt important to include it, honestly. It was competitive to get it. I haven’t changed much since 2018! That’s why I’m still making applications. Work experience also includes gap year. I feel like including everything really. It's all experience and should count.

 

[TC Chaser]

ye

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

Yeah that was it

 

[Law queries]

Does anyone know if Cooley sends all the VI invites together or in batches?
Saw some people on the forum receive VI invites on Friday, I haven't heard anything post WG ://

 

[legallady123]

Does anyone know if Cooley sends all the VI invites together or in batches?
Saw some people on the forum receive VI invites on Friday, I haven't heard anything post WG ://

I had a look at previous years in this forum and looks like they were all sent out in one batch from what I can see. They did say we’d find out by Thursday latest, so there is still hope…but personally I’ve accepted it’s most likely pfo now 🥲

 

[rose_tinted]

I am so nervous about my Birketts interview if anyone has any tips/insights of any kind I would greatly appreciate it <3

Hi lou1707, I'm afraid I don't have any helpful tips or advice to offer, having not had any interactions with Birketts myself. However, I met a chap from Birketts today while queuing for lunch after my first AC (with another firm) and he was lovely, chatty and engaging. Perhaps a brief glimpse into the type of people who work there?

In my (admittedly very limited) experience, firms that have a strong regional focus, like Birketts, aren't out there to trick you or trip you up, if the knowledge I gained today is anything to go by. These are people, at the end of the day – people who know what it's like to be nervous and apprehensive, and they want to help put you at ease and enable you to succeed at the interviews and ACs.

I wish you all the very best with your interview!

 

[Law queries]

I had a look at previous years in this forum and looks like they were all sent out in one batch from what I can see. They did say we’d find out by Thursday latest, so there is still hope…but personally I’ve accepted it’s most likely pfo now 🥲

ahh, thank youu. Lets hope for the best! all the best!!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone have any insights for Akin AC? First time having to do a group exercise and proofreading so I'm not sure how exactly to prepare. Any tips would really help!!

Hiya @harris100

Well done on getting to the Akin AC! I did the Akin AC during the very first cycle in which they first introduced a full-blown assessment centre and I’m happy to share my experience and give you (and anyone else) some guidance on preparation. When I went through it, there were four key components.

• A commercial exercise
• A written exercise
• A partner interview
• A group exercise

For the commercial exercise, I think it's important to start practising your ability to discuss commercial news stories. I would strongly, strongly recommend reading Financial Times articles regularly and practising summarising key takeaways. It’s not just about knowing what’s happening in the story, but also being able to think critically about the legal and commercial implications. In particular, I'd encourage you to take a recent story and apply SWOT or PESTLE analysis to break down risks, opportunities, and relevant considerations.

The written exercise didn’t require much preparation but it tested attention to detail. You'll want to hone your ability to spot errors in documents, working efficiently under time pressure. While it’s difficult to prepare for this in the abstract, if you haven’t done many proofreading exercises before, you might find it helpful to practise reviewing legal or commercial documents for inconsistencies, grammar, or formatting issues.

The partner and senior associate interview will likely include a mix of motivation-based and competency questions. It's particularly important to have a strong idea of why Akin specifically appeals to you and to have well-structured examples from your past experiences that demonstrate key skills like teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. If you've never prepared for one of these before, I'd highly recommend TCLA's interview question bank to help you get a flavour of the sort of questions that could be asked.

Finally, there was a group exercise that involved a presentation. While you won’t know the scenario in advance, common scenarios include commercial acquisitions, investment opportunities, or infrastructure projects. I'd encourage you to practise your approach by considering factors like risk, financial implications, strategic fit, and key stakeholders as they typically arise in any of the above mentioned scenarios. Remember that an equally big part of performing well here is demonstrating that you can collaborate effectively (i.e. listening to others, building on their points, and keeping the discussion structured without dominating).

If you have any further questions, let us know and I'm sure one of us will be able to offer support. @Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu might also have some insight here. Good luck with your assessment centre!

 

[rapunzel]

last monday -
freshfields: here’s your invitation to our assessment, but if you want adjustments email us and do not attempt the test until we have responded

me: emails later the same day asking for reasonable adjustments, deadline for the assessment passes

today
ff: unfortunately we shall not be progressing with your application

me replying: im guessing this is because i didn’t do the assessment, but i emailed about adjustments and was not replied to

ff response just now -

I hate it when law firms do this! Same thing happened to me twice, I received no reply for adjustments and had to just complete the test without it.

 

[Chris Brown]

I hate it when law firms do this! Same thing happened to me twice, I received no reply for adjustments and had to just complete the test without it.

Second this I have also been aired by a couple of firms after asking for reasonable adjustments and it is really unfair. I just abandoned the whole application altogether because it was quite indicative of what working for that firm would have looked like. 🥲🥲

 

[Legalstalker]

last monday -
freshfields: here’s your invitation to our assessment, but if you want adjustments email us and do not attempt the test until we have responded

me: emails later the same day asking for reasonable adjustments, deadline for the assessment passes

today
ff: unfortunately we shall not be progressing with your application

me replying: im guessing this is because i didn’t do the assessment, but i emailed about adjustments and was not replied to

ff response just now -

They did this shit on purpose!!! As I also emailed 5 mins after I got the email asking for adjustments and they never responded I had to do the test 1 hour before it was due. Just a way to cut down the numbers. It’s ridiculous.

 

[helloj]

Are they virtual or in person interviews?

All virtual

 

[Jessica Booker]

yes, but what about 2018? This isn't specific to vacation schemes btw, I am just wondering whether there is any point including experience from 7 years ago

I would include all experiences anyone feels relevant unless there are restrictions with the amount of entries they can include. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s seven weeks ago or seven years ago, it’s important to demonstrate your journey, experience and skills.