TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Chris Brown]

@Andrei Radu hi andrei! im assuming youd have so much more info on the prestige/expertise of top firms so i thought youd be the perfect person to answer this. on the basis of prestige in PE (and simply prestige/rep!) - how would you rank the following firms? kirkland, skadden, latham, davis polk, weil, paul weiss.

I think one way someone could measure prestigious is from the PEP of the firm. I think Kirkland and Paul, Weiss have the highest PEP’s out of these firms. Davis Polk is smaller in terms of the number of lawyers it has whilst also having a high PEP. I would say it’s one of these three firms. Most likely I would say Kirkland because it also has the highest overall revenue. To be honest though prestige is very subjective.​

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

My work experience changed from paragraphs to bullet points.

My last year's news article was about AI, which is just a bit hackneyed at this point, so I wrote about the Budget instead.

My "Please give details of any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility (or something you are proud of) and any other noteworthy achievements that will support your application." was a rewritten version, with similar themes but would pass a plagiarism test.

My " Please tell us about something which did not turn out as you expected." was the same theme (educational achievements), but a different example written from scratch.

My "If you couldn’t work in law, what do you think you would do and why." was essentially copy pasted, my existing answer explaining that I have an existing career, and only lightly edited.

Ahhh should I expect rejection I applied on the deadline, another forum member who also applied on the deadline got an interview invite 😭

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Russell-Cooke interview. I applied on the deadline so quite happy about that. 😅

Congratulations!! Would you have any idea if theyve communicated to the successful applicants at the same time?

 

[trainee4u]

Congratulations!! Would you have any idea if theyve communicated to the successful applicants at the same time?

might be worth logging into allhires to see if there's an email hiding.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

might be worth logging into allhires to see if there's an email hiding.

I did but no. But thank you! At least I’m more mentally prepared now

 

[benxi]

huge congrats!! out of interest, when did you apply? and is this the next round after the initial app?

Thank you! applied 20/1 (deadline) and yes it is

 

[librame17]

When did you realise you were on the wrong train and have you managed to make it back to your home town safely now? 🥲​

halfway through haha i basically fell asleep straightaway but thankfully woke up in time

 

[AspiringSolicitor25]

Does anyone know how many applicants Weil invites to AC relative to number of Vacation Scheme places?

Weil invited 60 to AC round - 30 spots across Spring/Summer (info from Grad Rec @Weil)

 

[trainee4u]

Have a look at Paul Gascoyne’s session with TCLA, I think it was very helpful for understanding what they are looking for in candidates. I scored 23 in total in this year’s amberjack, and was invited to interview, so can confirm that a score of 23 overall will meet their benchmark. (just putting this out there to spread info)

Is that 23 out of 27 on a three-component SJT, no verbal/numerical reasoning?

 

[Chris Brown]

Is that 23 out of 27 on a three-component SJT, no verbal/numerical reasoning?

The test had four pillars for the SJT: grit, applied intellect, digital mindset and creative force. Each pillar was scored out of 9, so it was 36 in total. In my case, I got 24/36 across the four pillars (7566) which I’m guessing was high enough to get invited to the AC/interview stage. I imagine getting anything over 20 will probably be enough to meet the benchmark. 🙂

There is also a set of verbal and numerical reasoning questions (5 each). For reference, I scored in the middle for verbal and high for numerical. I am assuming this means I got around 3/5 for the verbal reasoning questions and 5/5 for the numerical reasoning questions. I am horrid at maths so this one definitely caught me off guard. 🥲

In total, there were 12 SJT questions, 5 verbal and 5 numerical reasoning questions. In terms of %, I think I got 66-67% on the SJT (8/12 of the questions). Overall, I think I got 16/22 for the test, which is around 72-73%. I remember Paul said they would assess the test scores and applications holistically so I don’t think too much emphasis was placed on the test. 🙂​

 

[tosin4774]

The test had four pillars for the SJT: grit, applied intellect, digital mindset and creative force. Each pillar was scored out of 9, so it was 36 in total. In my case, I got 24/36 across the four pillars (7566) which I’m guessing was high enough to get invited to the AC/interview stage. I imagine getting anything over 20 will probably be enough to meet the benchmark. 🙂

There is also a set of verbal and numerical reasoning questions (5 each). For reference, I scored in the middle for verbal and high for numerical. I am assuming this means I got around 3/5 for the verbal reasoning questions and 5/5 for the numerical reasoning questions. I am horrid at maths so this one definitely caught me off guard. 🥲

In total, there were 12 SJT questions, 5 verbal and 5 numerical reasoning questions. In terms of %, I think I got 66-67% on the SJT (8/12 of the questions). Overall, I think I got 16/22 for the test, which is around 72-73%. I remember Paul said they would assess the test scores and applications holistically so I don’t think too much emphasis was placed on the test. 🙂​

Do you know any website where one can practice?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Hey I did it last year you can pm me about any questions you have

Do you mind if I PM too?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone,

I’m in a bit of a dilemma and would really appreciate any advice. I’ve received AC invitations from both Weil and Milbank, but unfortunately, they can only schedule me in for the same day—Wednesday. I’ve worked hard for both opportunities, so it’s frustrating to have to choose just one.

Would you have any suggestions on how to approach this decision? Also, is there anything I could ask the graduate recruitment teams to potentially reconsider their scheduling and accommodate me on a different day?

@Jessica Booker or anyone else!

You should ask both teams whether they can reschedule in the first instance. It could easily be either of them can allocate you to another date and then you wouldn’t have to worry about this.

I would choose the firm which is your top preference if it isn’t possible to reschedule either of them.

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

has sidley sent out all AC invites for their spring scheme? I had applied on dec 6

Yeah, I'd like to know if they've finished all their ACs. I recall one poster saying that she was registered for the last interview slot.

 

[Chris Brown]

Do you know any website where one can practice?

I’m not entirely sure tbh. I didn’t do any practice tests (not the smartest decision I’ve made this cycle) but instead I watched some YouTube videos on the amberjack assessment. They helped to break down the nature of the test. There were a few videos I watched. I searched ‘amberjack test guidance for beginners’ and found some videos that I made notes on as they went on (kind of like a uni lecture). 🙂

I then had a look at the different pillars and sub-pillars that the test assesses and for each question on the test I compared them to the pillars to determine which one was being asked of me. I drew a table and tried to weigh up the four options to figure out which ones were the strongest and weakest responses to the question. This wasn’t the easiest process for me because I am neurodivergent, but I guess I somehow managed to make it through. 🥲

I think this kind of test is very hit or miss in that it can be so unpredictable. Some firms will place a lot of emphasis on the test scores, some could use it to filter out applicants, and some might just use it to assess people alongside looking at their applications. This is what I think Paul, Weiss did (holistic overview).​

 

[jojo23]

Receiving a feedback report from shoosmiths at 2am was a rather odd experience made somewhat weirder by the fact that I don't quite understand the point of it 🤣

 

[legal18]

Hope everyone's had a good week ❤️ For those who have been successful this cycle do you have any tips/ways to prepare for the next cycle

 

[ashwright]

Question for Linklaters/Hogan Lovells/Mishcon summer VS applicants...
Is it fair to assume PFO if I haven't heard back yet? Please reply if you have any insights - I've heard Links has sent some AC invites so I'm not sure whether anymore will be sent out 😔

 

[future_traineesolicitor]

Question for Linklaters/Hogan Lovells/Mishcon summer VS applicants...
Is it fair to assume PFO if I haven't heard back yet? Please reply if you have any insights - I've heard Links has sent some AC invites so I'm not sure whether anymore will be sent out 😔

I'm also waiting for these three + TS. I don't think MdR has sent any VI invites or PFOs for summer. Not sure about the other two. But considering their relatively large intake I'd say there's probably more invites to be sent out!

 

[aphelion]

Question for Linklaters/Hogan Lovells/Mishcon summer VS applicants...
Is it fair to assume PFO if I haven't heard back yet? Please reply if you have any insights - I've heard Links has sent some AC invites so I'm not sure whether anymore will be sent out 😔

Mishcon said mid-February for summer VS applicants. I haven't heard back from them and I don't think anyone else has. Given it's the 15th today, I'm assuming they will get back to us next week.