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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

SamiyaJ

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Apr 16, 2024
199
542
An update on my unsuccessfully successful application cycle; 65 applications, 44 rejections so far, 1 offer, and 20 still pending (including awaiting 3 interview outcomes)...

HFW (offer ✅ ✅ ✅ )
Gibson Dunn ❌ post-vi
Baker McKenzie
Allen & Shearman | ❌
Goodwin ❌
Pinsent Masons |❌
Mayer Brown |❌
Skadden
Morrison Foerster
Slaughter & May | ❌
Jones Day | ❌
Cooley
Linklaters
Willkie Farr & Gallagher | ❌
Latham & Watkins
Forsters LLP ❌
TLT
Dechert LLP ❌
Orrick
BCLP (awaiting interview outcome)
Paynes Hicks Beach
Eversheds ❌
Clyde & Co
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Kirkland ❌
Covington LLP ❌
White & Case
Macfarlanes
UN Legal Affairs Intern
Clifford Chance Dubai | ❌
Weil | ❌
Katten
Charles Russel Speechlys ❌
King & Spalding (TC)
Quinn Emmanuel (Paris) ❌
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP ❌
Legal intern at random company in Scotland ❌ (ghosted so probably not)
Deloitte ❌
Vison & Elkins ❌
Morgan Lewis (awaiting interview outcome)
Walker Morris ❌
CMS
Hogan Lovells
Osborne Clarke
Davis Polk
RPC
Ropes & Gray
Paul Weiss ❌
Squire Patton Boggs
Mills & Reeve ❌
Simmons & Simmons
Norton Rose Fulbright (awaiting interview outcome)
Withers (TC)
Joelson ❌
Capsticks LLP | ❌
Gowling WLG
Gide Loyrette Nouel London ❌ (ghosted)
DAC Beachcroft (TC)
Howes Spercival
PwC |❌
Cleary Gottlieb | ❌
Reed Smith | ❌
Farrer & Co ❌
Shoosmiths
Freshfields
Debevoise & Plimpton
Greenberg Traurig (TC)
Lockton ❌
Watson Farley & Williams
HSF ❌


Basically, still waiting to hear back from the following firms, out of my 65 applications 😂:

1. Morrison Foerster
2.Greenberg Traurig (TC)
3. Shoosmiths
4. Howes Spercival
5. DAC Beachcroft (TC)
6. Withers (TC)
7. Norton Rose Fulbright (awaiting interview outcome)
8. Simmons and Simmons
9. Ropes & Gray
10. RPC
11. Morgan Lewis (awaiting interview outcome)
12. UN Legal Affairs Intern
13. Paynes Hicks Beach
14. BCLP (awaiting interview outcome)
15. Orrick
16. TLT
17. Latham & Watkins
18. Linklaters
19. Katten
20. King & Spalding
Super impressive! Congratulations on your successes so far and for getting so many applications done.

Out of curiosity, how long does it take you to complete an application? Are you able to share some of your go to sources that assist you in your applications? Totally understand if you don’t want to share!
 
  • ℹ️
Reactions: Chris Brown

lawstudent2

Distinguished Member
Dec 9, 2024
64
70
Hey,

I struggled with them too, but when I started paying close attention to the below, my responses got better. I’ve also included some more general prep tips. These are some of the feedback I got from firms during the process;

  • Use of proper formalities. Who are you addressing? Have you used proper signatories? Good sign offs? Tone matters too based on the recipient.
  • If a client, you don’t need to define basic things they know about their industry such as ESG, ROI, or similar stuff, for example.
  • Look at the questions you are being asked first, before reading all the necessary materials. This ensures time maximisation. You focus mainly on what you need to address for that particular task. Be careful here, because some things overlap and may thus be useful. But, keeping this in mind certainly helps.
  • Spelling mistakes - probably obvious, but certainly helps checking.
  • Headings - helps make your work easier to read.
  • Resources - there are freely available written exercises online, which helped me. TCLA’s written exercises also really did (I promise I’m not being biased haha) !
Best of luck, I know you will do great! ;)
Thank you so much that is really helpful
 

manifestingthetc

Star Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Mar 6, 2024
32
106
I really don’t understand firms who leave you as though you never applied!! I applied to GD 1st Sept- the day they opened and did their first year insight scheme!! I haven’t heard anything and emailed them and they responded two weeks ago saying they are still looking at applications which is lowkey insulting because I’ve seen people get VS offers on LinkedIn!!! Sorry for the rant lol
It's the exactly same for me!, I applied on 1st Sept because they recruit on a rolling basis and I spent so much time on my app. Why say you will recruit on a rolling basis when clearly interviewing backwards and giving offers out already? I don't think this is particularly fair. It's a shame because it was my first choice :(
 

g.cl.2020344

Legendary Member
Nov 1, 2024
435
675
It's the exactly same for me!, I applied on 1st Sept because they recruit on a rolling basis and I spent so much time on my app. Why say you will recruit on a rolling basis when clearly interviewing backwards and giving offers out already? I don't think this is particularly fair. It's a shame because it was my first choice :(
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. It was also one of my top firms, and am really disappointed tbh. Dyu think its aa rejection and we are just being ignored? It seems ridiculous to me to make offers for vac schemes before looking at all applications. @Jessica Booker would it be possible for you to explain this recruitment process? Thank you
 

manifestingthetc

Star Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Mar 6, 2024
32
106
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. It was also one of my top firms, and am really disappointed tbh. Dyu think its aa rejection and we are just being ignored? It seems ridiculous to me to make offers for vac schemes before looking at all applications. @Jessica Booker would it be possible for you to explain this recruitment process? Thank you
I would have no idea because it seems that GD have also sent out PFOs, so we are either in the maybe pile or just outright PFOs. Honestly, just reject me at this point🤣
 

AlegalA

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Dec 4, 2023
228
454
Irwin Mitchell PFO post app/VI - disappointing as I go to their AC last year but onwards and upwards!!

Still waiting to hear from PMC post app (but ACs have gone out so not super hopeful), DACB post test, CRS post VI, Weightmans post app (has anyone heard from them btw I've not heard a peep), and WBD post test!
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,304
21,385
I'm so glad I'm not alone in this. It was also one of my top firms, and am really disappointed tbh. Dyu think its aa rejection and we are just being ignored? It seems ridiculous to me to make offers for vac schemes before looking at all applications. @Jessica Booker would it be possible for you to explain this recruitment process? Thank you
Recruiting on a rolling basis can lead to offers being made before all applications are reviewed. This is how it has worked at many of the firms I have worked for or with that do rolling recruitment.

For those who applied early and have not heard back, it can be that your application is effectively on hold while they review other applications - some firms do not reject some candidates outright but will hold their application and see what the remaining quality of applicants are before deciding. However, not hearing back from a rolling firm can also be down to human/technical errors - candidates sometimes miss email correspondence, recruiters can mistakenly process applications without sending email notifications. Therefore it maybe worthwhile following up with firms that are rolling recruitment but that you have not heard back from in sometime to get an update on the status of your application (assuming you cannot check the system yourself for this update).
 

g.cl.2020344

Legendary Member
Nov 1, 2024
435
675
Recruiting on a rolling basis can lead to offers being made before all applications are reviewed. This is how it has worked at many of the firms I have worked for or with that do rolling recruitment.

For those who applied early and have not heard back, it can be that your application is effectively on hold while they review other applications - some firms do not reject some candidates outright but will hold their application and see what the remaining quality of applicants are before deciding. However, not hearing back from a rolling firm can also be down to human/technical errors - candidates sometimes miss email correspondence, recruiters can mistakenly process applications without sending email notifications. Therefore it maybe worthwhile following up with firms that are rolling recruitment but that you have not heard back from in sometime to get an update on the status of your application (assuming you cannot check the system yourself for this update).
Thanks Jessica, this is really helpful as I was beginning to think my application had got lost or I had been forgotten about!
 

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