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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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The thing is they said Wed 28th Feb 😭 so is it acc Wed or Friday…Yes I think you are right, they said they will get back to all of us by 28th feb
Inspired by the great Tintin to give an update! Basically, I posted the list below (the post I replied to) on Monday; since then, I have received a PFO from TLT, NRF (post-vi), BCLP (post-vi), and Morgan Lewis (post-ti)... Therefore, 65 applications, 48 rejections, 1 offer, and 16 pending (8 realistically speaking):
Firms I am assuming PFOs for because people have progressed [some even received offers]: Morrison Foerster, Shoosmiths, DACB [horrible percentile in critical thinking feedback], RPC [73% though on WG], Latham & Watkins [still alive?], Linklaters [low percentile in WG], Orrick [didn't receive the WG], Paynes Hicks Beach [honestly don't even remember why I applied to this to begin with 😂]
Basically, the only firms pending thus far with a realistic potential are the following:
1.Greenberg Traurig (TC)
2. Howes Spercival
3. Withers (TC)
4. Simmons and Simmons
5. Ropes & Gray
6. UN Legal Affairs Intern
7. Katten
8. King & Spalding
Firms I am assuming PFOs for because people have progressed [some even received offers]: Morrison Foerster, Shoosmiths, DACB [horrible percentile in critical thinking feedback], RPC [73% though on WG], Latham & Watkins [still alive?], Linklaters [low percentile in WG], Orrick [didn't receive the WG], Paynes Hicks Beach [honestly don't even remember why I applied to this to begin with 😂]
Basically, the only firms pending thus far with a realistic potential are the following:
1.Greenberg Traurig (TC)
2. Howes Spercival
3. Withers (TC)
4. Simmons and Simmons
5. Ropes & Gray
6. UN Legal Affairs Intern
7. Katten
8. King & Spalding
Don't feel disheartened! It's a really though process and acceptance rate at almost every single firm is at 1-3% so it's extremely competitive... It isn't about you specifically, it's just that at the end of the day, we are say 2000 to apply to one firm and they only have 15 spots, even if you made it to the top 16, you wouldn't get a place, so it all goes down to luck sadly... At the end of the day, you only need one firm...
I don't have the answers to all of your questions, but what I do know is that, at least that's what I would do if I don't manage to secure anything, you could apply to University of Law (or BP university) and study their LLM in SQE 1 & 2, and subsequently pass the SQE in order to at least secure that... Now of course, having a training contract would be a lot more advantageous as they would fund your studies, but if you are financially able to, I think me personally that's what I am going to do... Because technically if you apply for a graduate visa (which is two years), it's going to run from the time you graduate from your LLB technically... So if you graduate in 2026, you'll have until 2028 to secure something... On the other hand, if you do the LLM, you 1) would've passed the SQE and 2) can apply at the end of your LLM for the Graduate Visa, so basically until 2029... (BTW SOMEONE CORRECT ME IF I AM MISTAKEN IN THAT REGARD PLEASE, BECAUSE IDK IF IM 100% CORRECT)And then in the meantime, while passing the SQE and LLM, try to apply and also try to refine your applications further! PM me if you want, as I found a technique that really worked for me later on (which I wish I knew sooner and which helped me secure a VS at HFW this summer)...
Again, don't be disheartened, it's really though and really really competitive, so it isn't specifically you! Also, depending on where you are originally from or where you live, perhaps you may also try to apply for some sort of legal experience (depends on where that is though because getting something in Dubai is a lot easier than getting something if you live in Germany or France for instance...)
PM me if you want!
EDIT: also, me personally I would recommend applying to VS instead of DTC unless you really have a lot of legal experience (advice given to me from a 2nd year trainee); unless the firm specifically says that you wouldn't be eligible to apply..
PS. I am re-reading this and realising that it doesn't necessarily make so much sense, so apologies
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Hi! I got 20/36 on an SJT for Paul, Weiss and I got invited to interview. I guess it depends on how much importance the firm places on the test, but I don’t think it is an automatic PFO.
I also felt I did well at the TI so feel you - would’ve been interesting to get feedback on it but they don’t offer it which I think is so poor.
Not sure how the US D.E.I. situation affects that, the issues you’re mentioning about VIs exist regardless of that
Adding to @jacksollaf 's point on graduate visa, you can only use it once so i would suggest either (1) do graduate visa and try to gain more experience during the two years, and hopefully secure a TC before it expires, if not you can do SQE LLM then; or (2) do SQE LLM after undergrad, then apply for graduate visa. But that won't necessarily happen as you will definitely get better next cycle! It's already a massive achievement getting to AC during your second year so don't feel disheartened!
Of the two options, I did (1) because I don't want to self fund SQE and gain some paralegal experience. But it is slightly riskier because a lot of paralegal roles require SQE 1(LPC back when I graduated). So it may take longer than expected to get a job. But I think for VS/TC apps work experiences are more valuable in comparison to passing the SQE. It can also give you more edge for DTC apps.
Feel free to PM me as well re graduate visa or securing paralegal roles!
Does White & Case still have AC's scheduled for next week? Trying to ascertain when we can expect a decision for Summer.
I agree with this quite strongly. They did not run many interviews. Other firms like that provide feedback. E.g. Wilkie and White & Case. It's really not great at all.
DEI in the US was extremely toxic as it was affirmative action where diversity was exercised through quotas and preferential hiring for underrepresented groups - this is counter to any business, profit-making mandate as hiring should be based on merits. DEI in the UK is far more digestible where under-represented backgrounds are considered proportionally which helps contextualise an applicant but still very much focuses on the merits of a candidate's application. If there is a "voice at the back of a recruiter's head" to hire a particular candidate of a race to represent a particular community, I think we have gone astray from what DEI was meant to do, which is level the ground instead of offering a leg-up.
WBD test feedback is brutal. Grit 6, applied intellect 4, creative force 4, digital mindset 6
This is something that has been on my mind for some time going through this application cycle. I have a strong interest in US firms, but they rely heavily on VI. I am worried about the impact of the DEI situation in the US and if it will mean US firms change their policies around DEI in their UK offices’ graduate recruitment processes.
While it is possible that a PFO post-VI is down to things like poor structure, waffling, lack of key content, etc. it can also be down to bias and prejudice. While this problem has existed even before the DEI situation in the US, I think it’ll get worse now. No firm can ever guarantee that there is 0% bias in their processes. That’s why even now some US firms’ future trainees all come from quite similar backgrounds.
So far in my own experience with Willkie, I have not been made to feel this way (yet). Credit has to be given to Gemma for ensuring their process is as fair and transparent as possible (two of their recruitment stages are entirely CV blind) which I think more firms should adopt. If I were to do a 2nd cycle and apply to other US firms, I’m not sure if the same could be said. I think in the UK there is more of an issue with elitism and classism, in the context of city law firms’ recruitment. For those who come from ethnic minority backgrounds and lower socio-economic backgrounds, I think it’s a double edged sword.
While it is possible that a PFO post-VI is down to things like poor structure, waffling, lack of key content, etc. it can also be down to bias and prejudice. While this problem has existed even before the DEI situation in the US, I think it’ll get worse now. No firm can ever guarantee that there is 0% bias in their processes. That’s why even now some US firms’ future trainees all come from quite similar backgrounds.
So far in my own experience with Willkie, I have not been made to feel this way (yet). Credit has to be given to Gemma for ensuring their process is as fair and transparent as possible (two of their recruitment stages are entirely CV blind) which I think more firms should adopt. If I were to do a 2nd cycle and apply to other US firms, I’m not sure if the same could be said. I think in the UK there is more of an issue with elitism and classism, in the context of city law firms’ recruitment. For those who come from ethnic minority backgrounds and lower socio-economic backgrounds, I think it’s a double edged sword.
HSF AC invite🙂 (applied 27th of November ) . I honestly thought Macfarlanes will be my only AC this cycle but look at God 🥹🥹
Also , if you’re still waiting to hear back from them , don’t loose hope. I read that someone received SVS offer on this platform and was sort of expecting a PFO but it looks like they are very much still sending out invites so hang on!
Ps: I will very much appreciate any insights from anyone who has done HSF AC! ❤️
Also , if you’re still waiting to hear back from them , don’t loose hope. I read that someone received SVS offer on this platform and was sort of expecting a PFO but it looks like they are very much still sending out invites so hang on!
Ps: I will very much appreciate any insights from anyone who has done HSF AC! ❤️
Surely you want to be selected for a job based on your ability, rather than because you tick certain boxes? DEI does not remove discrimination / bias from the process. It does the opposite of that. You should aspire to be valued for your character / mind rather than the colour of your skin, your sexual preferences or your background.
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