TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[B101]

Does anyone know if Stephenson takes a healthy amount from their DTC?

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

While sometimes a larger intake can signify a higher likelihood of a higher availability of formal training programmes and organized support structures, this is not always the case (with a firm like White & Case it definitely is, but at a firm like Kirkland a lot less); and furthermore it is definitely not indicative of overall training quality in my view. The risk that comes with a larger cohort size consists of each trainee getting less visibility and becoming more of a "cog in the system", which is exactly what many people who apply at US firms seek to avoid. As such, I would not say a trainee cohort size of under 10 is a bad sign. I would rather just infer that you will likely get a lot of visibility and responsibility (perhaps more than at some US firms with larger cohorts) and that you should also likely not expect much in organized support (perhaps somewhat less than at the US firms with larger cohorts). Whether that is good or bad will just come down to your preferences.

As for the questions about the best US firms for training, I can only comment based on the firms I have had the opportunity to interact with and research, so I will undoubtably miss a number of great ones. The ones I can say I have seen some quite positive reviews for are White & Case (although I have been told it is more similar to MC training than US training in many regards nowadays), Willkie and Davis Polk (who are examples of places with small cohorts but where the cultural elements I mention seem to be working well), and Latham (which I understand comes with a more hands on experience than a White & Case but less so than firms like Willkie and Davis Polk).

Hi Andrei, do you have any insight on the TC at Weil in comparison to firms like DPW?

 

[xere]

Hi guys, just did my WBD assessment. Scores 7,6,7,7 any idea on how this score is for WBD?

 

[trainee4u]

Hi guys, just did my WBD assessment. Scores 7,6,7,7 any idea on how this score is for WBD?

this is an extremely high score.

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know if Stephenson takes a healthy amount from their DTC?

From what I have seen on the TCLA forums, it seems like they recruit 50:50 from VS and DTC, but I’m unsure if that will change for this recruitment cycle. It might be worthwhile asking them via email tbh, just to get a solid answer. 🙂​

 

[Nine]

Case study interviews tend to differ significantly from firm to firm. Some require power points, while some do not but will give you an option to have one. Some will require the preparation of a report/brief on a number of reading materials, whereas others will not and will just start directly with a discussion. Finally, some will require producing a written material, whereas others will be assessed only in the interview itself.

To understand how to best prepare, I would advise you to try to get more information about the assessment format. Consider emailing the firm about it or potentially reaching out to some trainees. Furthermore, I would have a look on TCLA's Interview Database to see if there is any information from candidates who did the interview in previous years.

Hi Andrei, thanks for your reply — I’ve had a word with some trainees and they say it’s a verbal presentation so I’m assuming that I won’t have to write/draw a presentation. My email says that the AC will be 3 hours long with a case study interview and then a HR interview, however, the firm website says there’s a written exercise as well - do you think it’ll reflect badly on me if I email GR to clarify?

 

[legallady123]

6,4,7,6 excelled at verbal and mid numerical for WBD 🙃🙁

 

[BillSikes]

What is the deal with these SJTs? So often the answer options do not align with what the question is saying.

for the questions on the WBD SJT about the 0.5% of revenue and giving out bonuses - only 1 of the 4 options actually mentioned 0.5%. 2 of the options stated 5% and the other 1%. It just doesn't make sense.

 

[BillSikes]

genuinely that question might have had a typo.... there were errors in other parts of the test

Bro too many of the questions have typos for it to be a mistake. It's gotta be intentional.

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

genuinely that question might have had a typo.... there were errors in other parts of the test

My 2 theories:

They timed your response to the one with the error in. How long did you take to end up guessing?

They were testing resilience and how well you performed after that question or did it throw you off kilter 😭🤣

 

[BillSikes]

8, 3, 7, 8 for WBD

3 for applied intellect ffs.

 

[BillSikes]

Anyone know how long we have to answer for Mishcon de Reya VI?

 

[trainee4u]

What is the deal with these SJTs? So often the answer options do not align with what the question is saying.

for the questions on the WBD SJT about the 0.5% of revenue and giving out bonuses - only 1 of the 4 options actually mentioned 0.5%. 2 of the options stated 5% and the other 1%. It just doesn't make sense.

The question said "we'd like to give bonuses if it doesn't cost more than 0.5% of revenue". subsequently, you need to calculate the cost of bonuses. For example if the cost was 5% of revenue, then the answer that read "we can't give bonuses, as it would cost 5% of revenue" is correct. the correct answer calculates the cost of the bonuses as a % of revenue, and then relates that to the question.

 

[legaldruid]

Keeping myself accountable:

Total applications submitted: 19
Total applications rejected: 9
Applications that passed the first stage: 2
Applications rejected at the second stage (SJT, WG, VI etc): 1
Applications that passed the second stage (SJT, WG, VI etc): 0
Waiting to hear back: 10

We keep pushing forward!

New update to keep myself accountable + hopefully this will give some motivation to my fellow international students:

Total applications submitted: 21
Total applications rejected: 19
Applications that passed the first (application) stage: 5
Applications rejected at the second stage (SJT, WG, VI etc): 3
Applications that passed the second stage (SJT, WG, VI etc): 1
Waiting to hear back: 1 (post AC)
Vacation Scheme offers: 1

Thoughts:

I'm done with this cycle now. It was a tough couple of months managing full-time work with these applications but it paid off. My best advice would be to keep researching and learning how to improve. There's always something that you can work on, be it writing applications, practicing for tests or preparing for interviews. This platform is perfect for advice and seeking help so make the most of it.

Besides that, don't put all your hopes into one category of firms like US for example. Try a different mix of categories (International, National, Regional etc) because you never know which category might appreciate your skills and talents. You've got something unique to offer and its on you to articulate it to best of your ability, but once you do, the firms will definitely respond positively. It might just be in a category that you did not expect!

And as always, just keep pushing forward despite setbacks. You just need one chance to prove yourself!

 

[missfuturetraineemaybe]

While sometimes a larger intake can signify a higher likelihood of a higher availability of formal training programmes and organized support structures, this is not always the case (with a firm like White & Case it definitely is, but at a firm like Kirkland a lot less); and furthermore it is definitely not indicative of overall training quality in my view. The risk that comes with a larger cohort size consists of each trainee getting less visibility and becoming more of a "cog in the system", which is exactly what many people who apply at US firms seek to avoid. As such, I would not say a trainee cohort size of under 10 is a bad sign. I would rather just infer that you will likely get a lot of visibility and responsibility (perhaps more than at some US firms with larger cohorts) and that you should also likely not expect much in organized support (perhaps somewhat less than at the US firms with larger cohorts). Whether that is good or bad will just come down to your preferences.

As for the questions about the best US firms for training, I can only comment based on the firms I have had the opportunity to interact with and research, so I will undoubtably miss a number of great ones. The ones I can say I have seen some quite positive reviews for are White & Case (although I have been told it is more similar to MC training than US training in many regards nowadays), Willkie and Davis Polk (who are examples of places with small cohorts but where the cultural elements I mention seem to be working well), and Latham (which I understand comes with a more hands on experience than a White & Case but less so than firms like Willkie and Davis Polk).

Could you please share where you think Gibson Dunn sits within this. What do you perceive their training structure to be like?

 

[STEM Student]

Hi Everyone,

I got an AC invite for NRF🦾 (I honestly dk how I was yapping throughout that interview)

I’ve never done an AC before. Was wondering if anyone has any general tips for prepping and anything specific for the NRF AC specifically.

Also how many people out of everyone who applies gets to the AC?

 

[Ricky]

off topic but what kind of name is foot antsy😭

It sounds like what happens under the table at a dinner date after a few drinks.... 🤣

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bro too many of the questions have typos for it to be a mistake. It's gotta be intentional.

Unfortunately I expect them to just be mistakes.

 

[Tintin06]

30+ apps and just endless rejections. Is there really any point anymore? I’m 27 and just feeling dejected. I’ve done several vac schemes previously. But they don’t seem to count. So few direct TC routes too. What is the point of continuing?

 

[EA95]

Linklaters PFO