TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[l789]

CC SPARK post-WG PFO. had it reviewed by careers service twice fgs.

Sorry to hear!

Spark is incredibly competitive, and while I’ve seen some TC offers been made to the current spark cohort- it seems that not everyone has been made offers.

You have every advantage in working on your application for the direct TC next year and I know that you will smash it.

If it helps, I know of people who were rejected from spark but went on to obtain direct TC offers the subsequent year.

 

[Jaysen]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Jaysen This is the second time writing in the chat, having sent 3 emails already with no response. I bought the Premium last Saturday, and I am still awaiting membership approval. So unprofessional. Please at least reply and give me a refund.

Hey there! It doesn't look like we have a record of a subscription under this account. Would you mind sending me an email to [email protected] with your premium email?

 

[OliverTwist]

3 PFO’s today…11am…. Birthday off to a good start haha

 

[floral.tcla]

Sorry to hear!

Spark is incredibly competitive, and while I’ve seen some TC offers been made to the current spark cohort- it seems that not everyone has been made offers.

You have every advantage in working on your application for the direct TC next year and I know that you will smash it.

If it helps, I know of people who were rejected from spark but went on to obtain direct TC offers the subsequent year.

thank you, that's reassuring to hear

 

[floral.tcla]

has anyone heard from HL for the summer VS? are they still sending anything?

 

[AlegalA]

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.

I agree, but the way the sentences were phrased didn't correlate to the correct answer eg- "it is exactly 0.5% so we can give bonuses" when in fact it's under or "it is way above 5% so we can't give bonuses" when the correct answer is that it is exactly 5%.

Although the action would be correct (can/can't give the bonus), the way the answer is phrased is incorrect.

 

[kanchitcla]

Everyone asking about links, they said that their last week of AC is next week

thank you so much!

hi is this for both summer and spring?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi Ram,

Thank you so much for your quick reply and help! Sorry, I should've put more detail. It is for King & Spalding's question: Please describe a current news story that is of interest to you and why (300 words). Their main sectors are energy and construction. I would really appreciate your guidance on how I can make this topic more concise and relevant. I am happy to speak about how I am interested in how the USA's policies disrupt global economies, but it is just very broad. Thank you! Your help is invaluable.

Hiya @gazdgazd11

Thanks for clarifying! To effectively address King & Spalding’s prompt, you’ll need to narrow your focus. Is there a specific set of tariffs you have in mind? Since taking office, the Trump administration has made several announcements, including a 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico, a reduced 10% tariff on Canadian energy resources (currently set to take effect in March, but not yet entirely clear if this will happen), and a 10% tariff on imports from China. There are also tariffs on specific products, such as aluminium and steel, which are likely to have a major impact on supply chains and consumers. A good starting point would be to briefly describe the tariffs you’re focusing on, outlining their scope and the industries most affected.

The second part of the question asks why you find these developments interesting. You don't need to say specifically how it affects King & Spalding or its clients, but you may want to allude to these. You might be drawn to how tariffs disrupt established supply chains, influence market dynamics, and reshape economic relationships between countries. If you can connect this to your personal experience or interests, that would strengthen your response. For example, I’m originally from Canada, and the threat of tariffs has directly affected people in my life - friends who work in the auto industry have faced significant uncertainty, and everyone I know has been worried about rising costs on products. What I’ve found particularly interesting is the Canadian government’s response and how they’ve worked to mitigate the impact of these tariffs without causing further economic strain. Your own reasons might be different. Maybe you’re interested in the legal side (e.g. how businesses respond to tariffs, how trade disputes play out politically between countries, etc). Whatever your angle, the key is to articulate why this topic genuinely interests you in a way that reflects your perspective.

In terms of structure, you could take the following approach:

• Introduction: Briefly introduce the recent tariffs imposed by President Trump, highlighting their scope and the sectors most affected.
  
  
• Impact on certain sectors: Discuss how these tariffs are expected to influence certain industries, and presumably you can focus on energy and construction here. For instance, the construction industry relies heavily on materials like steel and aluminium, which are subject to increased costs due to tariffs. The escalation in material costs can quickly lead to higher project expenses and potential delays. You can also briefly mention here how the tariffs might disrupt global supply chains, leading to increased costs and delays in project timelines. The energy sector, for example, could face challenges with the importation of critical components, affecting production and distribution.
  
  
• Personal Reflection: I'd conclude by articulating your personal interest in the topic. Here you'll want to emphasise your fascination with how such policy decisions can have considerable effects on global industries, economies, and legal practices. This will ensure that you've adequately addressed the second part of the prompt and showcase genuine interest with the tariff(s) you've chosen to discuss.

This advice is just to get you going. Hope this helps and good luck with the application!

 

[Chris Brown]

The applications and interviews are literally university blind...

“They definitely do. Also they did a presentation a couple of years ago at my uni (Top RG, non Oxbridge) and one of the partners mentioned they went to Birmingham for UG, he then said “But we don’t hire from there anymore do we”. Grad rec tried to hush it up by saying they look at everything holistically but a brief look at their future and current trainees shows that mantra is definitely true.”

This doesn’t sound like university blind or CV blind recruitment in my opinion. I don’t think there’s a problem with recruiting from top universities but I just think firms should be honest and transparent about that so applicants know what to expect. 🤷🏾‍♂️​

 

[Misty Meanor]

Anyone else still waiting to hear from Weil post AC? Know quite a few with offers now.

Damn, i guess they really moved on it fast if they only finished ACs yesterday. Could never be me 😢

 

[Someoneinlaw]

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rebm...creenshot_social_share&utm_campaign=copy_link

For those that applied to Paul Weiss, this might be of interest for discussion in an interview. E.g questions like “why PW?”

 

[trainee4u]

Hey, so sorry to hear this. I hope you don't mind me asking - was this the 9am batch? Thank you.

yes 9:43am

 

[l789]

thank you, that's reassuring to hear

Yeah honestly, please don’t sweat it.

I’ve had some rejections this week and I’m normally quite ok with dealing with them but I also know it can be tough.

I just wanted to reassure you from my experience of people I know of who haven’t had luck with spark but then went on to obtain TCs and also when I was invited to CC open day in November, one of the attendees was previously rejected from the same open day last year Nov 2023 and applied for it this year Nov 2024 and obtained a place.

Keep pushing you will get there!

 

[floral.tcla]

Yeah honestly, please don’t sweat it.

I’ve had some rejections this week and I’m normally quite ok with dealing with them but I also know it can be tough.

I just wanted to reassure you from my experience of people I know of who haven’t had luck with spark but then went on to obtain TCs and also when I was invited to CC open day in November, one of the attendees was previously rejected from the same open day last year Nov 2023 and applied for it this year Nov 2024 and obtained a place.

Keep pushing you will get there!

thank you, this made me smile. You will get there too!!!

I hope you're dealing with the rejections okay. It's their loss!

 

[SamiyaJ]

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rebm...creenshot_social_share&utm_campaign=copy_link
View attachment 6963
For those that applied to Paul Weiss, this might be of interest for discussion in an interview. E.g questions like “why PW?”

PW please get back to me with a positive response today so I can tell you how much ily xx

 

[klax]

Apologies if this has been answered earlier, but does anyone know the general timeline for Mishcon? ie those who have done spring ACs already!

I have a VI for the summer scheme on Tuesday and was wondering how long it usually takes to give you your result and when the AC is if you end up having a successful VI?

did spring mishcon AC and they said they's let us know end of the following week (COB today) - still waiting!

 

[pepsicola96]

CC SPARK rejection, disappointed but not surprised, it's just so competitive. But with that my cycle is just about done, still waiting on one 'first year insight day' which I'm not sure I'm even available for so, let's just summarise now. As a 2nd year non-law student, with quite poor A-levels, I was only eligible for some vacation schemes, and then some first year schemes and mentoring programmes, so I'll split into two.

VS:
Total applications: 10
Total rejections: 9
Passed first (application review) stage: 3
Passed second (online test) stage: 2
Passed third (VI) stage: 1
Made to AC/Final Stage: 1
Vacation Scheme offers: 1!!!!

Other/1st Year/Mentoring:
Processes too different to summarise like above, but made 7 applications, 4 rejections, secured two mentoring schemes, and one insight programme.

Overall very happy, it was my first cycle and I definitely underestimated the whole process. Many of my applications were rushed, and I felt unprepared a lot of the time. Ecstatic to have secured a VS tho! Admittedly it was not one of my top firms, but throughout the process I've learnt a lot about the firm and I am still really excited for the scheme. I do believe it is very very hard to convert however, so I will not be expecting a TC out of this (but would not say no!). Nonetheless all work experience is good work experience, and will help me in the next cycle.

Next cycle, I will definitely start preparing earlier, not just my firm research before I apply, but also practicing tests/WG, and video interviews, as that is where I stumbled a lot. I'm excited for a new cycle though, as I'll be able to choose firms that I'm genuinely interested in. This year I kinda had to pick whatever would accept me as a second year non-law with below average a-levels, even If i wasn't all that interested in the firms. But next year a lot more options open up, and I will be prepared!

To others I'd just say don't give up. I submitted my first application in September, and the rest before Christmas pretty much. I remember having a string of about 5 first stage rejections in the space of two weeks before Christmas, and definitely felt like giving up. But for each of my successes here, I didn't even submit any of the applications until January, If i had given up, I would have nothing.

Lastly just to say, everyone here is genuinely so kind and supportive, don't know what I'd do without this forum.

 

[efm99]

did spring mishcon AC and they said they's let us know end of the following week (COB today) - still waiting!

And how much time was in between your VI and the AC if you don't mind me asking?

 

[londonlawyer]

Might be of interest to anyone waiting to hear back from P,W - when I selected my interview slot, there were only three slots available. But they could obv open up more slots

 

[kuuks_]

Might be of interest to anyone waiting to hear back from P,W - when I selected my interview slot, there were only three slots available. But they could obv open up more slots

Yea optimism has run out for me atp. I just didn't want hem to be one of those firms that leaves people in limbo

When did you book your slot btw?