TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[MaryAra299]

I just got a linklaters rejection but... I never actually applied there💀💀💀

That exactly what I was thinking about my Goodwin application

 

[sapphireoreos]

No, when did you get this?

Just under an hour ago

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, if I were to renege a vacation scheme offer because of clashing scheme dates, should I be honest with the graduate recruitment that it was because of another vacation scheme, or should I come up with other reasons like family emergencies? Also, although I think it's not plausible, would it be worth asking if I can do a vacation scheme for 2 weeks instead of 3 weeks because of the clashing dates? Thanks!

Far better to be honest about these things, especially if you are hoping to intentionally have a direct TC process with the firm in the future. If you are not really looking to apply to the firm again, then there really isn’t any issue with telling them that it’s for another scheme.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you! So do you think it's better for me to tell the graduate recruitment about my other vacation scheme?

Yes - if the firm does allow you to do two weeks and you go forward for a TC process, the firm is going to find out you did another scheme anyway. So there is no point lying to them about it.

Most people who ask for some accommodation with dates or renege are doing so because they have other offers - firms are very used to dealing with this.

 

[Tclarocks123]

How nice of Links to put me out of my misery

 

[MaryAra299]

Can someone pls clarify
From what I've heard is that the firms who have sjt assessments are the ones to run SPAG test on the application first and then sent sjt invites to selected one and after passing the sjts they're going to have a look at your application. Is this true or valid in any way?

 

[simplyfaith]

I finally got a post-application rejection from Linklaters at 14:48. So much for my 97th percentile Watson-Glaser score 😂

"However, this doesn't have to be the end of the road and we would encourage you to re-apply next year" bro/sis I ain't glazing you again 💅

 

[Tintin06]

Please don’t give up man. The fact you secured 4 VS offers from some of the most prestigious law firms in the world speaks volumes about your potential and abilities. You are genuinely one of the few forum users that has been a huge influence and inspiration for me to keep it pushing through this intense application cycle. I’m sure other forum users who were active on here from previous years would agree. You are a superstar matey!!! 🙂

Have you got a mentor or someone who can support you with applications and interviews? I think if you had someone that could provide a bit of guidance and advice, you’d get that very well deserved TC. Speaking of TC’s, there are still some open for applications. Even if you have received 30 PFO’s, it could be that the 31st firm is the one to offer you a TC. Best of luck with the rest of this application cycle and please don’t give up at all. You have what it takes to be successful!!! 🙂​

That means a lot - thank you. I mostly just need a break.

 

[James Wakefield]

Well that’s a relief! Just got an email from Cooley about the AC. Sounds like they don’t tell people to leave at lunch anymore.

You’re guaranteed to get an interview, which is incredibly reassuring. Not that you don’t need to be on your best game for the morning!

@Ram Sabaratnam

 

[Chris Brown]

Can someone pls clarify
From what I've heard is that the firms who have sjt assessments are the ones to run SPAG test on the application first and then sent sjt invites to selected one and after passing the sjts they're going to have a look at your application. Is this true or valid in any way?

The only firm I know of that does this based on my own experience is Paul, Weiss. Their first stage is a SPAG review and people that pass that stage get sent the online test (Amberjack SJT). I’m not sure if this is the same for other firms that use this test though. 🙂​

 

[AveragePoster]

Just received a Greenberg Traurig TC interview invite

 

[milawalton]

Has anyone heard anything from Dechert after the Written Assessment?

 

[milawalton]

Does anyone have any information that they can share about the Debevoise and Plimpton Open day? Please, any help would be really appreciated. I can offer insights into Skadden, Macfarlanes, Vinson & Elkins, and Weil

 

[milawalton]

Any information on the Debevoise & Plimpton recruitment process specifically about the open day would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[ashwright]

How nice of Links to put me out of my misery

I finally got a post-application rejection from Linklaters at 14:48. So much for my 97th percentile Watson-Glaser score 😂

"However, this doesn't have to be the end of the road and we would encourage you to re-apply next year" bro/sis I ain't glazing you again 💅

I'm really sorry guys. Linklaters has honestly taken forever to hand out decisions. Could I ask if these were summer/spring vs apps + whether you guys were 66%/77%?

This is like watching a slow-mo of a punch. I'd rather them just hit me quickly, than wait forever for the inevitable.

 

[chlawstudent]

Cripps AC!

 

[simplyfaith]

I'm really sorry guys. Linklaters has honestly taken forever to hand out decisions. Could I ask if these were summer/spring vs apps + whether you guys were 66%/77%?

This is like watching a slow-mo of a punch. I'd rather them just hit me quickly, than wait forever for the inevitable.

Spring vacation scheme at 66%

I know, right? $2.7B firm btw

 

[Legallywhatever]

Does anyone have ideas on what experience is decent for direct TC apps? I don't have paralegal experience but is that necessarily a hinderance?

 

[BillSikes]

I finally got a post-application rejection from Linklaters at 14:48. So much for my 97th percentile Watson-Glaser score 😂

"However, this doesn't have to be the end of the road and we would encourage you to re-apply next year" bro/sis I ain't glazing you again 💅

Now you know how I feel

 

[l789]

Just to add to this, I think this also extends to things like work experience and extra-curricular activities. Most people who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds end up needing to part-time or full-time during their time at university (to afford the cost of living), so do not have the luxury or time of securing internships and being part of 20 different clubs and societies. Some people don’t even live on campus and choose to commute to university to lower expenses, so can’t afford to spend time on campus outside of lectures and seminars. 🙂

I wonder whether firms take into account that social mobility and coming from a lower socioeconomic background impacts people far beyond their academics. The kinds of work experience opportunities available to people are limited if they don’t live in a major city. The closest major cities to where I live are around an hour away. For people who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, the kinds of work experiences and employment opportunities that are available to them are limited even further. In my local area, there aren’t many employment or work experience opportunities at all. I’m grateful that the university I went to ensured there were opportunities targeting students like myself (e.g., legal professional mentoring schemes and shadowing lawyers). 🙂​

Honestly speaking facts!

These are such critical aspects which I don’t think enough firms or grad rec teams appreciate when assessing candidates. Working part time does limit how much we can take on.

At HSF, grad rec said that if they have two similar candidates they use work experience as a distinguishing factor. I really don’t think that’s fair at all… although I love the firm!

There’s also other aspects of social mobility like being from a lower socio economic background and living in a council flat and having to share a room with your sibilings or extended family members and trying to work and live in overcrowded spaces, I have friends who do not even have a desk in their room to work on.

I don’t think people realise how much material deprivation can affect educational achievement and how this feeds into the training contract process.

I think a lot of firms would benefit from having trainees who have lived experiences of social mobility to advocate for some reform in their recruitment processes than just the standard checklist. Firms have “DEI” experts but I really don’t know how much impact this has.

And to reiterate your point: opportunity is absolutely everything when it comes to this process, how are we meant to build our candidacy if we don’t have any opportunities in place or can take on.

Similarly those who are privately educated are on a higher footing to us from lower socio economic backgrounds because of the opportunities and advantages they had growing up. When I started uni I had nothing to my name compared to my privately educated peers.