TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Legal Wizard]

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu and anyone else - I was wondering if you could provide some insight into Gibson Dunn and what makes them different from other US firm other than their strong transactional vs contentious spilt and their broad internal presence. I am also interested in understand their clients from what I’ve understood the firm clientele is quite broad across various industries, but perhaps some insight on if certain practice groups have a specific market segment focus - this would be great. Thank you!

Hi! Do you have an interview?

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Where have you seen this? I think it may be automatic - or they have extremely poor AI screeners!

In the email it says ‘congrats on reaching the next stage’ so I don’t think it’s automatic

 

[Jessica Booker]

How would this work for people who perhaps can’t take out student finance or loans due to religious or cultural reasons? Would a firm be able to provide that person with additional financial support or would that future trainee be stranded? 🥲​

Possibly - but only in the form on an interest free loan rather than an increased maintenance grant.

The firm may also look at alternatives like part-time study that would allow the individual to work alongside their studies, or look to support with paid employment during the holidays.

A lot of people are able to work part time alongside a GDL course and so I suspect allowing someone to work part time would be the most sensible approach though.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Where have you seen this? I think it may be automatic - or they have extremely poor AI screeners!

I really don’t think you can make assumption. Some teams work on the sprint model of project management and can turn around things like screening quickly with the right resources and planning.

 

[chlawstudent]

I had my AC today for the SVS

How did you find it? I have mine on Monday!

 

[Dogsoooo]

Anyone heard anything from weil today?

Wednesday is when they respond appaz

 

[NJS]

Sidley Austin said they’d get back to applicants late March, I assume that’s for Summer, because that seems too late for spring, I can’t remember what I applied for lol

 

[NCTC2025]

Sidley Austin said they’d get back to applicants late March, I assume that’s for Summer, because that seems too late for spring, I can’t remember what I applied for lol

Could be the classic law firm "well get back to applicants rejects in late march"... 😭

 

[Chris Brown]

Could be the classic law firm "well get back to applicants rejects in late march"... 😭

They’ll also use the classic law firm “we received an unprecedented number of applications and as a result, we are unable to provide specific feedback on your application…” 🥲🥲​

 

[NCTC2025]

They’ll also use the classic “we received an unprecedented number of applications and as a result, we are unable to provide specific feedback on your application…” 🥲🥲​

had a friend who just did the jones day first stage interview and was told they cant provide feedback at this stage after a rejection. How do you have a 1 hour partner interview and no feedback is generated😭

 

[SeniorJunior]

How did you find it? I have mine on Monday!

It’s a lot to get through and they’re great at moving you through the steps and explaining everything.
Everyone was very friendly and personable.
The tasks are exactly as described in the email as well.
Good luck!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

had a friend who just did the jones day first stage interview and was told they cant provide feedback at this stage after a rejection. How do you have a 1 hour partner interview and no feedback is generated😭

Jones Day AC feedback is also four sentences long, two for each interview...

 

[NJS]

had a friend who just did the jones day first stage interview and was told they cant provide feedback at this stage after a rejection. How do you have a 1 hour partner interview and no feedback is generated😭

Their feedback for the AC is also just a 3 sentence email too

 

[Leveraged]

had a friend who just did the jones day first stage interview and was told they cant provide feedback at this stage after a rejection. How do you have a 1 hour partner interview and no feedback is generated😭

Jones Day AC feedback is also four sentences long, two for each interview...

Their feedback for the AC is also just a 3 sentence email too

My friend SAR’d them post-AC, as you can’t re-apply anyway. Comments were v insightful they just cba to give honest feedback aha

 

[tkl24]

Anyone heard from PMC post AC?
Kind of losing hope, considering tis been nearly 4 weeks.

 

[AspiringSolicitor25]

Wednesday is when they respond appaz

Where did you hear that?

 

[ashwright]

Final update guys:
I received my final PFO for this cycle yesterday. In total, I received 8/8 rejections (4 MC). I'm still awaiting a response from one firm but they sent out loads of VI invites last week so I'm presuming that's a PFO.

Thanks to my mistakes + the fact this is my first cycle, I've learned a lot. These are some of my reflections on things which I know/believe weakened my apps. If you didn't know them, consider taking them on board; if you did know them, consider this post a reinforcement.

1. Answer the question.
   • Internalise the old-school editor's mantra - "kill your darlings". Sometimes, you'll write a response which you love. You feel like you entered a flow state + you and your Word document were one and the same. But... your response doesn't fully answer the question. In parts, you compromise on answering one aspect of the question because you got so caught up in writing poetry for another part of the question. As painful as it is, delete the irrelevance. Whatever doesn't answer the question = delete-worthy.
2. When talking about 'why commercial law' or 'why this firm', do not skimp on interesting information. Brevity is a necessary consideration given the usually low word counts - don't waste it on flowery language and ambiguity.
   • Your response generally requires a descriptive element (e.g., what the deal was) - you can't just jump into the normative (e.g., what does the deal mean for industry). The best way to tackle this descriptive element is to explain it simply in your own words. Go back to first principles, pretend you're doing an ELI5... do whatever it takes to convey the info succinctly and accurately. This shows that you know your stuff - it also shows that you're not providing analysis on something you don't actually understand.
3. Apply to a variety of firms. Or don't. What matters is that the firms you apply to actually align with what you want your TC to look like. Be intentional with your applications. It's easier to write a decent love letter if you actually like the person.
4. Community (like TCLA) can help immensely. For support, advice, consolation, celebration - this forum is a uniquely welcoming community. Make the most of it.
5. If you're intimidated by something, still try it out. I missed out on so many opportunities this year because I was too scared that I wasn't the right candidate. I now regret this. Not trying something means you have a 0% success rate - don't self-select your own rejection.
6. Avoid comparison. It isn't just the thief of joy, but it can also be the thief of success.

My plans for my second cycle are to do more Forage stuff, employment, and attend more commercial awareness events.
I'll be logging off for a while but just wanted to say thank you all for your support this cycle. You've all been tremendously kind. I will always be cheering you on.

 

[saminoriya]

Anyone heard from PMC post AC?
Kind of losing hope, considering tis been nearly 4 weeks.

I have been waiting since 30th January and still nothing, but I heard that they are very slow after ACs.

 

[YS391]

Anyone heard from PMC post AC?
Kind of losing hope, considering tis been nearly 4 weeks.

They are doing ACs till the end of Feb. No one has heard back yet either, so I reckon we hear back in early and mid-March like last year.

 

[lolololol]

latham pfo finally for summer