TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[STEM Student]

Hi guys, what’s the best way to prepare for a negotiation group project? And what’s the best way to prepare for a case study?

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know how many vac schemers Orrick take on? Given the small size of the TC intake, is there any point in making a direct TC?

I read somewhere that Orrick has between 12-16 places on their VS. I think they have around 4-6 TC places in total, so it could be they have a very low conversion rate (maybe 25%). If this is the case, perhaps they make 3-4 TC offers from the VS route and 1-2 offers from the DTC route. Orrick also recently upped their NQ pay from £140,000 to £160,000.​

 

[trainee4u]

I know it’s only been like 5 days since the deadline, but has anyone heard from Stephenson Harwood yet for their Spring and/or Summer VS?

Does anyone know from a previous cycle when they usually get back to people post application with test invites?​

last year I applied on 23rd Jan (deadline) and received test invite 30 jan

 

[emma.d]

I know it’s only been like 5 days since the deadline, but has anyone heard from Stephenson Harwood yet for their Spring and/or Summer VS?

Does anyone know from a previous cycle when they usually get back to people post application with test invites?​

Last year, I applied in December and got a test invite in April

 

[suhana]

hello @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

i have an ac scheduled on 12th march but the dates of this scheme clash with the dates of a vac scheme offer i have already accepted. is there any point in going through the prep and doing the ac?

 

[baj5]

Has anyone done K&L Gates verbal analysis test? Can't find anything on it at all

Hi! Did you end up finding anything on this?

 

[summerk27]

Has anyone received a placement scheme offer for CRS yet?

 

[sb04]

Hey there, has anyone done the interview with Sidley Austin? I'd be more than happy to trade insights for White & Case, Milbank, and Weil!

 

[Cool pigeon]

Does anyone have any advice ?

I have an upcoming DTC interview with slaughters.

I also have 3 vac schemes, all with US firms with smaller cohorts.

As part of the interview they ask about application strategy?
- Shall I not mention them and say different firms I applied for but then it seems like I have had an unsuccessful season if they ask how I have got on (such as macfarlances , linklaters, etc)
- one of the VS is with a US firm focused on corporate work, and have a trainee intake of about 25. I could mention them for similar work but again training is v different.
- mention all the vac schemes and be totally honest about strategy- wanted firms where I will get to work on high calibre corporate work and firms that I’ve met.

I think the schemes will make me seem like a stronger candidate but also I worry they will not think I WANT slaughters enough because of them.

Also in the event they were to offer me a TC, does anyone know if they extend- I really want to do the schemes and I don’t know what I would pick honestly.

 

[Hopefully2025]

Is there anyone who's not heard anything from Travers Smith post app? Is there any chance of them offering any more interviews now that a decent few people have received VS offers?

 

[legallycurly]

DACB ac London office

 

[Applebanana425]

Anyone heard from HL this week post ac?

 

[fTS3002]

Are people still waiting to hear back from Davis Polk post app for Summer scheme? Since people have already had interviews a month ago, what can we expect if we haven't heard back?

 

[ilovegardening1111]

DACB ac London office

Congratulations !!! do you mind me asking when you applied/took the test?

 

[kokoprep]

Last time I’ll ask, anyone heard Sidley Austin summer? Just wondering if the March deadline they gave is a PFO

what does this mean? Meaning if we did not hear by march, its a PFO?

 

[legallycurly]

Congratulations !!! do you mind me asking when you applied/took the test?

I applied on the deadline and took the test on the 18th of Feb!

 

[zeydi]

Does anyone know when we can hear back from Bristows first round of interview?

 

[Future$trainee]

Got a rejection email from DAC Beachcroft for TC, despite not even applying.

Catching strays for no reason😂

 

[jacksollaf]

Daily chest unlocked: DACB pfo 🥳🥳

Considering applying to a few DTC to keep myself entertained for the rest of the semester 😅😂:

Ashurst DTC
White & Case DTC
Dentons DTC
Hill Dickinson DTC
K&L Gates DTC
Mayer Brown DTC

 

[jta227]

Does anyone have any advice ?

I have an upcoming DTC interview with slaughters.

I also have 3 vac schemes, all with US firms with smaller cohorts.

As part of the interview they ask about application strategy?
- Shall I not mention them and say different firms I applied for but then it seems like I have had an unsuccessful season if they ask how I have got on (such as macfarlances , linklaters, etc)
- one of the VS is with a US firm focused on corporate work, and have a trainee intake of about 25. I could mention them for similar work but again training is v different.
- mention all the vac schemes and be totally honest about strategy- wanted firms where I will get to work on high calibre corporate work and firms that I’ve met.

I think the schemes will make me seem like a stronger candidate but also I worry they will not think I WANT slaughters enough because of them.

Also in the event they were to offer me a TC, does anyone know if they extend- I really want to do the schemes and I don’t know what I would pick honestly.

- I have heard of them extending before, not sure if blanket policy or case by case basis.
- I would mention your successful applications as coming across like an in demand candidate is a positive in my opinion. There are probably similarities you can draw if you look deeply enough, and at the end of the day as long as you can convey your motivations towards Slaughter and May across the entire interview I would think you'd be fine. Your portfolio (3 US vac schemes + Slaughter and May) seems identical to @Andrei Radu so maybe he can offer some more insight.

Good luck!