TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

Freshfields PFO

Hi there,

I’m sorry to hear about the PFO. I know how much effort goes into these applications, and it can be so disheartening to not get the result you were hoping for.

Please don’t let this knock your confidence, though. Rejections are such a normal part of this journey and many of the most successful lawyers faced them before finding their fit. It’s all part of the process, and I have no doubt you’ll come out stronger from this.

Keep going, you’ve got this.

 

[jacksollaf]

How long after the second-stage interview are successful candidates typically notified by Gibson Dunn?

Hey, I don't know the answer to the question, but I have the first-stage interview on Monday with Gibson Dunn! Would you please be able to give me any advice? how was yours, etc..

 

[Zaraa.x]

Is anyone in the same position as me - I applied to Slaughters on 30/10 for their vac scheme but I am yet to hear back.
This despite the fact that others applied much later than me and have received invites/PFO's.

Should I assume PFO or write an email asking for updates? I felt as though my application was strong and have extensive history with the firm so I'm genuinely lost here

I’m in the similar position as well but I applied for TC

 

[u64928428]

Hey, I don't know the answer to the question, but I have the first-stage interview on Monday with Gibson Dunn! Would you please be able to give me any advice? how was yours, etc..

mainly competency based , just be yourseld and have answers to why GD, law etc.

 

[Cool pigeon]

have you been invited yet?

There was an email on Friday

 

[lawyer195]

Did anyone get a response from Latham post AC this week (either way)?

 

[Tintin06]

I've written gleamed rather than gleaned. This is in reference to skills. Is this going to be fatal? It's hard to notice such things. Especially when it's a correct word. Even if not used correctly here. It's hard to catch all errors.

 

[Andrei Radu]

How to best answer the question 'why this firm' in a structured manner in an interview? Any insights would be appreciated @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

To add to @Amma Usman's great post on this, I just wanted to lay out the basic structure I used. There are other structures you can employ for a great answer but this one ended up working very well for me, even when I had to cover a lot of information over a span of 3-4 minutes.

Introduction: State the number of reasons you will discuss and the basic point of each - eg. "I want to join your firm instead of your competitors because of three key reasons: firstly, the firm's strength in X department; secondly, the firm's strategic focus on Y; thirdly, the firm's Z approach to training".

First reason

1. State the feature of the firm and state the basic idea behind your interest in it - eg. "So, firstly, I am attracted to the firm's strong corporate M&A team because of my interest in learning about new businesses across a variety of fields and working on complex contractual negotiations"
2. Explain the factual claim you are making about the firm and back it up with evidence; if possible in a way which distinguishes it from rivals - eg. "Having researched the firm, I know it is a market leader in this practice area because of its reputable rankings in Chambers/Legal 500 and its numerous high-end mandates such as ..."
3. Tie it back to yourself and elaborate on your interest in the relevant feature of the firm, linking it to an example form an experience if possible - eg. "Thus, your firm is the ideal place to explore my interest in the area, as I would be learning from the best practitioners in the field while working on the most important matters. This opportunity excites me, as I have recently completed a Forgae M&A virtual internship, where I got to complete usual trainee tasks such as due diligence and proofreading - an experience which further confirmed the alignment between my skills and motivations and the work of the firm's M&A department."

Second/Third reason:

• Repeat the same three steps and do not forget to signpost

Conclusion: Summarize your points and reaffirm your interest - eg. "As such, because of the interests I just discussed in X, Y and Z features, your firm is the ideal place to begin my legal career".

 

[lawyerletsgo]

anyone have a list of places still accepting applications for vs?

 

[Andrei Radu]

I've written gleamed rather than gleaned. This is in reference to skills. Is this going to be fatal? It's hard to notice such things. Especially when it's a correct word. Even if not used correctly here. It's hard to catch all errors.

I really do not think it will be - I discovered multiple typos/misspellings in some of my successful applications, with some examples being far more noticeable than yours.

 

[Tintin06]

I really do not think it will be - I discovered multiple typos/misspellings in some of my successful applications, with some examples being far more noticeable than yours.

Thanks Andrei - that's very helpful, honestly.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

anyone have a list of places still accepting applications for vs?

I have seen a few but I’m not entirely sure whether they are rolling or non-rolling apart from Ropes & Gray which is non-rolling.

Womble Bond Dickinson: deadline 30th Jan.

Orrick + Ropes and Gray: deadline 31st Jan.

Gateley: deadline 31st Jan

Russell-Cooke: deadline 7th Feb

Bevan Brittan: deadline 11th Feb

Simmons & Simmons (Bristol): deadline 15th Feb

Michelmores (Bristol & Exeter): deadline 17th Feb

Stephenson Harwood: deadline 28th Feb

RWK Goodman: deadline 28th Feb​

 

[Sad_Old_Grad]

Hello, lovely people of the forum! I have a DLA VI coming up and was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to provide some advice? I get horribly nervous doing these things and usually stutter the whole way through…

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hello, lovely people of the forum! I have a DLA VI coming up and was wondering if anyone would be kind enough to provide some advice? I get horribly nervous doing these things and usually stutter the whole way through…

My experience with DLA VI was one of a very typical VI, I was not surprised by any particular question. For my general tips for VIs and VI preparation, I have written an in depth guide (which you can access here) - please see in particular sections 1 and 2.

 

[zoobla20]

@Andrei Radu hi, hope you're well. Just wondering, do you have any tips for when a firm asks "how do we make a profit?"

 

[Monopolyman]

Anybody heard from Travers for the summer vac scheme?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Hello, this is a pretty last minute request for advice for the WG but I would truly appreciate any advice you may have. For context, it is due tomorrow.

My biggest area of concern is the “drawing conclusions” part of the test — I consistently achieve 42-46% on it even after practicing multiple questions on it.

For assumptions, I achieve 88% and for evaluating arguments I receive 100% consistently

I really am not sure where I am going wrong with the conclusions part of the test and it’s really bringing my overall average down drastically

Any advice is welcome including suggested websites

 

[kokoprep]

Hey - did anyone who did VI on the first week on Jan 2025 (SPECIALLY 6/7th), heard back with AC

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I've written gleamed rather than gleaned. This is in reference to skills. Is this going to be fatal? It's hard to notice such things. Especially when it's a correct word. Even if not used correctly here. It's hard to catch all errors.

Might not even be picked up as an error - at the same time it could and firms that are particular about errors may mean that it does contribute to their decision, but I could easily see how something like this is missed.

As I have said many times before, at one firm I worked at we used to do a drafting skills session as part of the trainee induction and the question at the start of the session that nobody got right was “as a percentage, how many trainees had errors in their application” and it was always above 98%. And those were the people hired! Used to be very funny as the consultant (ex partner) running the session used to then show a range of the mistakes and it included some howlers!

Accuracy is important but there can be lots of minor errors that are missed unless scrutinised to a very heavy level (like was done in the drafting skills session).

 

[Kakaboo]

Anyone know what Gateley is looking for in their application when they ask "Please provide relevant detail and information from your work experience to date."?
Given that there aren't any other questions apart from one about their Forage work ex, should the answer to this read like a cover letter? Like what I've done, what I've learned and how the skills apply to Gateley?

What office are you applying for!