TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[hopingforamiracle]

Cooley PFOOO! I don't get it. Got an invite to the Meet Cooley event, researched everything thoroughly and followed the application tips given during the event to a T. I don't know what firms want from me anymore tbhh

 

[Legallywhatever]

OC wait is actually draining I wish they'd just send a PFO and get it over with

 

[kelisi88]

Holding myself accountable again (Cooley rejection)

CC*
HSF
NRF
Weil
Akin
Sidley
Orrick
Willkie
Cooley
Latham
Milbank
Kirkland
Dechert
Skadden
Goodwin
Covington
Linklaters*
Paul, Weiss
Slaughters*
Freshfields*
Fried Frank*
Gibson Dunn
Macfarlanes*
White & Case
Morgan Lewis
Paul Hastings*
Hogan Lovells*
Cleary Gottlieb
A&O Shearman
Vinson & Elkins
Arnold & Porter
Baker McKenzie
King & Spalding*
Winston & Strawn
Morrison Foerster
Sullivan & Cromwell

Key: = application submitted; = test received; = video interview; = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell.

absolute machine.

 

[Rhohia]

yeah thats what im thinking but im not sure

I wrote about the steam overall and specified certain seats within that stream and got through to VI

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Guys, this feels like a silly question, but do you have an easy way of identifying proper nouns? Is 'M&A' in the context of '...during the due diligence stage of M&A deals' supposed to be capitalised? If I substituted M&A with Debt Finance, would it still be the same rule? I think I'm losing my mind a little...Wish I had paid attention in school when we were taught these things...

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

My ropes and gray answer is 325 words... do I need to pump those numbers up to reach closer to 500?

I'd strongly recommend getting closer to 500 words but not by just filling it out. Often when people are not using closer to the 500 words they are really missing the detail needed in the question, especially how the characteristic will drive the firm's business.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I have just received a VS offer. They ask about any reasonable adjustments I might need. I have Aspergers. I have never been on a vac scheme so not sure about the format and so not sure what adjustments might be needed (I'd likely know once I start the scheme and have reflected on my experience, but I suppose that will be too late). Any suggestions on how to go about this? Or just insight into adjustments people have previously gotten.

[Based on recent discussions on the forum, I feel the need to caveat by saying I am not looking to game the system. I have gotten reasonable adjustments backed by evidence at ACs. But this was because I knew what to request based on my prior experiences. I have no idea about what a VS looks like].

Please feel free to PM me about this and we can discuss this privately.

 

[cwhite233]

Guys, this feels like a silly question, but do you have an easy way of identifying proper nouns? Is 'M&A' in the context of '...during the due diligence stage of M&A deals' supposed to be capitalised? If I substituted M&A with Debt Finance, would it still be the same rule? I think I'm losing my mind a little...Wish I had paid attention in school when we were taught these things...

M&A in caps always but 'debt finance' and 'funds' and that sort of thing in caps only when referring to the names of specific practice groups at firms - this approach has got me past app stage many times before

 

[cwhite233]

M&A in caps always but Debt Finance and Funds and that sort of thing in caps only when referring to the names of specific practice groups at firms - this approach has got me past app stage many times before

Also tiny unrelated point if you're talking about DD on a M&A deal I'd specify legal DD as a M&A deal will have loads of other types of DD workstreams that the deal lawyers won't be working on such as financial DD etc.!

 

[lawstudent2]

I wish I were as optimistic as you in life. I wouldn't think about it/change your plans personally. I did a VI for W&C in October for example and received an email from them before new year saying they will get back to me in the new year and they never did.. I adjusted my plans for this week thinking about the possibility of an AC and regret it now. I am in the same spot for HL btw, but there are still a lot of people in the process (about 50% I think), so I would just take it as a nice surprise if it does come without changing your plans.

haha dw I am very much anticipating a pfo, it wld just be nice to be able to go away and not have to think abt applications at all as they have consumed my life at this point so was wondering if they will get back to me by then or not

sorry about W&C tho I didn't apply but from what I've seen they really do take their time, it must be frustrating

but yeh thanks for the advice I'll defo keep the plans then

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi,
Speaking of adjustement,
I reached out to OC once I got invited to the virtual AC. They replied quite quickly asking for more details but I have not hear back since then and my AC is on Wednesday. Has anyone been in contact with them regarding adjustements and heard back? I am just stressed since it's my first interview with a law firm that is not recorded and my first time asking for adjustements.

Do have have an individual you have been in contact regarding this at OC or have you been responding to a shared inbox? I ask as sometimes find sending such details to a specific person rather than an inbox can be more helpful/you get a quicker response.

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

M&A in caps always but 'debt finance' and 'funds' and that sort of thing in caps only when referring to the names of specific practice groups at firms - this approach has got me past app stage many times before

Also tiny unrelated point if you're talking about DD on a M&A deal I'd specify legal DD as a M&A deal will have loads of other types of DD workstreams that the deal lawyers won't be working on such as financial DD etc.!

Oh this is very helpful thank you!

 

[lawbear123]

any insights on dechert written exercise?

 

[fitzer401]

Has anyone heard from Goodwin post VI?

 

[summersun]

Do have have an individual you have been in contact regarding this at OC or have you been responding to a shared inbox? I ask as sometimes find sending such details to a specific person rather than an inbox can be more helpful/you get a quicker response.

Hi @Jessica Booker ,
Thank you.
I have been in contact using the general trainee recruitment email. Would you advise to send another email to the person I have been in contact with? Their email address is at the signature of their email.

 

[MR10]

anyone not heard back from pinsent birmingham

 

[LawJourney101]

haha dw I am very much anticipating a pfo, it wld just be nice to be able to go away and not have to think abt applications at all as they have consumed my life at this point so was wondering if they will get back to me by then or not

sorry about W&C tho I didn't apply but from what I've seen they really do take their time, it must be frustrating

but yeh thanks for the advice I'll defo keep the plans then

Honestly- I've probably spent more time thinking about my applications than doing them.

 

[theruleofno]

I didn’t get a Paul, Weiss test invite but I’ve checked and double checked every inch of my application and the SPAG is perfect. Anyone else?

 

[BillSikes]

Anyone yet heard back from Pinsents Manchester?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker ,
Thank you.
I have been in contact using the general trainee recruitment email. Would you advise to send another email to the person I have been in contact with? Their email address is at the signature of their email.

I would try and follow up with them directly if you have their direct email. You can just ask politely whether the adjustments you requested will be able to be accommodated ahead of the day, or ask whether the firm needs any further information from you ahead of your AC. You can explain that you just want to ensure you are aware of what will happen on the day so you can prepare for the assessments.