TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[trainee4u]

Anyone done the NRF Arctic Shores? Same as Gowling's?
My feedback from Gowling was:

"How you understand others": 4/4 - I always do well on emotion recognition games
"How you respond to change" 1/4 - I'm sure this is from reacting too slowly or wrongly in the press x/y type games
"How you attend to tasks & decisions" 1/4 - I'm not sure what this relates to specifically
"How you approach challenges" 3/4 - I think this is spending too long on the game at the end.
"How you identify patterns & rules" 4/4 - I will have performed very well on the maths stuff

So my concern is that research proves that reaction times decline with age and I'm 40+.

NRF have asked "If you have require any reasonable adjustments please do let us know as soon as possible and we can look at what adjustments cant be made."

I'm slightly confused by this because they say on their form that "We’re positive about employing disabled people and are an accredited Disability Confident Employer. As a Disability Confident organisation we offer interviews to disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for our roles."

On that basis I therefore disclosed that I have ASD (although I don't have a formal diagnosis, I would likely get one), so I'm a bit confused now about this, in that I've already disclosed a disability so there's some second-guessing perhaps on whether I should request an adjustment. In addition, I don't think that the people at Arctic Shores have considered that their games are age discriminatory specifically, and it says on the Arctic Shores page only that any of the following may warrant an adjustment and/or additional time:

"▶ ADHD ▶ Autism ▶ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ▶ Dyscalculia ▶ Dysgraphia ▶ Dyslexia ▶ Dyspraxia ▶ Epilepsy ▶ Mental Health Issue ▶ Multiple Sclerosis ▶ Physical Disability"

but age is not listed there.

I'm very much in doubt that it would be a good idea to email NRF and say "hey, your testing discriminates on the basis of age, which is illegal", even though it's obvious that it does. So maybe I just email and say "I'd like more time for the split-second games on the basis of ASD meaning I have slower reactions" [even though this is probably scientifically much less certain than the age issue, lol]? Anyone with experience dealing with this?!

Just as a minor update, NRF rejected my application "following my Arctic Shores". So the "Disability Confident" doesn't seem to mean that much, lol.

 

[STEM Student]

Hi guys,

I have been invited for a video interview for NRF for the summer 2025 vac scheme. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for preparing for them. What kind of questions do they ask?

 

[Anonymous3444543]

How did others find the Willkie Written Ex?

Alright but hope I’m spared with the typos as I didn’t have much time left

 

[kelisi88]

you can't be serious, i got 7318 for the pw amberjack. seriously this test is an abomination whoever created it has probably never touched grass.
edit: nvm, thought they were out of 10. i got 6317, even better!! 😍

 

[johnnysins]

Is it worth it to apply for Direct Training Contracts as a penultimate year student? How successful would we be compared to graduates or finalists?

 

[Chris Brown]

you can't be serious, i got 7318 for the pw amberjack. seriously this test is an abomination whoever created it has probably never touched grass.

I agree whoever invented the amberjack SJT test needs to go outside and touch some grass because what was that it was so hard. 🥲

If Paul from Paul, Weiss is seeing this though I promise I am a nice, friendly and collaborative person in real life!​

 

[rapunzel]

i didn't take that initiative unfortunately, i had too much trust in them! not sure how else to take this message in their email other than not taking the assessment, even if it was due...

'If you require any reasonable adjustments, please email us on ukearlycareers@freshfields.com to let us know what adjustments you require. We will consider your particular needs and implement any reasonable adjustments as far as possible. Please do not attempt to complete the test until you have heard back from us.'

Yeah a lot of law firms say that in their email I just ignore it because response rates for a lot of firms are very slow nowadays. I just do it to get free practice in anyways even if I do end up with an PFO 😭

 

[rapunzel]

With all this discourse on adjustments I must say that I was extremely impressed with PwC’s process where you just submit evidence on your portal and it automatically gives you adjustments on your tests and interviews.

 

[simplyfaith]

you can't be serious, i got 7318 for the pw amberjack. seriously this test is an abomination whoever created it has probably never touched grass.
edit: nvm, thought they were out of 10. i got 6317, even better!! 😍

Two billion dollar firm btw 👍

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi guys,

I have been invited for a video interview for NRF for the summer 2025 vac scheme. I was wondering if anyone has any tips for preparing for them. What kind of questions do they ask?

I have found some useful posts describing candidates' interview experiences which will give you an idea as to what to expect:

• An older post with a general interview experience
• A 2020 thread discussing telephone interview experiences
• A 2025 post on a telephone interview experience (available via the premium database)

 

[Whopsydopey567]

In a bit of a situation.
I had to complete a Watson Glaser test for an AC tomorrow, the deadline for it was meant to be before the AC. When the email for it was sent 2 days ago, I could see a "take test" button on all hires, however, when I logged in tonight to complete the test, it disappeared and was replaced with a refresh test button. Emailed GradRec and Allhires Support. It, however, is 1 am, and I do not know what to do. Does anyone on the forum who has had something similar happen have any advice/ideas on what I can do?

 

[Legal Wizard]

In a bit of a situation.
I had to complete a Watson Glaser test for an AC tomorrow, the deadline for it was meant to be before the AC. When the email for it was sent 2 days ago, I could see a "take test" button on all hires, however, when I logged in tonight to complete the test, it disappeared and was replaced with a refresh test button. Emailed GradRec and Allhires Support. It, however, is 1 am, and I do not know what to do. Does anyone on the forum who has had something similar happen have any advice/ideas on what I can do?

Which firm?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Is it worth it to apply for Direct Training Contracts as a penultimate year student? How successful would we be compared to graduates or finalists?

I want to know this too. I’m not sure if I should wait until the next cycle to really understand the firm because I know that some firms won’t look at candidates who were already rejected from them

 

[LB24]

Are there still a lot of people who applied to Addleshaw Goddard but are now waiting to hear back about being invited to a VI? I see there’s people who have progressed to AC but I’m wondering if it’s just a few fast tracked people.

I emailed them to ask for an update since I haven’t heard back post-critical thinking test either!

They said they are still screening applicants and will be in touch within 10 weeks of the application closing date. I applied for Manchester if that’s any use.

 

[BreadandButter]

Akin AC
Goodwin VI
Weil VI
Willkie Written Task
Linklaters
HSF VS
Reed smith AC
Addleshaw Goddard VS

12 applications, 5 ACs, 4 rejections

HSF & AG VS

Dechert WE, Macfarlanes AC, CMS VI and W&C VI rejection

Waiting for Weil, Linklaters and Goodwin tc.

I’ve done Akin, Macfarlanes, HSF and AG Assessment centres.

 

[TrainingContract2024]

Hi everyone, just got an Invitation to complete Legal High Potential Assessment from Dentons. I would appreciate any insights on this.

i found the culture and values section of their website incredibly helpful for the assessment. it's quite similar to a&o shearman’s sjt, but slightly longer. all the best. i was also curious if this is for the summer vacation scheme. thank you!

 

[kokoprep]

hey is freshfields WG happens on which platform and is it timed?

 

[rose_tinted]

thank you so much for this, I only heard good things about them tbf but this confirms it
I really hope your AC went well!

Thank you! Peversely, I found it quite fun, once the nerves had calmed down!

This might not be very original advice, but it's something I drew on yesterday during my interview and used to suggest to candidates when I was recruiting.

I write down each question I'm asked before answering. You can buy yourself thinking time (and also say 'hmm, give me a moment to ponder this one' for the tougher questions). It also really helps keep me focused while answering, rather than just yakking away and going off track!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I don't want to name drop, but am interested to hear your guys' thoughts on this...
At my AC, I was interviewed by an associate and partner. Both were very nice, but I was taken aback by the partner's phone use throughout my interview. I understand these lawyers are extremely busy, but seriously? He noted a few words down every 5 mins or so, and asked the first couple of questions. It then became a conversation between just the associate and I. This completely threw me off, and I panicked through the rest of the interview because I was worried about why he was not paying attention. He was looking and typing on his phone for a good 2/3rds of my interview, and quite honestly, I found this rude. Again, I understand how busy partners are but why offer to interview if you cannot afford the time to actually give a candidate your full attention?

Heya, I can completely relate to this! This happened to me in a final round interview for a Magic Circle firm in 2023!! I got the vac scheme and was later told it was a tactic to see if you would crumble or rise to the occasion!!!

 

[James Wakefield]

.

Heya, I can completely relate to this! This happened to me in a final round interview for a Magic Circle firm in 2023!! I got the vac scheme and was later told it was a tactic to see if you would crumble or rise to the occasion!!!

How do you rise to the occasion in such a situation, is it just about keeping your cool and carrying on with the interview?