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  1. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Please don’t give up man. The fact you secured 4 VS offers from some of the most prestigious law firms in the world speaks volumes about your potential and abilities. You are genuinely one of the few forum users that has been a huge influence and inspiration for me to keep it pushing through...
  2. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Were the non-RG attendees from St Andrews, Bath and Loughborough? If so, it’s pretty much the same difference. If not, then that’s good to hear honestly. I wonder how many of the non-RG VS’ received TC offers though. Most of the current and future trainees I have come across on LinkedIn went to...
  3. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Universities aren’t accessible to all though. My point was that some people have the potential to succeed at elite RG universities and have the academic grades to meet their entry requirements, but due to financial circumstances, they are unable to access these institutions due to the higher...
  4. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I agree with you. That’s kind of the point that I was making. A firm shouldn’t claim to have no minimum entry requirements, or that they assess applications holistically, or that they adopt university or CV-blind recruitment, when in reality, they are after a particular kind of future trainee. I...
  5. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    “They definitely do. Also they did a presentation a couple of years ago at my uni (Top RG, non Oxbridge) and one of the partners mentioned they went to Birmingham for UG, he then said “But we don’t hire from there anymore do we”. Grad rec tried to hush it up by saying they look at everything...
  6. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Grad rec trying to do damage control when it’s so much better to be honest and transparent about it. I went to a semi-top RG but I went there solely because it was the closest RG to where I live. I wasn’t in a financial position of moving really far from home. Of course I loved my uni and course...
  7. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Jheeze Ronaldo is on smoke today. 🥲🥲
  8. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Ropes & Gray PFO. For reference, I sent my application a few days before the deadline (28th - 31st Jan) and applied for both Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme 2025. Nobody can convince me they don’t have a hidden minimum entry requirement of AAA and a 1st at undergrad. I lowkey thought my...
  9. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    From what I have seen on the TCLA forums, it seems like they recruit 50:50 from VS and DTC, but I’m unsure if that will change for this recruitment cycle. It might be worthwhile asking them via email tbh, just to get a solid answer. 🙂
  10. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Andrei Radu, I hope you are keeping well. 🐐 Similar to one of the questions I had asked on the forum previously (for which you gave an amazing answer), how would you describe Willkie Farr & Gallagher in terms of its position in the City of London (apart from it being one of the leading...
  11. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I remember coming across firms like ‘Burges Salmon’, ‘Shoosmiths’ and ‘Bird & Bird’ and I had the exact same thoughts lmao. 😂 Some of these firms have very interesting and creative names. I wonder who thought of them. 🤔
  12. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think we should end this discussion here because it’s clear we are both on opposite sides of the debate. I am someone who firmly believes in the importance of DEI, whether it be for increasing the representation of ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people from socially mobile, lower...
  13. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I don’t want this to turn into a civil war on the TCLA forum. However, based on what you’ve written, I am under the impression that you acknowledge that without DEI you wouldn’t be where you are now (as a person of colour from a lower socioeconomic background + being neurodiverse), but then...
  14. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Love you too Bread, but I figured I have to tread carefully on this forum because I have seen a few instances where certain people have attacked and villainised other forum users over sharing their thoughts. 😂😂
  15. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I have some controversial opinions on this topic and I’m aware I will probably get cancelled on the TCLA forum after this, but here goes nothing lmao: 1. I don’t believe it’s possible to hire on merit in the US or the UK because there is still a lot of unconscious bias and prejudice against...
  16. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think the OP’s point (which I agree with) was that someone can possess the ability, but because they tick those boxes (which become visible to recruiters through things like a VI), there is room for bias and prejudice. Of course I would want to be hired based on my ability, but it’s inevitable...
  17. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    This is something that has been on my mind for some time going through this application cycle. I have a strong interest in US firms, but they rely heavily on VI. I am worried about the impact of the DEI situation in the US and if it will mean US firms change their policies around DEI in their UK...
  18. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I’ve made this exact same mistake once before on this forum ffs. Yeah I meant Feb and not Jan. Idk what’s going on w/ me at this point. 😂😂
  19. Harvey Specter

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Has anyone heard from Ropes & Gray? Based on last year’s forum, people began to hear back on the 19th - 21st February. 🥲🥲

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