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Join Premium →Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training ContractNow half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
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Register on Zoom →How to Secure a Vacation Scheme (Ropes & Gray)1 Dec 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)In this interactive session, Maya Shah, Senior Early Careers Specialist at Ropes & Gray, will walk you through every stage of the firm's application process.
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Register on Zoom →How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews (Willkie)3 Dec 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Willkie’s new graduate recruiter and two trainees will break down what the firm looks for at the interview stage, common pitfalls to avoid, and how you can demonstrate confidence, clarity, and genuine motivation throughout an assessment centre.
Search results
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
The winter VS is a week long so not like the summer VS which is 3 weeks. I guess it is still not ideal for those in full-time work who have to use annual leave regardless. It is unfortunate but I guess they believe it is a lot better for future trainees to do a VS at Freshfields before they...- Harvey Specter
- Post #1,804
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂 The introduction of the new VS is why...- Harvey Specter
- Post #1,800
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I haven’t heard anything from HL for the SVS yet and I applied fairly late. 💀 I applied around mid Dec and did the WGT on Xmas Eve (24th Dec). The deadline was 3rd Jan. 🙂 From what I have seen on the forum, HL has had around 2-3 AC’s so far in Jan and are scheduling the majority of AC’s for...- Harvey Specter
- Post #12,188
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think they are somewhat less competitive but not by a significant amount. Regional offices tend to receive less applications than London offices but they also offer less TC’s, so it works out to be roughly the same % wise. I think it also depends on the firm itself. I would imagine...- Harvey Specter
- Post #12,153
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
If this is for Travers SVS, I haven’t heard back yet but tbh the deadline was only a week ago. They mentioned in the automated email thing that they read all applications first, then shortlist candidates for the interview. It may take several weeks before we hear back. 🥲🥲- Harvey Specter
- Post #12,143
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I think since it’s a personal statement and not a formal cover letter you probably wouldn’t need to address it to anyone in particular. I would think of it in the same way as the UCAS personal statement. Not sure if that is a good comparison tbh. 💀💀 I think you can just start with the PS...- Harvey Specter
- Post #12,127
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
If you are starting it from scratch now then I’m not sure because the deadline is tomorrow. 😭 I guess it depends on how fast you are able to write a good application. 🥲 I decided against applying myself because of the short time frame that was left. 🥲- Harvey Specter
- Post #1,792
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
From what I remember, Gemma mentioned that Willkie’s written exercise has been completely changed this year so none of the previous ones would bare any relevance in any way. I’m nervous for the written exercise. I haven’t done one before. I have zero idea of what to expect. 🥲🥲 Best of luck in...- Harvey Specter
- Post #12,025
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Congrats 🥳- Harvey Specter
- Post #12,019
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Someone on the forum had their AC under a week ago and subsequently got offered a place on the SVS. They mentioned there has only been 2 AC’s so far for the SVS (6 people per AC), and that HL are scheduling a lot more over the next few weeks. 🙂 I think it’s way too early to assume a PFO. The...- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,959
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
With Freshfields’ direct TC route they now also have the SJT which you do before the WGT. It’s an automatic test that everyone receives after the deadline (23rd Jan). If you don’t meet or pass the benchmark for this SJT (unknown as it’s a new test) then you get automatically PFO’d. Guess this...- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,933
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
They say it’s around 80% from VS. They take on up to 50 trainees a year so 40 from VS. That leaves 10 slots for direct TC. They have around 25 spaces per VS so 75 to 80 in total. That leaves a 50% conversion rate from VS to TC.- Harvey Specter
- Post #1,754
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
White & Case direct TC route is non-rolling and is open until July so you’d be waiting really long before getting a response. Maybe they are still considering your application for the VS. Don’t rule yourself out just yet. 🙂 I have seen people on this forum that had applied for winter VS back...- Harvey Specter
- Post #1,752
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
It varies between firms because they each have their own recruitment process. Each firm also has a specific number of applicants. 🙂 Large international firms like Hogan Lovells and White & Case get between 4,000-5,000 a year, for example. 🥲 Firms use online tests, video interviews, online...- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,830
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Congratulations on securing 3 MC internships! You’ve done really well! Best of luck in all of your VS/TC applications! 🏆- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,819
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I don’t agree with this tbh. They could have an interest in EU Competition Law in which case these internships would be beneficial for their applications, especially since Brussels is a major hub for EU Competition Law. Most city firms are also international by nature anyway. Having some...- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,818
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Same here I haven’t heard from HL or W&C. I Applied to HL mid Dec did WGT Xmas eve. I Applied to W&C 5th Jan and no response yet. They both receive a lot of applications and are rolling recruitment. It’s a waiting game at this point. 🥲🥲- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,808
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I don’t think anything is too minor; it might be that one thing that makes you stand out from others. I would try see if it can be added because it sounds like a valuable experience. 🙂- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,769
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
I would advise against this to be honest. 🙂 It’s better to stick to Paul, Weiss just to be on the safer side. 🙂 If you are tight on the word count try and see if you can rephrase and shorten sentences. 🙂- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,754
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hopefully I get extra brownie points for referring to the firm’s full name accurately in my application. 🤣💀 I wrote Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in full then put (Paul, Weiss) in brackets. Not sure whether I needed to but I didn’t want to risk anything. 😭 Guess we will all find...- Harvey Specter
- Post #11,751
- Forum: Applications Discussion