TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Trooper007]

Updating this in the spirit of accountability! Please do give me insight on any of these applications. For context, all of these are Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme, and this is my first application cycle.

Applied so far:

• Slaughter and May - Rejected
• Allen & Overy - Rejected post VI & SJT
• Herbert Smith Freehills - Passed WG, waiting
• Latham & Watkins - taken test & VI, waiting
• Linklaters - taken WG, waiting
• Hogan Lovells - taken test, waiting
• Katten - waiting
• Macfarlanes - taken test, waiting
• Travers Smith - applying now
• NRF - applying soon
• Freshfields - taken WG, Assessment Centre incoming

I am procrastinating my Travers Smith application because I am very very very burned out atm ugh

You've got a couple of hours for the TS CL; you can do it!

 

[EliteWhovian]

Updating this in the spirit of accountability! Please do give me insight on any of these applications. For context, all of these are Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme, and this is my first application cycle.

Applied so far:

• Slaughter and May - Rejected
• Allen & Overy - Rejected post VI & SJT
• Herbert Smith Freehills - Passed WG, waiting
• Latham & Watkins - taken test & VI, waiting
• Linklaters - taken WG, waiting
• Hogan Lovells - taken test, waiting
• Katten - waiting
• Macfarlanes - taken test, waiting
• Travers Smith - applying now
• NRF - applying soon
• Freshfields - taken WG, Assessment Centre incoming

I am procrastinating my Travers Smith application because I am very very very burned out atm ugh

literally doing mine now, you got this!

 

[yxngd2x]

Really wouldn’t worry about this. Freshfields have a labour intensive process and only get through so many candidates a day. I suspect they are only interviewing on certain days as well.

They won’t be scheduling interviews they won’t need, and if need be they can always up their VS numbers slightly to accommodate a strong cohort of candidates.

I've got my AC with them tomorrow so I'm really praying it goes well -- I didn't know their VS numbers were fluid though that's reassuring

 

[PlimptonWeld]

Freshfields is killing me. From what it seems, it looks like a rejection email incoming tomorrow morning. I applied on the deadline but I'm the only one who hasn't heard back in my friend circles. The suspense is killing me.

 

[yxngd2x]

Freshfields is killing me. From what it seems, it looks like a rejection email incoming tomorrow morning.

nah nah not necessarily -- they'll hand out a lot of invitations for sure because of the number of TCs they offer -- the only reason mine is this early is because I did the spring last year so those of us who converted have ours over this next week -- I definitely wouldn't lose hope, especially because the deadline only passed last week I'm pretty sure

 

[PlimptonWeld]

nah nah not necessarily -- they'll hand out a lot of invitations for sure because of the number of TCs they offer -- the only reason mine is this early is because I did the spring last year so those of us who converted have ours over this next week -- I definitely wouldn't lose hope, especially because the deadline only passed last week I'm pretty sure

Fingers crossed.

 

[PlimptonWeld]

Does anyone know from last year when Cleary Gottlieb rolled out AC invites for summer vac schemes? I know some were announced last Thursday (heard through a friend) but I'm guessing she applied for their spring vac scheme?

 

[eleven14og]

not me replaying the 'taylor smith everyone' meme in my head whenever i see travers smith lol

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I've got my AC with them tomorrow so I'm really praying it goes well -- I didn't know their VS numbers were fluid though that's reassuring

Reality is most firms will be fluid with numbers - its not a disaster if they under recruit, but they will be able to increase slightly for the right candidates, assuming they need to.

 

[Sunshinepink]

Hello, does freshfields recruit on a rolling or non-rolling basis?

 

[Boating]

Hello, does freshfields recruit on a rolling or non-rolling basis?

Non-rolling

 

[yxngd2x]

was the first set of AC invites for people who had previously done something with Freshfields? i didn't do the first year scheme but i did attend the non-law workshop in december

couldn't tell you definitively because I got mine in April last year -- but based on what I've seen Latham do, for example, that might be the case

 

[Sunshinepink]

Non-rolling

Okay, thank you so much. For anyone wondering the trainee associate program deadline is on the 18th

 

[lawtrainee]

It is the 15th - so tomorrow.

Thank you!

 

[lawtrainee]

couldn't tell you definitively because I got mine in April last year -- but based on what I've seen Latham do, for example, that might be the case

do we think that latham have sent AC invites to people with open days / first year schemes?

 

[nj3352]

was the first set of AC invites for people who had previously done something with Freshfields? i didn't do the first year scheme but i did attend the non-law workshop in december

nah, i've never done anything w them and have mine this week

 

[nj3352]

how would you answer describe a time when you held a minority view?

 

[sibs23]

I think market is throwing people - it could easily be sector or industry. They just means what have you done to learn about the topic/career/industry more generally.

I am also attempting to answer this question (v last min again from me!). As my sources, I have already discussed my vac scheme experience and my experience attending open days as part of an insight programme. Would it be weak answer to say that I've done some research online? I don't know if it would sound less impressive compared to what I've written for the other two paragraphs.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I am also attempting to answer this question (v last min again from me!). As my sources, I have already discussed my vac scheme experience and my experience attending open days as part of an insight programme. Would it be weak answer to say that I've done some research online? I don't know if it would sound less impressive compared to what I've written for the other two paragraphs.

As long as you can be specific with the resources online, this will be fine.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

how would you answer describe a time when you held a minority view?

This doesn’t have to be anything big or controversial.

I think its important that your opinion had some kind of contribution or impact even if you didn’t manage to transform everyone to your view point.

How I would approach it:

- Explain the situation of why you held the opinion and a short summary on who held the different views than yours.
- Explain why it was important you held that view.
- Explain how holding that view had impact.
- Explain what you learnt from the situation.