TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[lawapplicant]

When people say they have 'self-studied' for the SQE, does that mean they've sat the exams without a prep course?

 

[emilyding]

Hey @emilyding, here are my tips:

1. Divide your answer in three parts: what you think you can get out of the day in terms of understanding the nature of the work that the firm does; be exposed to the culture of the firm; get to know trainees, associates and partners and their journeys that brought them to the firm. This structure, in my opinion, is helpful as it allows you to express why you are interested in the firm and explain the benefits you would gain from attending in a way that does sound genuine and enthusiastic. When I was applying to open days/insight days last year, I used to utilise this structure all the time and I was always successful in my applications.
2. Make sure to relate your reasons why you think the open day will benefit you to yourself and your interests in the legal profession. I personally believe that it is paramount to show that there is a connection between wanting to know more about the firm, its work, its lawyers and yourself, your values and your overall goals. This will be quintessential to make your answer personal to you and unique. Remember that a lot of people are applying to open days and the most important thing that you have to show is uniqueness in your application (other than the interest to the firm and its work of course).

I hope these tips are helpful and good luck with the application!

Thank you for your tips! That's really helpful for me.

Also do you have any tips when applying for US law firm? Like how should I address my interest in applying them instead of UK law firm? Could I talk about the salary etc?

@axelbeugre

 

[Untilwinter]

When are ACs held for most spring schemes?

 

[Jessica Booker]

When people say they have 'self-studied' for the SQE, does that mean they've sat the exams without a prep course?

I would assume this is the case. There are self study materials out there.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for your tips! That's really helpful for me.

Also do you have any tips when applying for US law firm? Like how should I address my interest in applying them instead of UK law firm? Could I talk about the salary etc?

@axelbeugre

I would avoid salary for any firm. It may be a reason for applying but it isn’t going to be something that actually makes you enjoy the work that you do, and salaries can be similar across US firms, so you are not really explaining why specifically that firm, just high paying US firms more broadly.

 

[F12M34L]

any update on bakers?

 

[Tiffany0104]

I am just wondering if there is any law firm that does not use WG test or vi as their assessment?

 

[ruetorubble]

Hi, I actually have 'Commercial Law Handbook'. I would say it's super helpful in that it covers both commercial awareness and interview prep. For commercial awareness, it goes into detail about how law firms make profit, how contracts are formed, the process of starting and growing a business, the anatomy of an acquisition, etc. It also looks at financial statements like balance sheets which you might be given during an AC. As for interview prep, there's a section dedicated specifically to different stages of an AC, like team presentations or negotiation exercises. All in all, I would recommend because it covers the breadth of the entire application process!

Thanks! I've put in an order for it on Amazon now.

 

[islasorna]

Woke up to DLA VI 🥹 third cycle of applying to DLA, used to getting a pfo After WG 😭, if anyone has done the specific DLA one please let me know!

Congrats! Do you mind me asking what you think the WG pass score is for DLA?

 

[Tintin06]

I am just wondering if there is any law firm that does not use WG test or vi as their assessment?

Debevoise & Plimpton
Macfarlanes (SJT not VI or WG)
Milbank
Slaughter and May
Travers Smith

I’m sure there are others. I’ve done a few VIs now. Happy to chat. They’re fairly predictable, IMO.

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (again)

Willkie Farr & Gallagher ✅📼
Covington & Burling ✅
Shearman & Sterling ✅
White & Case ✅📼
Milbank ✅
Ropes & Gray ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell (1st November)
Latham & Watkins ✅
Kirkland & Ellis ✅
Skadden Arps ✅
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Weil Gotshal & Manges ✅
Akin ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Goodwin ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
Paul Hastings ✅
Ashurst ✅ 📝
Macfarlanes ✅📝
Mayer Brown ✅
King & Spalding?
Winston & Strawn?
Morgan Lewis?
Fried Frank?
Orrick ✅
Dechert ✅
Cooley ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Slaughter and May ✅❌

Key: ✅ = applied, ❌ = pfo, 📼 = VI, 📝 = test.

 

[Aga123+]

Holding myself accountable (again)

Willkie Farr & Gallagher ✅📼
Covington & Burling ✅
Shearman & Sterling ✅
White & Case ✅📼
Milbank ✅
Ropes & Gray ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell (1st November)
Latham & Watkins ✅
Kirkland & Ellis ✅
Skadden Arps ✅
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Weil Gotshal & Manges ✅
Akin ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Goodwin ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
Paul Hastings ✅
Ashurst ✅ 📝
Macfarlanes ✅📝
Mayer Brown ✅
King & Spalding?
Winston & Strawn?
Morgan Lewis?
Fried Frank?
Orrick ✅
Dechert ✅
Cooley ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Slaughter and May ✅❌

Key: ✅ = applied, ❌ = pfo, 📼 = VI, 📝 = test.

Wow- This is an impressive number of applications! 🏆

 

[malvern3142]

Has anyone heard from Travers Smith yet?

 

[Legalstalker]

Holding myself accountable (again)

Willkie Farr & Gallagher ✅📼
Covington & Burling ✅
Shearman & Sterling ✅
White & Case ✅📼
Milbank ✅
Ropes & Gray ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell (1st November)
Latham & Watkins ✅
Kirkland & Ellis ✅
Skadden Arps ✅
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Weil Gotshal & Manges ✅
Akin ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Goodwin ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
Paul Hastings ✅
Ashurst ✅ 📝
Macfarlanes ✅📝
Mayer Brown ✅
King & Spalding?
Winston & Strawn?
Morgan Lewis?
Fried Frank?
Orrick ✅
Dechert ✅
Cooley ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Slaughter and May ✅❌

Key: ✅ = applied, ❌ = pfo, 📼 = VI, 📝 = test.

I thought i had applied to a lot!! haha
Are these a mix of VS and TC?

 

[hirene]

Received an email from DLA Piper saying I achieved their benchmark for VI and they are now shortlisting people for AC... anyone received the same? I applied for the Leeds office

 

[Issy_l]

Received an email from DLA Piper saying I achieved their benchmark for VI and they are now shortlisting people for AC... anyone received the same? I applied for the Leeds office

Yess I received it as well for the London office!!

 

[Issy_l]

Yess I received it as well for the London office!!

Ah no I misread i received it for the WG for the London office not the VI🥲

 

[IwantaVacSchemePlz]

Anyone have any insight into Jones Day’s AC? Have mine tomorrow and there isn’t anything online

 

[sxw517]

Anyone have any insight into Jones Day’s AC? Have mine tomorrow and there isn’t anything online

Last year it was a 1hr interview with two Partners, not sure if it has changed this year though...

 

[IwantaVacSchemePlz]

Last year it was a 1hr interview with two Partners, not sure if it has changed this year though...

They have a stage after that interview now, it’s 5h at their office. The email I received was very vague!