TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hello, @Jessica Booker If you know you can’t do the summer vacation scheme that you applied for at a firm and you are waiting to hear back from the video interview - would it be worth emailing to see if you can be considered for their Spring scheme instead? Should I wait to see if I actually pass the VI stage or is it better to do it sooner rather than later? Any advice on this would be really appreciated. Thank you!!

Given how soon a Spring scheme would be, I would contact them now rather than waiting until your video interview outcome.

 

[LawAspirer]

Anyone that heard from Goodwin? I applied in December for the vacation scheme and I've seen some people on here get their rejection or interviews on 24th of January. Is this usual or am I just worrying for no reason and I should just keep waiting ?

 

[JLaw56]

Does anyone think that Jones Day is no longer sending out interview offers because maybe the VS spots are already filled?

 

[law2022x]

Does anyone have experience, maybe from speaking with grad rec or through their own applications, that gives them some reassurance that grad rec do actually consider mitigating circumstances *in a meaningful way*?

I spend so much time and emotional energy rehashing my mitigating circumstances in each app and sometimes I feel firms couldn’t care less or worse, they think I am making excuses. I get a lot of rejections post-app and I just feel slightly frustrated at times because I have worked really hard to get where I am, and I feel a bit demoralised if everything I worked for is undone because of unavoidable things outside my control.

So would just be good to hear from others that have had their uni grades affected by mitigating circumstances - and specifically, if anyone knows how exactly law firms consider them? And if there are firms people would recommend I apply to that are a bit better in dealing with mitigating circumstances? Perhaps any that are a bit more holistic in their approach. Or conversely, any firms they’d recommend I’d stay away from in the future?

 

[LB24]

AC for McDermott Will & Emery!

Took them long enough haha - when is the AC for?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

What does the holding email actually say? I haven’t had one post VI but not actually sure what I’m missing out on🤣

Sure!

“I hope this email finds you well.

Thank you again for your application for the 2024 Summer Vacation Scheme with Mishcon de Reya.

We are currently in the process of reviewing all applications. This process is thorough and takes time as we are committed to giving every application the attention it deserves. We understand that waiting for a response can be nerve-wracking and we appreciated your patience during this time.

We are working diligently to review all applications and we aim to have this process completed by the end of February 2024. Once we have made our decisions, we will be in touch with you to inform you of the outcome and, if successful, provide details of the next stage of the process.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are here to assist you.

Thank you once again for your application and your interest in Mishcon de Reya. We look forward to being in touch soon.”

 

[tcplease2345]

I have not heard back anything from Addleshaw Goddard after the WG style test. I have also not heard anything from HFW post-application. Anyone else in the same boat? I have emailed both firms to ask about updates, but both said they are still reviewing applications. But a lot of people seem to have already got Vac Scheme places.

Anyone have any advice on what I should do?

I never even heard from AG post app

 

[WindowsUpdate]

@Jessica Booker I was hoping you or someone that knows about this could help out. I've been offered 2 VS with large firms, but they're both at the same time. I've already signed my contract with Firm 1 (their offer came 1 month before Firm 2) and they only do one VS a year. Firm 2 is an access scheme rather than a VS although it's the same experience and TC offer at the end. What should I do in this instance as I don't want to miss out on one? (can't believe I got any at all!). I was thinking of asking Firm 2 to maybe move me onto one of their VS dates but also don't want it to sound like they're a 2nd choice. Thanks!

 

[EllaClayton]

I never even heard from AG post app

Glad someone else hasn’t heard either 😂

 

[LawAspirer]

Anyone heard from Witherworldwide after the online assessment center for the vacation scheme?

 

[beeric]

They gave an article to summarise and then asked a few questions. Definitely one of the more relaxed interviews I have attended.

Thank you so much for your help! It’s my first in person interview and I’m so nervous! Was the interview very commercially oriented? And do you have any tips on how to make a good impression?

 

[Deleted member 9747]

Wfw pfo post ac. Do they give out feedbacks?

They do. You have a call with GR

 

[Izzy1026]

Does anyone think that Jones Day is no longer sending out interview offers because maybe the VS spots are already filled?

Is this summer or spring you are asking about may I confirm?

 

[JLaw56]

Is this summer or spring you are asking about may I confirm?

Summer

 

[Deleted member 32324]

hi sorry if this has been asked already but can anyone share some challenges that law firms and the wider legal industry are facing at the moment

Would appreciate your input @Jessica Booker

 

[Zaakir]

hi sorry if this has been asked already but can anyone share some challenges that law firms and the wider legal industry are facing at the moment

Would appreciate your input @Jessica Booker

recently, latham was mentioned in the FT for basically cutting off a lot of info and data to its Hong Kong office. This was in response to China‘s anti-espionage data policies and Beijing’s increased influence on the region. So a good challenge to discuss among law firms that have offerings in China is being able to integrate offices in China / HK into their wider int network

 

[aspiringsolicitor2000]

If anyone has heard from Kennedys post SST/Stephenson Harwood post VI/ TLT post app please let me know!
(all London)

 

[SR99]

Has anyone been progressed post app for Ropes & Gray?

 

[NSC414]

Pinsent PFO post AC

Now i would like to say I'm surprised based off of my performance from the in tray exercise but i have just read my feedback (which was delivered on amberjack not via a human) and i actually am surprised. I met every single one of their capabilities they were looking for "natural talent, strong potential" and only got "showed some strengths" for attention to detail.

Maybe i'm delusional but i do think that is a little unfair and annoying to give feedback via a generic amberjack assessment report. I took the day off of work, travelled into central London to not get feedback from a human. i understand there are others so they can't get through everyone but even scheduling a call in the future regarding feedback or making it tailored via amberjack. I dunno.

I am not going to dwell as i knew my in tray did mess me up but maybe not that much? The firm not having my adjustments set in stone from the beginning did play a part but at least fieldfisher can give a telephone feedback after a TI.

The beginning of my cycle downfall starts here 😭

I got a similar score for the AMberjack and I got a PFO without even making the AC, so not the only one.

 

[lawbear123]

any update from arnold & porter?