TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[fingersarecrossed]

Is it easier to get a vacation scheme at a city firm than get a paralegal role?

just to verify, the thumbs up mean that it is in fact easier to get a vacation scheme at a law firm over a paralegal role???

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

A friend of mine so 100% true

I suspect this has got somewhat lost in translation and that they look for a consistent 2.1 rather than consistently across all modules.

 

[Apple]

I suspect this has got somewhat lost in translation and that they look for a consistent 2.1 rather than consistently across all modules.

Just to clarify as I think they were referring to their friend getting through rather than the 2;1 requirement.

On the application form to the HSF WVS it states "we do look for consistent 2:1s throughout all your undergraduate modules". IDK if its just poorly worded, pretty harsh requirement!

 

[fingersarecrossed]

if you draft a not as great application answer for a VIRTUAL open day, will you still likely get a place? Because it is online and I'm sure they would want to give it to majority of people?
Aka is it less competitive

 

[DisciplineTC2526]

Is it just my application portal - for Pinsent Masons - or can everyone else too not view/edit the registration section once complete?

It seems that every section cannot be viewed edited/once complete?

 

[BillSikes]

What are grad rec thoughts on a committee position of a political society on applications?

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable (again).

CC* ✅📝
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅
Akin ✅
Sidley ✅
Willkie ✅🎥
Cooley ✅
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Skadden ✅
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅
Linklaters* ✅📝
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅
A&O Shearman ✅📝

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Just to clarify as I think they were referring to their friend getting through rather than the 2;1 requirement.

On the application form to the HSF WVS it states "we do look for consistent 2:1s throughout all your undergraduate modules". IDK if its just poorly worded, pretty harsh requirement!

That is pretty strict and I am surprised to hear that - but if it says that, then I would expect people will need all 2.1s in their modules unless they have mitigating circumstances.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

What are grad rec thoughts on a committee position of a political society on applications?

That is fine in most instances. I would only be concerned if it is a extreme leaning political party.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

if you draft a not as great application answer for a VIRTUAL open day, will you still likely get a place? Because it is online and I'm sure they would want to give it to majority of people?
Aka is it less competitive

I’d still expect you to need to draft a good standard of application even if the event is not competitive.

 

[Ellis Finch]

Norton Rose VI!

 

[Victor87]

Hey guys am I correct in understanding that Covington takes 10 trainees per intake?

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Norton Rose VI!

Congratulations! Could I ask when you took the test pls?

 

[sammm10101]

Does anyone know how many trainees Willkie plans to take on for a 2027 entry?

 

[erderlylars]

Does anyone know how many trainees Willkie plans to take on for a 2027 entry?

When I spoke to a trainee there I think he said 7 or 8 roughly but not sure how many TCs they actually offer

 

[saminoriya]

is HSF blended assessment difficult to get a benchmark for?

 

[bella98]

Hey everyone, I need some advice. Taylor Wessing asks for a cover letter, but one of their questions is "What motivates you for a career in Law at Taylor Wessing and what key skills would you bring?". This question essentially overlaps with the content of the cover letter. How can I avoid repeating myself in both?

@Andrei Radu

 

[benpeacock7766]

Just received a DLA Piper WG. Is that automatic or have I passed the initial app review?

Passed initial app review I believe

 

[M_m]

The Taylor Wessing application asks for both a cover letter (that covers your reasons for joining the firm and key skills) but also has two questions that directly cover the same thing. How do I think I should go about this?

 

[safari3]

Hey everyone, I need some advice. Taylor Wessing asks for a cover letter, but one of their questions is "What motivates you for a career in Law at Taylor Wessing and what key skills would you bring?". This question essentially overlaps with the content of the cover letter. How can I avoid repeating myself in both?

@Andrei Radu

@Mariyam_M Early careers said the answer to the application questions should be concise and straight to the point and that the cover letter is an opportunity for your personality to come through. So I would recommend choosing experiences that are more personal in the cover letter and experiences that are more direct for the application questions. They chose to include both application questions and a cover letter deliberately, so make sure to showcase as much of your whole self as you can. Hope this helps!