TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu, I am applying to HFW's Open Day. Please could you provide any guidance on how to answer 'What interests you about HFW and what are you hoping to learn more about on our Open Day?'

Would writing about their practice areas that interest me and an opportunity to gain further insight into those be a good idea? Along with that and the culture at the firm, if there is anything else I should consider, please let me know!

Hi @pleasepleaseplease I definitely think it is a good idea to write you want to learn more about practice areas that interest you. The only caveat to that is to make sure that the practices you choose to write about are some of the bigger ones in the London office and ideally some of the ones the firm is known for in the market (which you can ascertain by taking a look at their Chambers UK and Chambers Global rankings).

Besides that, I think it is in general a good idea to identify the firm's unique selling points (USPs) - be them related to practice areas, culture, training or international offices - and explain you want to learn more about them. Some of the USPs identified by the TCLA team in HFW's Firm Profile (which you can access here) also include:

• Sector-focused firm, with a particularly strong reputation for shipping and commodities
• Inherently global practice, with lots of opportunity for cross-border work
• Disputes-heavy firm, with high rankings for their contentious teams

 

[LawLawLawLawLaw]

Hi there! transitioning from mostly open day applications now to vac scheme application - wondering how I can practice the WG? does anyone know of any free websites to use or any other resources links?

 

[Andrei Radu]

For anyone applying to Davis Polk’s Insight Day:

are you guys shortening the firm’s name to DPW or DP to save words, or is it recommended to not do that?

@Andrei Radu - would love to get your thoughts on this, please.

thank you!

I would definitely not go for DP, I haven't seen that acronym used at all in reference to the firm. DPW is a bit more tricky, as sometimes people do informally refer to the firm as such. However, since the firm does not refer to itself in this way, and since the reputable legal press does not either, I would not risk it.

While it will only cut one word instead of two, I would just refer to the firm as 'Davis Polk' after using the full 'Davis Polk & Wardwell' in the first sentence.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I would definitely not go for DP, I haven't seen that acronym used at all in reference to the firm. DPW is a bit more tricky, as sometimes people do informally refer to the firm as such. However, since the firm does not refer to itself in this way, and since the reputable legal press does not either, I would not risk it.

While it will only cut one word instead of two, I would just refer to the firm as 'Davis Polk' after using the full 'Davis Polk & Wardwell' in the first sentence.

I agree with this - I generally don't see any firms with two names shortening it, the firm's with three or more tend to shorten it themselves in one format or another, and then I advise to go with that format.

If you are worried about word count, there is typically many more ways you can shorten your writing elsewhere than potentially shortening the firm's name in a way it doesn't use/isn't commonly used in the legal sector.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Guys I am beginning to really stress about my winter vac scheme applications.
Dechert- done by written assessment almost 3 weeks ago and no news
W &C- Applied in September but no comms since then
H&L- Applied in September but no comms since then (done the Waton Glacier test)
Covington- No comms since application
Ashirst- No come since application

should I assume I have been rejected from the ones I haven't heard from since application cos some people on here have done AC's for the firms already!!

 

[ACivilLawyer]

I’m currently attending the W&C virtual event- grad team said they sent out invites for the first open day (14 Nov) today and will send out outcomes for the 2nd open day (21 Nov) later this week

Did they mention when people should expect to hear back re. WVS?

 

[LexNavigator]

I’m currently attending the W&C virtual event- grad team said they sent out invites for the first open day (14 Nov) today and will send out outcomes for the 2nd open day (21 Nov) later this week

Hi, did W&C’s grad rec team say anything about when we should expect to hear back for WVS applications following the VI?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Did they mention when people should expect to hear back re. WVS?

Nope, just said they received a lot of applications and working through them all

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi, did W&C’s grad rec team say anything about when we should expect to hear back for WVS applications following the VI?

They said soon! Didn't specify when

 

[Parsorandini]

Why am I the opposite to everybody here? Never practiced the WG in my life but yet never failed one ever. Genuinely find it mostly easy - have scored 99th percentile for CC and 94th for Linklaters. Yet I was rejected for both because my application writing and interviewing skills are absolutely horrendous.

Basically using this to moan because apparently all my god given skill points were used to max out the bloody Watson Glaser Test of all things, leaving me a talentless hack in everything else 😭

EDIT: And I can't even help people get better because I don't know what I do. I've never looked at a study resource or anything - I have no working out to show. Anyone know of any firms' application process that are just 5 WG tests? 🥲

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Latham open day rejection, anyone have any insight if it’s still worth applying for the vacation scheme?

Hi @hazanelson

I think it's definitely worth applying! It's much more common than people think for applicants to be rejected from an open day but then be successful in securing a vacation scheme or training contract in the same recruitment cycle. I would take a look at your application and see how it can be improved before submitting for the vacation scheme. Best of luck!

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Guys I am beginning to really stress about my winter vac scheme applications.
Dechert- done by written assessment almost 3 weeks ago and no news
W &C- Applied in September but no comms since then
H&L- Applied in September but no comms since then (done the Waton Glacier test)
Covington- No comms since application
Ashirst- No come since application

should I assume I have been rejected from the ones I haven't heard from since application cos some people on here have done AC's for the firms already!!

I would rule out Covington.They only select 50ish to interview stage and that’s overlooked by partners grades etc are taken into account. Unless they do 2 batches I’ve given up hope. Ashurst is a rejection they’re dragging the process on. They could’ve rejected applicants post test if their results weren’t up to scratch.
for the others I don’t believe HL has given any AC’s out as of yet.

 

[bobjeff]

I’m currently attending the W&C virtual event- grad team said they sent out invites for the first open day (14 Nov) today and will send out outcomes for the 2nd open day (21 Nov) later this week

Looks like it’s a W&C open day rejection 😭

 

[ayiiii05]

I would rule out Covington.They only select 50ish to interview stage and that’s overlooked by partners grades etc are taken into account. Unless they do 2 batches I’ve given up hope. Ashurst is a rejection they’re dragging the process on. They could’ve rejected applicants post test if their results weren’t up to scratch.
for the others I don’t believe HL has given any AC’s out as of yet.

I'm so annoyed with Ashurst for this. I would tell them off directly if I were an heiress of a multi-million-pound business, but for now, I will rant about them here lmao

 

[SamiyaJ]

Are there any other open days I can apply to? I’ve applied to W&C

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Are there any other open days I can apply to? I’ve applied to W&C

Hiya @SamiyaJ

Great to see that you're still applying to open days. Yep, there are many firms still open for open day applications. You can find them here. Hope that helps and good luck!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hiya @SamiyaJ

Great to see that you're still applying to open days. Yep, there are many firms still open for open day applications. You can find them here. Hope that helps and good luck!

Thank you so much Ram!

 

[hitherelaw]

has anyone got a w&c open day offer yet?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Why am I the opposite to everybody here? Never practiced the WG in my life but yet never failed one ever. Genuinely find it mostly easy - have scored 99th percentile for CC and 94th for Linklaters. Yet I was rejected for both because my application writing and interviewing skills are absolutely horrendous.

Basically using this to moan because apparently all my god given skill points were used to max out the bloody Watson Glaser Test of all things, leaving me a talentless hack in everything else 😭

EDIT: And I can't even help people get better because I don't know what I do. I've never looked at a study resource or anything - I have no working out to show. Anyone know of any firms' application process that are just 5 WG tests? 🥲

It may not be quite what you are looking for, but I heard Linklaters places a lot of emphasis on WG/SJT results.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Why am I the opposite to everybody here? Never practiced the WG in my life but yet never failed one ever. Genuinely find it mostly easy - have scored 99th percentile for CC and 94th for Linklaters. Yet I was rejected for both because my application writing and interviewing skills are absolutely horrendous.

Basically using this to moan because apparently all my god given skill points were used to max out the bloody Watson Glaser Test of all things, leaving me a talentless hack in everything else 😭

EDIT: And I can't even help people get better because I don't know what I do. I've never looked at a study resource or anything - I have no working out to show. Anyone know of any firms' application process that are just 5 WG tests? 🥲

Hey @Parsorandini! Just building on what @Andrei Radu aptly pointed out (I've heard similar things myself) 👀

It's great that you're able to score so high on the Watson Glaser. Scoring in the 99th and 94th percentiles isn’t something many people can say, so it’s clear you have some serious strengths to build on. I’m confident you have what it takes to be successful in other parts of the application process too! If you’re finding it challenging to approach written applications, video interviews, or assessment centres, don’t hesitate to ask questions here on the forum. Andrei, @Amma Usman and @Jessica Booker consistently offer excellent advice on application writing and interviewing. I've also been in the same boat and would be more than happy to share tips or help with specific areas! Best of luck with other applications, you Watson Glaser genius!