TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker

Hey Jessica, for Freshfields' personal statement, would you recommend including a closing remark, such as 'I am grateful for your consideration of my application,' or something similar? I am running out of words so just wanted to confirm

There is no need to include things like this, although if you want to it is fine to do so. You just don't have to.

 

[Legalgirl]

Has anyone heard back from Davis Polk? I've seen only one other person in the forum say so, so wondering whether the firm is staggering invites or something like that?

 

[EA95]

Hi guys, I wanted to ask if I were to apply for a direct TC with freshfields, and was unsuccessful with my attempt, would that rule me out of applying for their winter vacation scheme programme? The applications for that programme open during the summer/fall I believe.

Hey Jessica, can you help with this query?

 

[LawfullyHopeful]

Has anyone who applied to CMS heard back after their initial application? I've heard that some have received tests already but I've only received a confirmation email with no mention of anything else - should I assume a PFO?

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Hey, what made it difficult for you?

i think i found both the numerical and verbal reasoning questions much harder than others i've done in the past, don't know if it was just how i was feeling on the day I did it but it was difficult. VI was okay.

 

[S7321]

Anyone else done the Reed Smith test and know how you need to score to pass through? My applied verbal and numerical intellect were 'excellent' and I scored strongly on 'creative force', but my other two pillars were more middling. Is this crucial, or do they look at your application holistically when deciding to put you through to the final stage?

 

[xxx]

Has anyone who applied to CMS heard back after their initial application? I've heard that some have received tests already but I've only received a confirmation email with no mention of anything else - should I assume a PFO?

If this is for the vac scheme then I would probably assume PFO as I've seen ppl being invited for VI too. Also, I don't think the test is automatic (from what I read on the forum) but check your spam just incase.

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (Akin rejection).

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Morgan Lewis ✅
Paul Hastings* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

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

I have done four Vac Schemes. Don’t really want to do more.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell.

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Has anyone who applied to CMS heard back after their initial application? I've heard that some have received tests already but I've only received a confirmation email with no mention of anything else - should I assume a PFO?

I’m in the same position.

 

[STEM Student]

Hi Everyone,

I’m a non-law student and this is my first application cycle. I am applying to - Baker McKenzie (submitted on the morning of the deadline day), NRF (submitted also on the Day of the deadline), Freshfields, white&case and lastly Osborne Clarke. I didn’t realise that Bakers, white&case and Osborne have rolling deadline. (Osborne review applications as they come but do not fill up interview or AC places until after the deadline). White&Case and Osborne Clarke have deadline on the 12/01 and 15/01 respectively.

Have I messed up here and do I have any chance at all of progressing to the next stages?

 

[TCLA0322]

Anyone hasn't heard back from Sidley Austin (summer), Weil (Summer), and Gibson Dunn (Summer)- I submitted these three quite early, shall I assume PFO?

 

[andrecsaa]

Holding myself accountable again (Akin rejection).

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅
Latham ✅
Milbank ✅
Kirkland ✅
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅
Slaughters* ✅❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅
Morgan Lewis ✅
Paul Hastings* ✅
Hogan Lovells* ✅
Cleary Gottlieb ✅❌
A&O Shearman ✅📝❌
Vinson & Elkins ✅
Arnold & Porter ✅
Baker McKenzie ✅📝❌
King & Spalding* ✅
Winston & Strawn ✅
Morrison Foerster ✅
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅❌

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

I have done four Vac Schemes. Don’t really want to do more.

*Training Contract applications

TC apps left to do: Stephenson Harwood; Sullivan & Cromwell.

Keep going, you still have 19 applications pending review, plus these three TC apps. You will get one TC.

Hopefully you will receive good news in the couple months.

Good lucky with Stephenson Harwood. The TC begins in 2026 and they are rolling (though they "never make offers to fill all our places before the application deadline", according to the FAQ). It might be the one for you.

 

[xxx]

seconding this!

Have you managed to hear anything about it 🥲.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Anyone hasn't heard back from Sidley Austin (summer), Weil (Summer), and Gibson Dunn (Summer)- I submitted these three quite early, shall I assume PFO?

Heya- I don’t think Gibson Dunn or Weil have got back to many pols so I wouldn’t assume PFO just yet

 

[STEM Student]

Hi Everyone,

I’m a non-law student and this is my first application cycle. I am applying to - Baker McKenzie (submitted on the morning of the deadline day), NRF (submitted also on the Day of the deadline), Freshfields, white&case and lastly Osborne Clarke. I didn’t realise that Bakers, white&case and Osborne have rolling deadline. (Osborne review applications as they come but do not fill up interview or AC places until after the deadline). White&Case and Osborne Clarke have deadline on the 12/01 and 15/01 respectively.

Have I messed up here and do I have any chance at all of progressing to the next stages?

someone please respond cause I’m honestly panicking a lot.

 

[xxx]

someone please respond cause I’m honestly panicking a lot.

You have a chance, there are many rolling firms I applied to last minute literally 2 mins before the deadline and was progressed (no formal legal work experience either).

 

[STEM Student]

You have a chance, there are many rolling firms I applied to last minute literally 2 mins before the deadline and was progressed (no formal legal work experience either).

Thank you so much for responding. Makes me feel way better.

Can I ask, since you‘ve mentioned how you have no formal legal work experience, In applications how did you answer the question of ‘Why Law’ without making it sound too generic.

 

[christina04]

Has anyone heard from Forsters?

 

[Lawyering13]

someone please respond cause I’m honestly panicking a lot.

Bakers don’t respond to anyone until after the deadline date (from someone that has a TC there and applied 5h before the deadline for spring last year).

 

[STEM Student]

Bakers don’t respond to anyone until after the deadline date (from someone that has a TC there and applied 5h before the deadline for spring last year).

Thank you for telling me this!