TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AfVio24]

Did my VI for AG on 6th Jan but haven't heard back yet. Has anyone else heard back and is it safe to assume a PFO if not?

did mine on 11th, got AC on Friday

 

[FCL25]

did mine on 11th, got AC on Friday

Congrats! That's a pretty quick turn around so I should probs mentally prep myself for the PFO lol 😭 Hoping I hear back on Monday tomorrow because the long wait is frustrating.

 

[confusedbird]

I was wondering if someone could help me with ideas on how to answer this question for Eversheds - "what is an area into which the firm could expand in the near future?"
would really appreciate any help!! (generally I can answer these but right now i'm internally panicking or maybe externally too atp tbh)

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

I remember they said they are expecting to get around 2-3,000 applications which is insane given they are only offering up to 10 TC’s. 🤯

I feel like PW are gunna invite hundreds of people to AC to get the numbers down.

From what we already know, the written application form is primarily a spelling test, and the SJT after is fairly simple.

It seems as though the AC/interview stage is where they’ll cut the most people

Did they say the part about the SJT during one of the open days? I only went to TCLA's event with Paul and don't recall him saying this. I will regret spending all that time on the app if I'm just going to get knocked off by an SJT...

 

[Chris Brown]

I feel like PW are gunna invite hundreds of people to AC to get the numbers down.

From what we already know, the written application form is primarily a spelling test, and the SJT after is fairly simple.

It seems as though the AC/interview stage is where they’ll cut the most people

It also depends on how they approach the stages that come before the AC. 🫡

They could reject every application that has even one mistake in it. This includes spelling and grammar. 🙃

They could set a high benchmark for the SJT and filter a lot of people out that way. 🙃

From what I remember, Paul mentioned they will review applications again after the SJT to determine who will be invited to the AC stage.

I imagine once all these steps are taken, the majority of applicants will have gotten PFO’d. 😞​

 

[NCTC2025]

I feel like PW are gunna invite hundreds of people to AC to get the numbers down.

From what we already know, the written application form is primarily a spelling test, and the SJT after is fairly simple.

It seems as though the AC/interview stage is where they’ll cut the most

It also depends on how they approach the stages that come before the AC. 🫡

They could reject every application that has even one mistake in it. This includes spelling and grammar. 🙃

They could set a high benchmark for the SJT and filter a lot of people out that way. 🙃

From what I remember, Paul mentioned they will review applications again after the SJT to determine who will be invited to the AC stage.

I imagine once all these steps are taken, the majority of applicants will have gotten PFO’d. 😞

I think cutting at the prior stages is more likely than them inviting many to AC. Interviewing hundreds of candidates just seems inefficient for so few slots. Guess we'll find out soon!

 

[member7830]

any white and case vi tips?

 

[Olivialee15]

Anyone got any advice on how to answer 'What are your weaknesses?' or any tips on what not to say?

 

[NCTC2025]

Anyone got any advice on how to answer 'What are your weaknesses?' or any tips on what not to say?

In my experience, being honest adds authenticity. The key point is addressing the steps you've taken to improve and work on that weakness and maybe giving a recent example.

 

[jojo23]

I dont know if its just me but I think it's really hard to not be generic in the first paul weiss question....

I just want to secure the bag😭

 

[Bread]

Hi @Jessica Booker, hope you are well. I was just wondering whether you had any guidance on writing a CV for firms that dont have a proper application portal and want candidates to upload a CV (Cleary, Winston & Strawn). For Winston specifically, I cannot find anything on whether to include a breakdown of grades at uni/a-level.
I was also wondering how long these CVs should be. If this were any other job, I would normally have a single A4 page with about three bullet points for each experience entry, is this alright for legal CVs? I am just very used to filling in an allhires/vantage form at this point so this is quite unusual haha
Thanks!

 

[Olivialee15]

In my experience, being honest adds authenticity. The key point is addressing the steps you've taken to improve and work on that weakness and maybe giving a recent example.

Thank you!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Paul, Weiss’ co-head went on record to say that their staff won’t have a work-life balance loollllll

Respect the honesty

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I think cutting at the prior stages is more likely than them inviting many to AC. Interviewing hundreds of candidates just seems inefficient for so few slots. Guess we'll find out soon!

I think this is more likely. To interview hundreds of candidates you need hundreds of interviewers and that’s going to be far less likely with a firm with only 150 lawyers across London and Brussels.

 

[BillSikes]

Hi can anyone please provide any insight Reed Smith VI?

Is it all competency or are there also motivations questions re why the firm/why law/news story of interest.

How long to answer also?

 

[BillSikes]

Hi !

Would anyone who has experience with Fieldfisher's Diversity Access Scheme AC or the AC in general be willing to provide any insights on what to expect ?

Thanks in advance.

I did AC last year. Just very generic interview - why firm/law and loads of competency questions. Also a written task - but no group exercise. ACs done online.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

does anyone know at all why ropes & gray doesn't have a work experience section? considering the commercial question doesn't ask for any linking back to ourselves, how can the firm know anything about us other than grades?

 

[BillSikes]

For Reed Smith VI, make sure you have a solid bank of examples that demonstrate your motivation to pursue a legal career. There are sub-questions to each question so you'll need to cover substantial substance in your answers in a relatively short time. Have some prompts ready so you know what to touch on as you record but do not read from it. Try and link everything you say back to how that benefits RS. The VI can be exhausting and nauseatingly nerve-wracking so take mini breaks between each question to calm down. Also, I am a Christian so holding onto the Bible really helps!

This really helps thanks. Can you remember if there was any questions about 'Why RS' or a question about a news story?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Is it necessary to talk about the culture of the firm in the 850 word personal statement? I talk about two practice area of Freshfields that I want to try but because of this much detail, I do not have space for the culture of the firm. Just wondering if it would be detrimental for my application

 

[NJS]

does anyone know at all why ropes & gray doesn't have a work experience section? considering the commercial question doesn't ask for any linking back to ourselves, how can the firm know anything about us other than grades?

Almost as if that's what they care for...