TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Thank you very much! Yes you are correct about BJ, it was the same for me best of luck!

Just received my wbd results and don’t know what to think -
Grit - 7/9
Digital mindset - 9/9
Creative force - 7/9
applied intellect - 4/9 (swear I’m emphatic and friendly, don’t know how to prove that to them via a test😭)

Applied verbal and numerical intellect - both a bit more than mid bar

Hope it makes the cut!

Thank you!

My mark was similar and I got the same notable dip in the applied intellect, so I have no idea what to make of them either... Best of luck to us!

 

[summersun]

That's correct - it's just the SJT with its associated numerical reasoning and verbal reasoning components. It was very generic scenarios, not tailored to law at all.
Regarding the Browne Jacobson one - did you have unlimited time to do the 2 written questions? I was told they were like 500 words each!

Just learned there were written questions for Browne Jacobson! Did I miss somehting in the email?

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Just learned there were written questions for Browne Jacobson! Did I miss somehting in the email?

I haven't applied yet, but I think I came across another post from many weeks ago too that said that apparently there are 2x500 word questions as part of the 'blended assessment'. Someone more informed can provide the details...

I'm surprised they haven't mentioned it in the email lol.

 

[User5678]

I haven't applied yet, but I think I came across another post from many weeks ago too that said that apparently there are 2x500 word questions as part of the 'blended assessment'. Someone more informed can provide the details...

I'm surprised they haven't mentioned it in the email lol.

@elsx hii, I have given the assessment and can confirm that there were 2x500 words ques you had to write in the text box they provided. You will get unlimited time for this. It’s unfortunate that they didn’t mention it in their email but it had been given in the test. Best of luck

 

[summersun]

@elsx hii, I have given the assessment and can confirm that there were 2x500 words ques you had to write in the text box they provided. You will get unlimited time for this. It’s unfortunate that they didn’t mention it in their email but it had been given in the test. Best of luck

Thank you for confirming I will make sure I take it when I have enough time to also reply to the two questions. I hope it went well !

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey guys and @Jessica Booker

I am in position where I already accepted a training contract offer from one firm. I have an AC coming up for a vacation scheme - I know I wouldn’t go ahead with VS (it would require me to take holiday/negotiate with my employer which I’m not on best position to do especially that I now have secured tc).

I was initially planning to still do the interview for an experience itself, but now closer to the date (and following multiple cycles of applications) I think that I just have no more energy for another preparation.

Is it going to be perceived as rude to back out from a process few days before?

No, they won’t consider it rude. I would withdraw your candidacy at the earliest opportunity. The firm would much prefer this than anything else.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

If asked in an interview whether I've done any pro-bono work and the answer is no in terms of legal work, how do I answer? I've done a lot of mentoring, other charity work and volunteering - could I say honestly no and talk about these things instead?

 

[👩🎓]

Hey, does anyone have any tips/ insights for Penningtons’ AC? Thank you!

Hi, congratulations on getting an AC with PMC. Can I please ask when you applied and heard back? (Only as I've not heard anything, even after emailing them).

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker (or anyone else that has any thoughts). I have a TC offer from another firm which expires in 2 weeks, but I'm going to an interview for a VS on Wednesday as I want to keep my options open. I would definitely take the TC from the original firm unless I can get the VS firm expedited to a TC interview.

Should I tell grad rec that I have an offer at the end of the AC (and ask whether it's possible to be expedited to TC interview) or should I send them an email afterwards?

Thanks in advance.

You can accept the TC and just wait to hear back as to whether you have been successful from the VS firm. If you have been successful, you can then try to negotiate a direct TC process with the VS firm.

 

[wanttosolicit]

So.. no response from W&C post-vi.. Is it worth beginning to prepare an application for the direct training contract? Or, having got to VI stage, is it even worth making big changes to my written application if the video interview was the problem last time?

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Hey guys and @Jessica Booker

I am in position where I already accepted a training contract offer from one firm. I have an AC coming up for a vacation scheme - I know I wouldn’t go ahead with VS (it would require me to take holiday/negotiate with my employer which I’m not on best position to do especially that I now have secured tc).

I was initially planning to still do the interview for an experience itself, but now closer to the date (and following multiple cycles of applications) I think that I just have no more energy for another preparation.

Is it going to be perceived as rude to back out from a process few days before?

not rude and explain you have successfully secured a TC. Please release the space as they usually have a wait list for others who would very much welcome the chance to be progressed and need a TC!

 

[GSJ]

any suggestions on books that explain private equity

 

[BillSikes]

Out of Kirkland, Milbank, Vinson, and Slaughters, Weil

Which is considered the most prestigious have offers/ACs for all of them.
Which would offer the best training and chance to reach partnership.

What's your secret bro.

 

[jta227]

Do you know how many people were approx offered the VI by any chance?

Not sure, sorry

 

[jta227]

Out of Kirkland, Milbank, Vinson, and Slaughters, Weil

Which is considered the most prestigious have offers/ACs for all of them.
Which would offer the best training and chance to reach partnership.

Personally, I'd pick Slaughters for the MC training stamp, then lateral anywhere you want (or stay there if you like it). From the other 4 I'd probably go Weil or Kirkland but I have heard less than great things about Kirkland & Milbank's culture

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Out of Kirkland, Milbank, Vinson, and Slaughters, Weil

Which is considered the most prestigious have offers/ACs for all of them.
Which would offer the best training and chance to reach partnership.

What I will say is that US firms eat the vast majority of people alive lol. Whilst you’re more likely to make salaried partner earlier, a lot of people burn out + Kirkland’s entire business model is pretty much only hiring laterals for equity partnership

The head of corporate at Kirkland told me that if you train at the firm, you most likely will not make equity partnership there. But you will easily make equity at another firm like Clifford Chance. What he meant by that is up for interpretation lol…

 

[User5678]

Thank you for confirming I will make sure I take it when I have enough time to also reply to the two questions. I hope it went well !

I think it was not too bad to be honest, happy to share marks and categories they look at if that would be helpful for you! Best of luck

 

[Broadwater]

Out of Kirkland, Milbank, Vinson, and Slaughters, Weil

Which is considered the most prestigious have offers/ACs for all of them.
Which would offer the best training and chance to reach partnership.

Chances of partnership will be very small at all of those firms and in any case depend on so many factors (many of which will be out of your control).

I’d pick based on the practice areas you’re interested in. If private capital, K&E; pretty much everything else, Slaughters

 

[Zaraa.x]

Out of Kirkland, Milbank, Vinson, and Slaughters, Weil

Which is considered the most prestigious have offers/ACs for all of them.
Which would offer the best training and chance to reach partnership.

Slaughters road to partnership is a strict 6-8yrs PQE and they are pretty upfront with associates if they have a likelihood of making partner and if not they are clear on that too and individuals are very much free to go elsewhere. However, If they see an associate as partner material but the individual does not want partnership they are offered senior counsel role.

It also very much depends on whether there’s positions available as well and your given the indication at around 5/6years PQE.

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Out of Kirkland, Milbank, Vinson, and Slaughters, Weil

Which is considered the most prestigious have offers/ACs for all of them.
Which would offer the best training and chance to reach partnership.

An AC is not a VS offer and a VS offer is not a TC offer

I would say, go to all the AC's, get as many VS's as you can, try and fit them all in if possible and then decide once all your TC offers are in...

Good Luck