TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Chris Brown]

May I ask what year most people are in on this forum? I am a graduate and have not secured anything this cycle... should I be giving up?

I graduated last year (July 2024) and this is my first application cycle. As a result, I also haven’t secured anything yet (VS/TC). 🥲

There is absolutely no reason why you should give up man! Keep it pushing! The average age of an NQ is 30 in the UK, meaning on average most people aren’t starting their TC until they are 28! 🙂​

 

[simplyfaith]

This is definitely not a meaningless question at all. I also need to figure out what is appropriate for an interview. Does anyone have any thoughts? Please help. 🥲🥲​

It's time for another data analytics session! This data was collected from Paul, Weiss people index photos, London location.

Out of 175 listed lawyers, 57% are male. Of them:

60 are associates. 87% wore ties.
12 are counsel. 92% wore ties.
28 are partners. 50% wore ties.

Notably, no one wore a tie in the London early careers promotional material, aside one associate in a blog post. However, nearly all of them did for their index photo, aside partner Neel Sachdev. Culture and fashion shifts have led to an increased popularity in dropping the tie at opportune moments. However, the tie still retains its reputation as a statement piece and mark of professionalism.

This is what I thought. But a recent AC I did, only one other person wore a tie - and they looked great. Everyone else was button down. All of my previous ACs I’ve always been the one guy wearing a tie😭I’m scared of being that guy

Everyone else must have missed my data analytics session 🧐

 

[berocca567]

I graduated last year (July 2024) and this is my first application cycle. As a result, I also haven’t secured anything yet (VS/TC). 🥲

There is absolutely no reason why you should give up man! Keep it pushing! The average age of an NQ is 30 in the UK, meaning on average most people aren’t starting their TC until they are 28! 🙂​

Thanks, me too! Do you plan on working somewhere else and reapplying next year?

 

[bangarangbass39]

Absolutely not. I have attended 5 ACs this cycle (all for elite U.S firms) and the vast majority of candidates with me were graduates, masters students or career changers. Only a handful were still in uni and those tended to be those at upper echelon unis (Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Durham and Bristol).

Agreed. My recent AC, non US/MC/SC, of our group of 5, 4 had graduated. The previous group of 5 a similar amount had also graduated.

The spread was mostly across Warwick, Bristol, Exeter, Kings, etc.

 

[Chris Brown]

It's time for another data analytics session! This data was collected from Paul, Weiss people index photos, London location.

Out of 175 listed lawyers, 57% are male. Of them:

60 are associates. 87% wore ties.
12 are counsel. 92% wore ties.
28 are partners. 50% wore ties.

Notably, no one wore a tie in the London early careers promotional material, aside one associate in a blog post. However, nearly all of them did for their index photo, aside partner Neel Sachdev. Culture and fashion shifts have led to an increased popularity in dropping the tie at opportune moments. However, the tie still retains its reputation as a statement piece and mark of professionalism.

Everyone else must have missed my data analytics session 🧐

You are actually the GOAT frfr! This is very informative. 10/10 for outstanding research and data analytics skills, plus extra bonus points for extensive knowledge of Paul, Weiss’ lawyers in London. 🤞🐐​

 

[bangarangbass39]

It's time for another data analytics session! This data was collected from Paul, Weiss people index photos, London location.

Out of 175 listed lawyers, 57% are male. Of them:

60 are associates. 87% wore ties.
12 are counsel. 92% wore ties.
28 are partners. 50% wore ties.

Notably, no one wore a tie in the London early careers promotional material, aside one associate in a blog post. However, nearly all of them did for their index photo, aside partner Neel Sachdev. Culture and fashion shifts have led to an increased popularity in dropping the tie at opportune moments. However, the tie still retains its reputation as a statement piece and mark of professionalism.

Everyone else must have missed my data analytics session 🧐

Crucial demographic missing, trainees.

 

[wanttosolicit]

Hi everyone! I’m moving abroad soon so just wanted to ask if no news from the following firms at this stage is likely a rejection (Summer vacation scheme):

White & Case (VI)
Latham & Watkins
Hogan Lovells
Linklaters
Sidley Austin

Would be very grateful for any insights!

 

[NJS]

May I ask what year most people are in on this forum? I am a graduate and have not secured anything this cycle... should I be giving up?

Graduate and have also secured f*ck all

 

[VacSchemer]

Literally shaking but got an NRF AC😭

 

[Chris Brown]

Hi everyone! I’m moving abroad soon so just wanted to ask if no news from the following firms at this stage is likely a rejection (Summer vacation scheme):

White & Case (VI)
Latham & Watkins
Hogan Lovells
Linklaters
Sidley Austin

Would be very grateful for any insights!

I can’t speak for the other firms but I did my White & Case VI towards the end of Jan and got a PFO on Monday. I applied for Spring and Summer. 🥲🥲​

 

[Katie_aveline]

Literally shaking but got an NRF AC😭

Congratulations. Same here!!

 

[VacSchemer]

Congratulations. Same here!!

Huge congratulations🩵

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is what I thought. But a recent AC I did, only one other person wore a tie - and they looked great. Everyone else was button down. All of my previous ACs I’ve always been the one guy wearing a tie😭I’m scared of being that guy

It’s very easy to take a tie off and put it in a pocket or bag. I’d generally say wear and tie and you can take it off if you feel like the odd one out.

 

[Jessica Booker]

May I ask what year most people are in on this forum? I am a graduate and have not secured anything this cycle... should I be giving up?

If I remember correctly we have seen people secure TCs after their seventh cycle.

I would say 2-3 cycles is the most common. Enough people do secure something in their first VS/TC cycle, but even many of them had technically been applying to first year programmes, so it could be argued that they are actually in their second cycle when they get around to VS applications.

 

[Kakaboo]

Hello, does anyone know of any firms that accept direct TC applications (that are still open) when you haven’t done a vacation scheme? I’ve done other law related pro bono work etc but this is my first round applying for TC’s. TIA

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hello, does anyone know of any firms that accept direct TC applications (that are still open) when you haven’t done a vacation scheme? I’ve done other law related pro bono work etc but this is my first round applying for TC’s. TIA

My friend secured her tc at pinsent like this. Many people do I believe.

 

[legallyells]

howden next stage HR interview, post VI!!

 

[Apple]

This is what I thought. But a recent AC I did, only one other person wore a tie - and they looked great. Everyone else was button down. All of my previous ACs I’ve always been the one guy wearing a tie😭I’m scared of being that guy

Much better to be the only person wearing a tie than the only one rocking button down lol.

 

[Aspiringcommercialsolicitor1]

A NRF PFO post VI and a Howden telephone Interview received within minutes of each other🫠

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Hello guys, I have a question please 🙋🏽‍♀️
I managed to get an associate agree to jump on a call with me some time before my assessment centre and I’m just thinking how I can make the most of the call which is going to be about 30mins max. I did not think they will agree to a call to be honest cause I know these commercial lawyers are very busy! But now that they have , I’m really careful of not making them feel like I wasted their time by asking them something I could have just googled! I also don’t want to ask anything too specific about the assessment centre. Suggestions on what to ask them will be very appreciated!
Ps:it’s a virtual meeting over teams!
Many thanks ☺️