TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Boating]

Just to also add, 77% with the tick means nothing!

 

[hateno]

I answered with too much personal responsibility and got collaboration as my biggest weakness. Given Linklaters had collaboration as one of their big 4 in their framework, could feel the PFO coming a mile away. Collaboration is also arguably the quality firms look out for most so really shifted my SJT approach after taking Linklaters one back in November.

Thanks! Yeah i think my low collaboration attribute is also what's pulling down my performance in SJTs.

 

[VacSchemer]

can’t believe Links topped Latham for sending out PFOs

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I know this is for Jessica, but I’d strongly advise so. I was in the same position last year, and didn’t convert my vac scheme into TC. However, my final TC interview was at the end of August, so I think just depends on when your vac scheme is? If it’s earlier, and you get a decision before September, then no need to enroll just now.

Hey thanks for your advice my vac scheme is July think I’ll just enrol to be safe!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Hope Latham will get back to us this week!!

 

[Lawstudent**]

Linklaters PFO (I was at 66%).

Do you know where the percentage is mentioned, is this for the WG?

 

[Maddy]

Everyone who are waiting for PW, do you think there is a chance? Kind of loosing hope. Really sorry if I am being negative

 

[MT1]

Anyone know if simmons is still sending out AC invites?

 

[applebunny]

Is it okay to call a firm to ask about post-AC outcome? If so, how long should you wait?

 

[Sarah0918]

If anyone has an AC with NRF coming up please could you pm me?

 

[CCLaw]

Hey all - recognise this may not be the best place to ask this but slightly stressed and not sure any other pages receive quite as many viewers.

Have received a TC offer to start August 2027, and need to complete PGDL as well as SQE beforehand. My offer expires early March, and have only finished deliberating now (signing tomorrow). I went onto Ulaw to enrol into Sep 2025 courses, but the only options there for either London campus are part-time courses? Same story for BPP.

Have I missed all the places for full-time PGDL study this September? I must be missing something because this can't make any sense. How could I be too late to apply and get a place on these courses if my offer letter hasn't even expired yet? Moreover, there are loads of interviews and TC offers still to be released for 2027 start, and I assume a bunch of people who need to enrol in the Sep 25 PGDL courses too.

Please someone tell me I'm not crazy and I am missing something!!!

You could do an online course instead

 

[lawbear123]

does anyone have any insights for the Dechert AC?

 

[lawstudent272003]

Any news post VI for CRS?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Everyone who are waiting for PW, do you think there is a chance? Kind of loosing hope. Really sorry if I am being negative

Hey,

I’m really trying hard to be optimistic but I feel like it’s going to be a PFO. Really do hope we all get a pleasant surprise from them this week.

 

[tarty23]

does anyone have any insights for the Dechert AC?

is this for spring or summer?

 

[allenpopi]

Anyone heard back from cleary after last week's AC?

 

[simplyfaith]

Everyone who are waiting for PW, do you think there is a chance? Kind of loosing hope. Really sorry if I am being negative

I'm going to start selling lemonade, personally

 

[lawbear123]

is this for spring or summer?

summer!

 

[tarty23]

summer!

congrats! may i ask when you completed/heard back written exercise?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Andrei Radu ,

I hope you're doing well.

I'm reaching out as I will soon be taking part in the partner interview at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, which is the final stage of the Vacation Scheme application process. Shahana suggested I contact you since you've previously completed this interview.

With that in mind, I was hoping you might be able to offer some suggestions, tips, or guidance on how best to prepare and perform in the partner interview.

The email I received mentions "motivational questions (both personal and commercial)." I would greatly appreciate it if you could clarify what is meant by commercial motivational questions.

Thank you so much in advance. I look forward to hearing from you and would really value any advice you can share.

Best wishes,
Adrian

Hey Adrian and @Chris Brown and first of all congratulations on reaching the final stage! As for your query, you will appreciate that for reasons of fairness and confidentiality I will not be able to list the specific questions I was asked. I can however give you some general thought on what I think is meant by the phrase mentioned in the email and on how you could go about preparing.

By "commercial motivational questions" I think the firm simply means questions that test your (i) ability analyze commercial factors and (ii) to link them to your motivations. For instance, you may be asked about the firm's competitors - and say you then list some firms. However, you could then be further asked what were the specific criteria you chose to identify competitors by, and why did you consider those aspects of the firm to be more relevant than others. Then, you may be asked why would you prefer Willkie over its competitors or over other firms you have been applying for. You could once again list a number of aspects in which Willkie does better than the others. However, you could once more be asked why do those factors specifically matter more to you than other factors that would have favored those other firms.

To give an example, say you are comparing Willkie with Milbank. If asked why you applied for Milbank, you could mention its finance expertise, whereas for Willkie you could mention its PE practice. Now, Willkie has a premium high-end PE offering, whereas Milbank, having recently acquired Dickson Minto, has one of the best mid-market ones. However, Milbank also has one of the best high-end finance practices, whereas Willkie's is more mid-market. In explaining why you prefer Willkie to Milbank, a great answer would not just elaborate on why you prefer to work in a team with a focus on high-end rather than mid-market PE deals; but it would also explain why working at the top of the market in PE is more attractive to you than working at the top of the market in finance. This is an example of a situation where your response will involve a lot of commercial analysis, but where you would eventually return to a question of your interests and experiences.

As for the question about guidance, I am afraid I cannot say a lot more than I did in a previous post. I would try to research in depth the type of work the firm specializes in, to have a real understanding of what its different practice areas do and how they come together in a transaction/case. I would also try to make my answers to the main motivational questions as persuasive as possible, ensuring the analysis is nuanced and can withstand further questioning. Finally, I think you could benefit from practicing formulating your thought process out loud and making best guesses. You might be asked questions where there is no expectation for you to have known the answer prior to the interview but where you could get close to it by working from what you know and with the help and guidance of the interviewers.