TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Tintin06]

Hey all -

I received a VS offer and am being asked whether I would prefer the summer or spring scheme. As I think is the norm, spring is only one week, whilst summer is two. I am very unsure as to what choice could be better and would really appreciate any advice.

Whilst two weeks could be more beneficial in showing off abilities and also gives more time to prep, spring would be over quicker and requires less holiday days off from work. I did also consider that the spring cohort might be tougher, with there being more individuals who are currently working rather than recent graduates/ at uni.

Has anyone dealt with a similar dilemma and/or has any advice on how to choose?

I agree with what’s been said. Check when they give out TCs. Future Trainees’ LinkedIns will help here. You can also email/call the firm. I made this mistake last year. All TC offers came in summer. Spring scheme wasn’t therefore particularly advantageous.

 

[theone132213]

Maybe see if firms offer TCs after the spring vs is done as if so, there might be less spaces in the summer.

thanks! So are you suggesting that they don't usually allocate a set number of TC spaces for each?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

thanks! So are you suggesting that they don't usually allocate a set number of TC spaces for each?

They almost certainly won't. They want the best candidates, and there's a chance all of them could be in one scheme. Even where firms offer right after the scheme, sometimes they'll offer way less or way more than their usual rate

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

When answering 'why this firm' in an AC, how different should your answer be from your application form? I was planning to use the same points and expand upon these further, but I was wondering whether it would be more advisable to have new points ready?

I wouldn’t expect the themes to be different but I would expect the way in which it is presented and the depth of answer to be different, so expanding as you have suggested is going to be a good approach to take.

I don’t think you need new points unless something has developed or changed since your application form.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey all -

I received a VS offer and am being asked whether I would prefer the summer or spring scheme. As I think is the norm, spring is only one week, whilst summer is two. I am very unsure as to what choice could be better and would really appreciate any advice.

Whilst two weeks could be more beneficial in showing off abilities and also gives more time to prep, spring would be over quicker and requires less holiday days off from work. I did also consider that the spring cohort might be tougher, with there being more individuals who are currently working rather than recent graduates/ at uni.

Has anyone dealt with a similar dilemma and/or has any advice on how to choose?

I would go with what works best for you. Standards across the scheme will be the same - one scheme will not be more competitive than the other as the firm will apply standards across them.

The only difference is the amount of time but whether it’s a 1 or 2 week scheme, it will be a whirlwind anyway.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

They almost certainly won't. They want the best candidates, and there's a chance all of them could be in one scheme. Even where firms offer right after the scheme, sometimes they'll offer way less or way more than their usual rate

It exceptionally unlikely that a firm would offer all TC places from one scheme. Even if that was going to happen they could always offer the next intake to the following scheme. But it’s just much more likely they will have a very high benchmark to meet and will select carefully rather than over offering from one scheme.

Just as easily as firms can over offer into the next intake, they can also easily under offer and use the next recruitment cycle to back fill any unfilled spots.

 

[MR10]

has anyone applied to Brabners? Is there a SJT test after?

 

[pcarey]

Has anyone received a rejection email from Mishcon summer VS following their written application?

I know many people have received VI invites, but I am unclear as to whether anyone has been formally rejected. I am tempted to email them given that they said they aimed to respond by mid-february.

 

[Kakaboo]

Hello, does anyone have any advice for the assessment centre group interview task on how to prepare? I am terrified of someone asking me to talk more

 

[Tintin06]

Holding myself accountable again (Milbank rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
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; 📞 = telephone interview; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

 

[lawstudent2]

Hi @Bread and @pcarey I saw you guys liked the burges salmon post AC question, just wondering when you heard back and if you could share if it was positive or negative news as I am still waiting and am trying to figure out my chances. Thanks

 

[Amakaa]

Ropes & Gray PFO 🥰

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Just found out that Hogan Lovells won't be opening at Direct TC intake over the summer. It has been pushed to September 2025. Another one bites the dust...

 

[lou1707]

Birketts vac scheme offer 🙈

 

[summersun]

Birketts vac scheme offer 🙈

Congrats !!!!

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Holding myself accountable again (Milbank rejection)

CC* ✅📝❌
HSF ✅📝❌
NRF ✅📝❌
Weil ✅❌
Akin ✅❌
Sidley ✅❌
Orrick ✅
Willkie ✅🎥❌
Cooley ✅❌
Latham ✅❌
Milbank ✅❌
Kirkland ✅❌
Dechert ✅❌
Skadden ✅❌
Goodwin ✅❌
Covington ✅❌
Linklaters* ✅📝❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Slaughters* ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝❌
Fried Frank* ✅
Gibson Dunn ✅
Macfarlanes* ✅📝
White & Case ✅❌
Morgan Lewis ✅📞❌
Paul Hastings* ✅
White & Case* ✅
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; 📞 = telephone interview; 🎥 = video interview; ❌ = rejection.

*Training Contract applications.

Still 25% in the mix...
And at least 2 dozen DTC's still open

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Hello, does anyone have any advice for the assessment centre group interview task on how to prepare? I am terrified of someone asking me to talk more

These are really fun so long as the topic is interesting...
Bounce ideas of your colleagues, form an opinion and don't be afraid to change your mind if a better option is presented... You must speak or how will they be able to assess you? See it as working together rather than being in competition with one another, as ultimately their testing your team working skills...

 

[Newport@2008]

Just found out that Hogan Lovells won't be opening at Direct TC intake over the summer. It has been pushed to September 2025. Another one bites the dust...

Where has that been announced? And what impact does that have on the direct TC intake that apps closed for on 31 Jan?

 

[lawstudent272003]

Anyone heard from CRS or Gateley for Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship?

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Where has that been announced? And what impact does that have on the direct TC intake that apps closed for on 31 Jan?

I emailed grad recruitment about it. I suspect that means odds are good for those who already made DTC apps?