TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Andrei Radu]

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?

In my experience when the caliber of candidates is very high, some firms have a tendency to give more TC offers in the spring. As Jessica said, firms will never offer all the TCs in the spring, but I know firms which made a number of offers of representing around 60-75% of the available TC spaces. There's a number of reasons for that, including the fact that some people with competing offers might not accept (and thus the firm needs to 'overshoot' its hiring target); and the firm's consciousness of the fact that some of the best candidates who accepted a summer VS might not end up attending because they sign TC offer following a spring scheme at a rival. It is also the case that if the firm really likes one batch of candidates, in the spring there are simply more spaces open so the firm can decide to be more flexible. In the summer, since only a set number of TCs will be available in view of the spring offers, it will be more difficult for the firm to make more offers as that would require changing the overall recruitment target.

That said, there will be many firms to which this does not apply, and there are also reasons why you might choose the summer VS, such as the increased preparation time or the extra time you might have to impress people in the firm. My advice would be to not overthink your decision and simply go with your instinct or with what suits your schedule best.

 

[toad92]

Should I assume PFO if I have not heard from White & Case post AC more than 2 weeks ago? Has anyone emailed to ask?

thinking the same but with VI done almost a month ago 😶

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Does anyone know how many vac schemers Orrick take on? Given the small size of the TC intake, is there any point in making a direct TC?

 

[Leveraged]

Anyone heard anything from Willkie?

Yeah got a PFO on Monday

 

[Kakaboo]

I would stress you don't always have to use SWOT in a case study. They can be useful for certain exercises, but it isn't always the most appropriate approach to take. For some, PESTLE might be more appropriate, and for others you might not need to do either form of analysis.

It really depends what the exercise is asking of you.

Thank you! I did a mock one today and I was wondering where I find out and revise for stuff such as what payment approach to take etc?

 

[Samdeacon1902]

anyone heard from marriott harrison

 

[emma.d]

Yeah got a PFO on Monday

Sorry to hear that

 

[toad92]

PFO for a trainwreck test/vi i did in december for simmons😹, feel like i'd rather they just ignore me instead of reminding me they witnessed how bad i did 💀💀

 

[toad92]

if latham are only sending PFOs why stagger them🤥 getting emails is like a jumpscare at this point

 

[STEM Student]

Hi guys, what’s the best way to prepare for a negotiation group project? And what’s the best way to prepare for a case study?

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know how many vac schemers Orrick take on? Given the small size of the TC intake, is there any point in making a direct TC?

I read somewhere that Orrick has between 12-16 places on their VS. I think they have around 4-6 TC places in total, so it could be they have a very low conversion rate (maybe 25%). If this is the case, perhaps they make 3-4 TC offers from the VS route and 1-2 offers from the DTC route. Orrick also recently upped their NQ pay from £140,000 to £160,000.​

 

[trainee4u]

I know it’s only been like 5 days since the deadline, but has anyone heard from Stephenson Harwood yet for their Spring and/or Summer VS?

Does anyone know from a previous cycle when they usually get back to people post application with test invites?​

last year I applied on 23rd Jan (deadline) and received test invite 30 jan

 

[emma.d]

I know it’s only been like 5 days since the deadline, but has anyone heard from Stephenson Harwood yet for their Spring and/or Summer VS?

Does anyone know from a previous cycle when they usually get back to people post application with test invites?​

Last year, I applied in December and got a test invite in April

 

[suhana]

hello @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

i have an ac scheduled on 12th march but the dates of this scheme clash with the dates of a vac scheme offer i have already accepted. is there any point in going through the prep and doing the ac?

 

[baj5]

Has anyone done K&L Gates verbal analysis test? Can't find anything on it at all

Hi! Did you end up finding anything on this?

 

[lawstudent272003]

Has anyone received a placement scheme offer for CRS yet?

 

[sb04]

Hey there, has anyone done the interview with Sidley Austin? I'd be more than happy to trade insights for White & Case, Milbank, and Weil!

 

[Cool pigeon]

Does anyone have any advice ?

I have an upcoming DTC interview with slaughters.

I also have 3 vac schemes, all with US firms with smaller cohorts.

As part of the interview they ask about application strategy?
- Shall I not mention them and say different firms I applied for but then it seems like I have had an unsuccessful season if they ask how I have got on (such as macfarlances , linklaters, etc)
- one of the VS is with a US firm focused on corporate work, and have a trainee intake of about 25. I could mention them for similar work but again training is v different.
- mention all the vac schemes and be totally honest about strategy- wanted firms where I will get to work on high calibre corporate work and firms that I’ve met.

I think the schemes will make me seem like a stronger candidate but also I worry they will not think I WANT slaughters enough because of them.

Also in the event they were to offer me a TC, does anyone know if they extend- I really want to do the schemes and I don’t know what I would pick honestly.

 

[Hopefully2025]

Is there anyone who's not heard anything from Travers Smith post app? Is there any chance of them offering any more interviews now that a decent few people have received VS offers?

 

[legallycurly]

DACB ac London office