TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Need help with this Withers application question -
''If your favourite childhood toy suddenly came to life, what advice would you give it today? (60 words max)''. These law firms are getting too creative 🤣 @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

As someone with neurodiversity, this question grates on me a lot.... it really doesn't work in your favourite toy was lego bricks, a bike or something that couldn't have a personality/character.

I think @Ram Sabaratnam does a great job in their advice on this same question by not focusing on the "toy" but actually the fact that the theoretical situation is an opportunity to reflect on the difference between childhood and being an adult. Ram's post is here:

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Which firms are biased in favour of younger applicants? Realistically where do I, as a 27-year old, have a chance? 27 is still very young and I was always under the impression US firms had more mid 20s onwards intakes.

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[Amjaya]

Anyone heard back from Cooley about the virtual open day coming up?

They said they would get back today!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Could it not be that as the client is entering into a new market, and is perhaps less sure about what/how they will do things, you may need to establish a different sort of rapport than to a client who knows precisely what they want and their issue is more routine?

Yeah, that’s a very good point. I completely agree. I’m just not sure I’d build a rapport with the client in any different way.

It feels less like a question on rapport and more on ‘how would you advise this client differently’

It’s a difficult question. I’m not entirely sure how I’d answer tbh

 

[Jessica Booker]

HSF WVS offer!!! Unfortunately, the dates clash with my W&C WVS, so I am contemplating whether I should ask HSF to be moved to summer or spring, but I'll have to have some reason...Any ideas?

You don't need to hide you have another offer - most candidates who ask to move are going to do so because they have a competing offer.

 

[Audric_T]

Hi,
I received the email from DLA saying I had successfully passed the WG test a week ago and I was wondering how long it took for people who go the VI?

I got the vi a week later and the AC a week and a half after the VI but they shortlist every stag

 

[elsx]

I got the vi a week later and the AC a week and a half after the VI but they shortlist every stag

Okay thank you. I guess I'll see if I get something tomorrow and otherwise assume I wasn't shortlisted.

 

[Tintin06]

I’m getting a lot of messages about VIs. I’m not in a frame of mind to deal with these and have been depressed since not converting the VS I did in spring. I’m not sure how many more months of waiting I can take. I’m 27 and I was once told that if you don’t qualify by 30 it seriously impacts your chances of making Partner. That, plus my concern that multiple VSs raises questions about your abilities. I know resilience is important here but even so.

 

[bobjeff]

anyone heard back from baker's general open day - i applied on the deadline, and didn't realise it was rolling, so assuming rejection.

 

[lolololol]

just got a cooley open day pfo i am losing hope already 😭

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

I am really losing hope over VIs. Whenever I think I’ve got them nailed I get another scenario based one that I can’t understand how to fill 2 minutes without waffling

 

[Gday33]

I’m getting a lot of messages about VIs. I’m not in a frame of mind to deal with these and have been depressed since not converting the VS I did in spring. I’m not sure how many more months of waiting I can take. I’m 27 and I was once told that if you don’t qualify by 30 it seriously impacts your chances of making Partner. That, plus my concern that multiple VSs raises questions about your abilities. I know resilience is important here but even so.

I’m pushing 30 (5 months to go) so you’ve got 2-3 years on me! The competition is insane so don’t take it too personally (hard to do, I know.) As well there are plenty of careers outside of law that give better working hours with just as much money so not necessarily the end of the world (which maybe you’re not in the mindset to hear but it’s true.) I’ve been in insurance for 5 years and would recommend it to anyone. I work in London, earn a great wage, and it’s a genuine 9-5 with fantastic people - plus you get invited to lots of firm events and networking so you get that side of it too. Keep your head up and keep your options open. Best of luck! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

 

[Amjaya]

Meet Cooley virtual event invite !!! Thank GOD kept receiving rejections. I know this is a small win but honestly having the mentality of not giving up and that it only takes one yes has helped me incredibly.

 

[futuretrainee202X]

just got a cooley open day pfo i am losing hope already 😭

Really sorry to hear that, and if you're happy disclosing, when did you apply?

 

[bella98]

DLA’s email:

“As we have recently confirmed, we are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed our online assessment.

At present, our team are carefully reviewing candidates before deciding who to shortlist for the next phase of our recruitment process, an online video interview. We are working diligently to update you and will be in touch in due course.”

I really don’t understand - I passed the WG a month ago!! 🤣 I assumed PFO, what is the meaning of this email? Are they still considering my app after all?

 

[Apple]

DLA just sent me an email reconfirming I passed the test and they are working through shortlisting people for AC. If you haven't heard back in a while I don't think its necessarily indicative of a PFO yet.

 

[NCTC2025]

DLA’s email:

“As we have recently confirmed, we are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed our online assessment.

At present, our team are carefully reviewing candidates before deciding who to shortlist for the next phase of our recruitment process, an online video interview. We are working diligently to update you and will be in touch in due course.”

I really don’t understand - I passed the WG a month ago!! 🤣 I assumed PFO, what is the meaning of this email? Are they still considering my app after all?

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

 

[NCTC2025]

Does anyone know how much Linklaters takes the WG into account when shortlisting candidates?

 

[Apple]

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

I thought I got progressed to VI haha

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

I’m getting a lot of messages about VIs. I’m not in a frame of mind to deal with these and have been depressed since not converting the VS I did in spring. I’m not sure how many more months of waiting I can take. I’m 27 and I was once told that if you don’t qualify by 30 it seriously impacts your chances of making Partner. That, plus my concern that multiple VSs raises questions about your abilities. I know resilience is important here but even so.

I wouldn’t care if I never got partner. I expect your definition of success is different to mine as an oxbridge grad, but honestly, despite telling firms I want to be a partner someday, I would feel like I hit the jackpot just being there. The salaries are incredible even for just an NQ and something I could be happy with my entire life. For a non Russell group grad with average A levels I still have a mountain to climb. You have achieved so much more than me and probably more than 95% of the people on here. There’s no reason to give up now.

Edit: Besides, you’re not obliged to declare all your vac schemes if you think putting just one or two down will look better. You’re in an enviable position my friend

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

Haha so was I! Even screenshot the email as proof. It’s ridiculous. I believe they have already rejected us and they’re dragging it along just like Ashurst. They’ve invited people to Vi who have taken the WG after I had. People have been invited to AC and they applied after me. I’m fed up of firms rejecting me and not telling me. Why give false hope. What do they gain out of this. It makes me less inclined to apply again. I can’t stress how bad Ashurst was for dragging applicants along for over 6 weeks. W&C following suit of not even acknowledging applicants post app. I anticipate an influx of “W&C rejection” on the forum in a few days/weeks.