TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[tholds]

Hiya @tholds

I think it’s absolutely fine to apply again (and I'd highly recommend you do so)! It’s great that you’re already planning to update your cover letter - that’s always my recommended first step! You don't have to revise all sections of your application, but it might be worth doing so if you think you can add a bit more depth or better showcase the skills you've used during work experiences. While your current work experience entries don’t need to change drastically, I'd encourage you to think about how you can refine or expand on these other aspects of your application.

One important thing to note is that applications for White & Case’s direct training contract are not reviewed on a rolling basis (unlike their vacation scheme). This means you can take your time over the next few months to build your profile further. Whether it’s volunteering, taking on a part-time role, getting involved with societies, or attending legal events, these small additions can round out your application and make a positive difference.

Finally, I’d encourage you to keep going with your other vacation scheme applications too. Many people have been in your shoes! One former community assistant at TCLA, for example, was rejected from a vacation scheme with White & Case, but ended up securing a training contract with them after completing schemes with other firms. I’ve no doubt that you can do the same! Best of luck, and feel free to reach out if you need more help!

Thank you so so much for this insight and advice! Truly appreciate it, and especially given your point regarding building up more experience prior to submitting my app - I'll definitely be doing so.

Thanks again! Really encouraging to hear all of this, thank you for taking the time to reply

@Worldstar223 it was actually a rejection for their winter VS! Somewhat late, I suppose. And thank you for the good luck wishes - same to you!

 

[Rus]

Just to doublecheck, the HSF deadline is tomorrow and just before midnight, right? Would be too risky to send it in tomorrow morning?

 

[lolasparks]

Hey @lolasparks firstly I want to say I completely relate to your struggles. My first application draft would always be substantially above the word count and I would spend hours and hours to think of ways as to how to reduce it. In some ways however that was not bad, as it forced me to think a lot more closely about what is and is not valuable in an application and thus refined my general application writing skills.

As for concrete advice, the first way to reduce your word count is to rethink the substantive points you are making. For any given sentence and word, ask yourself: is this truly necessary for supporting the central point I am making with this paragraph? If I cut this sub-point, will the recruiter's understanding of my main point be substantially reduced? If the answer is no, you can safely cut.

The second and usually more important way to reduce word count is to rethink your style of writing. My top tips besides having a general focus on writing in a to-the-point manner would be:

• Cut down on the adjectives and adverbs - they normally do not add much substantive value, but just more just literary 'flavor', which is not necessary in a law firm application.
• Write shorter and more indepent sentences. You will find that a lot of your natural tendencies towards more verbose expression originates in a tendency to write long sentences with multiple clauses.
• For every sentence and word, once you have already ascertained it adds substantive value, ask yourself: is there any way I can express this point a more concise manner? If yes, take a few minutes considering what you can cut and how you can rephrase.

This is so helpful! Thank you very much.

 

[lolasparks]

If you could choose a career other than law, what would you choose? - For this question, I guess everyone has different approaches but would it be unwise to use personal experience to back why certain aspects of the career chosen, appeals to you. I am a bit unsure how else you write a good answer without it, but then don't want to repeat my work experience unnecessarily I guess.

 

[xxx]

Just to doublecheck, the HSF deadline is tomorrow and just before midnight, right? Would be too risky to send it in tomorrow morning?

Yeah I saw a post on Linkedin that said the application closes tomorrow 11:59 pm... honestly if you submit by 6pm I don't see the problem since it gives you time to email/ try alternative methods to apply if a problem comes up...

 

[James Wakefield]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from BCLP after a long wait?

I did their online test on 20th September and I’ve not heard anything since!

 

[jta227]

Hi all,

i’ve just stupidly found out that DDM (pre-2016 BTECs) equate to ABB and not AAB as I thought this whole time. I have 128 UCAS points which should be fine for most firms, but could put me out of contention of applying for very specific firms.

I am now seriously considering taking an extra A-Level, but would anyone kindly provide some insight into whether is worth doing, or should I essentially deal with what I have?

@Jessica Booker
@Jaysen - would appreciate if you guys also have thoughts too.

Thanks everyone!

Assuming you took one and got an A*, A*ABB isn't that much better, given that the A* was achieved 10 years later. I think at this stage you should ascertain which firms have a hard limit and which look at things holistically - for the latter your degree performance, application and work experience should outweigh your BTEC results if good enough. There are also plenty of strong firms who either have no strict A Level requirements or require ABB: Mishcon de Reya, Pinsent Masons, Freshfields, Clifford Chance, etc. etc.

Of course if you simply want to do another A level then of course do so, I just doubt it would massively increase your chances even at those firms with the hard limits - chances are if they have the hard limit in the first place then they'd prefer the grades to be achieved at the same time.

Of course, I don't even have a TC yet so feel free to wait for Jessica's opinion.

 

[jta227]

Just to doublecheck, the HSF deadline is tomorrow and just before midnight, right? Would be too risky to send it in tomorrow morning?

Tomorrow at 11:59PM, non-rolling (they don't read until after deadline) so send it whenever you want really, just as long as you can get it in in-time and don't run into technical difficulties that take you past the deadline (e.g. I wouldn't start sending at 11:55)

 

[member7830]

would people say there's still point in applying to bird&bird or would it likely not even get screened at this point

 

[yasmars]

would people say there's still point in applying to bird&bird or would it likely not even get screened at this point

I would still apply as there's about 3 weeks until the deadline.

 

[jta227]

would people say there's still point in applying to bird&bird or would it likely not even get screened at this point

I was gonna apply but someone earlier in this thread said they went to an event with them 2 days ago and the firm said there was no point applying now as you might not even get screened.

 

[aether]

Most Candidates I have spoken with and my own experience is that you find out if you have a place on the A/C two weeks prior to have enough time to prepare. I wouldn't worry about it as they also have an A/C in Jan so there is still a chance

That’s reassuring… thank you!

 

[needatccccc]

Just filled in the Taylor Wessing form and now I can’t access it because of the error. 🫠

Has the form come back for anyone or have you had to start again/set up a new account?

did it work for you in the end? I'm having the same issue now

 

[TC Chaser]

Hi all, just noticed that the Skadden application work experience section does not automatically sift the entered work experiences into dates, like other platforms. Did any other applicant put down their experience chronologically?

 

[studentdelaw786]

Assuming you took one and got an A*, A*ABB isn't that much better, given that the A* was achieved 10 years later. I think at this stage you should ascertain which firms have a hard limit and which look at things holistically - for the latter your degree performance, application and work experience should outweigh your BTEC results if good enough. There are also plenty of strong firms who either have no strict A Level requirements or require ABB: Mishcon de Reya, Pinsent Masons, Freshfields, Clifford Chance, etc. etc.

Of course if you simply want to do another A level then of course do so, I just doubt it would massively increase your chances even at those firms with the hard limits - chances are if they have the hard limit in the first place then they'd prefer the grades to be achieved at the same time.

Of course, I don't even have a TC yet so feel free to wait for Jessica's opinion.

these are very good points.

I am lucky to have extensive legal experience as a Paralegal and a high 2:1 at university. i just feel that i’ll be at a disadvantage compared to those who have AAB😭

 

[bella98]

Hi all,

i’ve just stupidly found out that DDM (pre-2016 BTECs) equate to ABB and not AAB as I thought this whole time. I have 128 UCAS points which should be fine for most firms, but could put me out of contention of applying for very specific firms.

I am now seriously considering taking an extra A-Level, but would anyone kindly provide some insight into whether is worth doing, or should I essentially deal with what I have?

@Jessica Booker
@Jaysen - would appreciate if you guys also have thoughts too.

Thanks everyone!

Hi,

I’m not Jessica, but I wanted to share my experience with you! I don’t meet the A-level requirements for most law firms (I completed high school in Italy and don’t have the equivalent of AAB or ABB. No mitigating circumstances—Italy’s education system is simply one of the toughest in Europe, though I suppose that’s not really an excuse, so I didn’t mention anything)

Last year, I applied to a variety of firms, ranging from regional to US firms, many of which had A-level requirements. Despite this, I progressed to the next stage for most of them and attended several assessment centres. No mitigating circumstances, no exceptions—just incredibly well-tailored applications. From my experience, I don’t believe A-level requirements are necessarily a deal-breaker.

 

[James Wakefield]

did it work for you in the end? I'm having the same issue now

Yes I did get it back and managed to submit it!

 

[ilovegardening1111]

hi all, does anyone know if the baker mckenzie deadline to submit is by 23:59 today (30 Nov) or is 23:59 by tomorrow (1 Dec). on their website it says that the deadline is 1 december but im a bit confused by what time exactly that means!

 

[studentdelaw786]

Hi,

I’m not Jessica, but I wanted to share my experience with you! I don’t meet the A-level requirements for most law firms (I completed high school in Italy and don’t have the equivalent of AAB or ABB. No mitigating circumstances—Italy’s education system is simply one of the toughest in Europe, though I suppose that’s not really an excuse, so I didn’t mention anything)

Last year, I applied to a variety of firms, ranging from regional to US firms, many of which had A-level requirements. Despite this, I progressed to the next stage for most of them and attended several assessment centres. No mitigating circumstances, no exceptions—just incredibly well-tailored applications. From my experience, I don’t believe A-level requirements are necessarily a deal-breaker.

Hi Bella,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It’s comforting knowing that you were given a chance as it means I could too. I hope that continues in this cycle and wish you the best!

 

[A worried graduate]

Hi @A worried graduate if your question is as to whether it is worth applying regarding success chances in view of particular circumstances, feel free to give me a bit more detail and I will be happy to give you my view on that. If your question is more to the effect of whether Simmons and Simmons is a good firm to work for, my answer is that I have generally heard good things. They may not have as generalist of an approach as the MC, but it has top tier practices in finance, funds, TMT and life sciences. If these practices/sectors are of interest, I would encourage you to apply.

My question was with regards to if it is too late as AC's have taken place