TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[aspiringsolicitor23]

Does anyone know if I need to put my AS Level on my application form when declaring 16-18 grades? Until recently I have just been putting my A Levels on and my EPQ. I forgot about my AS Level which is a C when my other grades are As and A*s so I don't know if it looks worse adding it or if this is something I don't have a choice in and need to declare. I would appreciate your thoughts on this @Jessica Booker, thanks.

 

[BillSikes]

Assessment centres for direct TCs!!

Should I email GR to ask when their assessment centre are being planned for if nothing has been shared on their website? Around early May I want to go travel for a bit 😭 but i don't want to make plans now and cancel them if I get invited to an AC or something.

They will be in June to collide with Vacation Schemes.

 

[FCL25]

Did my VI for AG on 6th Jan but haven't heard back yet. Has anyone else heard back and is it safe to assume a PFO if not?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

They will be in June to collide with Vacation Schemes.

thank u this is really helpful. Haven't applied to direct TCs before so not too sure how it works. So most of the ACs will be June/July period?

 

[mariistm]

I also struggle with this but what I find helps me is starting from scratch. I take down the run of the mill details about the law firm first just so I have a basic idea of their reputation in certain practices, their values and maybe their international presence etc. From this info, I then go on to look the sectors that they specialise in - this way, naturally the firm will seem a little different from its competitors if that makes sense. If that's quite tricky as many top law firms are very very similar, Chat GPT can really help speed up the process when you're looking for a nice summary and its main competitors.

thank you, that makes sense!

 

[Olivialee15]

This is a very specific question, but does anyone know if firms will ask for a year abroad transcript for VS even if the academic year was P/F. 1) I don't even know where I would access this and 2) would they withdraw an offer based on this (even though it does not count towards my final grade at all)?

@Jessica Booker

 

[fcac98]

Im doing an application with this question: Who are our main competitors and how do we differentiate ourselves from those?

They are a full service law firm, so was just going to say... other full service law firms? Seems like a poor answer.

Any advice appreciated!

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is a very specific question, but does anyone know if firms will ask for a year abroad transcript for VS even if the academic year was P/F. 1) I don't even know where I would access this and 2) would they withdraw an offer based on this (even though it does not count towards my final grade at all)?

@Jessica Booker

Yes, they may still need a transcript but that can be from your UK university.

They wouldn’t withdraw an offer based on this though as long as you had present it as a pass/fail grade on your application form.

 

[Olivialee15]

Yes, they may still need a transcript but that can be from your UK university.

They wouldn’t withdraw an offer based on this though as long as you had present it as a pass/fail grade on your application form.

Thanks @Jessica Booker , I put the modules I did on the year abroad individually into the application, would a transcript from my home university still be ok? I assume it just says 'Pass - year abroad' for my third year.

 

[LawyerUpPal]

does anyone know what Skadden's values are?

Overview | About | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Skadden advises corporations, financial institutions and government entities around the world on their most complex, high-profile matters.

www.skadden.com

Hope these help!

 

[lawbear123]

Search on Google - Google Search Help

Here are a few tips and tricks to help you easily find info on Google. Tip 1: Start with the basics No matter what you look for, start with a simple search like where's the closest airpor

support.google.com

Overview | About | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Skadden advises corporations, financial institutions and government entities around the world on their most complex, high-profile matters.

www.skadden.com

Hope these help!

I did all this but it just says "Our core values reflect the ideals of our history" - does not speak about any specific values, hence asked on the forum!

 

[Chris Brown]

I did all this but it just says "Our core values reflect the ideals of our history" - does not speak about any specific values, hence asked on the forum!

The first link mentions three traits in the first paragraph.

Innovative, collaborative and client-centric. I think they might be some of their values. 🫡

It says these three traits continue to define Skadden’s culture. 🙂

Overview | About | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Skadden advises corporations, financial institutions and government entities around the world on their most complex, high-profile matters.

www.skadden.com

There is also some other stuff here which I think sounds relevant to the firm’s values:

Longest-Tenured Partner, Peter Atkins, Shares Thoughts on What Makes Skadden, Skadden | News & Rankings | About | Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

www.skadden.com

 

[studentdelaw786]

hey sorry where did you hear this from? thanks so much

grad rec themselves said as such

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

No - the answer does not require you to evidence these skills from your experiences. It is asking you to show your understanding of a lawyers job rather than your ability to do that job.

I thought so but it being a 500 word limit threw me a bit

 

[Star Light]

Please use this space to explain your interest in pursuing a legal career at a city law firm

Is this question asking for an answer to 'why commercial law?' or specifically aimed toward 'why a city law firm'?

 

[abhuzaifa]

Hi !

Would anyone who has experience with Fieldfisher's Diversity Access Scheme AC or the AC in general be willing to provide any insights on what to expect ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[sb04]

I was wondering if anyone has some insights into the Forsters and Reed Smith VI that they'd be willing to share? I'd be happy to trade insights in VIs for Weil, Clyde & Co, Mishcon, Simmons &Simmons, White & Case VI and AC last year, and Jones Day AC!

 

[Chris Brown]

Please use this space to explain your interest in pursuing a legal career at a city law firm

Is this question asking for an answer to 'why commercial law?' or specifically aimed toward 'why a city law firm'?

Assuming the firm is a commercial law firm, I would say it’s asking for both, so I would address the city element of the question and the commercial law element. 🙂

It might be good to write 2-3 sentences on the why city law part but this depends on the word count. 🫡

 

[Star Light]

For Paul, Weiss, should I only tick one box for applying to either a spring vacation scheme or summer vacation scheme? or is it okay to tick both?

 

[Chris Brown]

For Paul, Weiss, should I only tick one box for applying to either a spring vacation scheme or summer vacation scheme? or is it okay to tick both?

During the open day it was mentioned that you should ideally select only one VS date so either Spring VS or Summer VS. This is only because there is no benefit in selecting both; it isn’t going to increase the chances of success. 🫡

However, if you genuinely don’t mind doing either VS, then there is no harm in ticking both boxes. I ended up ticking both boxes because I couldn’t decide between the two. 🤣💀

Best of luck in your application to Paul, Weiss! 🙂