TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lawstudent2]

I believe this depends on the length of the interview. For questions like “Why law?” or “Why this firm?”, you should aim to spend two to three minutes answering each in a thirty-minute interview. That’s enough time to make your points clearly without dragging on. If the interview is longer, such as an hour, you can take closer to three to four minutes to add a bit more detail.

The key is to hit your main reasons quickly and confidently. Start with your strongest point first. For example, with “Why law?”, lead with what sparked your interest or what keeps you motivated. Then follow with something more personal or reflective to show depth. For “Why this firm?”, focus on specific things that set them apart, like their work in a particular sector, and link that back to your career goals.

Practising how you deliver these answers is crucial. Your vocal tone and confidence in what you are saying will make all the difference. A strong start will help prevent interruptions and keep the conversation flowing naturally. Another thing is to not practice too heavily for such questions - and I appreciate this may sound contradictory to all I’ve said. Pre-prepped answers can always be caught, and you want these passions to sound natural. You should still know your main drivers from within though, and fall back on these during the interview.

The idea is to balance being concise with showing that you’ve put thought into your answers.

Thank you so much that's super helpful

 

[BobThebIlly]

Ah I see! I completed mine yesterday and have not heard back 😭

Same!

 

[lolololol]

anyone have insight into the wbd test?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Hi all, has anyone heard back from

• Mishcon de Reya Spring Vac Scheme post-video interview?
• Birketts vac scheme post app?
• Penningtons vac scheme post app?
• Irwin Mitchell post-app/online assessment?

 

[Ash4202]

White & Case interview!! would appreciate any insight/advice as i’ve never done an AC before

 

[Careergal]

Has anyone got any insights into the HSF AC? Would really appreciate it, particularly the case study exercise! I would be more than willing to provide insights into other firms

 

[gazdgazd11]

Trust me, I am in exactly the same position. I completely understand the lack of consideration given to perspectives outside his own experience, bear in mind he qualified some time ago and with a TC straight from university. I don't think it's fair to assume everyone is able to self-fund, but if you can, it appears to be the way to go. My advice previously was based on the idea that this candidate had already undergone the very expensive process of GDL and multiple post graduate degrees on top of his undergrad.

As for everyone who isn't necessarily as fortunate. Please go and have a look at the LLM SQE process. As far as I know, not only does it qualify for a postgraduate loan, but it goes up to nearly 13 grand that is inclusive of the booking fee for the exams. On top of that you are able to do it outside of London, allowing for a lower cost of living if you were to house share in Leeds like some people I know. This combined with the potential scholarship options from BPP might allow you to bridge the gap.

fyi - I self funded the LPC and it didn’t get me anywhere (2 application cycles now). I know many people who got TCs without self funding so it’s really not a major barrier.

 

[sooae]

Same!

I honestly assumed a PFO before the invite. LOL. But now we have to wait yet again. Sigh

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Trust me, I am in exactly the same position. I completely understand the lack of consideration given to perspectives outside his own experience, bear in mind he qualified some time ago and with a TC straight from university. I don't think it's fair to assume everyone is able to self-fund, but if you can, it appears to be the way to go. My advice previously was based on the idea that this candidate had already undergone the very expensive process of GDL and multiple post graduate degrees on top of his undergrad.

As for everyone who isn't necessarily as fortunate. Please go and have a look at the LLM SQE process. As far as I know, not only does it qualify for a postgraduate loan, but it goes up to nearly 13 grand that is inclusive of the booking fee for the exams. On top of that you are able to do it outside of London, allowing for a lower cost of living if you were to house share in Leeds like some people I know. This combined with the potential scholarship options from BPP might allow you to bridge the gap.

The “less fortunate” position is still an insanely privileged one. I don’t fault the user who said this AT ALL, it is the way to go - applications on top of a masters is infinitely easier to manage than on top of full time work. The problem here is the way the industry views all these things in equilibrium: to everyone out there who saw this and felt disheartened, this is sadly the truth but don’t think you can’t achieve it regardless

 

[jacksollaf]

Baker summer vs pfo... Don't understand how as I literally interned for a month in two of their offices, completing their virtual work experience program too... didn't even get the test... Nonsense

 

[Jessica Booker]

If it’s a reasonable adjustment that you have requested I don’t see why it would look bad to the interviewer from their perspective. 🙂🙂

I think it would be preferrable if you wrote bullet points down though instead of reading off a script. That way you have a structure in mind and keep the presentation more conversational and flexible. This is more important because they could ask you certain questions while you are delivering the presentation.

I think @Jessica Booker can give you a better answer than this one because idk for sure. 🙂🙂

This wouldn't need to be a reasonable adjustment - you'd be welcome to take in anything into the presentation to help you present unless the firm has said otherwise in the instructions.

However, I wouldn't go with a script as you may be reliant on reading it rather than engaging your audience. Instead I would recommend more notes/pointers for what you will say so that your delivery style is slightly more natural rather than scripted.

You can however, take any written documents into a presentation with you to help you present, and if you think a script is better for you, then you should do that. I just tend to find people end up reading from the script too heavily and tend to get less eye contact with their audience than if they used more shorthand/notes.

 

[Chris Brown]

This wouldn't need to be a reasonable adjustment - you'd be welcome to take in anything into the presentation to help you present unless the firm has said otherwise in the instructions.

However, I wouldn't go with a script as you may be reliant on reading it rather than engaging your audience. Instead I would recommend more notes/pointers for what you will say so that your delivery style is slightly more natural rather than scripted.

You can however, take any written documents into a presentation with you to help you present, and if you think a script is better for you, then you should do that. I just tend to find people end up reading from the script too heavily and tend to get less eye contact with their audience than if they used more shorthand/notes.

@Toomanypfo 🙂🙂

 

[SonghaivAngel]

WTH I just received an invite to Milbank's AC for their LevFin programme!! Genuinely thought it would be a PFO

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Hi guys! I just got a Milbank LevFin Track AC and was hoping for any sort of insight into Milbank's AC! I'm really pleased as this is the first time I've got to the assessment centre stage (after a lot of rejections...) I'm a non-law student so I also welcome any tips on how to tackle ACs in general coming from my background.

 

[jacksollaf]

HFW AC in the morning/today technically; hopefully I can secure something 😂

 

[InfuriatedIndividual]

Dear friends,

Does anyone have any indication as to when Linklaters may grant a verdict on my application for their summer vacation scheme?

 

[saminoriya]

Hi, when did you apply and when did you receive your invite please?

I applied on last day before deadline, like 3 hours before the deadline😅 They sent invite yesterday and looks like there are just 72 hours to do a VI

 

[kokoprep]

White & Case interview!! would appreciate any insight/advice as i’ve never done an AC before

Hey when did you do the VI, could you please share date? Congratulations and good luck!

 

[kokoprep]

White & Case interview! Any insights please message me, happy to share some of my own

Hi Isabelle - can you please share when you did the VI? good luck with AC

 

[kokoprep]

Has anyone heard back with AC for Travers, Sidley and Latham Summer? Can you please quote and share when you received the interviews?