TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Legalgirl]

Does anybody have a rough clue as to how many people HSF invite to their AC's?

When I had the winter AC, we were 8. But there was one other AC that week, and if I can remember correctly, 2-3 weeks of ACs.

Grad Rec told us that sometimes they hold ACs as long as they can (before the start of the vac scheme) if they have not found the right candidates yet. I remember I received my AC invite quite early on, and someone in my AC only received the invite 3 days before it!

I guess they do not have as much of a strict regimen when it comes to AC invites.

Hope this helps

 

[Rhohia]

Do firms expect a non-law graduate to complete the same ACs as law students? As in if you haven’t got the full legal knowledge, how can you compete in an AC?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I’d be interested to know… does having a first or consistent firsts from a RG uni (non-RG doesn’t apply to me in this instance) have any advantage anymore given that people with stellar academic records are still being rejected.

I’m still clueless as to work experience as I have the typcial probono, retail and few consulting projects, and law firm open days. Which I’m sure just as many applicants have- if not better.

It’s hard to figure out how to make myself a better candidate and in regards to which aspect.

It’s going to be an advantage but there will be plenty of other elements that firms are looking for beyond academics that mean someone with exceptionally academics could still be unsuccessful.

 

[Hana ♥]

I saw a few people getting Covington ACs and still nothing here. This is extremely disheartening, I attended their Legal Horizons Scheme in office (we were only about 30) and I got personally emailed during an online event by grad rec telling me they were highly impressed with me and asked to stay in contact throughout my professional career.

I am extremely confused. Not a rejection yet, but expecting one.

This is getting ridiculous...

 

[Jessica Booker]

Do firms expect a non-law graduate to complete the same ACs as law students? As in if you haven’t got the full legal knowledge, how can you compete in an AC?

You will be doing the same assessments, but there will be some difference in expectations as to what you may or may not know.

This is not just about academics. The same goes for work experience. If you have no legal work experience, the expectations of what you might know would be very different to someone who has worked as a paralegal for a decent length of time.

A lot of assessments are not dependent about the knowledge of technicalities though, and instead are much more about broader commercial knowledge which can be developed without experience.

 

[carys09]

Does anybody have a rough clue as to how many people HSF invite to their AC's?

At their open day, they said they invite about 100 people per vac scheme to the AC and I think they have 3 more vac schemes this year (spring and two summer) so that's about 300

 

[yasmars]

does Covington send ACs in one batch?

 

[Chris Brown]

does Covington send ACs in one batch?

Some people got their AC invites yesterday and others got invited today so I think it’s a staggered approach and not one batch. 🥲

 

[yasmars]

Some people got their AC invites yesterday and others got invited today so I think it’s a staggered approach and not one batch. 🥲

Ok that’s positive at least! Considering their scheme is in the summer I think there’s still hope!

 

[aphelion]

W&C PFO half an hour before my Skadden interview smh feeling demoralised now

 

[Chris Brown]

I saw a few people getting Covington ACs and still nothing here. This is extremely disheartening, I attended their Legal Horizons Scheme in office (we were only about 30) and I got personally emailed during an online event by grad rec telling me they were highly impressed with me and asked to stay in contact throughout my professional career.

I am extremely confused. Not a rejection yet, but expecting one.

This is getting ridiculous...

I think it’s too soon to expect a PFO because only a few people have mentioned AC invites so we can’t know for sure until we get the email!

Best of luck for Covington!

 

[simplyfaith]

That moment when you get hit with the "White & Case LLP - Vacation Scheme Application" from Molly Hill at 10:47AM

(PFO, post-app)

 

[TCSEEKER2025PLEASE]

Does anyone know what US firms are classified as 'sateleite offices' in London. Thanks

This provides overview of all the firms in London. In terms of applications I'd say ones which don't offer training contracts. Further firms really only focussed in the transactional finance related space, especially PE

US firms in the UK - Chambers Student Guide

The student’s guide to careers in the law. Gives the truth about law firms and the Bar. Based on thousands of interviews with trainees, pupils and market sources, this site offers the full package of careers advice to anyone entering the legal profession.

www.chambersstudent.co.uk

 

[miscocrossover]

That moment when you get hit with the "White & Case LLP - Vacation Scheme Application" from Molly Hill at 10:47AM

(PFO)

Sorry to hear about this, was this post-AC?

 

[simplyfaith]

Sorry to hear about this, was this post-AC?

Nah, just post-app

 

[Tintin06]

W&C PFO half an hour before my Skadden interview smh feeling demoralised now

They’re completely separate processes - keep going. Some people get rejected from both. You’re still in a strong position.

 

[user9809]

Has anyone been invited to an AC before, was unsuccessful and made it to the AC stage again for the same firm?

 

[lawyersum]

W&C PFO half an hour before my Skadden interview smh feeling demoralised now

Block it out of your mind and go and ace your Skadden interview! It is W&C's loss for rejecting you and arguably Skadden is more prestigious. You got this!!!

 

[kokoprep]

hi has anyone heard from sidley with AC this week?

 

[lou1707]

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen @Ram Sabaratnam
I have a slight issue, the vac scheme I have an interview for takes place during my term time, and since I am on a student visa I can only do 20hours of work per week during term time. How would you consider approaching this during the interview? Knowing that the firm mainly recruits through its vac scheme and I am VERY keen on that firm?