TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

if you have an upcoming ac at a mc firm, and you went to their insight evening (and got info about their culture) but not their nation-wide open day/fair where you can speak directly with trainees/associates/partners in a sector (and therefore missed those insights), do you still have a chance of getting the VS? just realised this when looking through my emails with the firm and it's adding to the pressure ahaha but someone please be brutally hones with me! 🧿

In my opinion, this is not a big issue at all. To put it into context, you may have not gone to any event at the firm, and still be able to get a VS at the firm. It certainly helps because the best way to know about the culture of a firm is by directly speaking to those who work there. However, the work and practices generally remain the same across most firms (and this is more important than culture when crafting a compelling application). This information is easily accessible online, via their LinkedIn announcements for example. Another thing is that you could have been to events at other firms, whether online or not, and still reference this by touching on similar trends in work/industries. They just want to see the effort you have put into learning more about the industry and your overall understanding of it, as well as how you connect it to your experiences/resolve to work there.

 

[Jessica Booker]

if you have an upcoming ac at a mc firm, and you went to their insight evening (and got info about their culture) but not their nation-wide open day/fair where you can speak directly with trainees/associates/partners in a sector (and therefore missed those insights), do you still have a chance of getting the VS? just realised this when looking through my emails with the firm and it's adding to the pressure ahaha but someone please be brutally hones with me! 🧿

Once you secure an AC, what you have done or haven't done with the firm doesn't really matter - you have got to the AC based on your application and experience whatever that may be.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, I had an AC today, but unfortunately I woke up extremely sick this morning. Since the AC I've been unable to move and have a very high fever. I didn't perform my best at all which is really frustrating as I did sooo much prep. Would you say it's worth sending an email to grad rec about it or will it just look super needy? I'm pretty positive I can get a doctor's note tomorrow if needed.
Similarly I have a VI to do before Wednesday - is it worth emailing them to potentially get it moved or do I just need to get on with it?

Thanks!

Was the AC in person and if so could what you be ill with be passed on?

 

[Katy12345]

Hiya @Katy12345

The live video interview should be the final stage before the vacation scheme. You're absolutely right - the group exercise and written exercise will be assessed during the vacation scheme itself. Good luck to your friend! I hope they hear back with good news soon

Thank you so much Ram! That’s exciting news 😊

 

[Amma Usman]

Just had an AC and it felt.. okay? Usually I have quite strong feelings one way or the other (bombed it or did pretty well). No idea how to feel coming out of this one. Could've been a bit better, I suppose, but equally could have been much worse. Perhaps it is better not to feel an 'extreme' one way or the other.

Honestly it’s so easy to feel a mix of thoughts as humans post-interview. However, please stay optimistic and keep going! You got this…

 

[AlegalA]

I would email the firm you did the AC with as waking up extremely sick and having a high fever most likely will have affected your overall performance and could make the difference between an outright rejection and a reconsideration of your profile. I think they could even offer you the chance to take the AC again.

Similarly, it would definitely be worthwhile to email the firm you have the VI with, which is due on Wednesday, to see if it can be moved. I don’t think it’s a good idea to just ‘get on with it’ because that’s setting yourself up for failure with the VI. You want to be able to perform at your best!​

Okay I will do that tomorrow, thank you so much!

 

[floral.tcla]

In my opinion, this is not a big issue at all. To put it into context, you may have not gone to any event at the firm, and still be able to get a VS at the firm. It certainly helps because the best way to know about the culture of a firm is by directly speaking to those who work there. However, the work and practices generally remain the same across most firms (and this is more important than culture when crafting a compelling application). This information is easily accessible online, via their LinkedIn announcements for example. Another thing is that you could have been to events at other firms, whether online or not, and still reference this by touching on similar trends in work/industries. They just want to see the effort you have put into learning more about the industry and your overall understanding of it, as well as how you connect it to your experiences/resolve to work there.

Once you secure an AC, what you have done or haven't done with the firm doesn't really matter - you have got to the AC based on your application and experience whatever that may be.

Thank you both so much, that really helps

 

[AlegalA]

Was the AC in person and if so could what you be ill with be passed on?

No, it was online

 

[Jessica Booker]

No, it was online

The firm can't really put a value on how your illness would have impacted you - they can only really go by the evidence that they see on the day, so its not like they can compensate your performance for it.

You can mention it to HR/Graduate Recruitment but I think it would only help if it came down to a very marginal decision.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, so I received a post-TI PFO from a firm but in the email they offered a feedback call. I sent an email asking to take up the feedback call but have yet to receive a response (just under a week since sending it). Should I just wait for a response or would it be fine to send a follow-up so I can receive feedback before my next interviews with other firms? Thanks

I would just wait - it can take several weeks to get feedback, especially if everyone else is asking for it.

 

[Defnefresko]

In a video interview with a firm that has a strong Private Wealth practice, would it be advisable to answer a question about a client I'd like to introduce to the firm as a specific kind of UHNW individual (I can't really give a name as I'm not aware of any specific individuals wanting to move from the UK to the country in question) or is it better to just go with a specific company? I think my answer is otherwise strong as it references a new office and growing practices, but I'm debating whether it is important that I specifically name a client.

 

[austinfriar]

has anyone received a confirmation of receipt for their debevoise open day acceptance reply yet?

Yes! No day tho and I requested specific timings around my work

 

[Gday33]

Does anyone know when RPC or PMC aim to get back to candidates - assuming a rejection at this point!

RPC said by the end of Feb - also awaiting their reply!

 

[👩🎓]

RPC said by the end of Feb - also awaiting their reply!

Thank you so much

 

[Tclarocks123]

Hi guys, I have accepted an offer of internship through 10,000 Interns programme but my spring application for a VS has been switched to summer due to lack of spaces and I was offered an AC - if I were to get on the vac scheme would there be any consequences for backing out of the summer internship?

Hi, I have done the programme twice and can shed some light. So on my internship a girl started two weeks late as she was finishing her VS at HL. They were really understanding of this even though it was not a law firm so I reckon if its a firm it would be even easier. Essentially, speak with your internship company and see if they can push your start date or offer you 6 weeks instead of 8 weeks if you are actually interested in doing the internship. If not, there are no material consequences just don't wait until the last minute to pull out.

 

[AlegalA]

The firm can't really put a value on how your illness would have impacted you - they can only really go by the evidence that they see on the day, so its not like they can compensate your performance for it.

You can mention it to HR/Graduate Recruitment but I think it would only help if it came down to a very marginal decision.

okay, thank you

 

[ohnoselim]

even as a graduate video interviews stun me everytime

i rambled alot but at the same time lost my vocab 🤣

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

In a video interview with a firm that has a strong Private Wealth practice, would it be advisable to answer a question about a client I'd like to introduce to the firm as a specific kind of UHNW individual (I can't really give a name as I'm not aware of any specific individuals wanting to move from the UK to the country in question) or is it better to just go with a specific company? I think my answer is otherwise strong as it references a new office and growing practices, but I'm debating whether it is important that I specifically name a client.

Hiya @Defnefresko

It sounds like you're on the right track It’s not necessarily a bad idea to mention a specific ultra-high-net-worth client, but the key is to ensure you can clearly articulate how the firm could advise them and why introducing that client would make for interesting work. This can be more challenging when discussing private clients because their legal needs are often less transparent than those of companies, where public information is more readily available.

If you do want to focus on a UHNW individual, try to think about what specific legal needs they might have and how the firm is best positioned to address these. This could be tax structuring, succession planning, cross-border matters, or relocation issues, for example. You don’t necessarily need to name an individual, but framing your answer around a certain type of client with a set of relevant challenges could be effective. Alternatively, discussing a company can often make it easier to illustrate why the firm is well-suited to act for them, as there’s usually more public information available to support your argument.

If the firm advises both private clients and businesses, you might consider discussing an UHNW individual who owns a business and how the firm could support both their personal wealth structuring and the legal needs of their company (this scenario sometimes comes up in law firm commercial exercises). This approach allows you to tie together different aspects of the firm’s expertise (both its private client and commercial capabilities).

I hope this helps and good luck with your application!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Hey guys, I had an AC today, but unfortunately I woke up extremely sick this morning. Since the AC I've been unable to move and have a very high fever. I didn't perform my best at all which is really frustrating as I did sooo much prep. Would you say it's worth sending an email to grad rec about it or will it just look super needy? I'm pretty positive I can get a doctor's note tomorrow if needed.
Similarly I have a VI to do before Wednesday - is it worth emailing them to potentially get it moved or do I just need to get on with it?

Thanks!

Honestly I had extenuating circumstances at an AC and didn’t do much… as in passed out in front of grad rec in the middle of an exercise and the feedback seemed as though I was assessed similarly to other candidates

 

[jta227]

Hey guys, I had an AC today, but unfortunately I woke up extremely sick this morning. Since the AC I've been unable to move and have a very high fever. I didn't perform my best at all which is really frustrating as I did sooo much prep. Would you say it's worth sending an email to grad rec about it or will it just look super needy? I'm pretty positive I can get a doctor's note tomorrow if needed.
Similarly I have a VI to do before Wednesday - is it worth emailing them to potentially get it moved or do I just need to get on with it?

Thanks!

It's hard to say - honestly it depends on the firm. I had bad COVID late last year during a period in which I was meant to do a 3+ hour blended assessment (with 4 VI questions) - I couldn't get it extended and ended up doing it anyway whilst feeling horrible - in some of my VI questions I broke into coughing fits despite trying my hardest not to. I emailed afterwards and got a very boilerplate response about how candidates would hear back in the new year. I got rejected on Jan 3 (which is pretty early as judging by this forum people didn't start getting PFOs for that firm until like 3 weeks after that lol).

I can definitely see another firm being sympathetic for illness, but I think the overarching mindset is probably that if you do the AC then you were "fit to sit" as decided by you and thus they will take your performance at face value and say that you should have rescheduled (even though it's often not possible to reschedule with a few hours' notice)