TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[ashwright]

In my experience, it was strange when there was a second year uni student. Most of the people there were either 3rd year law students or graduates

Rude! Your age is none of their business.

I recently went to an AC that was actually quite eye opening because of the mix of people. There were 2nd year undergrads, graduates and some people who had been paralegals for 5+ years and worked in other industries. I actually found the latter most intimidating! So it didn't feel strange at all to be a few years post graduation. Depending on the firm, its your experience that allows you to do better at AC, and degree of maturity.

This is a them problem not a you problem. They are going to have a bit of a wake up call when they have to start working with people of all ages in a law firm, including trainees and junior qualified lawyer.

This just shows a lot of naivety and immaturity in them in my opinion!

I have a friend who qualified last year at Macfarlanes. Though she had secured the TC via VS in her second year, she was one of the youngest in her cohort. The majority of trainees were graduates who had been working for a couple of years prior to the TC. Of course, this is not the case for all cohorts or for all firms, but you should never think you're too old!

I just find it bizarre how (some) younger students act like it’s the strangest thing in the world to find people older than them applying to the same roles they’re applying for. And to make matters worse, they seem to have some innate urge to actively share with you their ‘wonder’ 😭

Thank you all for the reassurance - it honestly means a lot. The experience happened a few months ago, right at the beginning of this app cycle but the feelings stayed with me since. having received yet another batch of PFOs means that they resurfaced. I am wholeheartedly so grateful to you guys - your support has put to bed that lingering feeling of self-doubt.
Looking forward to improving for next cycle. Onwards + upwards.

 

[sapphireoreos]

Question for anyone who has been to an AC/VS who is not a second year uni student:
Have you ever been questioned by fellow applicants about your age/the fact that you're 'older'/'later in progress' than they are?
My reason for asking is that I had an experience where my peers (all in their second year of uni + i was passed that) were bewildered by my age etc. It was quite tricky fending off questions about why I was 'still' applying/hadn't had any success. It was obviously quite demoralising for myself to handle but I pulled through.
Perhaps it was just that they happened to be young and innocent - unaware of the reality that many people don't get VS/TCs in their second year. However, I'm worried that since I'll be adding yet another year on by next cycle, such experiences will only get worse.
Hoping for some reassurance/anecdotes about how my bad experience was an anomaly 😅
Thanks guys

I went to an AC recently and I think I only met one person who was in their second year of uni. Everyone else were final years, grads, postgrads, career changers or working, so don't worry! I think this also depends on what type of firm you apply to. From what I've heard, AC candidates at MC firms typically tend to skew younger (especially something like Clifford Chance and its SPARK scheme)

 

[sibs23]

I have a friend who qualified last year at Macfarlanes. Though she had secured the TC via VS in her second year, she was one of the youngest in her cohort. The majority of trainees were graduates who had been working for a couple of years prior to the TC. Of course, this is not the case for all cohorts or for all firms, but you should never think you're too old!

I have been applying for quite a lot of cycles now. I am starting to worry whether some firms would completely rule me out now after several years of applying to them, even though I have changed up my application and gained new experiences over the years. I have also noticed that my successful applications this year have been with firms I have never applied to before. In a more positive view, maybe this means that I am getting closer to finding the "right" firm for me ...

 

[floral.tcla]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu ,

If asked in an AC interview:

Why linklaters (both in the middle east and the UK)?
How does linklaters stand out from other firms (or magic circle firms)?

How should I answer it? I got feedback from an AC that my biggest let down was the fact that my reasons for why the firm were not strong. Thank you!

hi, idk this sorry but were you also rejected from Links post-AC?

 

[floral.tcla]

LL SVS post-AC rejection (which they tell over the phone). their phone is weird because I can't call so I have to wait until tomorrow for feedback. trying not to think about it too much otherwise ill literally break down hahahahah

ffs my lack of confidence let me down this is so annoying

 

[pepsicola96]

Question for anyone who has been to an AC/VS who is not a second year uni student:
Have you ever been questioned by fellow applicants about your age/the fact that you're 'older'/'later in progress' than they are?
My reason for asking is that I had an experience where my peers (all in their second year of uni + i was passed that) were bewildered by my age etc. It was quite tricky fending off questions about why I was 'still' applying/hadn't had any success. It was obviously quite demoralising for myself to handle but I pulled through.
Perhaps it was just that they happened to be young and innocent - unaware of the reality that many people don't get VS/TCs in their second year. However, I'm worried that since I'll be adding yet another year on by next cycle, such experiences will only get worse.
Hoping for some reassurance/anecdotes about how my bad experience was an anomaly 😅
Thanks guys

Sorry you had to deal with that. It's quite surprising to me though. I've only had 1 AC, but I was the only 2nd year uni student. There was one third year, 2 recent post grads, who'd graduated last summer, and then there were 3 older applicants who were in other established jobs.

It's rude none the less, but I think it is just naivety. When i began this process, I was certainly under the impression most people got something in second year. I kept seeing tiktoks of "How i got 4 VS offers on my first attempt" etc so figured of course I'd get at least one or two. In reality it's very common to apply for years without getting anything, not to mention SO many career changers. Keep on doing you! If anything, those kinda questions can sometimes reflect quite badly on the person asking, and grad recruitment is always watching.

 

[VMS]

LL SVS post-AC rejection (which they tell over the phone). their phone is weird because I can't call so I have to wait until tomorrow for feedback. trying not to think about it too much otherwise ill literally break down hahahahah

ffs my lack of confidence let me down this is so annoying

The fact that you got that far with LL is amazing!! I was in a similar boat last year, being rejected from A&O post-AC. Don't let it get you down, just take your feedback and move forward

 

[tomsmitg]

Does anyone by any chance have insight into Taylor Wessing‘s AC?

 

[floral.tcla]

Hi, no i have links AC tomorrow. But, I just got an offer from another firm where they said my weakest performance was on motivation for the firm part, and I don't want to repeat it for Links. 😥

gl. if you have a vs offer at another firm then you're fine either way

 

[floral.tcla]

The fact that you got that far with LL is amazing!! I was in a similar boat last year, being rejected from A&O post-AC. Don't let it get you down, just take your feedback and move forward

thank you gl going forward

im actually thinking of applying to a&o in the next cycle - could I message you?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

any1 else feel like hearing back from firms has slowed down this week? feel like I was so busy hearing back 3 weeks ago and then this week is so slow lol

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

thank you gl going forward

im actually thinking of applying to a&o in the next cycle - could I message you?

hello, could you pls check your DMs. thanks

 

[wqueens8]

Has anyone heard back from Clifford Chance for SPARK yet? They said we'd hear back about VIs this week. Of course it is only half way through the week and there is still time.

 

[VMS]

thank you gl going forward

im actually thinking of applying to a&o in the next cycle - could I message you?

Sure It was in around Jan time 2024 though so my memory is a little lacking, haha.

EDIT: in fact, think it was Nov 2023 lmao.

 

[FCL25]

Yes I’ve been waiting a month so assumed PFO but not seen anyone from my office get an AC. What office was this?

London.

 

[Ricky]

Hi! Sorry but can I ask if this is for spring/summer? I completed the VI but haven't heard back

They haven't got a Spring/Summer VS, it is several one week VS ......no dates released yet.

 

[LawJ]

I have been applying for quite a lot of cycles now. I am starting to worry whether some firms would completely rule me out now after several years of applying to them, even though I have changed up my application and gained new experiences over the years. I have also noticed that my successful applications this year have been with firms I have never applied to before. In a more positive view, maybe this means that I am getting closer to finding the "right" firm for me ...

I completely agree that perhaps the firm's you had been applying to maybe weren't the right fit for you but also it's important to bear in mind how much of a luck game this whole thing is. I feel like surely they can't rule you out, if anything it shows how committed you are to them ahaha.

Glad to hear you switched up your approach and are seeing some success now! I also did similar and have seen more success this cycle.

 

[legaleagle11]

They haven't got a Spring/Summer VS, it is several one week VS ......no dates released yet.

has anyone else heard from V&E- just wondering if the Interview/Presentation is staggered at all. otherwise I'll cut my losses haha.

 

[Life_of_PFOs]

Hey, so sorry to hear that hope you will have more luck on other occasions ! Do you mind me asking how much time it took them to get back to you ?

Thanks !!

Hi, sorry for the late reply. It took them two weeks to get back to me.

 

[tcla02]

in the clyde holding email they said “We will aim to get back to you in February, once all applications and digital assessments have been screened.” Does this mean they send out all invites in one go? i know i’ve asked this before but i’m getting worried because someone got an AC with them here recently. don’t know if i should just assume a PFO:/