TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[VMS]

Update just received my 8th this week 😂

I'm so sorry, it's such a shame that all of those have come at once. I hope you have a much better weekend and have the time to take a break from apps!

 

[Jessica Booker]

I understand and I am sorry to hear that. Maybe this is an area that can be improved in the student finance system and increase the number of scholarships. I would hate for someone to work so hard and have to settle for a lower-ranked / unpreferred university because of financial reasons.

There are hundreds of thousands of domestic students who do this each year.

50% of first degree students attend a university in their home region. Not all will do this for financial reasons, some will also do it on purpose to remain close to home - for instance you see a much higher proportion of domestic ethnic minority students attend a local university than you do white counterparts, especially certain female ethnic minorities who typically will have higher family demands to stay local.

So for many it’s just not easy to up and move to a well respected university elsewhere in the country.

It’s great if you live in London or other major U.K. cities where you may have options to go to a local university that is highly respected, but if you live in places like Hull, Falmouth, Bangor, Grimsby, travelling hundreds of miles to your nearest “highly ranked” uni is just not an option for many.

 

[Chris Brown]

Where is the implication I made that you had your university place handed to you? You’ve literally proved my point - universities make contextual offers so all universities are accessible to all.

Universities aren’t accessible to all though. My point was that some people have the potential to succeed at elite RG universities and have the academic grades to meet their entry requirements, but due to financial circumstances, they are unable to access these institutions due to the higher costs of living. As a result, they end up going to their local university (often a non-RG). I was fortunate in that I had a RG uni closer to my hometown (one of my offers), so I went there and loved my time there as well. It’s still considered a mid-tier RG, but I don’t think anybody would consider it on the same level as say Oxford, Cambridge or LSE.

For a law firm to only accept applications from these certain elite universities knowing that talent isn’t limited to just Oxbridge or LSE, for example, is unfair in my opinion. I have seen people with A*AA at A-level and they went to their local university. A firm like Ropes & Gray seems to have the policy that if someone isn’t a student or graduate of an elite RG, it’s an automatic rejection. I don’t think that’s the fairest policy to have. I think what needs to be seen is universities offering more needs-based scholarships. That way, the best students are gaining entry into these elite institutions (regardless of their background). This isn’t reality right now. Whilst contextual offers help remove some of the barriers to entry, there is so much more that needs to be done in my opinion.​

 

[A worried graduate]

Can anyone tell me if I should begin to look at direct TCs or go for the Vac Schemes that are left?

I have no paralegal experience if that is of relevance.

 

[Broadwater]

Universities aren’t accessible to all though. My point was that some people have the potential to succeed at elite RG universities and have the academic grades to meet their entry requirements, but due to financial circumstances, they are unable to access these institutions due to the higher costs of living. As a result, they end up going to their local university (often a non-RG). I was fortunate in that I had a RG uni closer to my hometown (one of my offers), so I went there and loved my time there as well. It’s still considered a mid-tier RG, but I don’t think anybody would consider it on the same level as say Oxford, Cambridge or LSE.

For a law firm to only accept applications from these certain elite universities knowing that talent isn’t limited to just Oxbridge or LSE, for example, is unfair in my opinion. I have seen people with A*AA at A-level and they went to their local university. A firm like Ropes & Gray seems to have the policy that if someone isn’t a student or graduate of an elite RG, it’s an automatic rejection. I don’t think that’s the fairest policy to have. I think what needs to be seen is universities offering more needs-based scholarships. That way, the best students are gaining entry into these elite institutions (regardless of their background). This isn’t reality right now. Whilst contextual offers help remove some of the barriers to entry, there is so much more that needs to be done in my opinion.​

I know for a fact that one of the vacation schemes last year had 1/3 Non-RG attendees

 

[RSK]

anyone still waiting to hear back from latham?

 

[Chris Brown]

I know for a fact that one of the vacation schemes last year had 1/3 Non-RG attendees

Were the non-RG attendees from St Andrews, Bath and Loughborough? If so, it’s pretty much the same difference. If not, then that’s good to hear honestly. I wonder how many of the non-RG VS’ received TC offers though. Most of the current and future trainees I have come across on LinkedIn went to Oxbridge, Durham, LSE, KCL and UCL. 🥲​

 

[CCLaw]

anyone still waiting to hear back from latham?

I submitted my application in November after attending their open day; at this point I feel like giving up. This waiting game is actually killing me.

 

[rishifrompierpoint]

Just got the video interview for CC SPARK, does anyone have any tips and advice in regards to the delivery, body language and structure of answers? Thanks.

 

[AlegalA]

I don't think the QS university rankings are considered relevant in the UK. They are very key for example for applicants from foreign countries seeking scholarships where there is a requirement for "top 100 worldwide" or whatever.

However, I would avoid citing them in the UK. They are deliberately gamed by universities seeking foreign students and do not necessarily use relevant measures.

In addition, while undergraduate university is a strong indication of academic ability, the fact is about half (?) of English corporate lawyers do their legal education at a degree mill (Ulaw, BPP), so the idea that corporate clients are concerned that you learned about Shakespeare (or whatever your undergraduate degree was in) from the best profs at the best uni is a little unlikely. Plus general rankings don't reflect individual subject expertise.

Oh no, tbh I agree and I agree with @Chris Brown's take that only hiring from "elite" unis lacks obvious context, and a holistic view as to how/why people choose their universities.
I was simply arguing that saying Birmingham isn't one of the top universities seems wrong, when they are scored so highly in the UK (given they had spoken about ranks) and that they are a Russell Group uni. (And obviously I am aware that they're not oxbridge or the likes).

 

[summerk27]

Anyone heard back from CRS after video interview for London/Guildford placement schemes?

 

[trainee4u]

Oh no, tbh I agree and I agree with @Chris Brown's take that only hiring from "elite" unis lacks obvious context, and a holistic view as to how/why people choose their universities.
I was simply arguing that saying Birmingham isn't one of the top universities seems wrong, when they are scored so highly in the UK (given they had spoken about ranks) and that they are a Russell Group uni. (And obviously I am aware that they're not oxbridge or the likes).

Sure, it was really a reply to his post, I just couldn't bring myself to reply directly.

 

[sapphireoreos]

Did anyone else get a CRS holding email? (Applied for summer VS)

 

[josiemusgra]

Hi, if I were to renege a vacation scheme offer because of clashing scheme dates, should I be honest with the graduate recruitment that it was because of another vacation scheme, or should I come up with other reasons like family emergencies? Also, although I think it's not plausible, would it be worth asking if I can do a vacation scheme for 2 weeks instead of 3 weeks because of the clashing dates? Thanks!

 

[trainee4u]

Hi, if I were to renege a vacation scheme offer because of clashing scheme dates, should I be honest with the graduate recruitment that it was because of another vacation scheme, or should I come up with other reasons like family emergencies? Also, although I think it's not plausible, would it be worth asking if I can do a vacation scheme for 2 weeks instead of 3 weeks because of the clashing dates? Thanks!

I think it would make more sense to ask for the two weeks than to simply cancel without trying. I would express it as a desire to experience both, rather than a preference for the other!

 

[Chris Brown]

That’s all fair enough of course. Interview preparation time just feels wasted. That, and getting your hopes up. Vac schemes don’t feel helpful now. I want to give up, honestly.

Please don’t give up man. The fact you secured 4 VS offers from some of the most prestigious law firms in the world speaks volumes about your potential and abilities. You are genuinely one of the few forum users that has been a huge influence and inspiration for me to keep it pushing through this intense application cycle. I’m sure other forum users who were active on here from previous years would agree. You are a superstar matey!!! 🙂

Have you got a mentor or someone who can support you with applications and interviews? I think if you had someone that could provide a bit of guidance and advice, you’d get that very well deserved TC. Speaking of TC’s, there are still some open for applications. Even if you have received 30 PFO’s, it could be that the 31st firm is the one to offer you a TC. Best of luck with the rest of this application cycle and please don’t give up at all. You have what it takes to be successful!!! 🙂​

 

[VMS]

Where is the implication I made that you had your university place handed to you? You’ve literally proved my point - universities make contextual offers so all universities are accessible to all.

Universities aren’t accessible to all though. My point was that some people have the potential to succeed at elite RG universities and have the academic grades to meet their entry requirements, but due to financial circumstances, they are unable to access these institutions due to the higher costs of living. As a result, they end up going to their local university (often a non-RG). I was fortunate in that I had a RG uni closer to my hometown (one of my offers), so I went there and loved my time there as well. It’s still considered a mid-tier RG, but I don’t think anybody would consider it on the same level as say Oxford, Cambridge or LSE.

For a law firm to only accept applications from these certain elite universities knowing that talent isn’t limited to just Oxbridge or LSE, for example, is unfair in my opinion. I have seen people with A*AA at A-level and they went to their local university. A firm like Ropes & Gray seems to have the policy that if someone isn’t a student or graduate of an elite RG, it’s an automatic rejection. I don’t think that’s the fairest policy to have. I think what needs to be seen is universities offering more needs-based scholarships. That way, the best students are gaining entry into these elite institutions (regardless of their background). This isn’t reality right now. Whilst contextual offers help remove some of the barriers to entry, there is so much more that needs to be done in my opinion.​

Just to add on to this, financial circumstances don't only affect university choices but also what you can do at uni and the ways you can improve your CV.

I am first gen uni, state-school, etc, and to got into a RG. However, at said RG, I would have loved to do one of their year abroad options. Unfortunately, the cost of living was higher in the areas where I would be able to do this, so I had to give up on that hope as my family and I would be unable to afford it. People from more fortunate backgrounds could afford this and become more desirable to law firms as a result.

So, I do think it is important that account is taken of certain factors - including socio-economic ones - as some people just can't access the same opportunities as others.

 

[josiemusgra]

I think it would make more sense to ask for the two weeks than to simply cancel without trying. I would express it as a desire to experience both, rather than a preference for the other!

Thank you! So do you think it's better for me to tell the graduate recruitment about my other vacation scheme?

 

[T_03]

Links Pfo 😭 In a more positive note got my first VS so does anyone have tips for how to convert into TC during the scheme. Thanks everyone on the platform for all the tips and support!

 

[S7321]

Assume no one has heard from Orrick post-WG?