TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Milbank vac scheme offer
Just wanted to drop in and say thank you to this community for making me feel less alone through the application cycle- to quote Olivia Rodrigo, it's brutal out here, and it's hard to talk to people you know irl about this sort of thing (it feels like prying!!) so I'm grateful to have access to a no-judgment space where other people are going through the same thing <3

Get in there and show them what you're all about! (So, so well done!)

 

[yuk0n]

Huge congrats! 🐐​

Cheers Chris- I hope you don't mind me saying this as I know it sounds a bit nosy/like I've been lurking lol, but you have been so incredibly supportive of members on this forum and I want you to know that I'm rooting for you.

 

[marioskekkos5]

Does anyone know what is the deadline for Stephenson Hardwood's placement scheme? it says on the 28th of February but is there a certain time?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Does anyone know what is the deadline for Stephenson Hardwood's placement scheme? it says on the 28th of February but is there a certain time?

I want to know this too—I’m frantically writing my application tonight (I have an essay that’s also due tomorrow that I haven’t finished drafting 😍)

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone know what is the deadline for Stephenson Hardwood's placement scheme? it says on the 28th of February but is there a certain time?

Hiya @marioskekkos5

The deadline on the candid/vantage platform currently states Friday 28 February 2025 at 23:59 (UTC). Good luck with the application!

 

[Adithi]

Does anyone know what is the deadline for Stephenson Hardwood's placement scheme? it says on the 28th of February but is there a certain time?

It’s 11:59 on the 28th, if you check the candid it’s there too!

 

[marioskekkos5]

Thanks guys! Lets try and pull a Real Madrid comeback in the last minutes then.

 

[yuk0n]

Get in there and show them what you're all about! (So, so well done!)

Thanks Ram! That's really kind and encouraging of you

 

[trainee4u]

It’s 11:59 on the 28th, if you check the candid it’s there too!

to be clear, that's 11:59pm, aka 23:59!

 

[kemmell]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica,
If I'm due to start my training contract in February 2027, do you have any idea of when would I start the SQE prep course?

 

[tcfighterrr]

Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx

 

[Chris Brown]

Damn Paul, Weiss’ revenues and profits have soared massively since last year. I guess their decision to establish a large-scale English Law practice came at the perfect time:

Paul Weiss PEP soars to $7.5m as revenue sees double-digit growth - Legal Business

$2.6 billion in revenue, $1.5 billion in equity partner net profits and $7.5 million PPEP are actually insane numbers! 😅😅​

 

[futureTS03]

Hey guys!
Has anyone completed the Ropes psychometric test before the ac? What should one expect? Any insights would be appreciated.

 

[Amakaa]

Happy Birthday TCLA 🥳🥳🥳🥳

 

[gazdgazd11]

@Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

Hi all, I have 3 ACs (one next week) and I’ve never done one. I’ve been preparing but I’m particularly stressed about written exercises. I won’t have time to do a mock one before next week.

I would like to ask what documents could be required as a written exercise. I know there’s a client letter, memo, but could you please tell me what else there could be? I need to prepare structure wise.

Additionally, I would like to confirm whether all written exercises must include an executive summary.

Thank you so much in advance. You guys are saving me this cycle!

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx

Im sorry about the rejections. You’ve reached so many final stages at some of the most competitive firms, which is great. I’m not a professional but personally, I graduated in 2022, and I’ve not had a good job until last year (law but in my country, not UK) and Ive managed to secure 3 ACs now. I think many people work in hospitality before their TC. I really doubt it could be an issue as there are many transferable skills. I would obviously try to apply for paralegal roles, but I know these are hard to get too (as someone who’s been trying). But imo hospitality isn’t bad. Just my impression of the process btw.

 

[knight1999]

Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx

I‘m kind of in the same boat - I was thinking about volunteering abroad (in Africa or SEA) this would give you the time to travel and discover things while you will also gain a unique selling point for law firms (at least the ones that actually care about you as a person and don’t just treat u like a machine😅)
Also, I don’t thinks it’s bad at all to just leave the “career hunt“ for a bit and do smth fun like going abroad - the SQE and Trainee years are known to be hard and maybe you will be able to handle it better than others by being more relaxed !

 

[VMS]

Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx

First off, that much success on your first cycle is really impressive. So, be proud of that.

Secondly, I have worked in the hospitality sector on and off from 14-20, and I have two VS’ (so far ) for this year. It will not make you look bad at all, if anything it’s more to talk about, but i did also make sure to have some legal experience on there - I contacted local high street firms and one of them (out of the twelve or so I contacted, lmao) answered and invited me to shadow one of their department heads for a few weeks. There’s also Citizens Advice or getting involved in your uni’s pro bono work, etc.

So, don’t sweat it. You can build up your CV in other ways and, imo, hospitality helps Shows people skills, which some people (from my experience) sorely lack and is imperative to solicitors.

EDIT: I’m on my third cycle for context. I only had a failed A&O AC to show for my second cycle, and I only had one AC in my first cycle (after the success of which, I didn’t manage to convert a VS). So, you’re doing really well to get all of those ACs!!

 

[slot123]

Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx

I graduated from a RG in 2024 and have been working in hospitality full time this year (and went travelling in the first part of the year and even did some initial applications abroad!) Although I haven't secured a TC this cycle yet, I have attended // got in the future multiple ACs which means the hospitality working does not seem to impact negatively!

 

[EA95]

Happy Birthday TCLA 🎉🎉🎉🥳🥳🥳