TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

I find the ‘why this office’ questions so annoying. I get why law firms ask. But also, my legitimate answer and 99% of my rationale is: “I live in London” lol

Then it is fine to say that - your key motivation for a location does not always need to be work related.

 

[BobThebIlly]

Hi guys, it's fine if I send my Paul Hastings app tomorrow by 11:59pm right? I'm worried that it means by 11:59pm today lol

Anyone know which one it is???

 

[Chris Brown]

Anyone know which one it is???

Most likely it’s tomorrow night at 23:59. The deadline is definitely for tomorrow but I don’t think they specify the time. I’d say try get it in as soon as you possibly can, rather than leaving till the very last minute. 🙂​

 

[Chris Brown]

Ramadhan Mubarak to everyone that will be fasting for the next 30 days. I hope you guys are able to make the most of it. It takes a lot of resilience! 🙂​

 

[Tintin06]

Write your work experience like a Legal 500 entry lol.

 

[A worried graduate]

Shoosmiths Placement (VS), in Leeds! Anyone else?

You’re the first I have seen to get it so congrats

 

[NJS]

I think it’s been a mix so far tbh, although most people that I have spoken to on the forum who received interview invites applied for either Spring or both. I have heard from a few people that applied for Summer.🙂​

Did anyone on your AC apply for Summer?

 

[andrecsaa]

I don't know if this is completely relevant but has anyone else struggled maintaining motivation with their degree (law degree for me) alongside these applications. It's my first cycle and all the time I spent to not get a vac scheme and then be behind on uni work for nothing has been so demoralising.
Sorry for the ramble I'm just struggling a lot to get back into uni work, even though I am behind and I need to catch up before exam season gets underway in the next few weeks, and was wondering if anyone has this too or any tips or smth to get the motivation back after all the rejections?

Sorry to hear that. Focus on your uni work, good grades can open doors now and in the future. No one will know about the rejections in VS / TC apps.

 

[hopefulforatc]

For Fieldfisher DTC is the AC the last step or is there a partner interview afterwards?

 

[LawHopeful1]

Oh my! I applied for the DTC not the vacation scheme, idk why I did that 😂 😂

😂 best of luck

 

[Cool pigeon]

For those who have completed the Ropes & Gray psychometric test, what scores did you guys receive? I don't think mine went well and now extremely nervous for the AC. Any advice on how to go about the AC?

The test is not used to help influence post AC decisions. It is merely to produce questions that will be asked in the interview

 

[BBsharkk]

The test is not used to help influence post AC decisions. It is merely to produce questions that will be asked in the interview

That's interesting! May I ask how did you get that info?

 

[tc252627]

Hi @Jaysen and @Jessica Booker i hope you’re well! I have two paralegal offers and unsure which to go with. One is with motor injury at an international law firm of higher ranking, the other is with property recoveries at a more mid size/ international firm.

I am an aspiring commercial lawyer and recognise that property recoveries may lend more to the role, however the other firm is my preferred firm for a TC despite the practice area not being of great interest to me.

Any advice would be so helpful!

 

[Cool pigeon]

That's interesting! May I ask how did you get that info?

At a Ropes event that I attended. It’s probs somewhere on website or somin too idk. But it defo is true

 

[fcac98]

Im preparing for interview questions in my Assessment Centre next week. What are your go to questions to prep for? I have:

1. Why do you want to be a lawyer
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses
3. Which of our sectors interest you the most
4. How would you pitch our firm to a client (struggling with this if anyone has any advice for structure)
5. What other firms have you applied to and why
6. How do your interests align with our work

I just want to focus on key questions as I have only got a few days to prepare. Any insight will be appreciated!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jaysen and @Jessica Booker i hope you’re well! I have two paralegal offers and unsure which to go with. One is with motor injury at an international law firm of higher ranking, the other is with property recoveries at a more mid size/ international firm.

I am an aspiring commercial lawyer and recognise that property recoveries may lend more to the role, however the other firm is my preferred firm for a TC despite the practice area not being of great interest to me.

Any advice would be so helpful!

I’d go the opportunity with your preferred firm. There may be opportunities to move internally after sometimes whether that is to another paralegal role or a TC. If it wasn’t your preferred firm for a TC, then I would say to go for the other opportunity.

 

[jta227]

Im preparing for interview questions in my Assessment Centre next week. What are your go to questions to prep for? I have:

1. Why do you want to be a lawyer
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses
3. Which of our sectors interest you the most
4. How would you pitch our firm to a client (struggling with this if anyone has any advice for structure)
5. What other firms have you applied to and why
6. How do your interests align with our work

I just want to focus on key questions as I have only got a few days to prepare. Any insight will be appreciated!

- Tell me about a time you [overcame a challenge, worked in a team, had to deal with a difficult client, had to explain something to someone, etc.]
- What would you do as a trainee in the [insert area] seat?
- Challenges facing law/the firm
- Tell me about a recent commercial news story that interested you
- Technical questions about M&A, contract, private equity, etc.

 

[fcac98]

- Tell me about a time you [overcame a challenge, worked in a team, had to deal with a difficult client, had to explain something to someone, etc.]
- What would you do as a trainee in the [insert area] seat?
- Challenges facing law/the firm
- Tell me about a recent commercial news story that interested you
- Technical questions about M&A, contract, private equity, etc.

It's difficult because ive prepared an answer for 'a recent commercial news story that interests you', and it overlaps on the 'challenges facing law/the firm'. Do you think it's okay to tailor one overarching issue to both? I've done so much research I think I could answer both using the same example but I wouldnt like them to think that Im just guessing

 

[tc252627]

I’d go the opportunity with your preferred firm. There may be opportunities to move internally after sometimes whether that is to another paralegal role or a TC. If it wasn’t your preferred firm for a TC, then I would say to go for the other opportunity.

Thank you for this Jessica. I’m just a bit anxious because I’ve already signed a contract with the other firm to start in a week. Would this have any negative consequences?

 

[Bread]

It's difficult because ive prepared an answer for 'a recent commercial news story that interests you', and it overlaps on the 'challenges facing law/the firm'. Do you think it's okay to tailor one overarching issue to both? I've done so much research I think I could answer both using the same example but I wouldnt like them to think that Im just guessing

I think as long as you are able to make the answer interesting you’ll be fine. Could always start with something along the lines of “taking the deal/news story I discussed earlier, I think that…” or smth like that