TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Mara]

I think you are fine to keep most of the general themes and substantive motivations the same: firstly, because they were judged good enough to have your application progressed in the past; secondly, because the firm will have no expectations for your fundamental motivations and candidate profile to have drastically changed in the space of one year. However, you also do not want to seem like you are unmotivated to work on improving yourself and your application. As such, I would aim to include any new experiences or achievements that you can. Similarly, I would try to add new insights you have learnt about the firm: for instance, has it worked on any new major deals/cases, or received important market recognition? Adding these points could strengthen your analysis and make your motivations look more persuasive. Finally, review your writing critically to see if there are any potential improvements regarding style: can you express yourself in a a more concise way? can any points be better phrased? should any sentences be shortened? etc.

Thank you so much, this is immensely helpful!

 

[mfuturetrainee]

@Andrei Radu I have an upcoming interview with a really specialist law firm who focus on one thing only pretty much, and the only reasoning I have as to why I like the work is because it's just my personal interest. Do you think it's a disadvantage to use that as my reason given I haven't done a specific module at uni for it, not paralegalled in it, etc?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Sorry to hear this, if we are rejected for vac scheme, can we make a dtc application in the same cycle for withers?

I believe you can yes

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have an AC coming up next week and something’s been playing on my mind. I’ve had absolutely no contact with the firm through events or law fairs. I did try connecting with trainees/associates on LinkedIn, but most of them didn’t really accept my connection request. For context, I did my undergrad abroad and while I did attend virtual law fairs, I haven’t really interacted with this firm specifically. Would this really detrimental to my chances of being successful in the AC?

No - you don’t always have to interact with the firm if you can show you have been researching about the firm in other ways.

 

[floral.tcla]

has anyone else still not heard back from hl post-wg? if the last Acs are in mid-march (next week ish) and they give at least a few days's notice then does that mean we'll be PFO'd soon?

 

[lawbear123]

has anyone done the Bristows first round interview?

 

[TC129129]

has anyone done the Bristows first round interview?

Can i ask when you heard back from the written exercise please

 

[ironspears45]

anyone heard back from Paul Weiss post-interview?

 

[lawbear123]

Can i ask when you heard back from the written exercise please

sure i got the email on 28th feb! and gave my WE on 13th

 

[sofffff123]

Hi, does anyone know how long Pinsent Masons usually take to get back to applicants post-AC?

I’m not sure but I haven’t heard back yet and did mine in mid Feb

 

[Broadwater]

I have an AC coming up next week and something’s been playing on my mind. I’ve had absolutely no contact with the firm through events or law fairs. I did try connecting with trainees/associates on LinkedIn, but most of them didn’t really accept my connection request. For context, I did my undergrad abroad and while I did attend virtual law fairs, I haven’t really interacted with this firm specifically. Would this really detrimental to my chances of being successful in the AC?

Nope I got a VS then a TC without speaking to anyone prior

 

[NCTC2025]

I have an AC coming up next week and something’s been playing on my mind. I’ve had absolutely no contact with the firm through events or law fairs. I did try connecting with trainees/associates on LinkedIn, but most of them didn’t really accept my connection request. For context, I did my undergrad abroad and while I did attend virtual law fairs, I haven’t really interacted with this firm specifically. Would this really detrimental to my chances of being successful in the AC?

I received two VS offers with firms of which I had no prior interaction. I would say the depth of your research into the firm is much more important to your chances of being successful!

 

[fcac98]

Has anyone heard from Gateley Reading office? They sent out an email a few weeks ago that we should hear back by the 27th but I have radio silence.

anyone also heard from Harbottle and Lewis after the initial application?

 

[baj5]

WBD is really keeping us in agony till the last day of the week…

 

[juanitasimi]

WBD is really keeping us in agony till the last day of the week…

getting scared lol

 

[legallady123]

getting scared lol

Where did they say they would get back to us this week? I don’t think any of my emails mention that 🥲

 

[bb123]

I’m not sure but I haven’t heard back yet and did mine in mid Feb

I also did mine back in Feb. From what I understand, Pinsent's do all their assessment centres for all offices and then send out all offers at once. I saw someone had an AC with them this week so I'm assuming that they're still ongoing. Last year offers were made the first week in March so I'm excepting to hear back within the next week or so. Keeping my fingers crossed!!!

 

[legallady123]

I think they have communicated with everyone by now, so I can this: Cooley VS Offer!! 🥳

Thanks to this forum/the TCLA for being so supportive!

It’s still sinking in that I’ve managed to secure a VS at a top firm! Will have to keep pinching myself, I’m so excited! 😁

Well done 🥳

 

[James Wakefield]

Well done 🥳

Thank you!

 

[summerk27]

Has anyone heard from Gateley Reading office? They sent out an email a few weeks ago that we should hear back by the 27th but I have radio silence.

anyone also heard from Harbottle and Lewis after the initial application?

Yeah i got a PFO a few days ago because I emailed them for an update!