TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lina.b]

Hi, @Jessica Booker and anyone else that can help give some insight!



A close friend is looking for some insight and advice. He’s been offered a place on the following vac schemes:

White & Case ME: 7-18th April or 23 June - 4 July

HSF: he has already accepted this one, 7-17th April

CC ME: 16-27th June.



Problem is, CC don’t have any dates other than this scheme. HSF has a summer one in July. So he’s not sure if it’s ok to email HSF and ask them to move him to the summer scheme.

He’s also wondering if it’s risky or okay to ask W&C if he can switch the scheme to a U.K. scheme/TC interview if he’s unable to reschedule other schemes.



Any advice would be appreciated.

Hey, I know the spaces for the summer HSF scheme are not filled. Also i am currently on the summer scheme and would like to swap with someone for the spring one so if he would still like to switch to summer he could swap with me (if thats possible with grad rec).

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Is it a disadvantage to only have one vacation scheme? Would having multiple vacation schemes make a candidate more appealing/stand out more especially when firms are deciding on who to convert to a TC post VS?

Hiya @thelegalstudent

Just to add to what @Jessica Booker and @trainee4u have already said, I want to emphasise that what really matters is making the most of the opportunity and performing as well as you can on the vacation scheme. Securing a vacation scheme in itself is incredibly competitive, and if you’re in a position where you need to apply for direct training contracts or additional schemes, having one already under your belt shows that you’re a strong candidate. I only secured one vacation scheme in my first cycle, and although it didn’t result in a training contract offer, it was highly instrumental in my second application cycle. I was able to demonstrate to future firms what I had learned from the experience, and how my motivations had deepened. This is ultimately what helped me secure multiple offers during my second cycle.

While having multiple vacation schemes gives you more chances to secure a training contract, plenty of people still don’t convert them, often for reasons outside of their control. What’s important is that you treat your vacation scheme as a valuable learning experience (both in terms of developing your skills and understanding whether the firm is right for you). Good luck with your vacation scheme!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

anyone else getting to the weekend feeling like this??? (sending positive vibes your way!!!)

 

[MiddleEast]

White & Case ME VS offer

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Is it worth applying to Withers DTC if you got rejected for the VS? Legit not much has changed in my application except that I will be a paralegal soon, but I doubt one more role is going to improve my application.

 

[James Wakefield]

Is it worth applying to Withers DTC if you got rejected for the VS? Legit not much has changed in my application except that I will be a paralegal soon, but I doubt one more role is going to improve my application.

A paralegal role could make a big difference! Also if you’re allowed to take the Cappfinity test again, you’ve got that component to have another go at too.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

A paralegal role could make a big difference! Also if you’re allowed to take the Cappfinity test again, you’ve got that component to have another go at too.

Yesss that's so true re the test. The rejection email doesn't give away much as to why I was rejected, whether I met the test threshold or not. Do you think firms would email you your score if you requested it?

 

[LawHopeful1]

Hey, I know the spaces for the summer HSF scheme are not filled. Also i am currently on the summer scheme and would like to swap with someone for the spring one so if he would still like to switch to summer he could swap with me (if thats possible with grad rec).

I’ll let him know and get back to you!

 

[chlawstudent]

CRS VS, received last week but ask not to disclose until now!

Well done! Is this for the London office?

 

[chlawstudent]

Congrats!! Which office, London?

Manchester!

 

[soldofa8]

PMC PFO post AC :/ AC done first week of February.

 

[wantatc]

Did anyone else apply for HCR Law? I just got a first round interview but it mentions that the AC, If successful is in Cheltenham, not sure if this is a mistake on my part where I applied, or if theyre all there

 

[mulan0]

Do you think we could still hear from WBD today?😂

 

[User5678]

Do you think we could still hear from WBD today?😂

Nah no way I guess😂 they said they would “aim” to get back to us today so I think they’re gonna take their time to get back to us tbh😂

 

[James Wakefield]

Nah no way I guess😂 they said they would “aim” to get back to us today so I think they’re gonna take their time to get back to us tbh😂

No offence to the guy on the webinar, but he didn’t instil confidence in me that they are the most organised in terms of their recruitment process.

 

[Olivialee15]

Goodwin PFO post AC lol

 

[TonyStark]

I do not think it will be a disadvantage. Firstly, firms are aware that not all universities offer options for all specialist modules - for instance, because some academics in the department left, my university has not even been able to offer a competition law course this year. As such, there will be no expectation for you to have demonstrated your interest by having done a relevant module. Similarly, firms know that paralegal opportunities are in short supply, particularly in niche practices. As such, they will definitely not expect candidates to have that.

Secondly, and more importantly, the main reason why a module or a paralegal experience would matter here is because they evidence an interest in the practice. However, you can also prove your interest directly, and arguably to a greater effect, by simply showing off your understanding it. In particular, I have found partners are quite impressed when you are able to make comparisons with other practice areas and explain how the legal work done in the one you are interested in is relevantly different.

Hi Andrei,

How would you advise researching how the legal work done in practice areas is different from one another?

 

[T_03]

Goodwin PFO post AC lol

Sigh, same, but at least that's the end of my application cycle, lol

 

[Olivialee15]

Sigh, same, but at least that's the end of my application cycle, lol

A nice gracious Friday evening email is crazy from them

 

[T_03]

A nice gracious Friday evening email is crazy from them

Considering they even sent offers earlier in the day too lol