TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

interview! more so in the context of if i get asked both, not sure how i would differentiate them.

I think it would be rare for you to be asked both - I think it would be more likely to be one or the other.

However, if there was the opportunity to be asked both, I would focus "why law" on the topic of law and the type of key responsibilities you will have as a lawyer (research, drafting, document review etc) as things like working with legal frameworks and the ways in which you work/tasks you would do could be similar outside of commercial law but in areas like family or criminal law. You can then focus on why commercial topics in the latter question.

But I would listen carefully to the question and the context of what you have been discussing previously as it may be that your interviewer is effectively asking you why commercial law when just asking "why law".

 

[tryingmybestlol]

interview! more so in the context of if i get asked both, not sure how i would differentiate them.

Just to add to this- in a recent interview I was asked both. For why law I focused more on what had motivated me to do a law degree e.g. A level choice, career prospects, found it interesting etc, and then I also mentioned that becoming a solicitor was of interest to me as I felt it aligned with my skill set and I wanted a job that was client facing. Then for why commercial law I focused more on the type of work (e.g. it being international in many cases), the clients, and then also that I had an interest in commercial things in general from previous work experience etc

I am by no means a professional lol but I did get the vac scheme so they must of thought this was ok hahah

 

[tosin4774]

Yeah I've found it quite intriguing, in that I just have a big list of names on a spreadsheet and specifically the period of about 15-25 January I was crazy busy and only applied to 2 of 7 firms on my list closing during that period. This list of 7 included PW, and I missed applying....

They were nothing to me different from any other name at the time, but I've since been interested to see so many VS offers here and I wonder whether they've attracted a different set of candidates applying, specifically perhaps fewer from other sources, because they are new, hence more offers from here. But I have no idea, it could just be confirmation bias....

From the people i have talked to I can see that they are taking a holistic approach.

 

[sibs23]

Kennedys PFO post AC

I’m sorry 😔 I’m in the same boat. Do you think you’ll ask for feedback? It’s disappointing that they haven’t offered it

 

[hellohellohello]

for ppl that just got mishcon AC invites how far away is the AC

 

[xxx]

Hi all!! I recently did an AC for a firm I really like—but I’m so confused how to feel after it! It was my first AC ever, so just wondering to those that have been successful with VS/TC’s post AC, how did you feel? I can’t help but nitpick on my performance 😅🥲

Oh I laid in bed sobbing for 2 days because I thought I messed it up so bad. I promise you you are overthinking it 😅

 

[User123654]

Which VS applications are still open?

 

[FCL25]

Anyone else finally got the AG PFO like me? 😂 after all this time lol. I felt it was my strongest application to date too which is a shame…

 

[PufftheMagicDragon]

Has anyone hear back from Pinsent Masons yet?

Which office did you apply to?

 

[aphelion]

for ppl that just got mishcon AC invites how far away is the AC

There were quite a few options ranging from early next week to 1 April

 

[NJS]

From the people i have talked to I can see that they are taking a holistic approach.

Wonder what the conversion rate will be for them, they seem to be giving out a lot

 

[trainee4u]

Which VS applications are still open?

Key Deadlines Calendar - Legal Cheek

Law firm and chambers application deadlines

www.legalcheek.com

Mostly TCs now, a couple of VS only.

 

[Chris Brown]

Wonder what the conversion rate will be for them, they seem to be giving out a lot

Paul, Weiss said they would be taking on 20 people for the VS (10 for Spring and 10 for Summer), with at least 5-10 of those getting a TC offer. That would mean a 25-50% conversion rate from VS to TC! I don’t know if their plans have changed, but this is what was said by Paul (grad rec manager). 🙂​

 

[ohnoselim]

hoping that Mishcon will give out AC's in batches just like they did for their VI's

yikess

 

[ohnoselim]

side note has anyone heard back from CRS (london office) after VI

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hello all! I have a vac scheme coming up soon and was wondering if someone could please point me towards any previous threads or advise on any key tips on converting it into a TC. I'm not sure where to look and would really appreciate any help )))

Hi @arando I have linked here a thread where this topic was discussed in a lot of depth by forum members. I will also quote bellow a number of posts with useful advice to consider.

General themes why I have seen people not convert their VS to TC:

Arrogance/over confidence - it’s important to be confident on schemes but there are some candidates who just seem to think they are better than the rest of their cohort and that they will convert.

Lack of interest in the work - not asking questions, doing the work to a basic level, not asking for feedback or follow up conversations.

Spending too much time networking - too many coffee catch ups at the expense of doing work for their department

Over committing - saying yes to everything and then realising they don’t have enough time to do the things they have said they would.

Bad mouthing/manipulation: either talking bad of others (even at other firms) or trying to use their other experiences as a bit of a power trip (for instance bringing their other schemes/offers into conversations when there is no need to).

Not asking for guidance on their work: leading to spending too much time or having too many mistakes in their work

Hi @Lalis, to list a few of my top VS conversion tips:

• Speak with people at the firm (particularly graduate recruitment, recruitment partners, and trainees) to find out what are the most important assessment criteria for conversion. Different firms have different policies - for instance, in my case conversion at Slaughter and May was 100% determined by the final TC interview and written task, at Willkie it was mostly determined by the quality of your work and your integration in the firm's culture, at Milbank it was a combination of the final assessment and the impression you left on people on your team. To maximize conversion chances, you should modify your approach to match the factors emphasized by each firm.
• Take notes: as you go through the vacation scheme, at the end of each day, write down a short summary of what you did: who did you meet and what did you learn from them, what tasks did you work on, what sessions did you attend etc. As you approach the final interview, this will help you with being reflecting about the experience and showing that you have taken all the opportunities the firm offered.
• Try to meet as many people as possible, particularly in your department, but do not overdo it. Of course, it is great to integrate yourself as much as you can and to make as many people as possible notice you. However, you should not be spending every second of the day inviting people for coffee chats. Firstly, there are many other things you should be doing, like getting involved in different workstreams, attending sessions, and deepening your relationship with people you have already met, such as your supervisor. Secondly, as you will know, lawyers are often very stressed and have very little free time on their hands. Most will accept coffee chat requests, but they will appreciate if you do not waste their time by asking to meet only with a view of getting them to potentially put in a good word for you. Thus, I would advise you to always have a genuine reason for meeting someone. That does not need to necessarily be work-related - you can simply ask for a coffee chat because you want to introduce yourself and get to know people in the firm - but you should be upfront about it. Furthermore, try to get an idea from your supervisor as to who is more and less busy at the moment and avoid targeting the former.
• Mirror the attitude of those around you, and know when to be more relaxed: a crucial element of succeeding in many vacation schemes is to be able to build rapport with a few important people - particularly your supervisor, one or two lawyers you will get to work more with, and the recruitment partners. Try to read the attitude and expectations of those people and do not always attempt to impress them. In my experience, the people who ended up not converting tended to be the slightly overbearing ones who wanted to be constantly seen. Sometimes, such as at an event over drinks or at a lunch, people will want to simply relax a bit and forget about work. Other times, they may be too busy and stressed to want to engage with you about something serious. They could and also many times do want to take a slightly more lighthearted approach when talking about their work, so try not to seem like you are taking yourself too seriously. From what I have seen, people more often fail in adapting to these circumstances rather that when adapting to more formal dynamics.

 

[rapunzel]

Has anyone heard back from NRF post AC or still waiting & does anyone know how long they take to respond usually? I’d really appreciate any insights

From what I heard from grad rec is that I think everyone will hear back at the same time which will be end of March ish.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Someone please offer some advice...

I was planning on applying for Burges Salmon's direct TC, however I am unsure whether it may be wiser to wait and apply for the vac scheme when it opens up in autumn.

I don't think I'd be able to apply for the upcoming vac schemes if I get rejected from this TC app... very confused and would very much appreciate literally any bit of advice

From what I know the default rule is that the summer applications are still considered to be a different cycle to the one that starts in Autumn, so I think generally you would not have an issue with reapplying. However, it may be worthwhile to take a look at the firm's FAQ on applications as they may have addressed this point directly. If not, and if you are still worried about this, you could send graduate recruitment a short email asking about this. There is no possible downside to that - if anything, it shows a proactive attitude and attention to detail.

 

[VacSchemer]

From what I heard from grad rec is that I think everyone will hear back at the same time which will be end of March ish.

This might be the case but I already know a few with offers as well.

 

[wantatc]

I’m sorry 😔 I’m in the same boat. Do you think you’ll ask for feedback? It’s disappointing that they haven’t offered it

thought it was so disappointing, 5 week wait after AC and then no call etc just generic email. I also then asked for feedback and they said not till end of May - lucky escape i’m feeling