TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Hey everyone,

I accepted to do a two week vacation scheme at a top US firm (upcoming from next week) BEFORE accepting a training contract offer from the firm I want to and will be going to.

I still want to do the vacation scheme, as its two weeks and will therefore give me good exposure to two new practice areas, which I see as hugely valuable to inform my training contract seat choices. There is nothing in my training contract offer documents that precludes me from accepting work experience with other firms/explicitly restricts me from doing this vacation scheme, the only limitations I can see are around 'acting professionally' and keeping any information on the TC firm confidential, both of which I will of course do.

I see no ethical concerns around this either, as I had accepted the VS offer before accepting the TC offer, so no other candidates are restricted from a shot at the VS firm as I had already taken the place. I could also do with the spare cash!

Would nonetheless be interested in what others think/if anyone knows of or has been in the same position.

I personally don't see the value in doing vacation schemes if there is no chance in you considering training with the firm. I think exploring what you might enjoy as a trainee can be done in far more productive (and realistic) ways than a vacation scheme too. You have 2-3 years to also work this out rather than needing that information now.

I'd argue you are restricting someone from doing the vacation scheme as the firm can backfill the opportunity with someone else if you were to renege on the offer. This is why many firms run waiting lists or get back in contact with candidates that were close to getting offers.

However, it is ultimately your choice and no one else's business what you choose to do. It is only their opinion on the matter based on their experiences.

My opinion is based on the frustrations of being on the other end of this. I feel like mine and my colleagues' time has been wasted when this has happened to me in the past. A lot of effort goes into running vacation schemes and it just seems a shame for all the effort with no chance of any return.

There are enough people who choose to continue with vacation schemes for a range of reasons - sometimes its financial, sometimes its just to be 100% sure they are making the right decision, sometimes its for reasons like yours. So it wouldn't be that you are the only one doing this.

 

[ysr567]

Does anyone have any insights or advice for an assessment centre with Marriott Harrison! I have mine this week and am sooo nervous 😭

 

[Will123]

I have an upcoming AC this Wednesday and wanted to ask if anyone had any advice on any final preparation I should focus on? Any advice would be greatly appreciated @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[simplyfaith]

I had a dream I got a PW interview

Am I cooked

 

[SamiyaJ]

I had a dream I got a PW interview

Am I cooked

Dream for me too pls cos I’ve got no hope left with them 😭

 

[studysquirrel]

Hi everyone,

I applied to HSF beginning of December I then took the online assessment and passed and have been 'under review' ever since. I have not received a rejection email and no AC invite. Are they still holding ACs for the summer vacation scheme? Do you think I should email to see how my application is going?

Thanks a lot in advance

 

[wantatc]

Has anyone done the Crown Prosecution Service assessment interview? Any advice?

 

[adrian_nlh]

I still haven’t heard anything from Mishcon after completing the VI. Should I be concerned? Is it worth emailing them?

I know quite a few people received ACs on Friday, they may be doing them in batches but I'm unsure. I'm still waiting for a response as well.

 

[User5678]

Who all think wbd will get back to us today 🤔? I just had a dream that I got a ti😂😂😂😂

 

[Anonymousperson]

More likely than not it will be by phone unless you are not contactable/not answering your phone, then it can be by email by default.

is this only for offers? As in, will rejections be done by email after an AC?

 

[OrangeCherry1800]

Has anyone heard back from OC? Or have any idea of when we will

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Has anyone heard back from OC? Or have any idea of when we will

I’m hoping today or tomorrow but really not sure, I did my AC last Tuesday

 

[1234578]

Does someone

Did anyone else get sent a Cappfinity test for the Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner?….

Is this a mistake? 😅

for those thinking of sacking the dinner off the test is quite short. No maths and I did it an hour even though I’m really slow

 

[Kakaboo]

Hi all first post, any tips for the Gateley AC will be appreciated I've only done one other online AC before and the layout to this one is very different. 9-5pm!! Does anyone know if the interview at the end is with an associate or partner or if its just VI style questions? and if it competency/strengths based questions? I'm struggling to find that much info about it online, thanks in advance!!

It is a partner interview, what office are you doing it for?

 

[rapunzel]

It’s the start of a new week! Manifesting positive news and energy from law firms for this week. Good luck everyone!

 

[legalskills44]

Hi! I am doing a vacation scheme at the end of July and would be beginning a conversion course soon after. If I am offered a training contract off the back of my VS, they will fund my conversion course but if not, I will have to fund it myself. There’s a very short time between finding out if I get a TC and starting a conversion course - does anyone have any tips as to how I should approach this? Should I enrol in the selected course that the firm I am doing my VS at uses? Is there a chance that places run out if I leave it too late? I would be grateful for any insights thank you 😊

 

[toad92]

was starting to feel bleak about getting anything this year but got a gibson dunn interview invite on friday and a bevan brittan video assessment invite just now 🤩


didn't realise BB was a video interview style so im probably cooked but we'll see, im really interested administrative and public law so i hope they can see that through the poor interview skills😭

 

[Law queries]

was starting to feel bleak about getting anything this year but got a gibson dunn interview invite on friday and a bevan brittan video assessment invite just now 🤩


didn't realise BB was a video interview style so im probably cooked but we'll see, im really interested administrative and public law so i hope they can see that through the poor interview skills😭

hey wow congratulations!!

 

[Law queries]

is BB sending out invites in batches or all at once?

 

[wantatc]

is BB sending out invites in batches or all at once?

I havent got one yet :/ rly like the firm so hoping