TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

From door to door it would be around 2 hours each way - a half an hour walk from my home to the station, then an hour train ride into london, then abt a half hour ish to take the underground and walk to the firm.

I had considered simply asking about what kind of support is available but ideally i’d like accommodation. Covering travel costs would obviously help but the main issue for me is the 4 hours every day. I would really like to ask about accommodation but im nervous they will say they can cover travel costs and then i seem rude by essentially saying that is not enough. I could stick it out for only a week, but this scheme is 3 weeks long and i dont really know if i can handle 4 hours a every day for that long, especially if it means i have less time to work on the assignments given during the scheme.

Are vac schemers typically expected to pay for travel costs out of the money paid for the scheme? The travel costs would be almost half of the money paid in total.

You are not going to seem rude unless your tone and language is such. The firm advertises it offers this support, so it is reasonable for you to enquire as to whether accommodation would be possible. Explain the route - the walk, the train and then travelling in central London. Even if the firm cannot offer accommodation they may be able to cover the cost of a taxi to and from the station so your journey is reduced a little. But see what the offer you by explaining what your journey will be and what your circumstances are.

The firm will have a policy on what they consider and what they won't - so by you giving them a clear picture of what you will experience with your commute/your circumstances will allow the firm to determine whether you have met the criteria for this policy or not.

And its not an issue if you don't meet the criteria - this does not impact your candidacy.

 

[fTS3002]

Should I assume PFO if I haven't received the test post app for SH? :/

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

You are not going to seem rude unless your tone and language is such. The firm advertises it offers this support, so it is reasonable for you to enquire as to whether accommodation would be possible. Explain the route - the walk, the train and then travelling in central London. Even if the firm cannot offer accommodation they may be able to cover the cost of a taxi to and from the station so your journey is reduced a little. But see what the offer you by explaining what your journey will be and what your circumstances are.

The firm will have a policy on what they consider and what they won't - so by you giving them a clear picture of what you will experience with your commute/your circumstances will allow the firm to determine whether you have met the criteria for this policy or not.

And its not an issue if you don't meet the criteria - this does not impact your candidacy.

Would it be okay if I simply phrased it as enquiring about the support and then emphasising the 4 hour commute each day? Do firms that advertise help with accommodation actually do so or do they only really help with travel costs as a rule?

 

[Chris Brown]

Should I assume PFO if I haven't received the test post app? :/

I’m assuming this is for SH. If it is, I don’t think you should assume PFO this early! While they do review applications on a rolling basis, they do not make any offer decisions until after the final deadline. The deadline for SH was the 28th of Feb, which was around 2 1/2 weeks ago, so it hasn’t been that much time! I think SH only began to send test invites out mid last week. 🙂

I think they have been mostly focused on processing Spring VS applicants first (test invite / VS offers). Once they have completed this, they will most likely then move on to Summer VS applicants. A few of us applied for both Spring and Summer VS, but put Spring VS down as our first choice for the VS. I think I applied for Spring, Summer 1 and Summer 2. 🙂

Based on what some people have told me who applied for the Summer VS in previous cycles, they didn’t receive the online test invite until around mid April onwards! Best of luck for SH. I am sure you will hear back positively from them soon! No news is good news! 🙂​

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Would love to know what questions people ask the recruitment team at the end of an online interview!

Thank you very much!

I ask always ask them "when can I expect to hear back?"

and they never tell the truth <3

honestly though personally I don't have much to ask grad rec besides that, and you don't have to either

 

[fTS3002]

I’m assuming this is for SH. If it is, I don’t think you should assume PFO this early! While they do review applications on a rolling basis, they do not make any decisions until after the final deadline. The deadline for SH was the 28th of Feb, which was around 2 1/2 weeks ago, so it hasn’t been that much time! I think SH only began to send test invites out mid last week. 🙂

I think they have been focused on processing Spring VS applicants first (test invite / VS offers). Once they have completed this, they will most likely then move on to Summer VS applicants. A few of us applied for both Spring and Summer VS, but put Spring VS down as our first choice for the VS. I think I applied for Spring, Summer 1 and Summer 2. 🙂

Based on what some people have told me who applied for the Summer VS in previous cycles, they didn’t receive the online test invite until around mid April onwards! Best of luck for SH. I am sure you will hear back positively from them soon! No news is good news! 🙂​

Thank you for your response, this is really helpful! Congrats on all the vac scheme offers!!

 

[student353]

Should I assume PFO if I haven't received the test post app for SH? :/

Don’t stress too much about it! I know for a fact (I had a call explaining circumstances) that they are processing the summer intake later and focusing on the spring (they stated that over the phone). Don’t give up hope; they will definitely get back to you!

 

[James Wakefield]

Should I assume PFO if I haven't received the test post app for SH? :/

I’m not one for false hope on this and I’m still waiting for a test like you. :/

There’s a lot of positivity on this forum, which is great, but often a lot of very optimistic reassurance.

I personally think SH have probably sent out all their tests by now. Hopefully I’ll be proven wrong and I’ll come back and apologise if that’s the case. 😅

 

[trainee4u]

Should I assume PFO if I haven't received the test post app for SH? :/

when did you apply?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu Hi I am currently struggling to pick between two paralegal job offers. Am I OK to message you to get your advice? Thanks!!

 

[fTS3002]

when did you apply?

applied a day before the deadline

 

[trainee4u]

applied a day before the deadline

I applied on the deadline and haven't heard anything; I thought my application was quite 'ok', so I'm working on the assumption that they've not read them all yet, but who knows.

I got progressed last year, and I hope/think my application this year was better.

 

[nosnehpets]

Hi all - is anyone aware of where I might be able to find information about smaller-scale firms in London and the surrounding area that are still accepting Summer VS applications?

 

[congrades]

@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam (or really anyone on here!) would you happen to know if Morgan Lewis reads applications if you fail the SJT? Or is it effectively unread? I want to reapply for the training contract after a VS rejection at application stage this cycle (that I suspect was my poor track record with SJTs) and I worked really hard on my answers and I cannot comprehend a way to make them better - I was just wondering if it's ok to reuse them? Thank you!

 

[RaniaH062002]

Does anyone know the best sites to practice Cappfinity and amberjack assessments?

 

[c3alg]

Anyone heard from CRS post VI for the London SVS?

 

[Kakaboo]

Hello, after an AC should I send an email thanking them for their time? If so what else should I include? Thanks!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam (or really anyone on here!) would you happen to know if Morgan Lewis reads applications if you fail the SJT? Or is it effectively unread? I want to reapply for the training contract after a VS rejection at application stage this cycle (that I suspect was my poor track record with SJTs) and I worked really hard on my answers and I cannot comprehend a way to make them better - I was just wondering if it's ok to reuse them? Thank you!

I don't know the specifics of the firm unfortunately.

However, I would always ensure your application form is updated in suitable ways to ensure there is evidence of the things you have done and achieved since your last application, or demonstrate how you have continued to refine your motivations for commercial law and the firm.

I would also use the reapplication to critically evaluate how you have written your answers - it is usually a good time to review with a fresh pair of eyes. You are likely to spot ways in which you can rephrase points or say things more concisely.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello, after an AC should I send an email thanking them for their time? If so what else should I include? Thanks!!

No need to include anything else but the thank you - keep it short and to the point if you are going to send a thank you.

 

[jfb]

Don’t stress too much about it! I know for a fact (I had a call explaining circumstances) that they are processing the summer intake later and focusing on the spring (they stated that over the phone). Don’t give up hope; they will definitely get back to you!

Hey did they say much about timeline for the Summer intake? As I've known people last year not hearing until really late (late-Apr/May), and wondered if that means I won't hear much for a while.