TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[Adrian_S]

Now that I have had a couple of days to let it sink in I can say that I have (finally) received a TC offer from one of the VSs I undertook this summer. So even if the other firm says no when I hear the outcome I still never have to do another TC application again!

Thanks to @Jaysen @Jessica Booker and the gang in the writing group (@Adrian_S @S87 @Raynz @Alison C @lawnoob ) and everyone else who makes this forum what it is - it’s so refreshing to be able to ask those questions and share knowledge with people without fear of judgement or lack of understanding. As much as my friends and family try none of them are in law so the assistance is limited!

This was my third application cycle and first time applying for VSs (I always did direct before as I worked and couldn’t use annual leave for VSs). I’m a state schooled, first to go to uni, 2.1 non-RG graduate without A levels who worked full time or almost full time throughout university so didn’t have a huge host of extra curriculars on my CV. It can be done!

I’m still gonna stick around here and help out where I can, and my messages are open for anyone that has any q’s or wants a chat!

Abii - so incredibly proud of you. You’ve been an inspiration to many and our writing group wouldn’t have been the same without you. Cannot wait to see how far you go xx

 

[S87]

Abii - so incredibly proud of you. You’ve been an inspiration to many and our writing group wouldn’t have been the same without you. Cannot wait to see how far you go xx

Yes she is a force to be reckoned with!!

 

[Alison C]

Now that I have had a couple of days to let it sink in I can say that I have (finally) received a TC offer from one of the VSs I undertook this summer. So even if the other firm says no when I hear the outcome I still never have to do another TC application again!

Thanks to @Jaysen @Jessica Booker and the gang in the writing group (@Adrian_S @S87 @Raynz @Alison C @lawnoob ) and everyone else who makes this forum what it is - it’s so refreshing to be able to ask those questions and share knowledge with people without fear of judgement or lack of understanding. As much as my friends and family try none of them are in law so the assistance is limited!

This was my third application cycle and first time applying for VSs (I always did direct before as I worked and couldn’t use annual leave for VSs). I’m a state schooled, first to go to uni, 2.1 non-RG graduate without A levels who worked full time or almost full time throughout university so didn’t have a huge host of extra curriculars on my CV. It can be done!

I’m still gonna stick around here and help out where I can, and my messages are open for anyone that has any q’s or wants a chat!

Abii - so incredibly proud of you. You’ve been an inspiration to many and our writing group wouldn’t have been the same without you. Cannot wait to see how far you go xx

@Abii you SO deserve this. While the group can't take credit for helping you write your applications (you did that before its formation), the support there has been tangible. For anyone wondering what the ebb and flow of success look like I think we're seeing it. It's so lovely to hear that it's all coming together for you at this time!

And for anyone reading this and wondering what a writing group is, it's just a bunch of TCLA forum members who decided they would do better when they had some accountability and set up a sub-group here. I'm not sure of the logistics but someone in the team can help if you can't figure it out. If you are hesitating, I think we'd all recommend it. Just start a thread and see if you can muster some interest; set some boundaries (confidentiality, mutual support etc) and just see what comes out of the conversation. We've had a few online meetups and there was even an in-person event involving ice cream (sadly I had to take a rain check on that one).

Yes she is a force to be reckoned with!!

Indeed.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thought I'd jump on @ZaraB's bandwagon and share that I've also accepted a TC offer! It definitely felt like a far off pipe dream for so long (especially after falling short at AC stage last cycle but securing a TC with the same firm this year) but this is testament that your day will come and I believe in all of you

If anyone wants advice or someone to rant to, my DMs are open. I would also like to say that the Law Firm Profiles on the TCLA Premium Subscription were so helpful to see the type of detail to go into with my applications, as well as the Joe Mallet Application Practice Course (https://www.jmral.com/about-jmr). And of course this forum was great to make friends and connect with my now future colleagues (@ZaraB is stuck with me now!). Thanks again to @Jaysen and @Jessica Booker for making this such a great resource for applicants!

This is fantastic news! Congratulations and well done. It is so great to see one of our more active forum contributors secure a TC!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Now that I have had a couple of days to let it sink in I can say that I have (finally) received a TC offer from one of the VSs I undertook this summer. So even if the other firm says no when I hear the outcome I still never have to do another TC application again!

Thanks to @Jaysen @Jessica Booker and the gang in the writing group (@Adrian_S @S87 @Raynz @Alison C @lawnoob ) and everyone else who makes this forum what it is - it’s so refreshing to be able to ask those questions and share knowledge with people without fear of judgement or lack of understanding. As much as my friends and family try none of them are in law so the assistance is limited!

This was my third application cycle and first time applying for VSs (I always did direct before as I worked and couldn’t use annual leave for VSs). I’m a state schooled, first to go to uni, 2.1 non-RG graduate without A levels who worked full time or almost full time throughout university so didn’t have a huge host of extra curriculars on my CV. It can be done!

I’m still gonna stick around here and help out where I can, and my messages are open for anyone that has any q’s or wants a chat!

And another one! Wow this is amazing news! Congratulations - I am delighted to hear this 🥳

 

[Jaysen]

Now that I have had a couple of days to let it sink in I can say that I have (finally) received a TC offer from one of the VSs I undertook this summer. So even if the other firm says no when I hear the outcome I still never have to do another TC application again!

Thanks to @Jaysen @Jessica Booker and the gang in the writing group (@Adrian_S @S87 @Raynz @Alison C @lawnoob ) and everyone else who makes this forum what it is - it’s so refreshing to be able to ask those questions and share knowledge with people without fear of judgement or lack of understanding. As much as my friends and family try none of them are in law so the assistance is limited!

This was my third application cycle and first time applying for VSs (I always did direct before as I worked and couldn’t use annual leave for VSs). I’m a state schooled, first to go to uni, 2.1 non-RG graduate without A levels who worked full time or almost full time throughout university so didn’t have a huge host of extra curriculars on my CV. It can be done!

I’m still gonna stick around here and help out where I can, and my messages are open for anyone that has any q’s or wants a chat!

What a wonderful success story. Really well done - you should be so proud of yourself.

 

[Jaysen]

@Abii you SO deserve this. While the group can't take credit for helping you write your applications (you did that before its formation), the support there has been tangible. For anyone wondering what the ebb and flow of success look like I think we're seeing it. It's so lovely to hear that it's all coming together for you at this time!

And for anyone reading this and wondering what a writing group is, it's just a bunch of TCLA forum members who decided they would do better when they had some accountability and set up a sub-group here. I'm not sure of the logistics but someone in the team can help if you can't figure it out. If you are hesitating, I think we'd all recommend it. Just start a thread and see if you can muster some interest; set some boundaries (confidentiality, mutual support etc) and just see what comes out of the conversation. We've had a few online meetups and there was even an in-person event involving ice cream (sadly I had to take a rain check on that one).

Indeed.

It's so nice to see a group like this start up. Well done all of you!

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Hi does anyone know what the application questions and word limits were for the applications of the following firms

Ashurst (VS)
Covington & Burling (VS)
Stephenson Harwood (VS)
Hogan Lovells (VS)

 

[kat_]

Hi does anyone know what the application questions and word limits were for the applications of the following firms

Ashurst (VS)
Covington & Burling (VS)
Stephenson Harwood (VS)
Hogan Lovells (VS)

Ashurst:
Please use this sector to tell us about yourself, your skills, achievements, and why you want to train as a solicitor and work for Ashurst. (750 words max)

Please summarise for us what a commercial lawyer does (250)

Please tell us about a recent news article that interests you and how this relates to Ashurst? (300)



Hogan Lovells: I think each answer was supposed to be 250 long but not entirely sure.

Sustaining a successful and profitable practice requires both commercial awareness and innovative thinking. Tell us about something that you have done that shows you have a strong innovative or entrepreneurial spirit.

We set our standards high, and we trust our people to hold themselves accountable for meeting other people's expectations. Describe a time when you had to drop everything and really 'raise your game' in order to keep a promise you had made to someone else. How did you manage both this and your other commitments?

Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector

Please detail below any further information that you would like us to consider when reviewing your application (Optional)

 

[kat_]

Hey, does anyone know when A&O will reopen their vac scheme applications?

For Winter VS on the 22nd of August I believe

 

[GXA123]

Thought I'd jump on @ZaraB's bandwagon and share that I've also accepted a TC offer! It definitely felt like a far off pipe dream for so long (especially after falling short at AC stage last cycle but securing a TC with the same firm this year) but this is testament that your day will come and I believe in all of you

If anyone wants advice or someone to rant to, my DMs are open. I would also like to say that the Law Firm Profiles on the TCLA Premium Subscription were so helpful to see the type of detail to go into with my applications, as well as the Joe Mallet Application Practice Course (https://www.jmral.com/about-jmr). And of course this forum was great to make friends and connect with my now future colleagues (@ZaraB is stuck with me now!). Thanks again to @Jaysen and @Jessica Booker for making this such a great resource for applicants!

so happy for you )))

 

[Fifi]

If anyone's done the V&E vacation scheme, do you remember when grad rec said they'd get back to us with offers? Was it towards the end of August (I could be misremembering this)?

Grad rec said they would get back to everyone mid-August, so I think everyone will hear back on week of 15th August! Hope that helps and good luck also!

 

[Adrian_S]

Grad rec said they would get back to everyone mid-August, so I think everyone will hear back on week of 15th August! Hope that helps and good luck also!

thank you so much!

 

[T.]

Has anyone done the VI for Addleshaw Goddard? what sort of q's come up in it?

Heyy! Did you do the VI and what was the process like and what type of questions did they ask?

 

[Adrian_S]

Speaking of Addleshaw, has anyone heard back from them? Sorry to sound like a massively broken record 🥲

 

[T.]

AG VI (Manchester)! Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare or if the questions were mainly competency-based?

Hey, I have a VI for the Leeds office, do you remember the type of questions you've had and time to answer them? Would be really grateful for any help

 

[reesal98]

Speaking of Addleshaw, has anyone heard back from them? Sorry to sound like a massively broken record 🥲

Hey is this for London? Heard back with a VI yesterday

 

[Adrian_S]

Hey is this for London? Heard back with a VI yesterday

Yep, it is! Thanks for letting me know. I applied around early June. So going to just assume it's a PFO now and start writing applications for September. Again, Thanks for letting me know and I hope you smash your VI

 

[reesal98]

Yep, it is! Thanks for letting me know. I applied around early June. So going to just assume it's a PFO now and start writing applications for September. Again, Thanks for letting me know and I hope you smash your VI

Thanks very much! Hope you hear back

 

[AvniD]

Now that I have had a couple of days to let it sink in I can say that I have (finally) received a TC offer from one of the VSs I undertook this summer. So even if the other firm says no when I hear the outcome I still never have to do another TC application again!

Thanks to @Jaysen @Jessica Booker and the gang in the writing group (@Adrian_S @S87 @Raynz @Alison C @lawnoob ) and everyone else who makes this forum what it is - it’s so refreshing to be able to ask those questions and share knowledge with people without fear of judgement or lack of understanding. As much as my friends and family try none of them are in law so the assistance is limited!

This was my third application cycle and first time applying for VSs (I always did direct before as I worked and couldn’t use annual leave for VSs). I’m a state schooled, first to go to uni, 2.1 non-RG graduate without A levels who worked full time or almost full time throughout university so didn’t have a huge host of extra curriculars on my CV. It can be done!

I’m still gonna stick around here and help out where I can, and my messages are open for anyone that has any q’s or wants a chat!

This has been so heartwarming to read! Seeing the forum come together in these ways is one of the best parts of my job. Working together is so much more productive and healthy than engaging in unnecessary competition, and this will 100% make working in commercial law that much more joyful. So happy for you and everything you've achieved @Abii 👏👏👏