TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[pax]

Finally got the FF PFO post WG 🤝

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Any noise from Cooley?

Last year I received their WG on the date that they stated as 'the final date you'd hear from us by', at like 9pm. They read every application very carefully, so I wouldn't expect a response before their stated date (assuming that hasn't passed yet).

 

[Harrison.jm]

Last year I received their WG on the date that they stated as 'the final date you'd hear from us by', at like 9pm. They read every application very carefully, so I wouldn't expect a response before their stated date (assuming that hasn't passed yet).

they also cut quite a few jobs due to macro events so their trainee programme will be under close scrutiny I guess

 

[aishaslm]

Yeah same

Can I ask when you applied to Mills & Reeve and when you did the test? Also expecting PFO but haven't heard anything

 

[Shi]

I made 11 applications this cycle and only 3 haven't rejected me yet. I will apply for another few direct TCs but I think I should consider planning for next year.

I am a final-year Law student in Lancaster and due to spending the majority of my studies remotely, I may not qualify for a graduate visa. Also, my scores are low 2:1 with mitigating circumstances. I think my options are to do a LLM or LPC.

Which one do you think will improve my prospects of getting a TC? I got an LLM offer from Bristol, should I get a master's while hoping I can secure a TC so that a law firm will fund my LPC/SQE?

For LPC, I think the advantage is that, if I can't get a TC in the next cycle as well, I can get a paralegal role. Lots of firms do require an LPC for paralegals.

@Jessica Booker @AvniD Grateful for your input on this!

 

[owenjones99]

I made 11 applications this cycle and only 3 haven't rejected me yet. I will apply for another few direct TCs but I think I should consider planning for next year.

I am a final-year Law student in Lancaster and due to spending the majority of my studies remotely, I may not qualify for a graduate visa. Also, my scores are low 2:1 with mitigating circumstances. I think my options are to do a LLM or LPC.

Which one do you think will improve my prospects of getting a TC? I got an LLM offer from Bristol, should I get a master's while hoping I can secure a TC so that a law firm will fund my LPC/SQE?

For LPC, I think the advantage is that, if I can't get a TC in the next cycle as well, I can get a paralegal role. Lots of firms do require an LPC for paralegals.

@Jessica Booker @AvniD Grateful for your input on this!

You will also have to consider that the majority of law firms now require future trainees (2024 onwards) to sit the SQE. If you do the LPC this year and then obtain a TC for 2025, you may also be required by the firm to sit the SQE2.

 

[peterlaw]

Can I ask when you applied to Mills & Reeve and when you did the test? Also expecting PFO but haven't heard anything

we were only supposed to hear back from this week, so it would suggest the opposite to me if you have not recieved a rejection. 'As our application deadline is not until 4 January 2023, you will next hear from us during week commencing 16 January 2023, when we will be in a position to let you know if you have met the shortlist for our in person assessment centres. These are planned to be taking place during weeks commencing 13 and 20 February 2023.'

 

[TheBestSolicitorInTheWorld]

Has anyone used any informal language (unintendedly) during an interview and progressed to the next stage? I said 'you know' twice or more during my RS VI. 🥲

I accidentally said LMAO when one of the recruiters made a joke and I still made it to the next stage.

 

[Harrison.jm]

Can I ask why so many people are worried about low 2:1? Since this is above the threshold law firms recruit from?

 

[littlecat]

Were there only two questions in the Bristows VI this time? Panicking a bit that I may have pressed the wrong button.

 

[j.s.cox]

Does anyone have any feedback regarding the best premium courses to take? I have two weeks left on my free month of membership, and I'd love to make the most of it but also don't have tonnes of time. TIA

Can't recommend "Developing your Commercial Awareness: Understand the City, the Financial Markets & More" enough! I've never found such a comprehensive guide to commercial concepts and they really helped me at the latter stages of applications this year (ACs and interviews).

It depends on what you need help with though. The Watson Glaser course is the best one I've ever done and really helped me improve my scores, but there is not much point taking it if you already get high scores in it.

If you are applying to firms which are strong in PE, the "Private Equity for Commercial Law" course is incredibly helpful and gives a deeper insight into PE work.

If you are applying to a firm with strengths in M&A, I recomment the "Mergers & Acquisitions for Commercial Law" course.

If you have any upcoming Case Study interviews/written tasks, I highly recommend "Practise Technical Law Firm Case Studies". This course even has a few additional case studies you could work on at the end.

The other courses are all excellent, but with only a limited amount of time, these are the courses I would focus on depending on your needs.

 

[CorpLawyer00]

Can I ask why so many people are worried about low 2:1? Since this is above the threshold law firms recruit from?

Because you are often competing with high firsts from ppl who have similar or better extra curriculars

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Can I ask why so many people are worried about low 2:1? Since this is above the threshold law firms recruit from?

Many firms say 'high 2.1' or 'strong 2.1'

 

[j.s.cox]

Were there only two questions in the Bristows VI this time? Panicking a bit that I may have pressed the wrong button.

Other people in the forum also only had 2 questions for the Bristows VI, so I don't think you've done anything wrong. Congrats on getting to VI stage!

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Can't recommend "Developing your Commercial Awareness: Understand the City, the Financial Markets & More" enough! I've never found such a comprehensive guide to commercial concepts and they really helped me at the latter stages of applications this year (ACs and interviews).

It depends on what you need help with though. The Watson Glaser course is the best one I've ever done and really helped me improve my scores, but there is not much point taking it if you already get high scores in it.

If you are applying to firms which are strong in PE, the "Private Equity for Commercial Law" course is incredibly helpful and gives a deeper insight into PE work.

If you are applying to a firm with strengths in M&A, I recomment the "Mergers & Acquisitions for Commercial Law" course.

If you have any upcoming Case Study interviews/written tasks, I highly recommend "Practise Technical Law Firm Case Studies". This course even has a few additional case studies you could work on at the end.

The other courses are all excellent, but with only a limited amount of time, these are the courses I would focus on depending on your needs.

Amazing, thank you so much!

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Were there only two questions in the Bristows VI this time? Panicking a bit that I may have pressed the wrong button.

Other people in the forum also only had 2 questions for the Bristows VI, so I don't think you've done anything wrong. Congrats on getting to VI stage!

Can confirm it was just two questions

 

[abdulrazig777]

Hi guys, does anyone know anything about Arabic proficiency tests? I just passed the initial stage for linklaters middle east vac scheme and I have to do an ALPT test.

Oh, I have still not heard back for this. Don't know if that's good or bad news. When did you apply and do the WG test?

 

[solba]

Congratulations!! could I ask when you applied?

Congrats man! When did you apply? Also is the AC the next stage after the written app lol?

Hi if you don’t mind when did you apply and when did they get back to you?

Thanks everyone! I applied Jan 7th and heard back on the 16th. AC is the next stage after written app. Hoping you hear back soon with good news

 

[Seven]

I accidentally said LMAO when one of the recruiters made a joke and I still made it to the next stage.

People actually say “LMAO” in real life? 😭😭😭

 

[AvniD]

Hey guys, I'm filling in some application (not for a law firm) and the question is : ' please explain how you will manage your time with your studies and other commitments if you were successful in securing a place '
What am I supposed to say in this? I know I have good time management skills but I can't write an answer on it.. I think saying something like 'i create a schedule and allot time to everything during the day' just seems too superficial and speculative?

Any advice please?

You're on the right track! Think about how you will balance competing priorities and what system you will have in place to ensure that all your commitments are met (having a daily, weekly and monthly schedule/planner, for instance). Also, highlight communication with your supervisors as being essential to your ability to manage time.