TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[dlaw2023]

Post interview or at the application stage?

application stage!

 

[ssolicitorz]

Hi guys, just been in a meeting with one of my professors who used to be a partner at a magic circle firm. He's beat me down quite a bit by telling me that my 64% grade average for my second year means that I won't have much success at vac scheme/ training contract applications. What are everyone else's opinions/experiences? I have just been diagnosed with ADHD going into my final year but don't know if firms will care. Feeling really down about this whole thing.

Completely untrue! I had a 63 average and was still able to land a vacation scheme at a US firm, got to an AC for another firm and managed to get past the first stage for a few other firms.

I will say though that I went to a super competitive and tough uni but if you go to a russell group uni you should be ok!

 

[futuretraineecity]

Anyone know whether the WG for HL Lift off is automatic?

 

[Adrian_S]

Hi guys, just been in a meeting with one of my professors who used to be a partner at a magic circle firm. He's beat me down quite a bit by telling me that my 64% grade average for my second year means that I won't have much success at vac scheme/ training contract applications. What are everyone else's opinions/experiences? I have just been diagnosed with ADHD going into my final year but don't know if firms will care. Feeling really down about this whole thing.

I wouldn't pay much attention to his advice. A 2.1 is the requirement set by most firms (so good on you for getting that 64!). Moreover, I wager your professor doesn't know much about your background, work experiences, your motivations, and mitigating circumstances - which are all important aspects of your application. YOU get to set the narrative in your application - not your professor (with all due respect to him lmao). Good luck and don't let advice like his get you down!

 

[Ng954000]

Anybody hear from Travers Smith for the WVS yet?

 

[daisy_yawn]

Hi guys, just been in a meeting with one of my professors who used to be a partner at a magic circle firm. He's beat me down quite a bit by telling me that my 64% grade average for my second year means that I won't have much success at vac scheme/ training contract applications. What are everyone else's opinions/experiences? I have just been diagnosed with ADHD going into my final year but don't know if firms will care. Feeling really down about this whole thing.

I got a 64% average in my final year and I was still able to land a vac scheme and get to AC stage at 5 firms (including a magic circle) so far so don't lose hope!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys, just been in a meeting with one of my professors who used to be a partner at a magic circle firm. He's beat me down quite a bit by telling me that my 64% grade average for my second year means that I won't have much success at vac scheme/ training contract applications. What are everyone else's opinions/experiences? I have just been diagnosed with ADHD going into my final year but don't know if firms will care. Feeling really down about this whole thing.

Eurghhhh - I don’t find this at all helpful.

His view might be based on his experience at his law firm, but for the vast majority of firms a 64% average is going to be more than enough - and that’s including at other MC firms.

Don’t listen to this dinosaur IMO.

 

[kokothemagicdragon]

Anyone heard anything regarding Cleary's Winter VS?

 

[kokothemagicdragon]

Has anyone heard from Skadden re WVS?

They have a WVS? I thought only spring and summer.

 

[mckelly]

Anyone heard anything regarding Cleary's Winter VS?

No, but I'm almost certain we'll hear back this week if it's positive. They'll be using today and tomorrow to sort through the final batch of applications that came in on Wed/Thurs/Friday

 

[ms167bs]

How did people find the W&C VI? Trying to hedge my chances as one of the questions I had was a bit waffly/quite difficult

 

[aishaalexandra]

How did people find the W&C VI? Trying to hedge my chances as one of the questions I had was a bit waffly/quite difficult

I personally found it really difficult and also thought one of my answers was waffly but somehow managed an AC so I feel like you never know!

 

[ms167bs]

I personally found it really difficult and also thought one of my answers was waffly but somehow managed an AC so I feel like you never know!

Thanks! Yeah I found one quite difficult so fingers crossed! Best of luck with the AC x

 

[Donuttime]

I personally found it really difficult and also thought one of my answers was waffly but somehow managed an AC so I feel like you never know!

Congrats! How long after completing the Vi were you invited to the AC?

 

[refy]

I applied for the Jones Day Spring Vac Scheme and got an email about them contacting my referee an hour later - is this automatic?

 

[B A]

ASHURST WINTER VAC SCHEME!

Congrats! When were your AC and interview?

 

[B A]

both last week

Thanks. Did they call or email?

 

[ms167bs]

Also, does anybody know if firms let you extend TC signing deadlines? I have a Spring Vac Scheme sorted with Weil that I would love to be able to do, but if I get a WVS with another firm I am not sure how long they would give me to sign/maybe swap to the summer vac scheme so I can do my spring scheme. Not sure if people have experience with this

 

[Jessica Booker]

Also, does anybody know if firms let you extend TC signing deadlines? I have a Spring Vac Scheme sorted with Weil that I would love to be able to do, but if I get a WVS with another firm I am not sure how long they would give me to sign/maybe swap to the summer vac scheme so I can do my spring scheme. Not sure if people have experience with this

General approach is to see if they can offer you an extension, explaining you have an upcoming scheme. If they say no, then you can accept and then renege at a later date, unless there is something in either of your contracts/offer documents that prevents you from doing so (but even then I am not convinced a firm would have the ability to check this, enforce such a rule as your employment doesn't start until the first day of your TC).

 

[ms167bs]

General approach is to see if they can offer you an extension, explaining you have an upcoming scheme. If they say no, then you can accept and then renege at a later date, unless there is something in either of your contracts/offer documents that prevents you from doing so (but even then I am not convinced a firm would have the ability to check this, enforce such a rule as your employment doesn't start until the first day of your TC).

Yeah my spring scheme contract has a clause which says I can't do it having accepted a TC elsewhere so would be scuppered if the WVS firm didn't let me extend singing. I may ask grad rec before actually accepting the VS although that's a bit cheeky ha