TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[axelbeugre]

Does anyone have a list of firms which DO allow SQE resits?
Just seen the Legal Cheek article re CC withdrawing TCs from future trainees who failed…

The news was very surprising to many but I feel like it is something that law firms with a huge intake will use as a way to cut down on trainees. It is so sad that students are basically sold a dream (some of them in their first year) to then be dropped as soon as they do not pass a test which has been introduced less than 2 years ago and that it is renowned to be difficult.

At the same time, I have so many friends who passed comfortably and worked really hard and are at US firms or city firms that were very understanding with people in their cohort who did not pass the test. I wish law firms in general understood the pressure that students are put under with this test and I would expect some leniency especially until more information on how to pass is spread which will happen in a few years time.

I think this news goes to show how the profession still needs to change and realise the importance of its people as the lawyers are what make or break the industry, and if you are not understanding of the new generation of lawyers' struggles, you risk losing them for good.

As someone who is meant to start the SQE in September I am scared of what can happen but at the same time I know that the only thing I can do is keep working really hard and focus on my objectives. Whatever happens, if I put effort into it, I will not have regrets. I think this is the mindset that we should all adopt.

 

[Aussielawyer]

Has anyone heard anything back from Stevens & Bolton re Spring VS?

 

[axelbeugre]

Does anyone know what grade law firms expect in the PGDL? I recently did my mock assessments and scored between a 55 and 58 in all the four modules. I have to admit that I didn't focus enough, as I really struggled balancing the mock assessments with attending workshops and preparing for ACs. Moreover, the formula to get a distinction is badly explained by the lecturers. Does anyone have any advice on how to achieve a 60+ in problem question exams? Or any tips in general for the PGDL?

I am currently doing the PGDL too and I totally agree with how badly the marking is explained. It is so difficult to understand what to do to achieve a good grade.

I think that what I gathered from my experience is, when it comes to problem questions, you want to be able to identify the relevant law, explain it and apply it to the facts. Many people just state the law thinking the it is sufficient but you lose marks on cognitive skills.

Additionally, it is important to identify the nuances in the law through the facts of the case. You might get information that seems to suggest different approaches; in this case, you go with the approach that allows you to show the most knowledge, and you also state that you could have used the other approach, explain the reason and you cite the law. With this approach, you are getting more points because not only you identified the relevant approach, but you show that you are able to recognise that based on the facts of the case, you are able to use another approach too.

These are some of the considerations that I understood from my experience.

 

[axelbeugre]

Genuinely heart goes out to those who will get their TC offer taken away due to failing an exam that is already an absolute mess, pursuing a career in law is mentally draining, practicing a career in law is mentally draining, and for a firm to just completely disregard future trainees over failing an exam that is well known to be extremely tuff is disgusting.

I wonder if any support is given to these student, I can’t imagine what they’ll be going through, and it doesn’t do anything to help the stigma around this career.

Shame on Clifford chance, and shame on those who follow suit.

This is such a good question, I hope that they are assisted, not only professionally but most importantly mentally, because this is not an easy situation to be in.

I heard that they are getting professional support to look for a new job but I do not know if every firm that rescinded offers is doing that.

 

[Hopefultrainee22]

no - this is not necessarily an issue - it is just an opportunity to provide information you feel you haven’t had the opportunity to highlight. But plenty of candidates may not have anything else they want to highlight, and so they wouldn’t need to use this opportunity.

Out of interest Jessica, if I was asked this question at the end of the interview, what sort of things would you raise and how would you phrase it? “I’m interested in X hobby”, “I’ve done X work experience and developed X, Y, Z”?

 

[Lawyer500]

hey have you heard back, I'm still waiting (I had my AC on the 22nd of Feb)

Hey, I had my AC end of Jan and they phoned me 2 weeks after

 

[kmo20]

Has anyone heard from White & Case post-AC?

 

[BrunoLevi]

Has anyone heard from White & Case post-AC?

AC for summer VS? When did you do VI

 

[Jessica Booker]

Out of interest Jessica, if I was asked this question at the end of the interview, what sort of things would you raise and how would you phrase it? “I’m interested in X hobby”, “I’ve done X work experience and developed X, Y, Z”?

There really isn’t a set approach as it will depend on what you are highlighting. I would probably start of by explaining why you think it’s important to highlight whatever it is though in the first instance, and then go on to detail whatever you think is relevant.

 

[kmo20]

AC for summer VS? When did you do VI

Yes for summer I did my VI in early February and the AC February 29th.

 

[BrunoLevi]

Yes for summer I did my VI in early February and the AC February 29th.

wow you did your AC even before I did my VI! I’m guessing when you applied you ticked the box saying you were available for both spring and summer? Or did you do only summer?

 

[lawstudent15]

Yes for summer I did my VI in early February and the AC February 29th.

I did my AC on the same date, haven't heard back yet either!

 

[kmo20]

wow you did your AC even before I did my VI! I’m guessing when you applied you ticked the box saying you were available for both spring and summer? Or did you do only summer?

Only summer!

 

[BrunoLevi]

Only summer!

Lol in that case they just invited me super late haha

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Anyone received spring VS offers from SH

Saw one mentioned on here yesterday

 

[nliro85]

Saw one mentioned on here yesterday

Hmm thank you so guess the rest of us are getting PFO’s

 

[VMS]

Anyone heard from Withers post-test for Summer this week?

 

[kmo20]

Anyone heard from Withers post-test for Summer this week?

I received a PFO this morning

 

[VacayScheme]

Bates Wells Vac Scheme! That brings my cycle to an end - thanks to everyone on TCLA for their insights over the last few months! I'm hoping not to be back having secured 3 vac schemes 😅 (except to frantically research how to convert them!) so good luck everyone with the rest of your applications - and a massive thanks again to everyone who's helped me!! ☺️☺️

 

[jasonbourne]

Has anyone heard from White & Case post-AC?

I haven't heard back yet either, I did my AC on the 4th of March for the summer VS. Seems like they haven't sent out any responses yet because I haven't seen anyone here that's got a response