TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[sm99]

I have a good friend who failed SQE last year and they were offered a second attempt!

Seems unfair to me to allow 2nd attempt one year and revoke TC offer the next year.

I hope they are at least reviewing second attempts holistically for each individual person then! I still think it’s a crazy stance to take given the SQE is holding you at NQ level compared to the LPC.

 

[sm99]

Just wanna say to anyone who has been rejected post-AC, once the initial disappointment wears off, to take some time to evaluate the experience. I’ve reached ACs with certain firms like CMS before and wasn’t successful - but ahead of finding that out, I knew it wasn’t the right firm for me just based on how I felt in the process. The ac being a two way street thing is so so true. You definitely get a feel / sense of a firm by how they treat you in the AC and how the interview goes, so don’t take that for granted. I reached AC with CMS twice and they encouraged me to reapply but I never have and never will, because now 2 years on, from having a few more experiences I know exactly what I value in firms and I’ve had such a shift in the firms that I apply to, and CMS does not fit that criteria for me anymore (and I don’t think it ever did)

I think a lot of people get wrapped up in certain prestige and by what everyone else judges the “perfect” firm to be but everyone’s checklists are different so don’t get sweeped up in that. I’m doing much better this cycle now that I’ve taken some time to really think logistically through my choices and look into other firms that I used to close off, because I used to think they weren’t “prestige” enough. Hope that ramble makes sense

 

[yxngd2x]

Is anyone stilling waiting for W/C post VI. It’s been 6 weeks for me I’m assuming pfo now .

I'm waiting -- other people ik have been rejected in the meantime -- and someone ik in year above at uni who got tc last year had to wait over a month to be invited to AC so I really wouldn't give it too much thought -- doesn't make sense to assume a pfo when you haven't actually received the email because if they weren't still considering the app they'd just reject you

 

[Jaysen]

Hey everyone - I have taken over the thread to share SQE resit policies transparently. You can find this here and private message me if you have any information.

 

[sm99]

Does anyone know if law firms have/will be willing to still let graduates sit the LPC over the SQE for TCs 2024 and beyond?

If I was successful this cycle, I would much prefer to do the LPC as I am still applying for traditional training contracts.. so it shouldn’t make the world of difference?

 

[hungry_for_TC]

I do think that having vacation schemes in your experiences does help you when applying for direct training contracts but it does not mean that if you do not have them, you will not be successful. I know people with no legal experience whatsoever who were successful in securing training contract offers.

Hey Axel, can you give more information on this? I have one VS from my first cycle, this is my second and I've missed VS deadlines for personal reasons but TC deadlines are still open. Don't have loads of legal experience except a couple of internships during uni (I'm 24) and finished the PGDL last August. Do you think it'd be OK for me to apply to TCs with just one commercial law VS?

 

[Standardlawapplicant]

Has anyone heard back from Morgan Lewis post second stage interview?

 

[hungry_for_TC]

Has anyone heard back from Morgan Lewis post second stage interview?

I did mine yesterday and they said they'd get back to us on Monday/Tuesday

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone know if law firms have/will be willing to still let graduates sit the LPC over the SQE for TCs 2024 and beyond?

If I was successful this cycle, I would much prefer to do the LPC as I am still applying for traditional training contracts.. so it shouldn’t make the world of difference?

I have been asked this a lot in recent days.

The thing I would stress is that it’s not easy for law firms to run two qualification systems. There is also much more regulation and compulsory training (at cost) to the law firm on the LPC route, which isn’t needed with the SQE. It’s much easier to provide that training on mass than it is for individual trainees.

It ultimately means that firms may choose to still put people through the SQE and if anyone chooses the LPC for them to still ask trainees to do SQE2.

There are very few non law grads who can do the LPC route now and the vast majority of law students graduating after this summer won’t be able to the LPC. So for any firms recruiting 2026 or later intakes, most candidates would have to do the SQE, which is why many firms have already transferred across.

You can ask, and there will be firms willing to make exceptions. But many others won’t for the reasons I have outlined above.

 

[sm99]

I have been asked this a lot in recent days.

The thing I would stress is that it’s not easy for law firms to run two qualification systems. There is also much more regulation and compulsory training (at cost) to the law firm on the LPC route, which isn’t needed with the SQE. It’s much easier to provide that training on mass than it is for individual trainees.

It ultimately means that firms may choose to still put people through the SQE and if anyone chooses the LPC for them to still ask trainees to do SQE2.

There are very few non law grads who can do the LPC route now and the vast majority of law students graduating after this summer won’t be able to the LPC. So for any firms recruiting 2026 or later intakes, most candidates would have to do the SQE, which is why many firms have already transferred across.

You can ask, and there will be firms willing to make exceptions. But many others won’t for the reasons I have outlined above.

Thank you for explaining. This helps… I would rather try my chances with the LPC & SQE2 rather than the whole thing in all honesty.

It’s worth asking if I reach that point I guess

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for explaining. This helps… I would rather try my chances with the LPC & SQE2 rather than the whole thing in all honesty.

It’s worth asking if I reach that point I guess

Be prepared to self fund the LPC if that is the case. I don’t know any firms that are offering LPC sponsorship anymore as it is typically more expensive than some SQE courses.

 

[kmo20]

White & Case VS offer! I cannot thank this forum enough, I would not have been able to do it without it!! If anyone would like any advice feel free to PM me and I would be more than happy to help

 

[Ajkajk101]

Anyone heard back for the PHirst?

 

[nonlawstudent04]

W&C Summer VS offer !!

 

[midnightsky990422]

I haven’t received it yet.. how long did it take for everyone else?

Did you apply for the Vac Scheme of the direct TC? I did Vac Scheme and recieved it about 48hrs after submitting my app.

 

[hehostressed]

I feel like I’m the only one that still hasn’t heard post AG VI? Is a PFO coming

 

[mattyh23]

If you're drafting something for a Partner that is eventually intended for the client (i.e. a memo), would you introduce yourself to the Partner first in a written exercise?

Or just go in straight as if it's for the client, with no reference to the partner? Any thoughts @Jessica Booker?

 

[bangarangbass39]

Browne Jacobson Telephone Interview invite

 

[johnnn821]

Browne Jacobson Telephone Interview invite

Congrats! Out of curiosity when did you complete the online assessment? Best of luck!

 

[midnightsky990422]

Browne Jacobson Telephone Interview!! A really nice turnaround to the day following this morning’s Gateley pfo 😃