• Hey Guest, check out Andrei's new guide to building a winning law firm application strategy here. Good luck this cycle :)

TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

Status
Not open for further replies.

EliteWhovian

Legendary Member
Junior Lawyer
  • Dec 8, 2022
    289
    784
    Received a VI and written exercise invite on 31/10 but haven’t heard anything since. Not sure if they’re still reviewing it though, the deadline for my VI was 11:59pm on 5/11. From what I’ve seen it seems like no one has heard back post-VI/ written exercise
    I second this ^
    Though it's nearing mid november so I assume AC invites and pfos will be released next week, we shall see though
     

    h79

    Standard Member
    Jan 28, 2023
    9
    50
    When referencing people you've spoken to in written apps, has anyone ever referenced their conversations with future trainees? I'm not sure if I should because they've obvs not been working at the firm to actually experience it substantially
    I have once yes (unsure if it is a good idea, though). I mentioned someone I worked with during an internship, who was due to be training at a particular firm. I briefly spoke about how welcoming and collegiate the culture of their prospective firm was during her vacation scheme, and how varied the work she received in a particular department was.
     

    Sharon Wu

    Valued Member
    Oct 27, 2023
    118
    377
    Received a VI and written exercise invite on 31/10 but haven’t heard anything since. Not sure if they’re still reviewing it though, the deadline for my VI was 11:59pm on 5/11. From what I’ve seen it seems like no one has heard back post-VI/ written exercise
    I guess they had a few batches as I did the VI and case study 1 or 2 weeks before. I've not heard anyone doing it this week, and so they must be reviewing them this week and likely get back early next week.
     

    futuretrainee202X

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 28, 2022
    181
    212
    Only if they are in work related matters. Do not try and fit other answers into other sections - it rarely works well and you can be “marked down” for it.

    Thank you, @Jessica Booker! One of these positions of responsibility is paid (albeit not a lot!), so I'll leave that in. Just as a follow-up, if the title of one of the unpaid positions of responsibility is "co-founder" and is non-university affiliated, can I put this down under work experience?
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    14,142
    19,808
    Thank you, @Jessica Booker! One of these positions of responsibility is paid, so I'll leave that in. Just as a follow-up, if the title of one of the unpaid positions of responsibility is "co-founder" and is non-university affiliated, can I put this down under work experience?
    Is the unpaid role within a business or a social group/interest group (e.g. a society or club)?
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    14,142
    19,808
    That's a really good question!

    It is a careers-based interest group that operates on social media channels. We used to organise weekly or fortnightly workshops with practitioners to discuss issues with students/career changers.
    I would say this is extra curricular rather than work experience then. It sounds like you have enough work experience to cover as well, and i think adding everything to work experience just because it can be the open ended section of an application risks you minimising your other work experience.
     
    Reactions: futuretrainee202X

    CorporateCrocodile

    Esteemed Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
  • Dec 21, 2022
    97
    275
    This might be a stupid question but I received the DLA Piper Watson Glaser invite on the 8th and I plan on completing it on Sunday (the 12th). Given that grad rec said ' Please complete our online assessment within 5 days' I presume this should be okay? Not sure if I'm being paranoid 😅
     
    • Like
    Reactions: aspiringlawyer47

    Minitomatosalad

    Distinguished Member
    Sep 14, 2023
    67
    72
    What's taking Bakers so long? I get that their reviewing the changes made to the application process, but has anyone heard any updates regarding a potential time frame?
    I replied to a similar question a couple days ago but the VS is still closed. TC apps open feb 2024. Not sure if they are doing VS this year.

    Edit: I didn’t email them but that’s what their website said a couple days back
     
    Hey all, I am coming on here for some advice please. I am currently studying an undergraduate degree in Accounting & Financial Management with Economics at a Russell group University. However, becoming a lawyer and attaining a training contract has forever been a dream of mine. I am predicted to attain a first class grade in my degree.

    Could people please advise me on whether it is worth me pursuing this dream? And the firms that are most likely to take on board non-law graduates? I would need to attain a training contract to finance the PGDL and SQE

    I also have a wealth of work experience in both the legal and financial sectors that I could draw on in my applications and interviews
     

    LegallyBrown

    Distinguished Member
    Premium Member
  • Jun 20, 2023
    72
    470
    hey, just wondering how it went for you?
    Hey, it was good thanks.

    I wouldn’t say it went amazing - limited sleep, limited prep, and last minute nerves just was not a good mix.

    The interviewer thanked me for my humour and engaged discussions - so I don’t know what to make of that.

    I think I did enough for a VS - but it really depends on the quality of candidates they’re going to be assessing tbh.

    Saddest part was - I didn’t realise we had begun with the negotiation until it ended, and I asked “was that the negotiation”? I just spent the last half of the interview thinking ‘why she getting so mad at my answers’.

    And today I’m in the NRF AC , so back to back is a little bit of a pain. Hopefully this one is going well, so far.
     

    jplaw1010

    Legendary Member
    Apr 11, 2023
    171
    164
    Hey, it was good thanks.

    I wouldn’t say it went amazing - limited sleep, limited prep, and last minute nerves just was not a good mix.

    The interviewer thanked me for my humour and engaged discussions - so I don’t know what to make of that.

    I think I did enough for a VS - but it really depends on the quality of candidates they’re going to be assessing tbh.

    Saddest part was - I didn’t realise we had begun with the negotiation until it ended, and I asked “was that the negotiation”? I just spent the last half of the interview thinking ‘why she getting so mad at my answers’.

    And today I’m in the NRF AC , so back to back is a little bit of a pain. Hopefully this one is going well, so far.
    You got this - focus on your strengths!!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: LegallyBrown
    Status
    Not open for further replies.

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.