TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Givemeatcplease]

Well.. turns out I did get a NRF interview. GL everyone.

Congratulations! When did you hear?

 

[Tears4Tc]

No clue, but my experience with PH indicates that they're less keen on academics (ofc being a good 2:1 candidate is important), and more keen on well-rounded, smart and driven individuals

Thank you!!

 

[Deleted member 27336]

Who’s still waiting on HL post app for summer 😭

 

[Lawyer500]

Hey don’t feel too bad! I had two TC interviews in December last year for a law centre and Accutrainee. I thought I did really well in both and was rejected from both. The law centre rejection was because my competitor had more experience (but all feedback was positive) and Accutrainee basically said I talk too much 🤣. Immediately after, I completed two ACs at international law firms that dwarf both those organisations, and was offered a place on both. The recruitment process for both firms were much harder too. I felt exactly the way you did. “If I can’t even get offers from smaller places, how will I get a place with an international law firm or a magic circle firm?” the answer is you can and you will! Rejection is redirection and that firm just wasn’t the place for you. Do not give up, the right firm is out there, you won’t be able to find it if you stop applying. Use the resources around you (TCLA, your university, your friends, social mobility programmes if you are eligible) and just keep trying ❤️

Agreed!! I also want to add that smaller firms can sometimes have really specific requirements eg type of person, specific experience, recruit a very small amount of trainees, have a higher threshold for legal experience (possibly as they may have lower budget for training) etc and I actually believe that you cannot assume it’s supposed to be easier as a result of this, you might just be more suited to an international, larger law firm! I applied to a small to medium sized UK based firm (no international matters at all) and they had 300 applicants for only 12 TC spaces. So very competitive! Keep going!

 

[AlegalA]

An app is stating: "Please provide details of all modules which are counted towards your final degree grade. In order to complete the section you need to include at least 1 module". Does this mean we don't include our first year grades if they are not weighed in the end grade? (My uni was 25% 2nd year and 75% final year). Or should we still include them because without them we would not have a degree?

 

[Happycloud100]

hey is anyone doing ropes AC on the 14th?

 

[Shah74k]

An app is stating: "Please provide details of all modules which are counted towards your final degree grade. In order to complete the section you need to include at least 1 module". Does this mean we don't include our first year grades if they are not weighed in the end grade? (My uni was 25% 2nd year and 75% final year). Or should we still include them because without them we would not have a degree?

What firm is this for?

 

[EllaClayton]

Anyone for Ropes on 5th who’d like to message about it a bit?

 

[Sharon Wu]

What does this mean? That I passed the assessment but they just don't want to employ me😝

Anyone else get this?

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

thank you so much for this!! that's honestly how i felt because the rejection email literally said "although you came across well, unfortunately...", and it feels so discouraging if even these 'smaller' firms think i'm not good enough for them.
but you're right, i shouldn't let that rejection get to me that easily but it really does feel disheartening when you think a firm is the perfect match for you but they don't. but anyway! life moves on, will just keep applying until someone says yes 😌

Exactly! It takes one yes and separately, an application cycle will always change your perspective on a firm. The ones you seem to overlook for one reason or another may be the ones you end falling in love with (speaking from personal experience)

 

[Ash2323]

Hey all,

Those of you who haven't secured a VS yet, are you still applying for Direct TCs this year? I only ask as it is my first cycle, but work full-time (legal but not in corporate). Just wondering if you can apply to a TC without VS experience - and if so are we at a disadvantage?

 

[therealslimshady]

Hey all,

Those of you who haven't secured a VS yet, are you still applying for Direct TCs this year? I only ask as it is my first cycle, but work full-time (legal but not in corporate). Just wondering if you can apply to a TC without VS experience - and if so are we at a disadvantage?

You can definitely apply to a TC without VS experience. I have completed several VSs but there are candidates that get a TC with no VS experience.

 

[AlegalA]

What firm is this for?

Browne Jacobson

 

[aspiringm&alawyer]

Anyone STILL waiting on Cleary post app?

 

[user184794]

how long does it take for w&c to get back to you post-ac, does anyone know?

 

[axelbeugre]

It seems like the magic circle law firm ( Slaughter, Freshfields and Clifford Chance) only provide the direct TC if you after your penultimate year, so the only way to get into these firms is to reapply if unsuccessful? In addition, do you think it would be helpful if add a summer/ winter vacation scheme when applying the TC route.

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.

 

[tcplease2345]

If I apply for vacation schemes again next cycle and do not do anything in between, will that lower my chances?

 

[axelbeugre]

An app is stating: "Please provide details of all modules which are counted towards your final degree grade. In order to complete the section you need to include at least 1 module". Does this mean we don't include our first year grades if they are not weighed in the end grade? (My uni was 25% 2nd year and 75% final year). Or should we still include them because without them we would not have a degree?

I personally would include them. I think they are mainly referring to modules that people might have done that did not count but not including your whole first year grades does not seem like something law firms would not want to see only because they did not count in your university. I would say to still include them!

 

[Ash2323]

You can definitely apply to a TC without VS experience. I have completed several VSs but there are candidates that get a TC with no VS experience.

Thanks a lot, all the best for your apps

 

[lawtrainee]

If I apply for vacation schemes again next cycle and do not do anything in between, will that lower my chances?

my thoughts too!