TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[zq522]

awww if you don’t mind me asking when did they exactly email and did you apply for the June or July SVS or both? I’m so confused by them because I’ve still heard nothing just want to know so I can make plans now

They emailed me 10 minutes before my post and I applied for the July Vac Scheme in Dubai - to be honest I scored low on the amberjack test so understand why I got a PFO

 

[ovechkinjessie]

They emailed me 10 minutes before my post and I applied for the July Vac Scheme in Dubai - to be honest I scored low on the amberjack test so understand why I got a PFO

Hey, no worries if you don't feel comfortable sharing. I wanted to reach out to ask how you worked out that you scored low on the amberjack test? I didn't score at all in the applied intellect category, I think I did well on 2 categories and scored a 3/9 on digital mindset which I think is below average. I haven't heard yet either and clutching at straws trying to figure out whether I should still be holding out. If you'd be happy to share why you think you scored low I'd appreciate it, but no worries if you don't. Thanks so much.

 

[hannah04]

Hi Jessica, I want to ask that if I get a training contract commencing in 2027, but I will graduate in 2025 and finish my SQE in 2026, can I ask the firm to move my start date to 2026? If not, what can I do in the year waiting for my TC?

Not Jessica, but I know friends who have, once receiving their TC offer, asked whether they could commence a year earlier. The firm might not be able to accommodate this but I don't think there is any harm in asking!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jessica, I want to ask that if I get a training contract commencing in 2027, but I will graduate in 2025 and finish my SQE in 2026, can I ask the firm to move my start date to 2026? If not, what can I do in the year waiting for my TC?

You can ask but generally given firms recruit in advance, they most likely will have a full 2026 intake and therefore will not be able to bring your start date forward. There is no harm in asking though, as sometimes people renege offers or fail law school, meaning spaces occasionally come up.

In addition, sometimes some firms will increase their trainee intake numbers too. Stating an interest to start earlier may lead to an opportunity to do so, due to these potential changes.

Most qualified lawyers will tell you to go and do whatever you want in your time out and enjoy it. Many see it as one of the last opportunities where the the opportunity cost of doing something is lower than it will be in the future. Trying to take a gap year from work isn’t always easy and even when it does happen, sacrificing a qualified lawyer’s salary at that point in life can always be difficult. Most would encourage you to do anything you want, whether that travel, volunteering, taking up a new hobby or working in a different sector or profession before going into law.

 

[Jessica Booker]

What are the paralegal opportunities like with flex legal? Do the big firms (say the firms listed on legal cheek) recruit through them?

They have placed people at Freshfields (one of their major clients in Manchester) and firms like Leigh Day and Eversheds. A lot of their clients are in-house legal teams too though.

 

[erderlylars]

As anyone heard from Farrer & Co for the direct tc?

 

[zq522]

Hey, no worries if you don't feel comfortable sharing. I wanted to reach out to ask how you worked out that you scored low on the amberjack test? I didn't score at all in the applied intellect category, I think I did well on 2 categories and scored a 3/9 on digital mindset which I think is below average. I haven't heard yet either and clutching at straws trying to figure out whether I should still be holding out. If you'd be happy to share why you think you scored low I'd appreciate it, but no worries if you don't. Thanks so much.

It was in the automatic feedback report - in three of the four criterias I only scored 3/9 so knew i didnt get it at that point!

 

[LillyandSilver]

when is the best time to start emailing for chats before a vac scheme? I have one starting on the 24th and I don't want to go too early and risk them forgetting or being too last minute and everyone is busy.

 

[user254]

Anyone doing the London Hill Dickinson Insight scheme - have you received a timetable yet? Thought we get one the week before the scheme but have yet to receive anything.

 

[Jessica Booker]

when is the best time to start emailing for chats before a vac scheme? I have one starting on the 24th and I don't want to go too early and risk them forgetting or being too last minute and everyone is busy.

I’d wait until you are there. You really don’t know what your timetable will be to organise the chats. I’d wait until you are settled into your department and have a bette understanding of your timetable and then arrange meetings from there.

Otherwise you just risk booking loads in and then not being able to commit to them or committing to them and missing out on work/important meetings.

 

[lookingforaTC]

Flex legal offer a lot of short term paralegal vacancies.

There’s a process to go through with flex. There are some amazing clients they work with.

I think the main difference between Flex and LOD is that flex allow you to work for the client permanently if the client wants to… whereas LOD will keep you tied in with them which is stipulated within the employment contract.

What's LOD?

 

[ayiiii05]

Does anyone know of firms that are lenient with A-Level grades whilst still having A-Level requirements? I got ABB and I want to apply to firms with AAB. I have mitigating circumstances but I am worried that firms won't care. I finished with 65% in 1st year and I am awaiting results for 2nd. I want to apply to US firms like Kirkland and Goodwin but don't want my A-Level grades to impact me when my uni grades are much better

 

[sm99]

Can anyone advise on whether having coffee chats during a VS is essential?

I don’t want it to come across forced & feel as though I’d only really be able to build a relationship after 2/3 days so it would be towards the end of the scheme anyway…

I find that natural talking opps tend to present themselves during the workday organically, so I don’t want to stress over slotting in coffee chats unless it’s absolutely essential??

 

[A worried graduate]

Does anyone know of firms that are lenient with A-Level grades whilst still having A-Level requirements? I got ABB and I want to apply to firms with AAB. I have mitigating circumstances but I am worried that firms won't care. I finished with 65% in 1st year and I am awaiting results for 2nd. I want to apply to US firms like Kirkland and Goodwin but don't want my A-Level grades to impact me when my uni grades are much better

US firms tend to enforce the academic rules more strictly than others but as an ABB is still quite good you could probably get by if you do well in University and write out your mitigating factors correctly.

65% is fine but some US firms like to see those 70s.

Good luck!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Can anyone advise on whether having coffee chats during a VS is essential?

I don’t want it to come across forced & feel as though I’d only really be able to build a relationship after 2/3 days so it would be towards the end of the scheme anyway…

I find that natural talking opps tend to present themselves during the workday organically, so I don’t want to stress over slotting in coffee chats unless it’s absolutely essential??

Definitely not essential. If anything they are just a time filler if you are not busy.

 

[A worried graduate]

What's LOD?

Lawyers on demand

 

[hkulsk2021]

Has anyone heard from shoosmiths? Its today

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

Hi, could anyone please tell me if a 61 in Contract Law (PgDL) is enough or not? Or having a distinction is essential for certain firms?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, could anyone please tell me if a 61 in Contract Law (PgDL) is enough or not? Or having a distinction is essential for certain firms?

This is likely to be sufficient. Firms don’t focus on GDL grades in the same way they do about undergraduate degree courses.

 

[sm99]

Has anyone on the gateley scheme received their schedule?