TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[Waleed02]

Hi, does anyone know how long a cover letter to Vinson & Elkins should be (2 pages?) and what font size and font to use?

1-2 pages for the cover letter. And font size and font could be 11 Times New Roman, but you can play around with what looks best when printed.

 

[JLaw56]

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman recruit on a rolling basis?

 

[ajdbnjsbfjns]

Hi has anyone heard back from Travers Smith summer vacation scheme on whether they got a return training contract offer?

 

[AS24]

I underestimated how hard the switch to law was. Does anyone have a list of good but smaller (less competitive perhaps) commercial firms in London, that I could leverage to move to bigger law firms?

 

[Tintin06]

I don't think there is an actual number (know this is not the most helpful response) due to the number of variables that could happen.

For instance, doing 5 over 5 years is very different to doing 5 over one cycle. Its also very different if they are also all very recent rather than some many years ago.

One person doing 5 schemes could have had 5 very different reasons for being unsuccessful at those firms, while the next could be getting consistent feedback that they need to develop in a certain area.

And then someone could have done 5 vacation schemes at 5 very different firms, while another may have applied to all 5 MC firms.

Generally though if you have done multiple vacation schemes (3+) in one cycle and are rushing into applying for the next cycle to either the same or similar firms, and got similar feedback, I'd say it is more of a concern. But if the variables are more varied (like those above), it is less of a concern, especially if you can show development/growth or can identify why you have finally found the right firm for you.

Thanks. I needed to hear this. I can imagine that the focus on this site is persuading people that no age limit is a barrier (and that they may benefit from spending money on courses to help them) but I'ms tarting to think at 27 I'll never get there. I feel like I should have got there five years ago and that my Peers are already earning six figures in the law. I feel like a total failure.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks. I needed to hear this. I can imagine that the focus on this site is persuading people that no age limit is a barrier (and that they may benefit from spending money on courses to help them) but I'ms tarting to think at 27 I'll never get there. I feel like I should have got there five years ago and that my Peers are already earning six figures in the law. I feel like a total failure.

Age is a completely different matter though and really is not a barrier. I’ve recruited too many trainees that are many years older than you are now (and some that are decades older) to know your age won’t be a problem.

Just because they are earning that now doesn’t mean your journey will be behind them in another 10 years time. You still have a whole career ahead of you were those people could be reporting into you in the future or you could be the one interviewing or hiring them in years to come.

 

[jmak]

Thanks. I needed to hear this. I can imagine that the focus on this site is persuading people that no age limit is a barrier (and that they may benefit from spending money on courses to help them) but I'ms tarting to think at 27 I'll never get there. I feel like I should have got there five years ago and that my Peers are already earning six figures in the law. I feel like a total failure.

This is my 6th application cycle. My most successful one and I was the oldest person in both my vac schemes but I met so many trainees older than me or one year younger on one of my vac schemes which was really encouraging. That said, I gave myself an ultimatum last year in September that this would be my final application cycle and I would give it my all. It's been my most successful one and I'm really close to a TC. That said, I have no more years left in me to keep going if this doesn't come through. So I totally get it, but give yourself some time but if you want to decide not to continue its a valid choice as long as you know you have given it your all and left no stone unturned so that you have no regrets.

 

[Lawyering13]

Hi has anyone heard back from Travers Smith summer vacation scheme on whether they got a return training contract offer?

I heard back with a PFO on Friday and I know some people who received offers too.

 

[ajdbnjsbfjns]

I heard back with a PFO on Friday and I know some people who received offers too.

Thanks for letting me know and sorry to hear!! Do you know how many ppl got offers, I still haven’t heard back yet

 

[Tintin06]

I wasn’t an insufferable moron during the scheme, but I was afterwards. I’m sorry but three months is too long to wait for feedback.

 

[NJS]

View attachment 6158
I wasn’t an insufferable moron during the scheme, but I was afterwards. I’m sorry but three months is too long to wait for feedback.

Is this real feedback, or am i being dumb lol

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

View attachment 6158
I wasn’t an insufferable moron during the scheme, but I was afterwards. I’m sorry but three months is too long to wait for feedback.

"Stood in doorway for too long"

Wtf, am I reading that right?

 

[Tintin06]

Essentially I’m not willing to wait three months for an outcome. Tell me the week after please. It’s funny because this is a fixed trait - on the first day of sixth form the driver asked if I could wait for change and I said “No”. I got the next bus. I’ll get the next TC.

 

[amy2002]

View attachment 6158
I wasn’t an insufferable moron during the scheme, but I was afterwards. I’m sorry but three months is too long to wait for feedback.

Wait I'm so confused. Is this you writing notes based on how you considered your own performance to have gone? Or did you ask your supervisor/interviewer and this is what you were given?

 

[DTB]

Hi all! Has anyone completed a white and case VI for direct TC and has advice?

 

[Tintin06]

Wait I'm so confused. Is this you writing notes based on how you considered your own performance to have gone? Or did you ask your supervisor/interviewer and this is what you were given?

My write-up of what they said in the feedback phone call. Your confusion is indicative of my written abilities on the VS

 

[amy2002]

My write-up of what they said in the feedback phone call. Your confusion is indicative of my written abilities on the VS

What was the context behind you standing in a doorway for too long? I’m just astounded that something that trivial would be mentioned in the context of a 1/2 week scheme.

 

[EzeLaylor]

View attachment 6158
I wasn’t an insufferable moron during the scheme, but I was afterwards. I’m sorry but three months is too long to wait for feedback.

Stood in doorway too long … this is very erm specific feedback post vac scheme.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Hi all! Has anyone completed a white and case VI for direct TC and has advice?

Did you get it today??? Someone else said they were already on ACs, maybe there is hope yet

 

[Jessica Booker]

I am reading the feedback notes second hand, but I think the focusing on the doorway point is not really the issue - the scores seem to be 14/15 for an interview and 13/15 for vacation scheme supervisor/performance - this level of performance is likely to be more than strong enough and the comments on the feedback about the door/EQ seem to be minor. It could easily be that these minor comments were passed on just as a development point rather than the reason for not getting the role.

I am not sure what the data poll is but if that was 6/15 that would be a low performance and the area for concern and would be the key reason the firm made the decision.