TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[floral.tcla]

anyone else still not heard back from HL post-wg for the summer VS? should I assume a PFO?

 

[trainee4u]

Can anyone else no longer access their previous applications on Vantage?

I just fiddled a bit and it appears it's now mostly impossible, but can sometimes be done.

So:

1. all submitted and unsubmitted applications appear at https://portal.vantageapp.io/applications
2. unsubmitted ones will have a 'complete' button.
3. submitted ones they've specifically disabled it on the server side, so the ID that you would need to view the application is not there in all cases
4. in the Stephenson Harwood 'thank you for submitting' email it would say "You can view your application by logging into your Vantage account and going to the My Applications page. VIEW MY APPLICATION "
5. however this link is just a redirect to https://portal.vantageapp.io/applications and you can't get in
6. if you sign up for a firm's page at Candid ATS/Vantage at least a week before the deadline but don't submit they will likely send a reminder email. this appears identical, but is not - it doesn't go to portal/applications, but instead directly to the link to your application.
7. this will be https://shlegal.app.candidats.io/profile/create/[GUID] for SH, and e.g., https://michelmores.app.candidats.io/profile/create/[GUID] for Michelmores
8. My SH app is still viewable, but ALL my others (whether active or PFOed) appare not to be.
9. In addition to the 'please complete your submission' email, you can also find the correct link in your browser history - just type in "app.candidats.io/profile/create", and you'll find all the (recent! within your browser history) links to view your applications, but most probably disabled!!!

 

[legallyells]

howden partner interview!

 

[User5678]

Those who applied to Hill Dickinson did you receive the email about being allocated to a specific business group?

Yes correct, I got the business group. Almost had a mini heart attack when that notification popped up😂

 

[Chris Brown]

For the GDL, you generally don’t need to be in London. It’s not a bespoke course, so if their course provider has different locations, I strongly suspect you’d be able to do it at any of the locations.

It would only be of the firm has a very bespoke conversion course that you might be limited to London.

If you are commuting into a course in London, then your maintenance grant is likely to be based on you being in London.

Hi @Jessica Booker,

If a firm stipulates that all future trainees should do the SQE together (in-person) at BPP or ULaw London (depending on who they have partnered with), and they offer a maintenance grant worth X (e.g., £20,000), is it ever possible for firms to offer additional financial support to people who live very far from London AND are from a socially mobile background? It seems that most firms offer a standard maintenance grant to all future trainees, which doesn’t take into account personal or financial circumstances?

Do you know of any instances where city law firms have offered additional support, either as a grant/bursary or interest-free loan? How do firms deal with future trainees who may be of a particular faith or religion, where they can’t take out on an interest-based loan from student finance, due to their religious beliefs? Also, is it true some firms request their future trainees to not work part time whilst studying the SQE? If so, how do people usually survive in London (I don’t really know how expensive London is but I have heard it is really bad, especially rent prices)?

Apologies for the long question. 🥲🥲​

 

[Apple]

This might sound like a silly question, but how do people prepare for VS? How do you know what to do during a VS? Is there anything that I should be doing now in advance of a VS? I haven’t worked in a city law firm before so I’m starting to overthink this whole process lmao. Any advice would be appreciated. Please help. 🥲🥲

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam​

if you qualify, Aspiring Solicitors have a free programme that has webinars, 1:1 calls etc - all centred around preparing you to convert the VS to a TC.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

If a firm stipulates that all future trainees should do the SQE together (in-person) at BPP or ULaw London (depending on who they have partnered with), and they offer a maintenance grant worth X (e.g., £20,000), is it ever possible for firms to offer additional financial support to people who live very far from London AND are from a socially mobile background? It seems that most firms offer a standard maintenance grant to all future trainees, which doesn’t take into account personal or financial circumstances?

Do you know of any instances where city law firms have offered additional support, either as a grant/bursary or interest-free loan? How do firms deal with future trainees of a particular faith or religion, where they can’t take out on an interest-based loan from student finance, due to their religious beliefs? Also, is it true some firms request their future trainees to not work part time whilst studying the SQE? If so, how do people usually survive in London (I don’t really know how expensive London is but I have heard it is really bad, especially rent prices)?

Apologies for the long question. 🥲🥲​

In most instances, it is going to be unlikely that additional funds would be allocated on a means-tested basis. Firms set their maintenance grants at levels they think are reasonable for everyone no matter what their circumstances. There might be some firms that offer this, but it isn't something I have heard of enough for it to be common.

Sometimes firms offer additional financial awards but they tend to not be means-tested. It can be if you have achieved something (e.g. a certain grade in your degree) or if you want to put money towards a particular initiative that will help develop certain transferable skills (e.g. learning a new language/doing a volunteer project).

Some firms do offer interest-free loans or salary advances, but the salary advances are typically only given in the 1-2 months before starting a TC rather than at the start of the SQE. Interest-free loans could be agreed earlier on.

We do know some firms stop their future trainees from working part-time - many don't though, and so many future trainees do have part-time jobs (like some people in the TCLA team) to top up their income.

Some firms also offer interim work in the holidays or periods between courses to help boost people's income, whether that's directly with the firm or asking the temp agencies they work with to support their future trainees with finding appropriate temp work.

You should speak to your TC firm if you have got any concerns about being able to afford living in London during the SQE to find out how they can support you and what their policies are on things like working part-time.

 

[Toomanypfo]

Just got put on CRS reserve list anyone in the same position?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

If a firm stipulates that all future trainees should do the SQE together (in-person) at BPP or ULaw London (depending on who they have partnered with), and they offer a maintenance grant worth X (e.g., £20,000), is it ever possible for firms to offer additional financial support to people who live very far from London AND are from a socially mobile background? It seems that most firms offer a standard maintenance grant to all future trainees, which doesn’t take into account personal or financial circumstances?

Do you know of any instances where city law firms have offered additional support, either as a grant/bursary or interest-free loan? How do firms deal with future trainees of a particular faith or religion, where they can’t take out on an interest-based loan from student finance, due to their religious beliefs? Also, is it true some firms request their future trainees to not work part time whilst studying the SQE? If so, how do people usually survive in London (I don’t really know how expensive London is but I have heard it is really bad, especially rent prices)?

Apologies for the long question. 🥲🥲​

Hey, not Jessica but I imagine this may be considered on a case-by-case basis. I know that some firms offer interest free loans to everyone too.

However, when it comes to grants, do consider the fact that the firm may expect you to be able to live for a year without issues if the maintenance grant is £20,000 (which isn't taxed). It is possible, from what I have seen, to maintain a minor part-time job (eg 10-15 hrs a week) while doing the SQE. The firm will take these factors into account.

 

[jojo23]

Crs rejection.... I guess law isn't for me and i should give up now.

 

[student353]

Crs rejection.... I guess law isn't for me and i should give up now.

Please, please, please try and not think like that. This industry is extremely difficult to get a start in and is in no way a reflection of your capacity to be an excellent lawyer. Try and keep going, an opportunity will stick!

 

[chlawstudent]

CRS reserve list - not really sure how to feel about this one

 

[Babablacksheep]

How likely is getting off the CRS reserve list

 

[chlawstudent]

How likely is getting off the CRS reserve list

To be honest given the email said they will also consider us for the DTC I am wanting to feel hopeful but I guess it all comes down to what other people do at this point

 

[Toomanypfo]

I think not that likely tbh I was on the reserve list last year and they didn’t invite me to a direct tc ac / the scheme

 

[BobThebIlly]

Anyone hear from Paul Hastings post app??

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Still nothing from OC post AC?

 

[trainee4u]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

If a firm stipulates that all future trainees should do the SQE together (in-person) at BPP or ULaw London (depending on who they have partnered with), and they offer a maintenance grant worth X (e.g., £20,000), is it ever possible for firms to offer additional financial support to people who live very far from London AND are from a socially mobile background? It seems that most firms offer a standard maintenance grant to all future trainees, which doesn’t take into account personal or financial circumstances?
​

It depends on the level of grant, but students at ulaw/bpp don't have demanding schedules in terms of having to be at uni: it would just be two or three days a week. In addition, there are lots of holidays and study weeks, so the actual number of days you have to turn up is a really small percentage of the year.

This means for example that into Ulaw/BPP you could commute from Luton or Stevenage whatever offpeak with railcard. I'm not going to guarantee that's the cheapest option or even a sensible one, just you don't at all need to live in Clapham or similar to study in London , whereas once you're working rather than studying you would need to really be in z2.

The government's stats are that you can rent a room for around £700 pcm in worse areas of z2/3, which is accurate, and you can find tiny studios from around £800/month. Gas/electric is under £100/month, council tax free for students, water has gone up a lot due to Thames going bust but should be under £50/month for single person. Broadband & mobile around £30/month and you've then got quite a bit spare for food. Not a luxury lifestyle, but £20k is more than sufficient. Food is very cheap in London, there are lots of Aldis, Lidls, street markest, expensive 'local supermarkets' that however reduce their prices 75% on short-dated produce, etc .

 

[OrangeCherry1800]

Still nothing from OC post AC?

Nothing yet

 

[trainee4u]

Incidentally I understand that from 2026 post-grad finance is being reformed so you will be able to get a maintenance loan , which isn't currently available, and, additionally, a Sharia-compliant loan will be made available