TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[👩🎓]

Hi all! Has anyone had any experience with Lester Aldridge and would you be willing to share your experiences?

 

[mg42guy32]

accepted onto LL's 'Link Up 2025'!

Congrats! Could I ask you a couple qs about how you answered the application questions? I’d like to improve my own understanding of Links since this is my first full cycle as a STEM tudent

 

[theruleofno]

I have another (possibly silly) question about VS’ and how they work. What kind of clothes are appropriate to buy and wear for a VS (for a guy)? I think the expectation is that it needs to be professional attire or workplace clothes, but what does that even mean? 😅

What kind of things does this include? Is the expectation to wear traditional 3-piece suits, or is it fine to wear more smart-casual style clothing? Are quarterzips or jumpers allowed? I don’t know what the expectations are. 🥲

Also, what colours are good and bad for a VS? Should it be neutral colours like black, blue and grey? I literally don’t know how this works at all lmao. I will be buying some stuff over the next few days but I need to know where to begin. 😂

Any advice, guidance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Please help! 😅

@Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker​

Completely normal question and does depend on the firm. Some firms have a very relaxed attitude towards dress (e.g. ties and suit jackets are only required for client meetings, dress down Fridays), while others (Slaughters, Macfarlanes and Weil come to mind) are more traditional. My advice would be to get a nice navy suit, and either a second navy suit or a grey suit (never black, that's only for funerals and some more traditional partners may take exception to black) a couple of white collared shirts and a couple of blue collared shirts, some sensible ties (no crazy patterns), and plain black shoes (brown is a faux pas). If you know your chest, waist and neck size you can get all cheaply on eBay/vinted. For suits I recommend M&S, if you have the time get it tailored. It will only cost you £40 and makes all the difference. Charles Tywritt for shirts. But wear something comfortable and that can make you feel yourself. Once you join the firm for a few days you can judge the lay of the land and copy what other male trainees are wearing.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey everyone,

Just reaching out to see if anyone could share their opinion or insights.

I just received a call today from a firm offering me a vac scheme (mid tier city firm I would say). But unfortunately the first day clashes with my final round interview at a MC firm. I let early careers know on the call and asked how I could navigate this and they said they’ll get back to me. Do you think i have jeopardised my place on the VS or would they be flexible? Thanks

@Jessica Booker

Missing the first day could be difficult.

Can you ask the MC firm to move your final round interview date instead?

 

[👩🎓]

Does anyone know whether you can apply to PMC for a direct TC if you have already applied for the VS this year?

 

[Olivialee15]

Guys mishcon still havent got back about the train ticket reimbursement! I literally need to go down for Tuesday - should I hold out booking until Monday just in case they reply. Don't really know what to do, as it's looking like I'll have to shell out about £120!!

 

[Apple]

Guys mishcon still havent got back about the train ticket reimbursement! I literally need to go down for Tuesday - should I hold out booking until Monday just in case they reply. Don't really know what to do, as it's looking like I'll have to shell out about £120!!

in my experience firms reimburse you for travel expenses after the open day/AC, not before. And even then I've waited over a month to actually receive it before.

 

[Mathlaw432]

Wow, I can’t believe this cycle is nearly over. Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without the support of everyone at TCLA—the advice, encouragement, and thoughtful comments made such a difference.

I’ve managed to secure 3 vacation scheme offers and I’m still waiting to hear back from my final one (Ropes – fingers crossed!). Coming from a completely different background, working full-time, and being a bit older than most, I often felt really out of place. But reading other people’s stories on here helped me feel so much less alone—and reminded me that there’s no “one” path into law.

If anyone ever wants to chat or needs advice about anything, please feel free to reach out. I’m more than happy to help.

Thank you all so much

 

[jta227]

Guys mishcon still havent got back about the train ticket reimbursement! I literally need to go down for Tuesday - should I hold out booking until Monday just in case they reply. Don't really know what to do, as it's looking like I'll have to shell out about £120!!

I would just book it. They're likely to be able to reimburse after the fact. As Apple said, this is unlikely to be quick either. I've had to do this 3 times: for one firm it took less than a week, for another about a month, for another I got the money in late January when I went there in mid November.

Good luck for the AC btw!

 

[ad.]

Speaking of Vacation Scheme dress codes, I was wondering if for female attire a blazer would generally be expected every day? Or is there sometimes more flexibility (smart trousers + business casual knitwear for instance)?

 

[User5678]

Speaking of Vacation Scheme dress codes, I was wondering if for female attire a blazer would generally be expected every day? Or is there sometimes more flexibility (smart trousers + business casual knitwear for instance)?

Speaking from my experience (I did a legal placement in my third year so it may be a bit different as i had to go to office for a year), wear a blazer on your first two days and then see how others are dressed. I wore formals on my first day and then switched to semi formal (satin shirt and pants or a quarter zipper/sweater with pants, just make sure you wear smart shoes, loafers or something). Better to be formally dressed if confused so you don’t feel out of place!

Best of luck

 

[PufftheMagicDragon]

Has anyone got any insights for the TI with Anthony Collins?

I've got one coming up and understand it includes motivation, competency and commercial awareness questions - but any further insights would be helpful!

Thanks

 

[floral.tcla]

Congrats! Could I ask you a couple qs about how you answered the application questions? I’d like to improve my own understanding of Links since this is my first full cycle as a STEM tudent

Thank you! Yes of course - I'll PM you as that might be easiest

 

[trainee4u]

Guys mishcon still havent got back about the train ticket reimbursement! I literally need to go down for Tuesday - should I hold out booking until Monday just in case they reply. Don't really know what to do, as it's looking like I'll have to shell out about £120!!

That's pricey! You could stay overnight might save something on the morning train!? but they might not reimburse the hoteleither!? (Bethnal Green Travelodge £65)

 

[xxx]

I’m writing this post because this feed has genuinely been a saviour this application season. I felt so seen and understood.


My biggest tip for interviews:

Commercial:

1. Always speak in terms of the client. (The best way is to imagine you are that client…. What would you want out of your lawyer. That’s your starting point for any suggestion)
2. Give the pros and cons of every approach for the client. Why approach 1 suits the clients values and expectations more than 2. Why this approach would give the client what they want.
3. When they grill you…. AND THEY WILL…. If you feel uncertain or you get to the answer they are pushing you towards… ASK WHY? Why this is the best approach considering xyz for the client.

Let me give you an example,

In one assessment centre, we were discussing the different funding options for the client.m

- Our client was dealing with a Heads of Terms required the full payment on completion.
- Thus, our client needed to have a guarantee that they had the funds to pay the full price before anything is signed.

Q. How would they guarantee they have the funds? And how is the best way for them to raise these funds?

A: get a loan from a bank

My answer: debt (Bond) or equity (IPO) financing.

My answer wasn’t actually incorrect, but it wasn’t the best thing for our client at the time. They made me think about getting a guarantee from the bank and taking out loan and once I got to the answer, I thought…. Wouldn’t they have to pay high interest then?? Equity is better for this deal.


So, I asked. I said given that the bank loan would carry a high interest rate wouldn’t it better be better for our clients to do equity financing for that reason? And then this led to a discussion where they taught me and debated the pros and cons.


Outcome: the partner gave an amazing review. I showed that I was curious, open to learn and easy to teach. Qualities you can’t show from previous experience… you have to prove it.

I genuinely think this conversation was why I got a congratulatory email from the partner weeks after I interviewed and found out the outcome. They personally emailed saying that they were excited to have me on board.

HR/ motivation/ competency:

- TREAT THEM AS A NEW FRIEND YOU ARE GETTING TO KNOW.
- this builds rapport, makes you seem approachable and lessens tension ( we started talking about mutual interests).
- Prepare ideas and not responses. For example think about different experiences that can be applied to different questions and just remember the facts of these experiences and what they taught you but do not write a full answer to any interview question you can practice saying them out loud but do not write them out. This will make you sound so natural but reflective!!

 

[NJS]

You don't need a three piece suit but I would have a 2 or 3 suits that you can rotate with different collared shirts (so it looks slightly different each time you wear the suit) and in a style/pattern that you can wear more formally for meetings (e.g. with a tie) or pair up with more dress down items like quarterzips/jumpers.

Generally, different shades of grey and blue are you best bet. For some reason, some people will say not to wear a black suit, but I personally don't see the issue with it (but I am not an expert in men's tailoring) and have seen enough men wear black trousers and a jacket for it to not be an issue.

My key tips are to get items you are comfortable in first - spending time finding items that fit look smarter and ultimately will make you more comfortable too.

People who don’t say wear a black suit is stupid it’s perfectly fine and looks very classic if done well, corporate is drowning in navy blue

 

[Jessica Booker]

People who don’t say wear a black suit is stupid it’s perfectly fine and looks very classic if done well, corporate is drowning in navy blue

I think it’s those that started their career pre the year 2000 that have these “beliefs” about dress codes.

In my 20 years of working in law firms, attitudes have changed massively. What I wore in 2005 was so formal, by 2015 it had become far more casual, and then after lockdown things shifted massively as everyone had got used to seeing people dress more comfortably when working from home. If I had said I had seen lawyers wear hoodies and jeans to the office or on a video call to back in 2005, people would have thought I was mad.

The “no black suits/no brown shoes” brigade tend to be those who were “brought up” on the dress codes of 2005 or earlier.

I think there is also some classism on certain attitudes around dress codes. The idea you should wear certain things usually comes from those who have wealth that allows them to buy high quality clothing. Yes, clothing trends these days filter down to affordable fashion, but the principals of what determines “fashion” in more instances than not is driven by those with wealth or those making garments for people with wealth. This applies to work attire too. These attitudes are embedded at a young age as well - you only have to look at the more formal school uniforms for fee paying schools compared to state schools as an indicator of conservative and rigid expectations.

Fortunately, as the profession is becoming more diverse, so are attitudes to dress codes. Give it another 10 years and I suspect people will be laughing when they hear that people once said people shouldn’t wear black suits or brown shoes.

Edit: I’d also stress this is very much a “City of London” attitude. Outside of London, you don’t see the same attitudes in the same concentration.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Speaking of Vacation Scheme dress codes, I was wondering if for female attire a blazer would generally be expected every day? Or is there sometimes more flexibility (smart trousers + business casual knitwear for instance)?

I think women have it much easier in some ways as it’s easy for them to chuck a black blazer on and smarten up a dress or blouse + skirt/trousers.

I don’t think you will need to wear one all the time, but much like many men will still carry their suit jacket around even in the height of summer, I think women can have a blazer with them just in case an important meeting pops up last minute where they need to be more formal.

Most lawyers (no matter what their gender), typically have something in the office that they can put on to smarten up if needed. Some even have an outfit or items stored somewhere so they can change quickly if needed.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Any news from SPB post AC?

 

[anna57492]

Thank you lovely!! If you don’t mind me asking when did u give the VI? I gave it on the 13th so hoping to hear back soon!

I submitted it on the 12th I believe!