TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[KJ]

does anyone have any tips on how to stand out in a vacation scheme? @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam I'd also love to know your insights on how an interview at the end of a vacation scheme (so for a tc) differs from an AC? What sort of questions do they ask and do they have other components in addition to an interview? I'm guessing it would be more based on vs performance?

 

[BillSikes]

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.

Come on a black suit 💀 it’s not a funeral

 

[Jessica Booker]

Come on a black suit 💀 it’s not a funeral

People have different tastes and opinions 🤷‍♀️ Plus, wearing black at funerals is very much a Western cultural thing not seen in many other places in the world.

I have seen plenty of people pull off a black suit anyway.

 

[trainee4u]

Did anyone get a VI from Fox Williams? How was it?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Thanks for this Ram! Did you have an interview at the end, or do Cooley only judge candidates holistically on the scheme?

Hiya @James Wakefield

There was no interview at the end of the scheme. However just bear in mind that this may have changed, since it appears that they've changed aspects of the assessment process since my application cycle. That said, I suspect you'll be assessed holistically (yay). Good luck!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

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

Hiya!

Yes, I think you can. I've just looked through their FAQ sections and it appears to confirm this as well. Here's the link. Good luck with the application!

 

[jojo23]

Come on a black suit 💀 it’s not a funeral

Hear me out. You say funeral but all I think of is prime Will Smith

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

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

This is incredible! High key representing those of us with non-traditional backgrounds! Tippin' my hat to you!!!!

 

[👩🎓]

Hiya!

Yes, I think you can. I've just looked through their FAQ sections and it appears to confirm this as well. Here's the link. Good luck with the application!

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam

Thank you so much.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

After 3 years of application cycles, I received my first Vac Scheme offer today! A reminder to never give up!

Yes! Never give up!!! But also

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

got a SH vac scheme offer through the AS ethnicity pathway programme!! 🎉🎉 my first win!!!!! finally!!

Hope this goes amazingly for you!!!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Thank you so much - this is super helpful! I was thinking more in terms of reaching out on LinkedIn to schedule coffee chats before the scheme starts. If that is advisable at all or if I should wait until the scheme starts?

Hiya @paralegaltotrainee


I'm sure @Jessica Booker might have different things to say here, but I think you're probably still best off waiting until the scheme actually begins before reaching out to schedule coffee chats on LinkedIn, for the reasons I mentioned before. Once the scheme kicks off, I think you'll find there are lots of opportunities to meet people, organise chats organically, and eventually connected on LinkedIn. In the meantime, I think it might be helpful to spend your time exploring the firm's key practice areas and perhaps reading up on some of their recent matters or clients they're currently supporting. You can also research specific people you might want to arrange coffee chats with and I'd encourage you to have a think about what you'd genuinely like to ask them or find out about them. Best of luck with the scheme!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you so much - this is super helpful! I was thinking more in terms of reaching out on LinkedIn to schedule coffee chats before the scheme starts. If that is advisable at all or if I should wait until the scheme starts?

I wouldn’t recommend approaching people before the scheme.

1) you don’t know your schedule/commitments yet so you can’t actually plan anything.

2) there will be easier communication channels once you are in the firm than using an external system like LinkedIn.

I wouldn’t recommend just wait for the scheme to start so you are in a better position to know whether you need to schedule the catch up (it maybe that you have a scheduled talk on the matter you want to speak to them about) and also when you can schedule some time in with them.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Can you/should you add your interviewers at law firms on Linkedin? I feel because you have actually met them and had a chat, its fair enough. Any thoughts?

Hiya @James Wakefield

Can't see if anyone's replied to you yet, but I've definitely done this myself whenever I've gotten on quite well with my interviewers! If you felt you really vibed with your interviewer, I don't think there's any harm in popping them a friendly LinkedIn request

 

[Chris Brown]

Come on a black suit 💀 it’s not a funeral

People have different tastes and opinions 🤷‍♀️ Plus, wearing black at funerals is very much a Western cultural thing not seen in many other places in the world.

I have seen plenty of people pull off a black suit anyway.

I second this. I have been to funerals where the people in attendance were all wearing white instead of black. I think they were from an Islamic faith background where it’s part of their religion or culture to wear white garments, although I’m not fully sure if this is the case. 😅

I went to a few open days this cycle and I did see some trainees, associates and partners wearing black suits. I was thinking perhaps for a VS’er, there would be different expectations of what they can wear. I guess it all comes down to everyone’s individual style. 🙂​

 

[User5678]

I second this. I have been to funerals where the people in attendance were all wearing white instead of black. I think they were from an Islamic faith background where it’s part of their religion or culture to wear white garments, although I’m not fully sure if this is the case. 😅

I went to a few open days this cycle and I did see some trainees, associates and partners wearing black suits. I was thinking perhaps for a VS’er, there would be different expectations of what they can wear. I guess it all comes down to everyone’s individual style. 🙂​

I agree with you, I’m Hindu and we are only supposed to wear white on funerals according to our faith

I also agree and have seen a lot of partners and associates wearing black suits and carrying them so smarty. I have also seen trainees wear them and it looked smart. It’s about personal preference in the end!

 

[Bread]

Imo: Black suit👍
Shiny black suit👎👎
Black buttons on a shirt 👎 👎 👎 👎 👎

 

[Jessica Booker]

I second this. I have been to funerals where the people in attendance were all wearing white instead of black. I think they were from an Islamic faith background where it’s part of their religion or culture to wear white garments, although I’m not fully sure if this is the case. 😅

I went to a few open days this cycle and I did see some trainees, associates and partners wearing black suits. I was thinking perhaps for a VS’er, there would be different expectations of what they can wear. I guess it all comes down to everyone’s individual style. 🙂​

It’s just people’s preferences - the thing about a grey or blue suit is it won’t offend the few people who think a black suit is a no go. But plenty of people won’t even notice you are wearing a black suit. It isn’t that there’s different expectations for VS candidates to anyone else working in the firm though.

 

[Legallywhatever]

Genuinely find it odd that people judge others on the colour of their suit of all things??

 

[Chris Brown]

Genuinely find it odd that people judge others on the colour of their suit of all things??

It seems people also judge others based on the material, size (fit), brand and price of their suit as well. Idk why it’s like this lmao. It’s probably a classism thing. 🫤​