TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[toad92]

finally got a VS offer 😭 was starting to lose all hope that i can start training in 2027

 

[1123tripod]

Just got feedback post AC, and I was rejected because my interviewers were "uncertain about my commitment to the UK" (international candidate, recent graduate from RG London, some work experience in my home country). I am not sure how my interviewers assumed that given: I was not asked anything about my commitment to the UK, and I did make a case about training in the UK (spoke about how I chose to study law in the UK in the first place, cited diversity and opportunities to deal with international law) while answering "why our firm". I was told I was a "fantastic" candidate otherwise, with a unique background and fresh perspectives. Not only am I unsure how to deal with this going forward, but this remark has left a sour taste - it feels like a cop-out, biased way to reject international candidates.

 

[lawyersum]

Just got feedback post AC, and I was rejected because my interviewers were "uncertain about my commitment to the UK" (international candidate, recent graduate from RG London, some work experience in my home country). I am not sure how my interviewers assumed that given: I was not asked anything about my commitment to the UK, and I did make a case about training in the UK (spoke about how I chose to study law in the UK in the first place, cited diversity and opportunities to deal with international law) while answering "why our firm". I was told I was a "fantastic" candidate otherwise, with a unique background and fresh perspectives. Not only am I unsure how to deal with this going forward, but this remark has left a sour taste - it feels like a cop-out, biased way to reject international candidates.

That sounds pretty harsh. Was there any other feedback?

 

[1123tripod]

That sounds pretty harsh. Was there any other feedback?

Nothing substantive/ something I can improve upon; I was told I got "excellent scores" in all components and was a strong candidate, but that it came down to these "details" in making a decision.

 

[User2640]

Just got feedback post AC, and I was rejected because my interviewers were "uncertain about my commitment to the UK" (international candidate, recent graduate from RG London, some work experience in my home country). I am not sure how my interviewers assumed that given: I was not asked anything about my commitment to the UK, and I did make a case about training in the UK (spoke about how I chose to study law in the UK in the first place, cited diversity and opportunities to deal with international law) while answering "why our firm". I was told I was a "fantastic" candidate otherwise, with a unique background and fresh perspectives. Not only am I unsure how to deal with this going forward, but this remark has left a sour taste - it feels like a cop-out, biased way to reject international candidates.

If I may ask, was your work experience in your home country at the overseas offices of international law firms?

 

[1123tripod]

If I may ask, was your work experience in your home country at the overseas offices of international law firms?

My country's regulations don't allow international firms to set up offices. Nonetheless, a chunk of it was at national Tier-1 corporate law firms

 

[User5678]

Just got feedback post AC, and I was rejected because my interviewers were "uncertain about my commitment to the UK" (international candidate, recent graduate from RG London, some work experience in my home country). I am not sure how my interviewers assumed that given: I was not asked anything about my commitment to the UK, and I did make a case about training in the UK (spoke about how I chose to study law in the UK in the first place, cited diversity and opportunities to deal with international law) while answering "why our firm". I was told I was a "fantastic" candidate otherwise, with a unique background and fresh perspectives. Not only am I unsure how to deal with this going forward, but this remark has left a sour taste - it feels like a cop-out, biased way to reject international candidates.

This is extremely harsh especially because you weren’t even asked a question directly in relation to this and seems to me like you indirectly prove your commitment in your answers

Really scared now as an international student myself! You are clearly a great candidate and I’m sure you’ll get an offer elsewhere

 

[ad.]

During a VS if we’re mostly and more naturally given work by trainees (particularly our trainee buddy) rather than our supervisor (because they don’t necessarily have much we can help on at the moment), is that problematic, how would it reflect in feedback given? (Assuming our supervisor knows what tasks we’re doing and what we’re up to throughout the day, and assuming we also speak to them on a daily basis so they know we’re present). Thanks in advance for your advice

 

[Futurelawyer123]

Anyone still waiting to hear from Paul, Weiss after interview? I had mine on the 25th of March and I’m getting nervous waiting to hear back

 

[User5678]

During a VS if we’re mostly and more naturally given work by trainees (particularly our trainee buddy) rather than our supervisor (because they don’t necessarily have much we can help on at the moment), is that problematic, how would it reflect in feedback given? (Assuming our supervisor knows what tasks we’re doing and what we’re up to throughout the day, and assuming we also speak to them on a daily basis so they know we’re present). Thanks in advance for your advice

Hi, this is completely normal

I have seen this - associates in the team would have told your trainee buddy to give you some tasks so you get a good experience and have sufficient work to do because associates sometimes don’t have such tasks at hand which they can give to vac schemers due to various reasons.

When I was a placement student, I was also told to give some tasks such as scheduling, research or basic drafting to vac schemers to help them get the best experience.

It won’t affect your feedback - your supervisor will look at the work you’ve done for the buddy at a later stage but you might not be aware about this.

It is definately a positive so don’t worry about it

 

[TC129129]

just received Winston WG

 

[Egco]

Anyone heard back from Mishcon post summer AC?

 

[1123tripod]

This is extremely harsh especially because you weren’t even asked a question directly in relation to this and seems to me like you indirectly prove your commitment in your answers

Really scared now as an international student myself! You are clearly a great candidate and I’m sure you’ll get an offer elsewhere

I believe (and hope) that this experience was an anomaly - many of my international friends have secured VS & TC offers this cycle & the feedback from my other AC did not focus on my background in the slightest! As non-natives, we unfortunately have extra hurdles in the recruitment process immigrationally, financially, and naturally, but they are surmountable, as others have done before us. Wishing you the best of luck with your applications💫

 

[Overthinker123!]

As @Jessica Booker said I think this will depend on the details of your situation, but I think if you have genuine questions that a partner would be well-placed to answer it would likely be fine to take them up on the offer. I was in this situation as well last year when following the VS a partner at a firm called me and offered to keep in contact and answer any questions during the period I was deciding on the TC offer. We ended up having two 15/20 minute conversations which helped me understand the firm's market position, competitors, and strategy in a lot more depth. I could tell the partner did not mind speaking with me at all about this; if anything, they seemed to actually enjoy helping me out.

Thank you @Andrei Radu! Your insights and own experiences are genuinely so helpful, as well as Jessica's. Really appreciate all the help

 

[toad92]

Just got feedback post AC, and I was rejected because my interviewers were "uncertain about my commitment to the UK" (international candidate, recent graduate from RG London, some work experience in my home country). I am not sure how my interviewers assumed that given: I was not asked anything about my commitment to the UK, and I did make a case about training in the UK (spoke about how I chose to study law in the UK in the first place, cited diversity and opportunities to deal with international law) while answering "why our firm". I was told I was a "fantastic" candidate otherwise, with a unique background and fresh perspectives. Not only am I unsure how to deal with this going forward, but this remark has left a sour taste - it feels like a cop-out, biased way to reject international candidates.

They are just making this stuff up i swear, they literally couldn’t find anything negative to say about you and had to make something up - so I wouldn’t let it get to you, if the firm were to be discriminating purely based on nationality then it’s probably better not to have them as your employer…

My brother works at a big consulting firm that recently axed half of its grad scheme, apparently based on ‘merit’ but an overwhelming number of the ones who were cut were internationals

These firms are already rolling in money yet still do anything to save pennies and get them back in their pocket

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

x

 

[LB24]

Did they email you or was it over the phone? Also how long after your AC?

I got the VS offer as well, it was in an email and it was 3 days after the AC but there were 3 AC dates and I was in the last one so I think it depends on what date you did the AC

 

[Ali2020]

I did it but not in a group. Was disappointed tbh, would have liked to hear others' answers. It's just 3 VI-style questions, no follow-up, maybe a couple of minutes per question (entirely up to you). Had i been in a group it would have been the same but you'd have got to hear other peoples' answers first (or not, if you are the first one to answer).

I just completed it and it was 3 questions but I dont know if it was great doing within a group.... It definitely threw me off a bit and makes you self conscious how strong other candidates are :/

 

[Jessica Booker]

During a VS if we’re mostly and more naturally given work by trainees (particularly our trainee buddy) rather than our supervisor (because they don’t necessarily have much we can help on at the moment), is that problematic, how would it reflect in feedback given? (Assuming our supervisor knows what tasks we’re doing and what we’re up to throughout the day, and assuming we also speak to them on a daily basis so they know we’re present). Thanks in advance for your advice

This is really not an issue - I wouldn't worry about this as it is very normal.

If you/your department are very quiet, maybe ask your supervisor if there are any old tasks that maybe a trainee did for them that you could effectively replicate that you could then compare the trainee's output too and get feedback from the supervisor and/or trainee on.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Just got feedback post AC, and I was rejected because my interviewers were "uncertain about my commitment to the UK" (international candidate, recent graduate from RG London, some work experience in my home country). I am not sure how my interviewers assumed that given: I was not asked anything about my commitment to the UK, and I did make a case about training in the UK (spoke about how I chose to study law in the UK in the first place, cited diversity and opportunities to deal with international law) while answering "why our firm". I was told I was a "fantastic" candidate otherwise, with a unique background and fresh perspectives. Not only am I unsure how to deal with this going forward, but this remark has left a sour taste - it feels like a cop-out, biased way to reject international candidates.

I completely understand your frustrations here. However, based on your brief post (so I am making some quick assumptions), it may just come down to use of language and how that is interpreted.

For instance, if you used language like "training in the UK" without further reference to the career opportunity beyond training, it may come across like you are only focused on the training opportunity, which could have caused the interviewers to think you didn't have a longer term commitment.