TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

Can anyone advise what type of VI the Irwin Mitchell VI is? I know there will be strength based questions but do I need to look at scenario and competency based stuff as well?
Would appreciate any insight.

 

[Andrei Radu]

If anyone could help with this, I'd be very grateful - if one SC firm recruits solely from its vacation scheme, and another has 50-100% from direct applications (and the rest through the vacation scheme), would my chances be higher of being offered a TC after a vacation scheme from the firm that recruits solely through its vacation scheme?

They have a similar number of TCs on offer.

Thanks!

I think whether your chances would be higher or not largely depends on the number of people the firm takes on the vacation scheme and the number of TC the firm is looking to offer. If the vacation scheme places/available TC places is higher at the second firm, I would not necessarily assume you would have better odds just because they have no direct TC track.

 

[👩🎓]

@Jessica Booker will be able to tell you more, but the way I interpret this question is similar to a 'Tell me about the skills and experiences that make you fit for the role'. I think a structure you can employ is:

1. Describe an experience using the STAR structure.
2. Explain what skill/relevant attribute has been developed/is demonstrated by the experience.
3. Explain why the skill/attribute would be relevant to the work you would do as a trainee for the firm.

Hi @Andrei Radu! Thank you so much for this.

 

[user9809]

Does anyone know the exact deadline for Covington winter vac scheme? Will it be 11:59pm on 24/10?

 

[Quistclosetrust]

I see - really sorry to hear that.

I am wondering whether they inform unsuccessful candidates earlier than successful ones; I've spoken to numerous people and those who have been rejected were rejected quite soon after the AC, whereas those successful took a bit longer (after ACs had stopped being run).

If anyone can shed any light on whether that's accurate, I'd be grateful.

I was literally sitting next to a grad rec (I think her name is Felicity), who was sending out offers to people that had ACs the day before. She explained that it is really up to how soon they get the feedback from the interviewers.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

I was literally sitting next to a grad rec (I think her name is Felicity), who was sending out offers to people that had ACs the day before. She explained that it is really up to how soon they get the feedback from the interviewers.

Interesting... then why have there been reported a tonne of ACs but zero saying they've received an offer yet?

 

[AS24]

Hi, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam I trust you are both well.

I am currently answering this question 'Identify a current commercial issue which has recently attracted your attention. Why do you consider it to be significant? Who are the key stakeholders in this situation and what are the implications for those concerned? '

I have identified a current commercial issue, however, I was wondering if I could identify three reasons why I find this issue interesting. What do you think?

 

[Amehta1]

Interesting... then why have there been reported a tonne of ACs but zero saying they've received an offer yet?

This was the case last year too, maybe something in their offer that states they can’t post about it till the VS ends or more likely they don’t use TCLA.

 

[Tsitsipas10S]

This was the case last year too, maybe something in their offer that states they can’t post about it till the VS ends or more likely they don’t use TCLA.

I see - I'm not disputing that might be the case, but it seems odd to say the least. @Quistclosetrust also mentioned they were sending out offers next to him, but my understanding is that they call people who've been successful.

 

[member7830]

how do people know their Linklaters WG scores?

 

[Deleted member 37508]

Has anyone else received the Latham feedback report? And does anyone know what the turnaround might be for open days?

Yes I have my feedback report. I do not know the turnaround. My feed back seems rather positive although I have a wellness I do not think it is a bad as could’ve been. I assume we will hear back after the deadline.

 

[Deleted member 37508]

how do people know their Linklaters WG scores?

Email them

 

[Jessica Booker]

Interesting... then why have there been reported a tonne of ACs but zero saying they've received an offer yet?

Sometimes firms ask people not to publicise they have offers until they have informed every candidates.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam I trust you are both well.

I am currently answering this question 'Identify a current commercial issue which has recently attracted your attention. Why do you consider it to be significant? Who are the key stakeholders in this situation and what are the implications for those concerned? '

I have identified a current commercial issue, however, I was wondering if I could identify three reasons why I find this issue interesting. What do you think?

Not @Ram Sabaratnam or @Andrei Radu - i think it fine to explain three reasons as long as you are covering the rest of the question adequately. There is a lot to cover in this question:

1) context of the story
2) why you are interested
3) why it is significant
4) who the stakeholders are
5) what the implications are

And so you’d have to be confident you are covering all of this carefully before promising three reasons why it interests you.

 

[ashwright]

When I went for an open day at Latham two years ago there were roughly 50 attendees.

Thank you! Do you by any chance remember the turnaround time between application (so completing the SJT) & hearing back?

Also - was there an interview stage for Latham's open day? I've heard there's an interview stage after the initial SJT stage but I'm not sure if that's the case for open days. There was a question where we had to record our video answers but I'm not sure if that's all that is meant.

Thank you.

 

[asplawyer100]

Does anyone know if A&O is recruiting on a rolling basis this year?

 

[AS24]

Not @Ram Sabaratnam or @Andrei Radu - i think it fine to explain three reasons as long as you are covering the rest of the question adequately. There is a lot to cover in this question:

1) context of the story
2) why you are interested
3) why it is significant
4) who the stakeholders are
5) what the implications are

And so you’d have to be confident you are covering all of this carefully before promising three reasons why it interests you.

Thank you @Jessica Booker

 

[Quistclosetrust]

Interesting... then why have there been reported a tonne of ACs but zero saying they've received an offer yet?

I am sensing the success rate for this particular AC is about 20%, I think quite a few of us get rejections unfortunately.

 

[sammm10101]

Does anyone know if A&O is recruiting on a rolling basis this year?

Non-rolling im pretty sure

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does DLA take more than 2 weeks for inviting to WG after applying or should I assume a PFO?