TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

desperateTCseeker1998

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Jan 1, 2023
240
198
Hey guys, I am one year post grad- took a gap year and have been paralegaling for about 2 months now. i am looking to apply for straight TC's as I can't get enough days off my job to attend vac schemes. Not sure if I will be disadvantaging myself doing this as I know alot of firms hire through vac schemes. Applying for around 5 firms and doing about 2-3 hours of research per firm before drafting my application. Does this sound like a good plan of action? Intrigued on peoples thoughts!
I did this method last year and got ACs for every vac scheme I applied for but none of the direct TCs. Ttake from that what you will but I think you are massively disadvantaged going through the direct route for just about every firm except the magic circle (who are ridiculously hard to get through for so not exactly a safe bet). This year I'm taking the L and applying for vac schemes too and will just have to use all my annual leave up on interviews/schemes if I get them.

Also on that point, love firms that harp on about social mobility but only hire through vac schemes
 

desperateTCseeker1998

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Jan 1, 2023
240
198
And we're back:rolleyes:

Last Cycle
  • 71 applications (about 15 WVS applications, 15 Spring VS applications, 15 SVS applications and ~30 direct TC applications)
  • obtained 7 ACs
    • including 2 Vacation schemes awarded
This cycle
  • aiming for 23 - 25 applications
how on earth did you manage that many? seriously impressed
 

nliro85

Distinguished Member
Jan 25, 2024
65
92
Does any one have any advice on how to approach this question for NRF - Norton Rose Fulbright has a sector led approach. Which one of our sectors do you think has the most potential for growth over the next 12 months, and why, and what opportunities do you see for the firm to maximise this potential?

Should we focus on a specific area in one of their sectors for example hydrogen in their energy sector and discuss hydrogen or shall we discuss the energy sector and any growth for the firm in the energy sector. Am not sure how to structure this question and what approach to take.
 

legal18

Distinguished Member
Feb 17, 2024
72
59
Does applying to Open Days make that much of a difference to your application? I have applied to a few for firms that I want to apply for VS but now I don't know if I'm wasting my time and should start VS applications instead.
 

Tintin06

Legendary Member
Oct 23, 2019
555
1,287
Does applying to Open Days make that much of a difference to your application? I have applied to a few for firms that I want to apply for VS but now I don't know if I'm wasting my time and should start VS applications instead.
Yes it does - Latham are big on that. I only got the VS interview because I did the Open Day. Go and watch Paul Gascoyne's video on 'Training Contract application strategies that work'.
 

pepsicola96

Standard Member
Jul 11, 2024
9
5
I have a question around mitigating circumstances if anyone can advise?

Basically I'm not sure whether to mention my migraines as a mitigating circumstance. I have had them for years, but they got really bad in year 13 around exam time due to stress, some weeks I had multiple, and if you've ever had a migraine you'll know they can last days. I still came out with ABC, so not too bad considering.

They subsided somewhat after summer, but were still present. I saw my GP, who prescribed some beta blockers that did nothing for me, I worked on managing them in other ways, and they have decreased massively, I only get them once every 2 months or so now.

I'm not sure whether it's worth mentioning as a) I didn't actually see my GP until I was in uni, after I'd finished my a-levels, so I'm not sure I could use it to evidence poor performance at a-level. b) a letter from my GP wouldn't say much as I'm not really undergoing treatment, I only had 2 appointments. Though I do have a student support plan at uni for them.
 

SoonToBeTrainee

Distinguished Member
  • Dec 29, 2023
    64
    161
    Depends on the firm really.

    Some firms have actual policies that they won’t re-interview candidates.
    Some firms have unwritten policies, meaning that although they don’t advertise it, they just won’t re-interview you.
    Some firms are far more open to interviewing candidates again in subsequent years—and many people get TCs this way.
     

    desperateTCseeker1998

    Legendary Member
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 1, 2023
    240
    198
    If you did terrible at an AC, is it worth reapplying the following year? Would they remember you?
    Jumping on, what about if it was near miss (just pipped by 1 person) and you had mitigating circumstances (proper ones that affected performance on the day that you have doctor's evidence for and wasn't just being ill)
     
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    lawyerdreams

    Star Member
    Jul 25, 2024
    28
    28
    If you did terrible at an AC, is it worth reapplying the following year? Would they remember you?
    Not sure what other peoples experience is with this, but I have reapplied to a couple of firms that I reached AC/final stage with, spent time making my application stronger but didn't make it through the first stage. It is probably still worth reapplying if you really like that firm though, as you never know
     
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