TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[desperateTCseeker1998]

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]

And we're back

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

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

how on earth did you manage that many? seriously impressed

Lol, I had no life... 9-5 work. 6-10 applications... eat, sleep, repeat

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Lol, I had no life... 9-5 work. 6-10 applications... eat, sleep, repeat

I work 9-6 and can't string a sentence together afterwards so kudos to you

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Lol, I had no life... 9-5 work. 6-10 applications... eat, sleep, repeat

wow, and I thought I was obsessed; fair f*cking play!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I work 9-6 and can't string a sentence together afterwards so kudos to you

I’m in the exact same position lol

It’s ridiculously difficult to balance full-time work alongside applying for law

 

[rras]

In A&O's work experience section, can you put uni society and leadership positions in as their own entry, or is this not the expectation?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

In A&O's work experience section, can you put uni society and leadership positions in as their own entry, or is this not the expectation?

Yeah you can, they mention this in their FAQs

 

[nliro85]

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.

 

[fingersarecrossed]

(07/09/2024)

I want to try hold myself accountable too

Current applications completed: 0

 

[legal18]

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]

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]

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.

 

[fingersarecrossed]

If you did terrible at an AC, is it worth reapplying the following year? Would they remember you?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

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]

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)

 

[fingersarecrossed]

What else should I do to prepare for the upcoming application season?

These are what I aim to do:

1. Improve my commercial awareness
2. Interview practice
3. watson glaser
4. make a list of firms to apply to

 

[lawyerdreams]

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

 

[Tintin06]

71 applications is possible if you do one a day I guess. I've done that so far this month (one app a day I mean, not 71).

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

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.

Really oddly phrased question but I think both. So my approach would be:

1. identify a sector where there is a current issue/trend(s) that will directly contribute to the sector growth AND SPECIFICALLY growth that the firm can capitalise on (by this second part, I mean that the growth needs to generate capital and work for the firm)
2. discuss the issue/trend(s) and the resultant sector impact - I would also acknowledge any counterpoints as to why there may not be growth then debunk them
3. discuss the opportunities this will generate for NRF (eg more work in a certain area, higher value deals, general influx of work across several areas etc)
4. [maybe] suggest specific strategies that the firm can employ to capitalize on this growth - I don't think this is strictly necessary so wouldn't include points on this just for the sake of it but if you have a good point to make then make it