TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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

 

[pepsicola96]

those who have applied for a&o have you done the forage?

i haven't yet, and i wasn't going to because i feel like it doesn't add much. but now i'm thinking why not lol it cant hurt

 

[hmevey]

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

I've heard similar stories which is so annoying because alot of VC's are around the same time Going to try apply for a mix and just use all my annual leave LOL but got in two direct TC's for slaughters and AG in summer and both PFOs so not off to the best start. Bit of a pain doing this all alongside the 9-5 but hopefully it'll be worth it fingers crossed. Also hoping I can start earlier than two years as I am one year post grad so alot of hopefully's in this journey!!

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

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).

No, I spent about 3 days on each application. I spread it out over the cycle.
I started in August 2023 and finished in July 2024

 

[contributory_negligence]

I'm starting a new paralegal role in a couple of weeks at a reputable firm, which naturally is better experience for VS/TC applications than my current role. As I'm starting to do applications now, should I include details of the new role I am starting or not? It feels odd to include a job I haven's started yet, but it is more pertinent experience and by the time it came to Assessment Centres or the actual Vac schemes themselves I would have been in the new role for a while...

 

[wqueens8]

hi everyone,

does anyone have any tips for 'telling a story' ? I'm applying for A&O Shearman's winter vac scheme, and I'm lost writing the work experience sections. I went to one of the application masterclass things, and the grad recruitment people kept emphasising they wanted us to tell a story in our work exp section.

i'm not even sure what i'm doing, it's my first vac scheme application. I've got a few retail and hospitality jobs, some volunteering in a hospital, a few insight days, and I'm a campus ambassador, I'm not sure how to craft that into a story, or how to tell that story in a work exp section.

any help is much appreciated!!!!

 

[cjwx]

For the A&O work experience is worth having a section how that experience helped to develop your commercial awareness I am afraid to add that in because I am not sure if that is what they are looking for in that section.

 

[patternteddybear]

Hi all, very nervous to post this but I needed some advice. I originally undertook a Law degree and achieved a first class average in my first year. I further participated in various First Year Insight Schemes.

Due to severe mental health issues in my second year, I was forced to quit and was not provided with the opportunity by my University to redo the second year. I hence transferred degree courses and now take Accounting & Financial Management with Economics. I achieved a 83% average in my first year of this new degree and my mental health is in a much better position. However, I still truly do wish to be a lawyer and want to try applying to some vacation schemes this year. Do you think (given my degree change) that it is worth still trying to apply for legal experience? Or do you think firms will look at my history and reject me? Changing degrees had little to do with my ability or interest (and I can evidence that with the first year results). But l am apprehensive about partaking in the application season upcoming. Thank you

 

[legal18]

What's a good number of firms to apply for a VS to? I currently have 16 but seeing people apply to 70 is worrying me... I'm determined to get a VS this year and willing to put the work in so how many would people suggest?

 

[patternteddybear]

I'm starting a new paralegal role in a couple of weeks at a reputable firm, which naturally is better experience for VS/TC applications than my current role. As I'm starting to do applications now, should I include details of the new role I am starting or not? It feels odd to include a job I haven's started yet, but it is more pertinent experience and by the time it came to Assessment Centres or the actual Vac schemes themselves I would have been in the new role for a while...

I would include it, but definitely mention that you haven’t started it just yet. State what you hope to learn and also how the job will help you expand your current skill set

 

[👩🎓]

Hi everyone, if someone has attended RPC's open day, what top tips would you give for the application? Thank you!

 

[bangarangbass39]

I imagine that I am committing plagiarism here, but is it okay to copy two sentences from my Open Day application for my Vacation scheme application at the same firm? I honestly cannot think of a better way to express my interest than I already have! (That isn't a flex, I'm just lost for ideas)

For context, I am talking about a case the firm has had recent success in as a reason why I am motivated by a particular practice and the firm's culture.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

I imagine that I am committing plagiarism here, but is it okay to copy two sentences from my Open Day application for my Vacation scheme application at the same firm? I honestly cannot think of a better way to express my interest than I already have! (That isn't a flex, I'm just lost for ideas)

For context, I am talking about a case the firm has had recent success in as a reason as to why I am motivated by a particular practice and the firm's culture.

you're fine to do that, it's not university

 

[Jessica Booker]

I imagine that I am committing plagiarism here, but is it okay to copy two sentences from my Open Day application for my Vacation scheme application at the same firm? I honestly cannot think of a better way to express my interest than I already have! (That isn't a flex, I'm just lost for ideas)

For context, I am talking about a case the firm has had recent success in as a reason why I am motivated by a particular practice and the firm's culture.

It’s not plagiarism if it’s your own content:

 

[Jessica Booker]

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.

I think you have to identify the area for biggest growth across a sector group, so if your answer is going to focus on one aspect of their work, it will need to have quite a significant chance for growth (eg new market, new products, new regulation etc).

 

[Jessica Booker]

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.

They can be really helpful for some candidates, for instance if you have less legal work experience or no previous connection/interaction with the firm.

If you impress on an open day, the firm will be waiting for your later application. It’s not going to mean your application cannot meet the standard the firm expects, but I think it can help with borderline applications.

I think people also gain a lot of information that helps them write compelling applications too.

 

[Jessica Booker]

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

If you feel you have worked on developing the areas you were given feedback on (assuming they are areas you can work on) then you shouldn’t be put off from reapplying. But firms will want to see you have been proactive is developing the areas they gave you constructive feedback on.

 

[Jessica Booker]

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)

I think you still need to show that you have been proactive is developing your skill set. Firms cannot quantify how the circumstances would have impacted your performance.

But given you were close to getting an offer, I would be expecting firms to encouraging you to reapply.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I'm starting a new paralegal role in a couple of weeks at a reputable firm, which naturally is better experience for VS/TC applications than my current role. As I'm starting to do applications now, should I include details of the new role I am starting or not? It feels odd to include a job I haven's started yet, but it is more pertinent experience and by the time it came to Assessment Centres or the actual Vac schemes themselves I would have been in the new role for a while...

You may find that some application forms don’t allow you to put future dates in for employment (some do though.)

If you can put it in, the description should be no more than a sentence or two as you can’t claim the work you will be doing just by the job description.

 

[Tintin06]

For the A&O work experience is worth having a section how that experience helped to develop your commercial awareness I am afraid to add that in because I am not sure if that is what they are looking for in that section.

I have found this structure works: job description (50 words); skill one (100 words); skill two (100 words). Adjust word counts.