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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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- vacation scheme
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'.
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.
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.
If you did terrible at an AC, is it worth reapplying the following year? Would they remember you?
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.
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.
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)
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
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
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
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
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!!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
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...
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!!!!
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!!!!
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
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
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?
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
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