TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Jessica Booker

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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
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I am currently taking a gap year after having just graduated with a law degree to apply to vacation schemes as I have not done one before. I realise that if I am offered a TC it will be starting in Sept 2027 or March 2028. Is it very unlikely that a firm will allow me to start earlier and if so is it wise to work as a paralegal for the year before starting SQE?
Firms may be able to allow you to start earlier, but many will have already filled their earlier vacancies and may not be able to bring your start date forward at the same time.

This is not uncommon though and many future trainees find themselves with time available before their training contract starts. You can work as a paralegal - you can often find paralegal roles within the firm you have your training contact with or with other firms in a fixed term contract basis. Other people choose to take time out or work in other industries/sectors while they have the chance to do so, and it’s not an issue to do that either.
 
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Audric_T

Distinguished Member
Oct 20, 2024
51
152
Just saw that DLA summer internship for london is now closed, I think the AC is starting in approximately two weeks. Having passed the benchmark for VI but not heard about the AC should I be worried or continue as I am (practising as though I will get the AC)?

I believe they may send to another AC across the country if london is filled but now anxious - anyone have any insights?
 

bella98

Legendary Member
  • Mar 9, 2023
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    Why do they find you to be a non law hater?(out of curiosity)
    People misunderstood one of his posts on the forum. He mentioned that the law society at his university, led by non-law students, is corrupt; they often reserve firm open day spots for their friends, who are also non-law students.

    I believe everyone should have equal access to these opportunities, but it does seem unfair if law students are excluded from open days in favour of those outside the field. Law students often commit to this career path much earlier on, so when non-law students are able to secure these opportunities through connections, it can limit the chances for those who chose this path from the beginning. (this is my opinion btw)

    However, his comment was never about disliking non-law students - it was simply highlighting a fairness issue in how these opportunities are allocated.
     

    cjwx

    Esteemed Member
    Premium Member
    Jan 31, 2024
    90
    93
    .
    Just saw that DLA summer internship for london is now closed, I think the AC is starting in approximately two weeks. Having passed the benchmark for VI but not heard about the AC should I be worried or continue as I am (practising as though I will get the AC)?

    I believe they may send to another AC across the country if london is filled but now anxious - anyone have any insights?
    Last year they were inviting people to AC’s in January so I’m hoping it will be the same.
     

    Parsorandini

    Esteemed Member
    Premium Member
    Oct 8, 2021
    94
    220
    Just saw that DLA summer internship for london is now closed, I think the AC is starting in approximately two weeks. Having passed the benchmark for VI but not heard about the AC should I be worried or continue as I am (practising as though I will get the AC)?

    I believe they may send to another AC across the country if london is filled but now anxious - anyone have any insights?
    Damn, I never even heard back after passing the WG .
     

    -legal-

    Distinguished Member
    Premium Member
    Jul 5, 2023
    73
    70
    People misunderstood one of his posts on the forum. He mentioned that the law society at his university, led by non-law students, is corrupt; they often reserve firm open day spots for their friends, who are also non-law students.

    I believe everyone should have equal access to these opportunities, but it does seem unfair if law students are excluded from open days in favour of those outside the field. Law students often commit to this career path much earlier on, so when non-law students are able to secure these opportunities through connections, it can limit the chances for those who chose this path from the beginning. (this is my opinion btw)

    However, his comment was never about disliking non-law students - it was simply highlighting a fairness issue in how these opportunities are allocated.
    I see, fair enough.
     

    -legal-

    Distinguished Member
    Premium Member
    Jul 5, 2023
    73
    70
    Just saw that DLA summer internship for london is now closed, I think the AC is starting in approximately two weeks. Having passed the benchmark for VI but not heard about the AC should I be worried or continue as I am (practising as though I will get the AC)?

    I believe they may send to another AC across the country if london is filled but now anxious - anyone have any insights?
    I applied to DLA yesterday x)
     

    bella98

    Legendary Member
  • Mar 9, 2023
    280
    1,005

    (this is a practice test)

    A growing number of people are learning how to mend their own devices and teaching others to do the same. Tutorials on how to repair electronic devices can easily be found on the web. A record amount of electronic waste was generated worldwide last year, with less than a fifth of it being recycled. Extending the life of smartphones and other electronics by just one year would be the equivalent of taking two million cars off the road, in terms of reducing CO2 emissions.


    It is difficult to mend electronic device.

    True
    Probably True
    Insufficient Data
    False
    Probably False

    What do you guys think about this? I would initially say insufficient data as the text does not mention whether it's difficult or not. But as we're allowed to use common knowledge here, if a growing number of people are learning how to do it, it is probably not that difficult and therefore is probably false.
     

    Jessica Booker

    Legendary Member
    TCLA Moderator
    Gold Member
    Graduate Recruitment
    Premium Member
    Forum Team
    Aug 1, 2019
    14,653
    20,348
    Do you think we will hear anything back about ACs over the weekend? Still waiting to see if I got one from Dechert after doing my written exercise two and a half weeks ago. I’ve emailed grad recruitment and they said I should hear soon, just getting disheartened hearing everyone get offers for other firms :(
    Highly unlikely - recruitment teams won’t be working over the weekend.
     

    Audric_T

    Distinguished Member
    Oct 20, 2024
    51
    152
    is anyone still waiting to hear back from sidley post app?
    I think they have forgotten that they have a VS this year as all I see is people waiting for a response on here, its not great reputational wise to leave everyone hanging like this

    (this is a practice test)

    A growing number of people are learning how to mend their own devices and teaching others to do the same. Tutorials on how to repair electronic devices can easily be found on the web. A record amount of electronic waste was generated worldwide last year, with less than a fifth of it being recycled. Extending the life of smartphones and other electronics by just one year would be the equivalent of taking two million cars off the road, in terms of reducing CO2 emissions.


    It is difficult to mend electronic device.

    True
    Probably True
    Insufficient Data
    False
    Probably False

    What do you guys think about this? I would initially say insufficient data as the text does not mention whether it's difficult or not. But as we're allowed to use common knowledge here, if a growing number of people are learning how to do it, it is probably not that difficult and therefore is probably false.
    probably false - given that people are learning by youtube videos no? wouldn't say false as it doesn't mention what electronic devices are being fixed just that growing numbers are learning I would assume therefore based on the information that it isn't difficult to fix - just my thoughts - I had this question before cant remember the answer
     

    FutureTraineeMaybe

    Distinguished Member
    Premium Member
    Feb 15, 2024
    62
    26
    Just saw that DLA summer internship for london is now closed, I think the AC is starting in approximately two weeks. Having passed the benchmark for VI but not heard about the AC should I be worried or continue as I am (practising as though I will get the AC)?

    I believe they may send to another AC across the country if london is filled but now anxious - anyone have any insights?
    Can I ask how long it took to receive the VI invite after completing the WG?
     

    Bread

    Distinguished Member
    Jan 30, 2024
    58
    80
    Apologies because I am sure this has been asked before, but when a firm asks which other firms you are applying to and why, is it common practice to be as vague as possible and just say, e.g., "global firms with small trainee intakes and a focus on fintech" or to mention names? My work experience makes the other firms I am interested in pretty obvious, so I was wondering which approach is best. Thanks and sorry for the repetitive question!
     

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