TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

I am really losing hope over VIs. Whenever I think I’ve got them nailed I get another scenario based one that I can’t understand how to fill 2 minutes without waffling

 

[Gday33]

I’m getting a lot of messages about VIs. I’m not in a frame of mind to deal with these and have been depressed since not converting the VS I did in spring. I’m not sure how many more months of waiting I can take. I’m 27 and I was once told that if you don’t qualify by 30 it seriously impacts your chances of making Partner. That, plus my concern that multiple VSs raises questions about your abilities. I know resilience is important here but even so.

I’m pushing 30 (5 months to go) so you’ve got 2-3 years on me! The competition is insane so don’t take it too personally (hard to do, I know.) As well there are plenty of careers outside of law that give better working hours with just as much money so not necessarily the end of the world (which maybe you’re not in the mindset to hear but it’s true.) I’ve been in insurance for 5 years and would recommend it to anyone. I work in London, earn a great wage, and it’s a genuine 9-5 with fantastic people - plus you get invited to lots of firm events and networking so you get that side of it too. Keep your head up and keep your options open. Best of luck! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

 

[Amjaya]

Meet Cooley virtual event invite !!! Thank GOD kept receiving rejections. I know this is a small win but honestly having the mentality of not giving up and that it only takes one yes has helped me incredibly.

 

[futuretrainee202X]

just got a cooley open day pfo i am losing hope already 😭

Really sorry to hear that, and if you're happy disclosing, when did you apply?

 

[bella98]

DLA’s email:

“As we have recently confirmed, we are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed our online assessment.

At present, our team are carefully reviewing candidates before deciding who to shortlist for the next phase of our recruitment process, an online video interview. We are working diligently to update you and will be in touch in due course.”

I really don’t understand - I passed the WG a month ago!! 🤣 I assumed PFO, what is the meaning of this email? Are they still considering my app after all?

 

[Apple]

DLA just sent me an email reconfirming I passed the test and they are working through shortlisting people for AC. If you haven't heard back in a while I don't think its necessarily indicative of a PFO yet.

 

[Nick03]

DLA’s email:

“As we have recently confirmed, we are pleased to inform you that you have successfully passed our online assessment.

At present, our team are carefully reviewing candidates before deciding who to shortlist for the next phase of our recruitment process, an online video interview. We are working diligently to update you and will be in touch in due course.”

I really don’t understand - I passed the WG a month ago!! 🤣 I assumed PFO, what is the meaning of this email? Are they still considering my app after all?

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

 

[Nick03]

Does anyone know how much Linklaters takes the WG into account when shortlisting candidates?

 

[Apple]

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

I thought I got progressed to VI haha

 

[Aspiringsolicitor01]

I’m getting a lot of messages about VIs. I’m not in a frame of mind to deal with these and have been depressed since not converting the VS I did in spring. I’m not sure how many more months of waiting I can take. I’m 27 and I was once told that if you don’t qualify by 30 it seriously impacts your chances of making Partner. That, plus my concern that multiple VSs raises questions about your abilities. I know resilience is important here but even so.

I wouldn’t care if I never got partner. I expect your definition of success is different to mine as an oxbridge grad, but honestly, despite telling firms I want to be a partner someday, I would feel like I hit the jackpot just being there. The salaries are incredible even for just an NQ and something I could be happy with my entire life. For a non Russell group grad with average A levels I still have a mountain to climb. You have achieved so much more than me and probably more than 95% of the people on here. There’s no reason to give up now.

Edit: Besides, you’re not obliged to declare all your vac schemes if you think putting just one or two down will look better. You’re in an enviable position my friend

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

Was halfway writing my own post about how I just received this heart attack of an email but at least im not alone😭. Did my WG about a month ago too and still no VI

Haha so was I! Even screenshot the email as proof. It’s ridiculous. I believe they have already rejected us and they’re dragging it along just like Ashurst. They’ve invited people to Vi who have taken the WG after I had. People have been invited to AC and they applied after me. I’m fed up of firms rejecting me and not telling me. Why give false hope. What do they gain out of this. It makes me less inclined to apply again. I can’t stress how bad Ashurst was for dragging applicants along for over 6 weeks. W&C following suit of not even acknowledging applicants post app. I anticipate an influx of “W&C rejection” on the forum in a few days/weeks.

 

[Apple]

Haha so was I! Even screenshot the email as proof. It’s ridiculous. I believe they have already rejected us and they’re dragging it along just like Ashurst. They’ve invited people to Vi who have taken the WG after I had. People have been invited to AC and they applied after me. I’m fed up of firms rejecting me and not telling me. Why give false hope. What do they gain out of this. It makes me less inclined to apply again. I can’t stress how bad Ashurst was for dragging applicants along for over 6 weeks. W&C following suit of not even acknowledging applicants post app. I anticipate an influx of “W&C rejection” on the forum in a few days/weeks.

I mean this is for their summer internship, its over half a year away. I think people are really jumping the gun on presuming a PFO with that amount of time between now and the scheme. They also don't offer a winter scheme and will have received substantially more applications than other firms which they are working through.

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

I mean this is for their summer internship, it’s over half a year away. I think people are really jumping the gun on presuming a PFO with that amount of time between now and the scheme. They also don't offer a winter scheme and will have received substantially more applications than other firms which they are working through.

They’ve closed their applications and have progressed people who have applied weeks after myself. Yes it’s in summer but my point still stand in the fact of dragging people along. I passed the WG over a month ago. Whereas you made it to VI I’d assume progressing to AC requires a more in-depth review. Not jumping the gun of a rejection at all just saying what I see based on the progress of others on this forum.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Has anyone heard from Hill Dickinson about their open days?

 

[abhuzaifa]

They’ve closed their applications and have progressed people who have applied weeks after myself. Yes it’s in summer but my point still stand in the fact of dragging people along. I passed the WG over a month ago. Whereas you made it to VI I’d assume progressing to AC requires a more in-depth review. Not jumping the gun of a rejection at all just saying what I see based on the progress of others on this forum.

Last year, I had a lot of friends who progressed to AC in late December.

 

[James Wakefield]

Meet Cooley virtual event invite !!! Thank GOD kept receiving rejections. I know this is a small win but honestly having the mentality of not giving up and that it only takes one yes has helped me incredibly.

Just got an invite too and feeling the same! 🏆

 

[hanz123]

Anyone know about Evershed's Middle East app process?

 

[Audric_T]

I’m pushing 30 (5 months to go) so you’ve got 2-3 years on me! The competition is insane so don’t take it too personally (hard to do, I know.) As well there are plenty of careers outside of law that give better working hours with just as much money so not necessarily the end of the world (which maybe you’re not in the mindset to hear but it’s true.) I’ve been in insurance for 5 years and would recommend it to anyone. I work in London, earn a great wage, and it’s a genuine 9-5 with fantastic people - plus you get invited to lots of firm events and networking so you get that side of it too. Keep your head up and keep your options open. Best of luck! 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Over 30 also - got an AC - I wouldn't;t give up, having built a career external to law, and spoken with lawyers it is never to late - also making partner doesn't mean you have to get into law before 30, some never make partner - everyone's path is different

 

[Parsorandini]

Over 30 also - got an AC - I wouldn't;t give up, having built a career external to law, and spoken with lawyers it is never to late - also making partner doesn't mean you have to get into law before 30, some never make partner - everyone's path is different

30 in 3 months here, glad to see us ‘oldies’ are alive and kicking in this application process

 

[Andrei Radu]

Does anyone know how much Linklaters takes the WG into account when shortlisting candidates?

While I do not know of the precise weighing policies and application assessment procedures, it is generally believed that Linklaters is one of the firms that places the most emphasis on the WG. This would explain in part why the firm asks for no written answers for their open day applications, despite the fact that its open day attendees automatically get a place on the AC.