TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Tintin06]

Unless I'm not using them correctly but its been all PFOs post app since, and i passed all the app stages I wrote last year without the schemes lol

It could be many other things. I don't think it's your VSs. A case of correlation, not causation? They are all achievements. I feel jaded by mine too. Not sure leaving them off helps.

 

[NJS]

have you tried sending direct TC apps with the schemes and vac scheme apps without (or with only 1 scheme)

No direct TCs yet, focussing on VS first because you get a better chance, but no VS without the schemes yet, apart from last year when I didn’t have them

 

[plshireme]

is it worth including a cover letter for DLA? I know it isn't a requirement

 

[Nathan_CareerChanger]

My first one was because of a lack of detail in my work, which is fair enough, but whenever I got a research task it was always limited to 1 page, so kind hard to add detail lol.

Second one I didn’t do particularly well in the assessed exercise at the end.

Was encouraged to reapply for both but I’m sceptical if firms actually give you another chance if you blew it the first time

Thank you for sharing it is appreciated - could I kindly ask which firms these were related to please?

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Not had anywhere near as much success as last cycle, where I got 2 vac schemes, I genuinely feel as if those two that I failed to convert are actually a negative on my applications tbh

I also had 2 vac schemes last cycle and failed to convert.
I'm convinced that law firms give you one chance, so make your first application to them the best.
(I'll caveat that with, unless something drastically different has happened in that year and your next application will be much much much stronger).
Each time, I've had my most luck with firm's I've never applied to before. I think they try and give people a chance first time round.

 

[Lizzie_Sullivan]

Is there anyone doing the DLA assessment centre on Tuesday, that wants practice the group task and presentation with case studies? Please let me know I’ll be free later in the afternoon and tomorrow.

Which location you are applying for? Sorry i'm new and don't know the etiquette here, no worries if you can't say! I just submitted my WG for them and I was stressing that since they are rolling they would have already filled most roles, but I heard that they haven't hosted any ACs here yet.

 

[Audric_T]

No cover letter needed - I secured the vac scheme this year (prayed a lot though)

is it worth including a cover letter for DLA? I know it isn't a requirement

o

 

[Audric_T]

Which location you are applying for? Sorry i'm new and don't know the etiquette here, no worries if you can't say! I just submitted my WG for them and I was stressing that since they are rolling they would have already filled most roles, but I heard that they haven't hosted any ACs here yet.

DLA have hosted 4 ACs I believe they have 1 left for Jan for london

 

[NJS]

I also had 2 vac schemes last cycle and failed to convert.
I'm convinced that law firms give you one chance, so make your first application to them the best.
(I'll caveat that with, unless something drastically different has happened in that year and your next application will be much much much stronger).
Each time, I've had my most luck with firm's I've never applied to before. I think they try and give people a chance first time round.

I think the same, which is quite unfair in all honesty but it is what it is

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi!😊 would you mind sharing what VI questions you had please?

Although we know some members will share these via private messages, we ask that specific wording of video interview questions are not shared in the forums unless the firm themselves have been very open about what they are (for instance we know two firms that tell candidates what the questions will be). People are welcome to share general advice though on how to prepare or what generally to consider.

However, if you use Glassdoor, you will often find details of questions like video interview questions, so the information is sometimes in the public domain anyway.

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Any updates from AG?

I applied on 2/11 and got an invitation to an online assessment yesterday, 04/12, which I'm not doing in light of my TC offer.

 

[Nathan_CareerChanger]

is it worth including a cover letter for DLA? I know it isn't a requirement

I was fortunate to secure a place on their internship along with four others and none of us did cover letters - I will say to ensure your personality shines through your application though

 

[Nathan_CareerChanger]

Congratulations, where did you secure?

I applied on 2/11 and got an invitation to an online assessment yesterday, 04/12, which I'm not doing in light of my TC offer.

 

[confusedbird]

anyone heard back from HL about their summer VS?

 

[LawyerUpPal]

Congratulations, where did you secure?

Freshfields

 

[LawyerUpPal]

anyone heard back from HL about their summer VS?

HL GR reviews apps b4 sending WG and they are still sending as far as I know esp if you applied for summer. Hang in there.

 

[anonymousowl64]

Has anyone heard back from Bird & Bird following the VI? I completed it at the end of October and still haven't heard back, wondering if it is worth emailing.

 

[Nathan_CareerChanger]

Freshfields

Well done mate that is amazing - was this a direct tc application or a vac scheme?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

Hi guys, I just wanted a bit of advice on how I could leverage my previous seat in Debt Finance to support the reason I’m interested in the firm (for their banking and finance practice area). This seat was only a day long and I simply just did research tasks and briefed a supervisor.

Hiya @Unknowncabbage,

I just wanted to build on the great response by @Tintin06. I've met many applicants who worry that a brief experience, like a one-day seat, isn’t enough to mention in a “Why Firm X” question. But the real key is to think about what you learned and why it sparked your interest in debt finance. Even a short seat can give you valuable insights! Maybe the research tasks helped you see how technical debt finance can be (if so, mention what felt technical and why that caught your interest). Or perhaps you enjoyed learning about the different challenges lenders and borrowers face in transactions, and it made you curious about how lawyers navigate these dynamics. If these ideas resonate with you, don’t hesitate to mention them and link them to the firm’s work.

To make your answer even stronger, think about what specifically draws you to this firm’s debt finance practice. Is it their reputation for certain types of financing, like leveraged finance or asset-based lending? Maybe their client base (e.g. private equity funds, multinational borrowers, or innovative financial institution) stands out to you. I'd encourage you to combine what you learned during your seat with why this firm’s debt finance work is interesting to you.

Hope this helps and good luck! 😊

 

[bangarangbass39]

I applied on 2/11 and got an invitation to an online assessment yesterday, 04/12, which I'm not doing in light of my TC offer.

Was this the CRT or the Video Interview?