TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lawaspirant21]

Hi, I don’t think anyone has received the “met the benchmark” email yet but the feedback email takes 2-3 days (I don’t know if weekends are included) .

Oh I don't know if I've misunderstood, I just know that I have seen a few people say that they received a benchmark met email a few days after assessment completion? Apparently it was sent as a separate email to their feedback report (which I received after doing the test a few weeks ago) but I could be misunderstanding! Only time will tell I guess

 

[futuretrainee!]

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good week, particularly leading up to the holidays. I think this is lowkey a rant and I want to get it off my chest but also hopefully this resonates with someone in the same situation. I have been applying to law firms since 2022 and two cycles, in I am exhausted. What is truly triggering about this process is that back in 2023 when I was in my final year of a non-law degree I was invited to assessment centres with Ashurst and Macfarlanes. Fast-forward to this year when I not only graduated with an 81% in my PGDL but also ended up for the semis on some of the most coveted commercial awareness competitions. You'd think I'd have a competitive application? Well, I'd think again because I literally cannot get past the application stage for a single firm this entire year. I literally do not know what else I could possibly do - I cannot even land a paralegal role to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice or ideas on why this may be? Is this because I am an international student? If so why make the promise to offer sponsorships? I am absolutely deflated and not going to lie, the upcoming holidays when you see families and friends etc is not making it any better. I absolutely in my bones KNOW I want to be a lawyer and know this dream will come true but boy it's tough out here. Being a part of TCLA has also made me realise how tenacious and hard-working this community is, and if you're feeling low and disappointed too, you are not alone and I am praying for you all!

 

[NCTC2025]

Open day applications =/= VS ones. As other said on here earlier. Far more people try open days. Why is that the case then? Open day apps are much shorter. Thus, they attract many more applicants. Some open day attendees won’t apply. So it’s not the same competition. Cast the net far and wide. I deviate from others on this. I think it’s a numbers game. That’s just been my experience applying. Getting surprisingly progressed by law firms. And then rejections that also surprised. Some aspects are just so subjective. Open day rejections aren’t always fatal.

You can still connect with trainees. You can simulate open day interactions. Firms advertise themselves elsewhere as well. Open days often benefit London-based applicants. I am fortunate in this respect. Just put your best foot forward.

I 100% agree with this. The quality of the application is way more important than having been to an open day. For example, the four ACs I've completed have been with firms who's open days I have never attended before. At the same time, I've failed to progress on multiple occasions with firms who's open days I've attended. This year, I'm taking the numbers approach too and hoping to be surprisingly progressed!

 

[NCTC2025]

Oh I don't know if I've misunderstood, I just know that I have seen a few people say that they received a benchmark met email a few days after assessment completion? Apparently it was sent as a separate email to their feedback report (which I received after doing the test a few weeks ago) but I could be misunderstanding! Only time will tell I guess

I received a separate benchmark met email after my assessment completion email three days after completing the test.

 

[Mug Fan]

Has anyone who completed the first set of mayer brown tests in mid-december/later heard back for the job sim?

Not answering your question but I do have one for you on MB… how long after submitting your application did you received invites to the online test? (Not the day in the life of SJT, just the automatic ones).

I’ve not heard anything from MB and it’s been ages! Also, did you submit a covering letter or any additional questions? It was just work experience when I applied and I’m worried I’ve done something wrong! Should I email HR?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Not answering your question but I do have one for you on MB… how long after submitting your application did you received invites to the online test? (Not the day in the life of SJT, just the automatic ones).

I’ve not heard anything from MB and it’s been ages! Also, did you submit a covering letter or any additional questions? It was just work experience when I applied and I’m worried I’ve done something wrong! Should I email HR?

Heyy
It took me like a week, and I wouldn't worry because at a grad rec event, they did say it would take some time to get the tests as they have to send it manually.
No, I didn't submit a cover letter or anything else. It's just the one question regarding academic/non-academic achievements. I don't think you've done anything wrong and you will probably receive it soon 😊🤞

 

[Tintin06]

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good week, particularly leading up to the holidays. I think this is lowkey a rant and I want to get it off my chest but also hopefully this resonates with someone in the same situation. I have been applying to law firms since 2022 and two cycles, in I am exhausted. What is truly triggering about this process is that back in 2023 when I was in my final year of a non-law degree I was invited to assessment centres with Ashurst and Macfarlanes. Fast-forward to this year when I not only graduated with an 81% in my PGDL but also ended up for the semis on some of the most coveted commercial awareness competitions. You'd think I'd have a competitive application? Well, I'd think again because I literally cannot get past the application stage for a single firm this entire year. I literally do not know what else I could possibly do - I cannot even land a paralegal role to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice or ideas on why this may be? Is this because I am an international student? If so why make the promise to offer sponsorships? I am absolutely deflated and not going to lie, the upcoming holidays when you see families and friends etc is not making it any better. I absolutely in my bones KNOW I want to be a lawyer and know this dream will come true but boy it's tough out here. Being a part of TCLA has also made me realise how tenacious and hard-working this community is, and if you're feeling low and disappointed too, you are not alone and I am praying for you all!

You clearly have done a lot. But how are you packaging it? It can be hard to hear. But sometimes I feel quite similar. I have x and deserve y. However sometimes other things matter more. I’m also feeling low and disappointed. I have an Oxford Uni degree. I have done multiple Vacation Schemes. But I often over-inflate these experiences. They aren’t silver bullets for applications. Realising that fact took me years. I got nothing whatsoever in 2019-20.

I’ve been applying on and off. Things like firms’ values matter apparently. So I started including these recently. Experiences aren’t always that important really. Skills gained can be more so.

 

[Mug Fan]

Heyy
It took me like a week, and I wouldn't worry because at a grad rec event, they did say it would take some time to get the tests as they have to send it manually.
No, I didn't submit a cover letter or anything else. It's just the one question regarding academic/non-academic achievements. I don't think you've done anything wrong and you will probably receive it soon 😊🤞

Thanks! I’ve also just realised I’ve applied for the TC and this is the SV thread so that may have something to do with it!

 

[futuretrainee!]

You clearly have done a lot. But how are you packaging it? It can be hard to hear. But sometimes I feel quite similar. I have x and deserve y. However sometimes other things matter more. I’m also feeling low and disappointed. I have an Oxford Uni degree. I have done multiple Vacation Schemes. But I often over-inflate these experiences. They aren’t silver bullets for applications. Realising that fact took me years. I got nothing whatsoever in 2019-20.

I’ve been applying on and off. Things like firms’ values matter apparently. So I started including these recently. Experiences aren’t always that important really. Skills gained can be more so.

SO so well said, and thank you for taking the time to respond. I wish you the best

 

[User5678]

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good week, particularly leading up to the holidays. I think this is lowkey a rant and I want to get it off my chest but also hopefully this resonates with someone in the same situation. I have been applying to law firms since 2022 and two cycles, in I am exhausted. What is truly triggering about this process is that back in 2023 when I was in my final year of a non-law degree I was invited to assessment centres with Ashurst and Macfarlanes. Fast-forward to this year when I not only graduated with an 81% in my PGDL but also ended up for the semis on some of the most coveted commercial awareness competitions. You'd think I'd have a competitive application? Well, I'd think again because I literally cannot get past the application stage for a single firm this entire year. I literally do not know what else I could possibly do - I cannot even land a paralegal role to get my foot in the door. Does anyone have any advice or ideas on why this may be? Is this because I am an international student? If so why make the promise to offer sponsorships? I am absolutely deflated and not going to lie, the upcoming holidays when you see families and friends etc is not making it any better. I absolutely in my bones KNOW I want to be a lawyer and know this dream will come true but boy it's tough out here. Being a part of TCLA has also made me realise how tenacious and hard-working this community is, and if you're feeling low and disappointed too, you are not alone and I am praying for you all!

You have clearly shown so much potential and I am sure you will get there eventually. Trust me, I feel the exact same way (literally felt that you’ve put my thoughts into words). I am an international student in my final year, also am a 100% sure I want to be a lawyer practising in UK and did a one year long placement year at bclp in my third year and I am still struggling everyday .
We WILL get there, praying!!🤞🏻🤞🏻

 

[tomsmitg]

Hi, in a typical written case study where we are asked to outline a few key issues for a client who is pursuing an acquisition, for example, how long would a response typically be i.e. in how much detail should we go into on each point/an executive summary ??

 

[dxbbilly]

Sorry about the result. How long did you have to wait since doing the WG test to get the result?

only a couple of days they got back to me quite quickly

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

does anyone know why there is no information about Fieldfisher on Chambers Student True Picture or Legal Cheek? I am trying to research more about the firm but can't seem to find anything useful other than their website (which is also useful)

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Mishcon email about tech issues - they have clarified that the deadline has been extended to midnight 23rd, with one minute prep one minute speaking time for VI

For Mishcon Video interview - do you think the deadline is 00:00 Monday 23/12 i.e., 23:59 Sunday 22/12? I thought it's 23:59 Monday but I think now I suddenly have 1 less day 😭

 

[kokoprep]

hiii so my uni doesn’t give % grades, is it okay to add only letter grades as long as I provide context about my grading system? @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

 

[EK_27]

Hi,
To anyone that can help please maybe @Andrei Radu or @Amma Usman.

I have my first AC coming up and I’m trying to research deals from the firm. Should I focus on deals from the same area or a wider range please?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Not me stuttering and having to fully glance down at my notes in the Mishcon VI 😭

Will be blasting ABBA Take A Chance On Me outside their office from now on RIP.

Hey I’m sorry to hear but I hope it turned out ok!! May I know if you were told the deadline would be Monday midnight? Did you clarify if it’s Sunday or Monday 23:59:59 😭😭

 

[RonRod13]

Anyone done the bakers vi? Pls pm me, I can trade

 

[sapphireoreos]

Sometimes I wonder if these firms want people to just make stuff up lol. I never had any childhood toys past an age where I can remember. Furthermore some people's favourite toys could be something like a lego... anyways I guess they're looking for creativity and for you to perhaps introspectively assess your past experiences to summarise what you've learnt in the period between being a child and now. Maybe try and align with the firm's values if possible as well. It's also 60 words so conciseness is probably assessed.

Thank you!

 

[andreilover01]

How long does Cleary take to reply post WG?

did the WG over a week and a half ago and yet to hear back