TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Miss Chocolate

Legendary Member
Nov 27, 2023
396
451
I completely agree with what @jta227 and @Jessica Booker said. I only have two things to add. Firstly, I think it would be beneficial to do some extra research on the firm, which will allow you to naturally discover questions you might have an interest in asking. I would specifically target my research around the firm's unique selling points which I would consider using in a VS/TC application. This is both because I would have an actual interest in learning more about those aspects of the firm (so, I could make a good impression without looking like I am trying too hard) and because getting more information on those points is what would enable me to write a better VS/TC application. To give an example, when I recently attended an insight event at Davis Polk, someone asked about the firm's plans for its London corporate practice, as the firm had recently invested in a number of top lateral hires. This shows off the attendee's research but is also a genuine query that has a bearing on their decision making if they have an interest in doing a certain type of corporate work. Furthermore, the response someone from someone at the the firm can often be more nuanced and insightful view than can be found in the legal press, and will thus enable the attendee to write a more impressive application.

Secondly, if you have the opportunity, I think it is a good idea to go and say hi to the graduate recruitment team. As the other members said, definitely avoid going looking like you just want to impress. Instead, if your attitude and intention is just to try to get to know some people at the firm and learn about their experiences, I cannot see how this could negatively impact you. Quite the opposite - if the graduate recruitment team sees you as nice and sociable, the kind of person they might enjoy chatting with over a coffee, they might remember you when they are reading your application or reviewing a VI. This will not have a decisive influence on the ultimate outcome, but in a game of such small margins everything helps.
thank you so, so much! Incredibly helpful and definitely something I will keep in mind :)
 
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suhana

Distinguished Member
Mar 17, 2024
59
30
hi for like ac dates i see a couple of dates in jan like 15, 21 and 29th and then one in feb. the email from he firm says they recruit on a rolling basis so we should book as soon as we see a convenient date. will it be detrimental if we book a later date in feb and not the early jan dates?

@Jessica Booker
 

Jessica Booker

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TCLA Moderator
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Graduate Recruitment
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Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
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hi for like ac dates i see a couple of dates in jan like 15, 21 and 29th and then one in feb. the email from he firm says they recruit on a rolling basis so we should book as soon as we see a convenient date. will it be detrimental if we book a later date in feb and not the early jan dates?

@Jessica Booker
It is unlikely to be an issue as they would not run the dates that late if they didn't need to. Firms will have a fairly strong sense of how many AC places they need to offer to get to the number of hires they need, and if the worst comes to the worst, they can always slightly under or over hire.
 

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