TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AnAnonymousDuck]

just out of curiosity, every email I've received from firms has always been sent on a Friday, is this because firms do it in batches, or is it a coincidence?

 

[Tintin06]

LinkedIn is soul-destroying for older applicants. I don't know why I bother. I guess it's by design etc. Otherwise you wouldn't buy LinkedIn premium. I use it for my work. But yes, it's utterly crushing honestly. People younger than me with TCs. Sorry but it's just the truth. I wish I was years younger. Sure, I'm married with a flat. But still, no stable job yet. Years of applications - no Training Contract. All these VSs and for what? This cycle is worse than 2023-24. This isn't a cry for help. Just setting out how I feel. How long can I do this? I don't know - it's catch 22. Applying is bad for mental health. Don't apply and you get FOMO. It's just a terrible cycle, honestly.

Anyway, a question about Stephenson Harwood. Do they take mostly from TCs. Or is it through Vac Schemes?

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Is the Fieldfisher telephone interview a phone call or teams call? Slightly confused as I thought it was a phone call but in the email it suggests its on teams and its camera on?

It is a video interview, GL!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

LinkedIn is soul-destroying for older applicants. I don't know why I bother. I guess it's by design etc. Otherwise you wouldn't buy LinkedIn premium. I use it for my work. But yes, it's utterly crushing honestly. People younger than me with TCs. Sorry but it's just the truth. I wish I was years younger. Sure, I'm married with a flat. But still, no stable job yet. Years of applications - no Training Contract. All these VSs and for what? This cycle is worse than 2023-24. This isn't a cry for help. Just setting out how I feel. How long can I do this? I don't know - it's catch 22. Applying is bad for mental health. Don't apply and you get FOMO. It's just a terrible cycle, honestly.

Anyway, a question about Stephenson Harwood. Do they take mostly from TCs. Or is it through Vac Schemes?

Heya, I’m so sorry that you feel like this! I know LinkedIn can be detrimental during application season because it’s so easy to compare yourself to others. Last year I deleted it as an app and this really helped me! Please have faith in your applications because it sounds like you have a good variety of ones out there, and the right firm will be drawn to the fact that you aren’t a fresh grad!! The right firm will want you, especially with years of life experience and maturity ! We’ve got an amazing platform here and know that everyone here wants other to be successful!

 

[jojo23]

I can't believe it but I got the reed smith vi + test invite. This is my first ever video interview, I don't suppose you guys have any advice or tips about them you could share with me please?😭

If you've already done the reed smith vi+ test, could you drop me a message about it 🥺

 

[Tintin06]

Heya, I’m so sorry that you feel like this! I know LinkedIn can be detrimental during application season because it’s so easy to compare yourself to others. Last year I deleted it as an app and this really helped me! Please have faith in your applications because it sounds like you have a good variety of ones out there, and the right firm will be drawn to the fact that you aren’t a fresh grad!! The right firm will want you, especially with years of life experience and maturity ! We’ve got an amazing platform here and know that everyone here wants other to be successful!

Thanks - that’s very helpful to hear.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

motivational from what I remember...

how much preparation time do you get if you remember? 🙏xx

 

[Rhohia]

omg omg that Reed Smith test and VI were BRUTAL😭😭

Hey, can you elaborate why?

 

[jta227]

LinkedIn is soul-destroying for older applicants. I don't know why I bother. I guess it's by design etc. Otherwise you wouldn't buy LinkedIn premium. I use it for my work. But yes, it's utterly crushing honestly. People younger than me with TCs. Sorry but it's just the truth. I wish I was years younger. Sure, I'm married with a flat. But still, no stable job yet. Years of applications - no Training Contract. All these VSs and for what? This cycle is worse than 2023-24. This isn't a cry for help. Just setting out how I feel. How long can I do this? I don't know - it's catch 22. Applying is bad for mental health. Don't apply and you get FOMO. It's just a terrible cycle, honestly.

Anyway, a question about Stephenson Harwood. Do they take mostly from TCs. Or is it through Vac Schemes?

I don't know if this is helpful (feel free to disregard) but I've heard from multiple people who were training at great firms (and some gradrec staff) that LinkedIn is ultimately not necessary at all to get a TC. Most of my friends who got into MC/SC/US firms either didn't have an account or had one but their first post was literally to announce acceptance onto the VS. Personally I still have it but I make it a personal thing not to compare my journey to others (I get this is hard when you're an Oxbridge graduate). In fact I have a message on a sticky note saying that and it's the first thing that opens when I turn my computer on. Another thing I heard (was either at an open day or someone posted it here) from someone who got a TC after a plethora of cycles was that when she finally started to accept her current job circumstances and not treat every interaction with firms as "I absolutely have to get this TC" it ultimately helped her perform better and she got a Links TC the next cycle, only making 3 apps that year.

On another note, lots of trainees end up not having the time to date at all for the first several years of their career when they stumble into it straight out of uni so I wouldn't downplay your achievements in your personal life! I'm sure some of those young people getting TCs instantly would envy you in that regard.

I'm sure that perseverance will get you where you want to go eventually, and when you do it will probably be even more satisfying 🙏

 

[TheInevitableTCholder2024/25🙏]

Anyone have tips for the Akin online test?🙏🏽

 

[Tintin06]

I don't know if this is helpful (feel free to disregard) but I've heard from multiple people who were training at great firms (and some gradrec staff) that LinkedIn is ultimately not necessary at all to get a TC. Most of my friends who got into MC/SC/US firms either didn't have an account or had one but their first post was literally to announce acceptance onto the VS. Personally I still have it but I make it a personal thing not to compare my journey to others (I get this is hard when you're an Oxbridge graduate). In fact I have a message on a sticky note saying that and it's the first thing that opens when I turn my computer on. Another thing I heard (was either at an open day or someone posted it here) from someone who got a TC after a plethora of cycles was that when she finally started to accept her current job circumstances and not treat every interaction with firms as "I absolutely have to get this TC" it ultimately helped her perform better and she got a Links TC the next cycle, only making 3 apps that year.

On another note, lots of trainees end up not having the time to date at all for the first several years of their career when they stumble into it straight out of uni so I wouldn't downplay your achievements in your personal life! I'm sure some of those young people getting TCs instantly would envy you in that regard.

I'm sure that perseverance will get you where you want to go eventually, and when you do it will probably be even more satisfying 🙏

Thanks.

 

[Chris Brown]

LinkedIn is soul-destroying for older applicants. I don't know why I bother. I guess it's by design etc. Otherwise you wouldn't buy LinkedIn premium. I use it for my work. But yes, it's utterly crushing honestly. People younger than me with TCs. Sorry but it's just the truth. I wish I was years younger. Sure, I'm married with a flat. But still, no stable job yet. Years of applications - no Training Contract. All these VSs and for what? This cycle is worse than 2023-24. This isn't a cry for help. Just setting out how I feel. How long can I do this? I don't know - it's catch 22. Applying is bad for mental health. Don't apply and you get FOMO. It's just a terrible cycle, honestly.

Anyway, a question about Stephenson Harwood. Do they take mostly from TCs. Or is it through Vac Schemes?

It’s important to remember that we are all on our own individual journey and that whilst it is easy to compare ourselves to other people, we can only get to see their success. What we often don’t get to see is what it took for them to get there (i.e., the constant rejections and unsuccessful applications).

I only decided I genuinely wanted to pursue a career in commercial law as a solicitor half way through final year and missed majority of the deadlines for VS and TC. Before starting my degree I also had to take a gap year due to covid. As a result, I am only now going through my first cycle and I am older than most people doing it for the first time (graduated from uni in July 2024). 🥲

So it’s important to not compare yourself to others and to bare in mind you are on your own journey and when you do get that TC, it will feel so much better knowing how hard you worked for it (as evidenced by the amount of effort you have put in). You should be really proud of yourself for coming this far!! 🙂

In relation to the SH question, I saw a thread on TCLA which breaks down what % of trainees are taken from VS or direct TC. SH takes 50%+ of their trainees from direct applications.

 

[NJS]

sometime in early December. Deadline was 5th January and it was rolling but i think they sent all the test invites today as the deadline to take them is friday

there would've been a bunch who applied on the deadline too so I'm not sure if all the invites have been sent

 

[CloudyLemonade12]

For the Freshfields app, is it standard to fill the work experience section and upload a CV? or just do the former? thank you!

 

[prayingforaTC]

Hello, looking for advice from anyone who's experienced a similar problem or a grad rec member. I was re-reading some VS applications I sent in for this cycle and realised I made a mistake inputting one of my uni module grades (wrote 69% instead of 68%— although it does not affect my overall grade). I realise that this looks sloppy at best and ill-intended at worst but have decided nonetheless to email grad rec for each firm confessing my mistake so as to avoid any future complications. How likely am I to get rejected off the bat for such a mistake?

 

[EA95]

It’s important to remember that we are all on our own individual journey and that whilst it is easy to compare ourselves to other people, we can only get to see their success. What we often don’t get to see is what it took for them to get there (i.e., the constant rejections and unsuccessful applications).

I only decided I genuinely wanted to pursue a career in commercial law as a solicitor half way through final year and missed majority of the deadlines for VS and TC. Before starting my degree I also had to take a gap year due to covid. As a result, I am only now going through my first cycle and I am older than most people doing it for the first time (graduated from uni in July 2024). 🥲

So it’s important to not compare yourself to others and to bare in mind you are on your own journey and when you do get that TC, it will feel so much better knowing how hard you worked for it (as evidenced by the amount of effort you have put in). You should be really proud of yourself for coming this far!! 🙂

In relation to the SH question, I saw a thread on TCLA which breaks down what % of trainees are taken from VS or direct TC. SH takes 50%+ of their trainees from direct applications.

Reading these posts has made me think maybe I’m not good enough. I graduated in 2021 with an upper second class degree from an institute that is not an oxbridge or Russell group university.

This is my first time applying for these VS’s never mind a TC, and reason I did that was to get myself the experience of what it would be like working in a law firm, as I didn’t have that experience prior.

 

[Rhohia]

did anyone else find the reed smith test and VI quite difficult😅

Hey, what made it difficult for you?

 

[Chris Brown]

Reading these posts has made me think maybe I’m not good enough. I graduated in 2021 with an upper second class degree from an institute that is not an oxbridge or Russell group university.

This is my first time applying for these VS’s never mind a TC, and reason I did that was to get myself the experience of what it would be like working in a law firm, as I didn’t have that experience prior.

You are more than good enough!! Don’t let what you see on this forum or elsewhere get to you and convince you otherwise! 🙂

You have a 2:1 and valuable work experience! 🥳

Bare in mind the average age of a NQ has risen to 30, meaning on average, most people didn’t even start their TC until they were 27/28!

Best of luck in this application cycle! I’m sure we will all smash it and land our dream TC’s. 😎

 

[legal18]

LinkedIn is soul-destroying for older applicants. I don't know why I bother. I guess it's by design etc. Otherwise you wouldn't buy LinkedIn premium. I use it for my work. But yes, it's utterly crushing honestly. People younger than me with TCs. Sorry but it's just the truth. I wish I was years younger. Sure, I'm married with a flat. But still, no stable job yet. Years of applications - no Training Contract. All these VSs and for what? This cycle is worse than 2023-24. This isn't a cry for help. Just setting out how I feel. How long can I do this? I don't know - it's catch 22. Applying is bad for mental health. Don't apply and you get FOMO. It's just a terrible cycle, honestly.

Anyway, a question about Stephenson Harwood. Do they take mostly from TCs. Or is it through Vac Schemes?

Going to an SH open day next week, will ask and report back! Also, it's labelled as a 'TC Open Day' so that's already making me think they prefer TC applications.

 

[EA95]

You are more than good enough!! Don’t let what you see on this forum or elsewhere get to you and convince you otherwise! 🙂

You have a 2:1 and valuable work experience! 🥳

Bare in mind the average age of a NQ has risen to 30, meaning on average, most people didn’t even start their TC until they were 27/28!

Best of luck in this application cycle! I’m sure we will all smash it and land our dream TC’s. 😎

Thank you for the encouragement.