TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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.

 

[chrisbrown]

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?

 

[chrisbrown]

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.

 

[jacksollaf]

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?

Hey, personally, there are two approaches to this, the honest one and the strategically honest; you can:

1) choose to be honest from the outset and they will inevitably see it as a very honourable and honest act from your part; however, honestly I think it could entice them to potentially find some way to reject you as a result because lack of attention to detail (however, I think it's unlikely and honestly absurd)
2) choose to be honest later in the process; by that I mean just ignore it for now and if you get the offer, you pray they don't notice, because I doubt they're literally going to meticulously check every single detail and retract the offer solely on the basis of writing 69 instead of 68, it truly isn't a major mistake, nor does it change anything at all... If it were 58 instead of 68 then yes, because that takes you from a 2:2 to a high 2:1, but 68 to 69 truly wouldn't have had an impact at all if you just ignored it and didn't say anything...

Again, this is my personal opinion, idk if they're really strict when it comes to minor details like this; but I feel like once the offer is out, even if subject to verifying your grades, I really don't see why they would retract the offer from 68 to 69...

It's okay though, I personally think they'll appreciate the honesty and see it as an honourable thing to do and will just ignore it (I pray)

 

[Tclarocks123]

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?

You are not alone. I hope the right firm swoops you up this cycle.

 

[Amakaa]

Hi, can you clarify if what you're saying about Akin sending all the test invites today was specified in the email? Asking to not discourage myself (and the others) ☺️

Nooo not at all. I am not sure of this. Just that a bunch of other people go theirs today too and the deadline for the test is on Friday, so it only made sense to me that they’d send it all at once. But please do not take my word for it. They could still be sending out.

 

[fcac98]

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.

Don't compare yourself! I graduated in 2021 to and its my first time applying to VS's or TC's, and I only have background in a criminal law firm unfortunately. People have received training contracts with less experience than either of us.

 

[Reem2024]

Does anyone know how many questions in the Kirkland VI? There is not information anywhere or how long you have to answer each question! Thank you in advance

 

[jacksollaf]

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.

Don't be discouraged or think you're not good enough! Just take it easy and keep applying. For some reassurance, check this out: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/law-firms-preferred-universities

While it might seem that non-Russell Group universities represent a smaller percentage, this doesn't mean anything negative! First, many firms aren't exclusively picking from the very top universities like KCL, UCL, or Oxbridge. Instead, they're often recruiting from places like Manchester, Leeds, and York.

JUST TO CLARIFY: I’m NOT saying these universities are bad—far from it! What I mean is that law firms aren't always focused solely on the so-called "top" universities; your university is NOT a dealbreaker guaranteeing you a spot! The higher percentage of Russell Group representation simply reflects the larger number of applicants from those universities. Comparatively, there are fewer applicants from non-RG universities, which naturally affects the percentages. For instance, for Magic Circle firms, LSE, KCL and UCL are in 7th, 8th and 9th place, being surpassed by unis like Bristol, Nottingham, etc... So don't be discouraged, keep applying, and you will make it!! We're all in the same boat with you 🙏

 

[EA95]

Don't compare yourself! I graduated in 2021 to and its my first time applying to VS's or TC's, and I only have background in a criminal law firm unfortunately. People have received training contracts with less experience than either of us.

Thank you so much for the response. Hopefully it will turn out great for the both of us.

 

[EA95]

Don't be discouraged or think you're not good enough! Just take it easy and keep applying. For some reassurance, check this out: https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/law-firms-preferred-universities

While it might seem that non-Russell Group universities represent a smaller percentage, this doesn't mean anything negative! First, many firms aren't exclusively picking from the very top universities like KCL, UCL, or Oxbridge. Instead, they're often recruiting from places like Manchester, Leeds, and York.

JUST TO CLARIFY: I’m NOT saying these universities are bad—far from it! What I mean is that law firms aren't always focused solely on the so-called "top" universities; your university is NOT a dealbreaker guaranteeing you a spot! The higher percentage of Russell Group representation simply reflects the larger number of applicants from those universities. Comparatively, there are fewer applicants from non-RG universities, which naturally affects the percentages. For instance, for Magic Circle firms, LSE, KCL and UCL are in 7th, 8th and 9th place, being surpassed by unis like Bristol, Birmingham, etc... So don't be discouraged, keep applying, and you will make it!! We're all in the same boat with you 🙏

Thank you for this, I really appreciate your message.

 

[yasmars]

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.

I’ve progressed with quite a few firms this cycle (US/UK) and I’m from a non Russell group background. I also have average grades at both a level and GCSEs (without mitigating circs) with a 2:1 degree. Your educational background will not hold you back this cycle. But I would say to prioritise firms that have a more holistic way of assessing applicants.

 

[EA95]

I’ve progressed with quite a few firms this cycle (US/UK) and I’m from a non Russell group background. I also have average grades at both a level and GCSEs (without mitigating circs) with a 2:1 degree. Your educational background will not hold you back this cycle. But I would say to prioritise firms that have a more holistic way of assessing applicants.

Thank you for your response. That was one of the things I factored in when I was making my decision on which firms I would be applying to.