TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[studenttolawyer]

y'all I'm starting to see why they want resilience from their trainees, this stuff is brutal 😭

this is my first time applying, I'm second year non-law so I really didn't make that many applications anyway. Went into the cycle hoping for a vac scheme but mostly treating it as a test run, and omg it's been so exhausting, will need to dig deep down for the energy to do another cycle properly.

though I haven't got the PFOs from many firms, it's been long enough that I can tell. I estimate i'm still in the running for 2, maybe 3 vacation schemes. the thought of starting all these applications again from scratch!? so much respect for those of you who have done multiple cycles and are still at it!

what are peoples summer plans if no vac scheme? I might start firing off some non-legal internship applications, but I don't know. This process has actually made me realise I really do want to do law. In all likelihood will end up picking up full-time hours at my pub job.

welcome to the grind it's relentless, but we persevere. so proud of you, and wishing you the best of luck!

re summer plans – i'm graduating (queue crying sound), so have to sort my life out, i guess. going to look for some jobs to keep myself afloat and get some more legal work experience.

after my second year, i just worked all summer in a hospitality job. it requires a lot of perseverance, too, so i think doing full-time is great! if i were you, i'd reach out to local boutique law firms and ask if you could shadow someone or help with anything. even a couple of weeks of such experience is a good boost to your CV.

 

[NCTC2025]

HL SVS Offer!! Been rejected by the firm 3 times so this feels incredible!

 

[bangarangbass39]

Addleshaws AC invite for London Spring VS.

For future questions; I applied all the way back in May, completed the CRT in September and my VI on the 10th of Jan. Best of luck and if anyone wants to chat prep please get in touch!

 

[Tintin06]

Well folks, another week has come to an end. There’s been good news and bad news.

The main thing is that we keep going! These firms will NOT see the last of us, whether it’s this cycle or the next! We shall persevere.

I hope you all manage to get some rest and enjoy the weekend. Please remember to wind down even if it for a couple of hours as our physical and mental health is so important.

Super happy to be a part of this community, I look forward to every new message/reaction.

PS: Still hoping to receive some sort of an update this evening before 7pm lmao and @Tintin06 I hope you’re ok! We need one of your legendary updates my friend 😂

No updates apart from Freshfields SJT. But that's for TC not VS.

 

[FoxStella]

Congrats! When did you apply if you don't mind me asking?

A couple of days before the deadline in Dec I think

 

[bsh]

Anyone heard back from Latham post AC?

 

[legal18]

HL SVS Offer!! Been rejected by the firm 3 times so this feels incredible!

Congrats!!!!!!

 

[legallady123]

Hey maybe a little late to be asking this question lol but when you guys fill out the work experience section, do you simply list the tasks or do you write what skills you demonstrated / learned from doing that task? I’m asking because I had my CV checked years ago by a Magic Circle lawyer who said to remove any explanation of skills learned etc and to be super succinct in writing down bullet point tasks under WE section. I’ve just watched a grad recruitment video basically saying the opposite so would be intrigued to know what other people do?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Any news post AC from HL?

Did you already complete an AC for HL’s Vac scheme?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Sorry for the off-topic question, but for any paralegals here, how many applications did you submit before getting lucky 💀

any insights would be so helpful 💖

 

[Chill_solicitor]

Hey maybe a little late to be asking this question lol but when you guys fill out the work experience section, do you simply list the tasks or do you write what skills you demonstrated / learned from doing that task? I’m asking because I had my CV checked years ago by a Magic Circle lawyer who said to remove any explanation of skills learned etc and to be super succinct in writing down bullet point tasks under WE section. I’ve just watched a grad recruitment video basically saying the opposite so would be intrigued to know what other people do?

I think it depends on the firm. When I went to HSF’s open day they made it clear not to use bullet points and to write in full what you did and what skills your gained etc. Some firms don’t mind a CV style work experience section. To be safe I’d say to use STAR and quantify any results you achieved. I think also avoid repeating any information you already made in your application.

 

[lillypad321]

Anyone heard back from DWF?

My friend heard back yesterday, got through to video interviews

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Sorry for the off-topic question, but for any paralegals here, how many applications did you submit before getting lucky 💀

any insights would be so helpful 💖

as many as it took to start applying outside of London tbh

 

[Miss Chocolate]

as many as it took to start applying outside of London tbh

did you not keep a tracker?

 

[lillypad321]

Anyone hear anything from PMC?

 

[Chris Brown]

HL SVS Offer!! Been rejected by the firm 3 times so this feels incredible!

Huge congratulations!! 🥳

If you don’t mind me asking, when did you apply and when was your AC?

After the AC, how long after did they confirm you were being offered the SVS?

Best of luck on the SVS!! Next stop HL TC offer!! 🫡

 

[aspiring solicitor 015]

Any insights into Kirkland AC?

 

[rapunzel]

HL SVS Offer!! Been rejected by the firm 3 times so this feels incredible!

Congratulations! that's amazing 🥳

 

[rapunzel]

Hey maybe a little late to be asking this question lol but when you guys fill out the work experience section, do you simply list the tasks or do you write what skills you demonstrated / learned from doing that task? I’m asking because I had my CV checked years ago by a Magic Circle lawyer who said to remove any explanation of skills learned etc and to be super succinct in writing down bullet point tasks under WE section. I’ve just watched a grad recruitment video basically saying the opposite so would be intrigued to know what other people do?

I normally look out for anything they say on the actual page of the application section, law firms might be really clear they want to know about your skills as well as duties and others just duties.

 

[NCTC2025]

Huge congratulations!! 🥳

If you don’t mind me asking, when did you apply and when was your AC?

After the AC, how long after did they confirm you were being offered the SVS?

Best of luck on the SVS!! Next stop HL TC offer!! 🫡

Thank you!

So I applied quite early on as I submitted both my VS and my Liftoff application at the same time. I believe it was in October. As for the AC, I did it yesterday and the grad rec initially told me I would hear back in 2 weeks but the partner called me today!

But as I have previously commented on this forum, when I got the AC offer there were only two options and the Grad Rec confirmed they had only arranged two ACs so far yesterday meaning only 12 ppl had gotten invited. She said there would be a lot more in the coming weeks so don't worry! If anyone gets invited to an AC, feel free to dm me for some insight.

Edit: I got rejected from liftoff but still made it onto the VS so don't worry if you're in the same boat!