TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Cool pigeon]

If I have an AC for a Manchester office of a law firm, can i ask to transfer my application to the London office. Personal circumstances have changed and therefore, applying to London makes more sense now for me. The AC is online. Do you think if i explained to grad rec this is something that would be possible as im doing it before even attending the AC? Also, i sent the application a while back

 

[Amakaa]

hi everyone, I was having a really tough cycle, just PFO after PFO, even from firms I spent an ungodly amount of time getting to know through events and open days etc (you know the drill🥲). Recently, I got my first small win - a W&C VI invite! Please hang in there and don't give up hope!!
I understand that people have been offering to trade tips but unfortunately, I haven't had much experience advancing. If anyone would still be happy to share tips for this, I would be really grateful! Thanks

Congratulations 🎉 is this for summer or spring if I may ask please.

 

[Miss Chocolate]

is it the automated thank u for completing one

yep!!

 

[lawyer195]

Any more Latham offers / rejections post AC today?

 

[BillSikes]

If I have an AC for a Manchester office of a law firm, can i ask to transfer my application to the London office. Personal circumstances have changed and therefore, applying to London makes more sense now for me. The AC is online. Do you think if i explained to grad rec this is something that would be possible as im doing it before even attending the AC? Also, i sent the application a while back

Yeah you should go for it.

 

[yeezyee]

any bakers rejections post test? the vi’s have me worried ah

 

[johnnysins]

Any more Latham offers / rejections post AC today?

I think most of us haven't heard back on anything for the Summer Vacation Scheme HAHA

Did you apply for the Spring or Summer Scheme and were you on their open day?

 

[S7321]

Anything from Travers, MoFo, Sidley, Orrick, OC or SH?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi, does anyone know at what point its worth emailing BCLP regarding an application update, it has been since November when I received the feedback report.
@Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker or anyone!! Thank you

Hiya @futuretrainee101ac

I think it’s worth sending them a quick email now to ask for an update, especially since it’s been a while. When I applied to BCLP, I got my response around February, so it’s not unusual for them to take a bit of time. Fingers crossed you hear back soon with good news!

 

[Chris Brown]

Anything from Travers, MoFo, Sidley, Orrick, OC or SH?

If this is for Travers SVS, I haven’t heard back yet but tbh the deadline was only a week ago.

They mentioned in the automated email thing that they read all applications first, then shortlist candidates for the interview. It may take several weeks before we hear back. 🥲🥲

 

[NCTC2025]

If this is for Travers SVS, I haven’t heard back yet but tbh the deadline was only a week ago.

They mentioned in the automated email thing that they read all applications first, then shortlist candidates for the interview. It may take several weeks before we hear back. 🥲🥲

Last year I only got invited to interview on the 20th of February so don't worry!

 

[Zi48]

If I have an AC for a Manchester office of a law firm, can i ask to transfer my application to the London office. Personal circumstances have changed and therefore, applying to London makes more sense now for me. The AC is online. Do you think if i explained to grad rec this is something that would be possible as im doing it before even attending the AC? Also, i sent the application a while back

You can always ask but be prepared for them to say no. Some people apply to regional offices thinking it’ll be less competitive then try to switch to London and firms are aware of this. But if your circumstances have genuinely changed I don’t think there’s harm in asking (someone else might have better advice on whether to do this before or after the AC)

 

[lawyersum]

You can always ask but be prepared for them to say no. Some people apply to regional offices thinking it’ll be less competitive then try to switch to London and firms are aware of this. But if your circumstances have genuinely changed I don’t think there’s harm in asking (someone else might have better advice on whether to do this before or after the AC)

genuine question here - are regional offices really less competitive by a significant amount? Or is it just an assumption? Sorry guys for butting into your convo lol

 

[jacksollaf]

RPC AC!

congrats!!!! Is that for summer?

 

[legallady123]

genuine question here - are regional offices really less competitive by a significant amount? Or is it just an assumption? Sorry guys for butting into your convo lol

In my experience, yes 🙁 and I think it is largely down to numbers. There are just so many more candidates with similar grades and experience to compete with in London. I have a TC offer in a regional office (in Scotland) and have never been outright rejected for any firm in this city. I’ve made it to AC / interview stage in every application I’ve ever done until now. This is my first cycle applying to London firms and I’m getting rejected at first stage fairly often!

 

[NCTC2025]

If anyone has insight into the Eversheds AC DM me pls! would be willing to give insight into AC for Slaughter, Freshfields, Travers, Hogan Lovells, and TLT. Done VIs with quite a few firms too

 

[coldmilc]

Congratulations 🎉 is this for summer or spring if I may ask please.

Thanks, I remember indicating I was interested in both

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

If I have an AC for a Manchester office of a law firm, can i ask to transfer my application to the London office. Personal circumstances have changed and therefore, applying to London makes more sense now for me. The AC is online. Do you think if i explained to grad rec this is something that would be possible as im doing it before even attending the AC? Also, i sent the application a while back

Grad Rec are more than aware that people apply to regional offices with absolutely no intention of working there, and with the full aim of transferring to their London office. Personally, if I was Grad rec I would just reject you immediately.

Other than that, I would reassess your application with respect to the London applicants, and it's likely that you would not make the cut, as London is soooo competitive.

 

[Zi48]

genuine question here - are regional offices really less competitive by a significant amount? Or is it just an assumption? Sorry guys for butting into your convo lol

I think it’s an assumption. There are less people applying to regional offices but they also have less spaces, so proportionally the competition could be similar. But I’m not 100% sure!

 

[Chris Brown]

genuine question here - are regional offices really less competitive by a significant amount? Or is it just an assumption? Sorry guys for butting into your convo lol

I think they are somewhat less competitive but not by a significant amount. Regional offices tend to receive less applications than London offices but they also offer less TC’s, so it works out to be roughly the same % wise.

I think it also depends on the firm itself. I would imagine international firms like DLA Piper, Squire Patton Boggs and Pinsent Masons are competitive in the regions and in London. 🥲

For example, I went to the DLA Piper Discovery Day in Manchester. In the email confirming my offer of a place, they mentioned they had been overwhelmed with a very high number of quality applications.

This would imply it’s more of an assumption that a firm’s regional offices are less competitive. 🙂