-
Build your commercial awareness from scratch in 1 month! Use the coupon code 'FORUM' at checkout for £30 off.
TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
- Start date
-
- Tags
- vacation scheme
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?
- Sep 7, 2024
- 334
- 714
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!
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!
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
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!
Last edited:
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
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.
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!
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. 🙂
Last edited:
i know this is probably a very obvious question but just want to check so im covering all bases but have a 'critical thinking test' coming up and not sure if it will just be WG based or further than this? there are zero details in the email
is this also for DACB? I was planning on doing it now, could give you insights if it's that
- Sep 7, 2024
- 334
- 714
Hiya @lawyersum
Don't apologise! This is a great question, though it’s challenging to answer with precision. One reason for this is the lack of reliable data on training contract statistics for the regional offices of large firms. Most available insights that I've seen tend to focus on London.
From my experience mentoring applicants who’ve applied to both regional and London offices, my impression is that regional offices are sometimes less competitive in a very specific sense - largely because they tend to receive fewer applications. London, as an international legal hub, attracts a high volume of candidates due to its global reputation and the broad scope of work offered. Regional offices, on the other hand, often appeal more to candidates with ties to the local area or a particular interest in specific practice areas such as agriculture, healthcare, or manufacturing.
That said, regional offices are by no means “easy” to get into. I’ve met highly capable candidates who have faced challenges securing training contracts at firms with offices in cities like Birmingham or Manchester. The standards remain high, as these offices still handle complex and high-quality work, often have leaner teams, few training contract spots, and maintain rigorous selection processes.
Hope that helps!
Similar threads
- Sticky
- Locked
- Sticky
- Sticky
