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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

Legalgirl

Well-Known Member
Oct 28, 2024
24
93
Does anybody have a rough clue as to how many people HSF invite to their AC's?
When I had the winter AC, we were 8. But there was one other AC that week, and if I can remember correctly, 2-3 weeks of ACs.

Grad Rec told us that sometimes they hold ACs as long as they can (before the start of the vac scheme) if they have not found the right candidates yet. I remember I received my AC invite quite early on, and someone in my AC only received the invite 3 days before it!

I guess they do not have as much of a strict regimen when it comes to AC invites.

Hope this helps :)
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
642
1,455
Do firms expect a non-law graduate to complete the same ACs as law students? As in if you haven’t got the full legal knowledge, how can you compete in an AC?
I don’t think AC’s would be testing legal knowledge. It would be more commercial awareness, so that it’s fair for both law and non-law students. 🙂

If someone has done law then partners might ask one or two legal questions I think. 🥲
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,117
21,053
I’d be interested to know… does having a first or consistent firsts from a RG uni (non-RG doesn’t apply to me in this instance) have any advantage anymore given that people with stellar academic records are still being rejected.

I’m still clueless as to work experience as I have the typcial probono, retail and few consulting projects, and law firm open days. Which I’m sure just as many applicants have- if not better.

It’s hard to figure out how to make myself a better candidate and in regards to which aspect.
It’s going to be an advantage but there will be plenty of other elements that firms are looking for beyond academics that mean someone with exceptionally academics could still be unsuccessful.
 
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Hana ♥

Valued Member
Jan 7, 2023
106
327
I saw a few people getting Covington ACs and still nothing here. This is extremely disheartening, I attended their Legal Horizons Scheme in office (we were only about 30) and I got personally emailed during an online event by grad rec telling me they were highly impressed with me and asked to stay in contact throughout my professional career.

I am extremely confused. Not a rejection yet, but expecting one.

This is getting ridiculous...
 

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
15,117
21,053
Do firms expect a non-law graduate to complete the same ACs as law students? As in if you haven’t got the full legal knowledge, how can you compete in an AC?
You will be doing the same assessments, but there will be some difference in expectations as to what you may or may not know.

This is not just about academics. The same goes for work experience. If you have no legal work experience, the expectations of what you might know would be very different to someone who has worked as a paralegal for a decent length of time.

A lot of assessments are not dependent about the knowledge of technicalities though, and instead are much more about broader commercial knowledge which can be developed without experience.
 
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Reactions: Chris Brown

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
642
1,455
I saw a few people getting Covington ACs and still nothing here. This is extremely disheartening, I attended their Legal Horizons Scheme in office (we were only about 30) and I got personally emailed during an online event by grad rec telling me they were highly impressed with me and asked to stay in contact throughout my professional career.

I am extremely confused. Not a rejection yet, but expecting one.

This is getting ridiculous...
I think it’s too soon to expect a PFO because only a few people have mentioned AC invites so we can’t know for sure until we get the email!

Best of luck for Covington!
 
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Reactions: LawJ and Hana ♥
Does anyone know what US firms are classified as 'sateleite offices' in London. Thanks

This provides overview of all the firms in London. In terms of applications I'd say ones which don't offer training contracts. Further firms really only focussed in the transactional finance related space, especially PE

 

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