TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[BobThebIlly]

Has anyone received an AC invite after completing Freshfields’ WG for the VS?

I completed mine on Sunday (received on Friday and had the deadline for Monday) and haven’t heard anything back

 

[carys09]

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen @Ram Sabaratnam
I have a slight issue, the vac scheme I have an interview for takes place during my term time, and since I am on a student visa I can only do 20hours of work per week during term time. How would you consider approaching this during the interview? Knowing that the firm mainly recruits through its vac scheme and I am VERY keen on that firm?

This is quite a common obstacle faced by plenty of international students. My friend had an issue with this with the W&C winter scheme and when she spoke to grad rec they were able to switch her to the spring scheme. If there are any other scheme dates that don't clash with term maybe ask if you can be considered for them instead? Or maybe switch to a direct TC route. Either way, my advice would be to speak to them earlier rather than later though so you can find a solution. If I was grad rec and I offered someone a place on a vac scheme and they came back to me and said they were unavailable and had known that was the case but didn't say anything I would be a bit annoyed and less inclined to go out of my way to help them

 

[g.cl.2020344]

That moment when you get hit with the "White & Case LLP - Vacation Scheme Application" from Molly Hill at 10:47AM

(PFO)

Honestly idk how I feel about W&C- I applied for their winter vac and never heard back since… then at the beginning of Jan they finally responded to my email and said I am being considered for spring or summer and will hear an update when they are ready- surely I should have either been rejected or given a VI by now

They emailed me 7th Jan- what should I do? Email them again or carry on waiting? Bearing in mind I applied 14th Sept!!!!

 

[yasmars]

Honestly idk how I feel about W&C- I applied for their winter vac and never heard back since… then at the beginning of Jan they finally responded to my email and said I am not being considered for spring or summer and will hear an update when they are ready- surely I should have either been rejected or given a VI by now

They emailed me 7th Jan- what should I do? Email them again or carry on waiting? Bearing in mind I applied 14th Sept!!!!

I think if you have already emailed and they have said that you are not being considered for spring or summer you could assume PFO, especially as you applied for winter. I could be wrong though! I defo wouldn’t send any further emails.

 

[bangarangbass39]

Does anyone have good insight in to why they would choose a Traditional TC over a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship (1 year as an apprentice whilst studying and 2 years doing the normal TC) and vice versa?

I have to make my decision by 5pm today!

Context: I’m a non law grad who has just joined the Civil Service Ministry of Justice. I also live in the midlands. The potential offer would mean I work in the firms London office.

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I think if you have already emailed and they have said that you are not being considered for spring or summer you could assume PFO, especially as you applied for winter. I could be wrong though! I defo wouldn’t send any further emails.

My bad I meant they said I am being considered for spring and summer- just edited my original post

 

[yasmars]

My bad I meant they said I am being considered for spring and summer

Oh then I’d just wait to hear back! Good luck!

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

I think if you have already emailed and they have said that you are not being considered for spring or summer you could assume PFO, especially as you applied for winter. I could be wrong though! I defo wouldn’t send any further emails.

I assumed a typo and it should say NOW being considered rather than not.

 

[yeezyee]

pfo reed smith post vi i am so upset not gonna lie

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Oh then I’d just wait to hear back! Good luck!

Thank you!

 

[lou1707]

I wouldn't necessarily raise it in the interview and instead raise it should you get an offer. If you are asked about it at interview, you can state that you are aware there may be issues given your term dates but that you would look to liaise with your university and the firm to ensure you are able to attend the scheme.

If you receive an offer, your options to discuss with the firm are:

• Ask if alternative vacation scheme dates can be offered instead
• Ask whether you can be considered for a direct TC process instead
• Ask whether the firm could offer a part-time scheme where you only do 20 hours per week

Most universities these days will not mess around with term dates because of their concerns around going against their student visa terms (and risking their licence to be eligible for their students to get student visas) but I have heard of some instances where the candidate is able to get approval from their university where their term dates are effectively changed to allow them to attend an internship. The university effectively gives you a study break with the weeks added at the end of the course or to the next academic year instead.

thank you!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Omg OC virtual AC!

 

[lou1707]

This is quite a common obstacle faced by plenty of international students. My friend had an issue with this with the W&C winter scheme and when she spoke to grad rec they were able to switch her to the spring scheme. If there are any other scheme dates that don't clash with term maybe ask if you can be considered for them instead? Or maybe switch to a direct TC route. Either way, my advice would be to speak to them earlier rather than later though so you can find a solution. If I was grad rec and I offered someone a place on a vac scheme and they came back to me and said they were unavailable and had known that was the case but didn't say anything I would be a bit annoyed and less inclined to go out of my way to help them

unfortunately they only run one VS :/ but thanks yeah it makes sense

 

[aphelion]

thanks for all the support guys but I bombed the skadden interview hahaha - idk if there are any other interviews after today but happy to give some insight if anyone wants it just dm me

 

[lawlover123]

W&C PFO half an hour before my Skadden interview smh feeling demoralised now

sorry to hear! was this post AC?

 

[aphelion]

sorry to hear! was this post AC?

no lmfao post-app. applied on the deadline though so at least they got back to me quickly!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does anyone have good insight in to why they would choose a Traditional TC over a Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship (1 year as an apprentice whilst studying and 2 years doing the normal TC) and vice versa?

I have to make my decision by 5pm today!

Context: I’m a non law grad who has just joined the Civil Service Ministry of Justice. I also live in the midlands. The potential offer would mean I work in the firms London office.

The first thing is to stress you shouldn’t be pressurised into making a decision unless the role is starting soon. Do speak to the employer to see if they can give you more time to consider the offer if you are feeling pressurised to make a decision (even if it’s just until Monday).

Balancing an apprenticeship while working is tricky. You are effectively working four days a week and studying one, but it will be challenging balancing both. Most apprentices I know end up studying more like 2 days per week, which means they are often studying in the evenings or weekends alongside their study day.

But the benefit is that you are working from day 1. You will have more experience than your traditional TC peers when you qualify (which should help with finding an NQ role). You’ll be earning money, which even if the salary is minimum wage, will be financially better than being on a maintenance grant of £20,000 (which is the maximum I have seen for firms that sponsor their future trainees through the SQE before starting the TC). Given you are also getting all employee benefits on top such as annual leave, pension and NI contributions, sick leave etc which you won’t get as a future trainees through being sponsored through an SQE course.

 

[Uch21]

Reed Smith pfo post-vi. 😭

 

[vr36]

Reed Smith pfo post-vi. 😭

I'm sorry to hear that When did you complete the test/vi if you don't mind me asking?

 

[avocadob]

Omg OC virtual AC!

Congratulations! Can I please ask when did you complete the application and automatic assessment? Thanks!