TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[lawaspirant!]

Hi there, I appreciate that this is mainly for vacation scheme discussion, but in light of recent VS rejections does anyone know the chances of securing a TC without prior legal experience/vacation scheme places etc?

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

He literally asked “does anyone know what I can get”.

“Has anyone been successful in getting the questions in advance”

I’m sorry, but how is anyone reading that not going to have alarm bells ringing?

It sounds exactly like they’re trying to game the system. If they really wanted to know what adjustments they were entitled to, they would not come on here trying to see what other adjustments people have got.

That’s like saying you’re allergic to nuts and can’t eat nuts and require dietary restrictions because some random user like “bigboy101” on TCLA is allergic to nuts. Please explain this logic to me?

Well it isn't actually the case.

For example, the diagnosis and support plan does not cover SJTs or interviews as they aren't usual at school or uni. However firms do offer alternates for SJTs for those with diagnosis of different SEND based on which SEND they have.

So whilst the person may have phrased their questions differently perhaps stating what adjustments might they offer for people with aspergers/dyslexia/discalxulia for SJTs and interviews and other types of tests that weren't cover by an educational psychologistreport. Adjustments in the workplace aren't the same as adjustments at school/uni so aren't always covered in reports/support plans prepared for those settings.

Asking about getting questions in advance might well be a reasonable adjustment for a student who was used to getting copies of lecture slides in advance to assist with their note taking.

 

[marioskekkos5]

Did the PW test - was pretty hard in some parts. Feedback report gives you full outline of how you did on every area (on a bar chart). Email also outlines next stage is a virtual assessment centre.

I attended the October Open Day it was such a lie - we were promised no SJT and next stage would be in person interview ahah

Hi! On what skills does the bar give you an outline? numerical and verbal or more?

 

[lawyersum]

Akin AC
Goodwin VI
Weil VI
W&C VI
Dechert Written Task
Willkie Written Task
Linklaters
HSF VS
Reed smith AC
Macfarlanes AC
Addleshaw Goddard AC

12 applications, 5 ACs, 1 rejection

Successful with HSF and got an offer

Waiting for Weil, Linklaters, W&C and Goodwin.
Weil said 2 weeks but nothing yet. I saw a summer VS for Linklaters today, was that the fast track individuals.

This is so impressive! Would you mind sharing a tidbit of your application strategy?

 

[Jessica Booker]

“Does anyone know what I can get”

You are making your reasonable adjustments sound like you have just won a free burger at Burger King.

Ideally, you should have a support plan in place which has been created by a medical expert or disability coordinator. That’s where you will find out what adjustments you will require for work/studies. If they deem that you require written materials or questions in advance, then absolutely you may request this.

If you do not have this, and you have self diagnosed your neurodivergence, then it is most likely self curable too.

It’s highly unlikely that you will get the questions in advance as this is a massive risk to law firms and they have no way to stop you from circulating or leaking the information.

I need to step in here as a lot of what you have said in this post needs addressing.

Many medical reports/psychologist reports do not provide the detail of the varied reasonable adjustments someone could receive. This is because to do this you'd have to assess every variable scenario, which just doesn't happen. This makes the whole process of knowing what adjustments you need a minefield to navigate, especially when these forms of assessments are new to you or if you have not had significant experience in the workplace (academic and work place adjustments tend to be very different).

This means a lot of people don't know what adjustments they need, let alone what they can ask for.

Also, you do not need to have a formal diagnosis to ask for adjustments.

The idea that people who have self-diagnosed, especially given current wait times for professional diagnosis (sometimes over six years), means that people can "cure" their neurodivergence is (put frankly) a flawed argument.

Getting questions in advance is actually a fairly common adjustment too - I have seen this done across a number of organisations and to differing levels, from more guidance on the questions to a specific list of exact questions being provided.

 

[Rhohia]

Anyone else just get a "Thank you for completing your assessment" email from Reed Smith? (I did the assessment and VI a month ago...)

Don’t want to assume but I think this means they rewatched your VI

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, grad rec have reached out and asked about reasonable adjustments for AC.

Apart from extra time - does anyone know what adjustments I can get for being neurodiverse?

Has anyone ever been successful in getting the interview questions in advance?

Please feel free to PM me about this and I can give you more advice that will be tailored to your specific requirements.

 

[yasmars]

Don’t want to assume but I think this means they rewatched your VI

Yeah, I think it means you passed their initial benchmark and they are confirming they have watched your VI. Cos

 

[Rhohia]

Hi there!

I’ve linked our deadlines thread here for both VS’ and TC’s - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....4-25-with-rolling-non-rolling-checklist.8957/

Training Contract Deadlines 2024/25 (Training Starting in 2027)

Hey friends! We have put together a list of firms currently recruiting trainees via the direct training contract application route. We hope this makes things easier for those of you looking to apply, especially if you aren’t able to do a vacation scheme. The list below is mainly for training...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

I like to ask for a separate room for individual exercises. I tend to worry when I see others flipping pages on a task. If I'm on page 1, I start to rush, thinking I’m behind and ruining the work I give. I also find it calming to be in a separate room so I can hear my thoughts more.

This is a very typical adjustment too and something a lot of firms would be able to accommodate if they have space in their offices to do so. It is also deemed a reasonable adjustment as many firms will have focused working areas/small offices/pods for people to get their head down and work, so its something people could easily replicate in a "real-world" working environment.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Well then refer to your support plan. You will find all the reasonable adjustments you are entitled to.

Again, I will stress most reports do not have this type of information as it is not a comprehensive assessment of every type of working environment or assessment you could get.

 

[Tintin06]

Anyone else get Latham's email today? Essentially, they're still considering our applications. Similar situation to White & Case. I did both firms' ACs before. Does Latham & Watkins reinterview people? I'm pretty sure W&C can do.

Re: adjustments, I've had separate rooms. No medical diagnosis was asked for. However, I gave them mine previously. Also have an Employment Support Plan. But you don't need either, honestly.

 

[elsx]

Hi,
Speaking of adjustement,
I reached out to OC once I got invited to the virtual AC. They replied quite quickly asking for more details but I have not hear back since then and my AC is on Wednesday. Has anyone been in contact with them regarding adjustements and heard back? I am just stressed since it's my first interview with a law firm that is not recorded and my first time asking for adjustements.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

'As a firm, we operate across a number of sectors and specialisms, and offer sector-specific training contracts in each of our business services, health and marine groups.Which of our teams would you be most interested in completing a seat in and why?' for this question, are they asking about which stream we would like to do (marine vs health) or which seat within those streams we would like to do? such as shipping finance etc. thank you! @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

 

[elsx]

'As a firm, we operate across a number of sectors and specialisms, and offer sector-specific training contracts in each of our business services, health and marine groups.Which of our teams would you be most interested in completing a seat in and why?' for this question, are they asking about which stream we would like to do (marine vs health) or which seat within those streams we would like to do? such as shipping finance etc. thank you! @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman

Hi,
I personally wrote about one seat and briefly mentionned my interest for the stream as a whole but I do ot knw if this is what was expected.

 

[BonanzaBih_]

Hi,
I personally wrote about one seat and briefly mentionned my interest for the stream as a whole but I do ot knw if this is what was expected.

yeah thats what im thinking but im not sure

 

[lawstudent2]

Does anyone have any insight into the HL SVS timeline from previous cycles, I applied start of nov did the test start of dec and haven't heard since. I know there were PFOs the other day and a couple ACs a few weeks ago but does anyone know how much longer roughly they gonna take before the full set of ACs?

My bf and I impulsively booked a four day holiday mid/end of feb and I'm now wondering if that is too soon and will get in the way since they have been taking a while for each wave of communications - I only have two apps left to hear back from so I thought it wld be fine but am now doubting that a bit

 

[elsx]

Heya @AlegalA

Would be curious to get thoughts from @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu and @Amma Usman here, but based on my initial understanding of the question and a quick glance of their Chambers Student profile, I think the question is asking you to focus on a particular team/seat within your chosen sector (e.g., Health Litigation seat in the Health sector, or Tax and Financial Services seat in the Business Services).

When answering this question, it might be worth structuring your answer in the following way. Start by explaining the team/seat you're interested in. This is where you can also demonstrate some of your research not just in that particular sector, but also the sort of work that's typically carried out for clients when you're sat in that team/seat. You can also use this section to demonstrate an understanding of Hill Dickinson’s experience in that sector, perhaps referencing a recent deal or case done by the team. Finally, I'd tie your response to specific skills, experiences, or interests that align with the work of that team. That is, you'll want to briefly say why that work resonates with you.

Hope this helps and let us know if you have any other questions! Best of luck with your application 🥳

This is the answer given by @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[Jessica Booker]

I don’t know why you are getting so defensive. The question you asked isn’t something that anyone on here can even answer.

Like I said, from the tone of your original post, it just sounded like you were being a bit deceitful.

I would recommend asking your support worker whether this is something you think will help you. As this will depend more on your personal circumstances. Just because someone else was “successful in getting the questions in advance” doesn’t necessarily mean you will.

Your response to their original query was overly dismissive so I can see why they have reacted the way they have.

The suggestion that they are also being deceitful is also incredibly presumptuous. I would encourage you to remind yourself of TCLA's rule as your tone and language used in this respect is not what our community stands for as this will be considered as a personal attack. You can find the rules here: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/help/terms/

I am not sure whether you are basing this on your own experiences or something, but most people don't even have a "support worker", so your advice is very narrow minded and often incorrect too.

As we have seen from the responses, people have been able to help provide guidance on the adjustments they have received that may help the individual navigate this process. They (or anyone else) is also welcome to contact me directly via private messages to discuss the adjustments they may need.

 

[SamiyaJ]

Cooley PFO post app!