TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[avocadob]

Has anyone applied to OC in Jan 2025 and heard back?

 

[jojo23]

There are two ways to view this. On one hand, if it is the only application question on the form, then you will ideally want to spend as much words covering all the relevant aspects, backed up with specific examples. On another hand, meeting the word count exhaustively when you do not have much to say, may come at the expense of tarnishing the quality you have already built. That said, I do know that the ropes question asks one to cover three qualities their lawyers must have. In 300 words, you may not be able to cover this fully. Thus, I would personally try to up the word count by critiquing your own work and deducing what would make it better when added.

I'd strongly recommend getting closer to 500 words but not by just filling it out. Often when people are not using closer to the 500 words they are really missing the detail needed in the question, especially how the characteristic will drive the firm's business.

Thank you guys! I've managed to push it to around 485. I think content wise it seems pretty decent and well structured 😅

 

[lawbear123]

Hey! Congratulations on the written exercise.

If you don’t mind me asking, is this for summer?

hello yes it is!

 

[xxrr.18]

Omg just got paul weiss test despite missing the comma all throughout my application! Think it is automated and is maybe being sent out alphabetically cos my surname is wuite low down the alphabet?

 

[kelisi88]

GUYSSS my PW assessment came through, they're still sending them out!!! all hope is NOT lost!!!!

 

[xxrr.18]

will they review it for spag after the test do you think?

 

[kelisi88]

Omg just got paul weiss test despite missing the comma all throughout my application! Think it is automated and is maybe being sent out alphabetically cos my surname is wuite low down the alphabet?

both my first and last names are pretty much at the top. i think they randomised the apps

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

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?

Hiya @lawaspirant21

I think this really depends on the firm, but securing a training contract without a vacation scheme is definitely possible, although it can be a bit trickier without any legal experience at all. Most people I know who’ve successfully secured a TC without a vacation scheme have done so after gaining some paralegal experience. Two close colleagues of mine secured training contracts at Baker McKenzie and RPC without vacation scheme experience, but both had been paralegals for nearly a year before applying. If you're aiming for direct TC applications, I’d highly recommend trying to gain some relevant experience, whether as a paralegal or in related roles. Even business services, compliance, or regulatory roles can provide valuable experience that firms look upon favourably. Wishing you the best of luck with your applications!

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

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?

 

[elsx]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

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?

I think so yes

 

[confusedbird]

GUYSSS my PW assessment came through, they're still sending them out!!! all hope is NOT lost!!!!

do you know if it is timed or not by any chance?

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I think so yes

That's so strange. Thank you so much for confirming!

 

[elsx]

That's so strange. Thank you so much for confirming!

I know I would have preferred if it wasn't the case ..

 

[simplyfaith]

Dear LinkedIn,

I am proud to announce that after tremendous effort and patience, I have secured a post-app Cooley PFO at 13:17.

I would like to thank their event representatives and the lawyer who spent 45 minutes with me on the phone, for this would have not been possible without them. Most importantly, I would like to thank myself. For producing a truly generic application, displaying an unrivaled lack of aptitude and conviction for technology law. Comment with the keyword "Conviction" to get my free guide on how you, too, can join the 99%

"You can do anything you set your mind to, man" - Eminem

(yes, I'm on that copium)

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Omg just got paul weiss test despite missing the comma all throughout my application! Think it is automated and is maybe being sent out alphabetically cos my surname is wuite low down the alphabet?

I just received the test invite and also messed up the name a lot, switching between comma and no-comma so pretty sure it's automated :O

 

[applicationzzzzz]

Has anyone who was offered Milbank AC next week heard back about further details?

 

[kelisi88]

Hi, is there anybody here who aces amberjack assessments willing to have a chat with me about it? I bomb the SJT every single time and can't figure out why

 

[jojo23]

Dear LinkedIn,

I am proud to announce that after tremendous effort and patience, I have secured a post-app Cooley PFO at 13:17.

I would like to thank their event representatives and the lawyer who spent 45 minutes with me on the phone, for this would have not been possible without them. Most importantly, I would like to thank myself. For producing a truly generic application, displaying an unrivaled lack of aptitude and conviction for technology law. Comment with the keyword "Conviction" to get my free guide on how you, too, can join the 99%

"You can do anything you set your mind to, man" - Eminem

(yes, I'm on that copium)

This is how villains are made🤣🤣🤣

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I know I would have preferred if it wasn't the case ..

For that question on the application form, it would make sense to focus on one sector than? It's quite limiting lmao

 

[BillSikes]

Guys for Hill Dickinson, please can I check if the following means that your TC is only within one of those areas? Does this mean that if you want to join their health sector, your TC will not include seats in, say, marine work?

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?

Not sure - but they did use to run specific TC apps for each of those sectors - so I think it is likely that yes the seats will be specific.