TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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I've actually had a bit of a weird interaction with them irl. They texted me about the AG AC on the TCLA messages function and told me they were attending the same interview slot as me (there were 3 slots on the day). On the day of the AC, I knew who they were because they'd previously listed on the forum all of their applications and the stages they were at and it was an exact match. I also spoke to them about TCLA and they said that they had likely texted me. After the AC, they texted me via TCLA messages that they had shifted their interview to slot 2 so had not interacted with me even though we had identified each other during the AC...
TBF they seemed nice enough in person and might have been trying to protect their privacy but just felt it was a bit awkward especially if we were on the same AG scheme.
I applied to Gibson Dunn on the 31st of Dec and haven't heard back yet. Does anyone know if they've started sending interview invites for apps submitted towards the end of Dec?
- Sep 9, 2024
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If you get an offer from another firm and you only have a short period before you have to respond to it, you should definitely let the other firms know. It is quite a common circumstance and many of them will be willing to speed up the process. In some cases, I have anecdotal evidence of firms actually looking more favorably on candidates in this situation - I have been told that certain Magic Circle firms have a policy to immediately progress to the final stage candidates with a an expiring TC offer from a reputable firm.@Andrei Radu Hi!!This isn't a strictly VS/TC question, but you have answered a similar question for me before so I was wondering if I could quicky get your thoughts on this. I am applying for paralegal roles at the moment. With some firms, the recruitment process is moving quite quickly and for some of them, I haven't heard back since submitting my application. I want to avoid having to accept an offer when I am still waiting on firms I would prefer. What's the best way of approaching these firms to get a response? Thank you!!
However, if you think the time you will have to consider an offer will be very short (say, less than a week) you might want to email the other firms once you got the final stage interview invitation. This is a less common situation, but I still expect at least some to try to be flexible. Regardless, I do not see any circumstance in which you telling them about the situation will be held against you, so I do not think there is any reason not to try it.
people have started receiving interview offers in nov and in dec , even the interviews were going on in jan , got my PFO from GD this week .
Heya I applied 2nd Sept lol and emailed them last week and they said they r still reviewing applications loll
Generally, I don't think so. Obviously I can't speak for any specific firm or gradrec staff member, but there are plenty of people who don't get vac schemes in second *or* third year and get them subsequently. That being said, just because you don't have a vac scheme doesn't mean your summer has to be "free" - can do many productive things: volunteering, informal work experience/shadowing, doing a personal activity (blog/podcast/society etc.) or just having a job (even in Tesco).
I finished my law degree in 2022 & LPC in 2023. I never done any VS in undergrad or on the LPC & I have been progressed to the next stage for 2 firms this cycle so far.
I met some firms at a law fair through uni & a lot of them said they understand some students genuinely can’t attend through work or finances. I don’t think they necessarily mind if you’ve not done any VS as long as you can show why you are a suitable candidate for the role you’re applying to.
I haven’t been applying to US/MC so I can’t speak for them but this seemed the general consensus amongst other firms.
Thank you so much, this was really helpful!! I think if I make it to the final interview, I will email the firms that are ghosting me 😭
- Sep 9, 2024
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I think your primary focus should be on why you want to be a solicitor - so make sure to show (i) why do you want to work in the legal field - what interests you about law?; (ii) why do you want to be a legal practitioner, as opposed to, say, an academic?; and (iii) why do you want to be a solicitor rather than a barrister?;
Nonetheless, I think it is desirable to go beyond this and also include the commercial element. You can do this directly, as in a normal why commercial law answer, or indirectly. For instance, if you discuss the client-facing nature of the solicitor's job, you could explain how you are particularly motivated to work with businesses and help them with their growth. However, you should first ensure that the primary "why solicitor" element of your answer is properly addressed, and only then move on to consider how you can make it better by adding the commercial part.
It’s been very consistent for the last few years.
It’s an FT article (from within the last few years, so chances are, you won’t have read it before). They first ask for a summary. Then, they ask follow up questions about the article. They score you out of 5 on a bunch of metrics like your summary, your clarity etc.
The rest of the day isn’t assessed. But, you’ll speak with a couple of a trainees and meet some associates and partners, who will feedback if you’re rude lol
Do they weave in competency/motivational questions during the formal interview or is it purely based on the article?
- Sep 9, 2024
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I think normally you can - I have actually been in this situation before, as I received my TC offers from Milbank and Willkie in the spring but went on to do my Davis Polk and Slaughter and May vacations schemes in the summer. You should not have any issues with doing your summer schemes unless you sign the TC offer before the summer vacation scheme and one of the following applies:
- The firm offering the TC has included a clause to the effect that you are prohibited from doing work experiences with other firms (which is quite uncommon in my experience); or
- The firm offering you a VS in the summer makes the offer conditional on you not having signed a TC offer before (though sometimes there can also be flexibility on this point).
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