TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[CHLTC]

Hello all,

I had a general question to ask regarding the idea of self funding the SQE. I already have my GDL.

This will be my fourth round of applying to VS/TCs, next year my 5th, and im coming to a point now where 1) I’m wondering it this is all worth it. And 2) whether I should go ahead and complete my SQE.

I have always feared that self funding the SQE shows 2 negative things:
1) you are in a fortunate position to do so. One that others do not have. And I’m afraid it could demonstrate a certain privilege. A privilege that firms may take badly.
2) if you’re self funding, then clearly, no one wanted to fund you. Maybe a slightly negative outlook on things, but I could see law firms thinking this. “Hmm, no one wanted to pay for this person's SQE, so maybe this candidate isn’t great?”

I’d love to know what people think. I’m really considering now moving on and funding it myself. I don’t think re applying might do me any good at this point.

@Jaysen
@Jessica Booker

 

[starfish345]

Current VS/TC application cycle - for reference, I’m a final year law student with a low-ish 2.1 from a good RG (LSE/Durham/UCL). Strong work experience in finance and law.

PFOs (most after hearing nothing, a few after VI/Test):
Eversheds
Goodwin
Bird & Bird
Cooley
Baker McKenzie
Hogan Lovells
Bristows
Reed Smith
WFW
HFW
Fieldfisher
SPB
Greenberg Traurig
Withers
V&E

Nothing back (either post-VI/Test or nothing at all – assuming PFO for most of the earlier ones):
Latham
Weil
Milbank
Katten
Jones Day
Akin
Sidley Austin
Arnold & Porter
Travers Smith
Gibson Dunn
Paul Weiss
Brown Rudnick
Curtis
Ropes & Grey
McGuireWoods

ACs:
Osborne Clarke
Farrer & Co
Forsters

Still have a handful of VS apps left to submit and then its time to hit the rest of the TCs.

Really sacrificed my schoolwork in the first term to grind out high quality essays/responses, not sure where I went wrong or if it’s just a difficult cycle. Still really like the options I have for ACs and hopefully can convert, just a bit disappointing on the US Firm front. I assume my grades held me back a bit.

 

[bella98]

Anyone has done an AC with Penningtons and heard back?

 

[Legalstalker]

They encouraged me too, I don’t see why you wouldn’t, there’s no harm in reapplying again, however, I do believe now that if you’ve done a VS with a firm they won’t take you again

I see, I was encourage to do direct TC.

I didn’t reapply for the VS for the firms I did last year as I believed it to be a waste of both our times. Given the scheme, culture and process would be the same and didn’t convert (1). I’ve never heard of someone doing a VS twice at the same firm?

 

[saminoriya]

Anyone has done an AC with Penningtons and heard back?

I did AC last week, but they haven't come back to me yet. They said it will take around 2-3 weeks.

 

[NJS]

I see, I was encourage to do direct TC.

I didn’t reapply for the VS for the firms I did last year as I believed it to be a waste of both our times. Given the scheme, culture and process would be the same and didn’t convert (1). I’ve never heard of someone doing a VS twice at the same firm?

Yeah I just thought I'd give it a go, I did a another vac scheme in between so technically I improved.

Did you apply to the direct TC?

 

[theruleofno]

They encouraged me too, I don’t see why you wouldn’t, there’s no harm in reapplying again, however, I do believe now that if you’ve done a VS with a firm they won’t take you again

I got to interview last year and they heavily encouraged me to reapply. Maybe an internal policy changed? I know my skills and application writing are okay bc I have 3 VS offers 💀💀💀

 

[ohnoselim]

quick question, do firms accommodate swapping to a different scheme date?

I put down preferred dates but realised I'll be out the country for the first option I chose

any advice?

 

[Jessica Booker]

It's scheduled for soon

I would try to call the firm before 5.00pm today to speak to someone about this. If you cannot get hold of anyone, then email again (unless the deadline is this weekend).

 

[bjelostan]

has anyone heard from mayer brown or reed smith post AC?

 

[TCfinder]

Hi, I've got the NRF TI coming up soon and would really appreciate any insights that anyone can give!

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare for the Stephenson Harwood amberjack SJT assessment? I tried to access their practice test which they provide on their website but it won't load for me - not sure if it's worth me sending a message about it to their grad recruitment team.. but would really appreciate any advice! on blended assessments / VIs in general

I was thinking of applying to SH but I didn’t know they used amberjack…

Paul, Weiss test has traumatised me. I’m trying to avoid this amberjack test at all costs now. 😂

Looks like I won’t be applying to SH at all. 🥲

 

[theruleofno]

has anyone heard from mayer brown or reed smith post AC?

MB are still doing ACs this week and next for summer

 

[F2020202]

does anyone know what the longest time firms take post AC to respond to you if you got an offer is? I had an AC on Monday last week, so it's been almost two weeks and still haven't heard back. Is this likely a rejection because I see people usually getting offers the day after their AC or do firms still send out acceptances even two weeks later?

 

[lala_17]

does anyone have any insights to the Linklaters or Macfarlanes AC? happy for pms if ppl prefer!

 

[Defnefresko]

I have some advice if that helps, not saying I’m an expert at all but I hope this helps! As a caveat I’ve passed 2/3 I have taken this cycle so far and ones for big 4 where I work now in consulting.

If the question asks about skills you think are key to success as a trainee

Go through each example, explain why it’s key and give an example e.g., attention to detail when reviewing documents/contracts and if there is time link back to you and an example of how you have this skill.

If it’s a competency based question star method is key! At the end if you can link back to how the example will help you succeed as a trainee that’s beneficial too.

Try to look at the camera and smile all you can it can ease your nerves.

Thank you very much ! This is very helpful.

 

[ria_s01]

forsters PFO post video interview lol

 

[trainee4u]

Hello all,

I had a general question to ask regarding the idea of self funding the SQE. I already have my GDL.

This will be my fourth round of applying to VS/TCs, next year my 5th, and im coming to a point now where 1) I’m wondering it this is all worth it. And 2) whether I should go ahead and complete my SQE.

I have always feared that self funding the SQE shows 2 negative things:
1) you are in a fortunate position to do so. One that others do not have. And I’m afraid it could demonstrate a certain privilege. A privilege that firms may take badly.
2) if you’re self funding, then clearly, no one wanted to fund you. Maybe a slightly negative outlook on things, but I could see law firms thinking this. “Hmm, no one wanted to pay for this person's SQE, so maybe this candidate isn’t great?”

I’d love to know what people think. I’m really considering now moving on and funding it myself. I don’t think re applying might do me any good at this point.

Hi,
I did SQE1 during the break at the end of my PGDL. I have not done SQE2.

My thoughts:

1) if you've done a (P)GDL there should be no need for a prep course for SQE1, there's really nothing hard or difficult to understand without teaching, just lots and lots of content, and it's a bit of a waste of time honestly doing prep courses for SQE1. IDK what the syllabus was like when you did yours, but my PGDL had SQE1-type exams for all modules (along with 2 modules with oral, 4 with written exam, and 2 with coursework). So the cost is not that exorbitant, just a few hundred for books, pus the exam.
2) Some firms are now moving towards offering apprenticeships instead of TCs, with integrated SQE. If you've done SQE at all, you might be ruled out of these. However, this is perhaps 2% of firms, so not hugely significant.
3) I passed my SQE1 at 98th percentile (FLK1) & 95th percentile (FLK2) (they don't publish these percentiles, I extrapolated them being downloading the data by doing 'view source' on their stats pages). I definitely could have been better prepared and was slightly dissatisfied with my FLK2, but I'd say overall that these are good results. Realistically first quintile (which they do publish, and which some firms ask about) is sufficient to make you better.
4) Some firms ask for SQE1 for paralegal, so it does help. Albeit paralegal still v. competitive.
5) I feel in some way that having SQE1 on my CV is beneficial and in some ways it's not, as you've still got firms hiring two years out, so it's like "what are you going to do with yourself"?
6) I can't really see that your self-funding & privilege points are particularly valid. If you can get paralegal work that would surely help!

 

[trainee4u]

Sorry to hear. is this post app or post vi?

applied 12 January, PFO today; nothing in between.

 

[Lawpersonhopefilly]

Have people heard from linklaters post app?