TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[OliverTwist]

@Jessica Booker, I accepted a role with a consulting firm on Tuesday, which is a step up from what I am currently doing. In my current role, I could technically do vacation schemes as most of my work was conducted from the US, and I don't think anyone would necessarily find out. However, I am aware that this next firm will be a lot more stringent and probably have work cross-over with a lot of the firms I am looking at. The problem is, whilst a lot of my applications this cycle are for direct training contracts and are still in the running, I have about six that are for summer vacation schemes for which I am at different stages (one waiting back to here from post-AC).

I had applied to vacation schemes with these select firms as for all but one, it is the only way to secure a TC with them; however, for the last one, they do have a direct TC route. What would you say would be the best course of action to take?

I almost feel like it's a bit cheeky to ask if there is a direct TC route with the five that do not have one, and I suspect the answer will be no before I have even asked. Even with the sixth, I know that they have different criteria and often deem it unfair on other candidates to switch someone from the VS to TC application partway through the process.

 

[Chris Brown]

I just got an email notification from Vantage and I thought OMG it must be Travers Smith…

Instead it was an email from Macfarlanes about applying to their in-house senior partner dinner. 🥲🥲​

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker, I accepted a role with a consulting firm on Tuesday, which is a step up from what I am currently doing. In my current role, I could technically do vacation schemes as most of my work was conducted from the US, and I don't think anyone would necessarily find out. However, I am aware that this next firm will be a lot more stringent and probably have work cross-over with a lot of the firms I am looking at. The problem is, whilst a lot of my applications this cycle are for direct training contracts and are still in the running, I have about six that are for summer vacation schemes for which I am at different stages (one waiting back to here from post-AC).

I had applied to vacation schemes with these select firms as for all but one, it is the only way to secure a TC with them; however, for the last one, they do have a direct TC route. What would you say would be the best course of action to take?

I almost feel like it's a bit cheeky to ask if there is a direct TC route with the five that do not have one, and I suspect the answer will be no before I have even asked. Even with the sixth, I know that they have different criteria and often deem it unfair on other candidates to switch someone from the VS to TC application partway through the process.

I would just wait to hear back from the firms and at the point you are either invited to the next stage or offered a role, speak to them about transferring to a direct TC process then, explaining you have taken on a new job which will mean you cannot now complete a VS with them.

There is no harm in asking the firms even that recruit exclusively from VS whether they can make an exception. The worse they will say is no which is no different a position than you would be if you had to decline the offer/withdraw your candidacy.

If they do have different standards for a direct TC process, you are likely to be assessed again.

 

[manifestingthetc]

congrats!!! when did you do your interview?

14th !

 

[OliverTwist]

I would just wait to hear back from the firms and at the point you are either invited to the next stage or offered a role, speak to them about transferring to a direct TC process then, explaining you have taken on a new job which will mean you cannot now complete a VS with them.

There is no harm in asking the firms even that recruit exclusively from VS whether they can make an exception. The worse they will say is no which is no different a position than you would be if you had to decline the offer/withdraw your candidacy.

If they do have different standards for a direct TC process, you are likely to be assessed again.

Thank you, and update my forms for each (if there is a function), so they know about the new role?

 

[MilkMaid]

Hey guys, anyone heard back from TLT post AC? (Either normal AC or beyond scheme AC)

I was offered a VS with TLT yesterday (this was the Scotland office though, AC was end of January). They told me it would be 3 weeks until I got feedback and it was spot on 3 weeks when they got back to me

 

[lawyerdreams]

I have seen this many 100s of times over. Sometimes people with the strongest preferences can be those to change their mind to something they really thought they would hate.

Hi Jess, I'm sure this probably varies between firms, but generally does it matter which order you complete your seats in? Say for example you are interested in a specific practise area (for eg. intl arb) that's relatively large at the firm, does it matter if you complete the seat as a first-seat or a last-seat trainee in terms of likelihood to get a NQ role in that practise area? Or is this not a factor?

 

[erderlylars]

Anyone heard from Bird & Bird post-AC yet?

 

[ronaldo69]

@Jessica Booker I bought the premium membership last Saturday, and I am still waiting membership approval. Have already sent 2 emails with no response... Is this how it usually works?

 

[Nine]

Hi everyone, (@Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman)

Could anyone help me with some info - for case study interviews, do I need to prepare a powerpoint presentation or a report of sorts? I’ve just been told it’s a case study interview but I’m not sure how to prepare for it or what to expect after I’ve read the info they’ve given me? Any advice would be appreciated!!

Thank you very much

 

[Applebanana425]

Hogans summer Ac!

 

[loe]

Hogans summer Ac!

Congrats! When did you do the WG?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you, and update my forms for each (if there is a function), so they know about the new role?

No - I don’t think there is a need to do that at this stage if you are waiting to hear back.

 

[OliverTwist]

No - I don’t think there is a need to do that at this stage if you are waiting to hear back.

Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi Jess, I'm sure this probably varies between firms, but generally does it matter which order you complete your seats in? Say for example you are interested in a specific practise area (for eg. intl arb) that's relatively large at the firm, does it matter if you complete the seat as a first-seat or a last-seat trainee in terms of likelihood to get a NQ role in that practise area? Or is this not a factor?

Ideally any preferred seat would be done between 6-18 months during your training contract. You really want the first six months to settle into the firm, and qualification processes can start at around 18-20 months into a TC.

However, I have seen plenty of people qualify into the seat they say in first or last.

 

[Mathlaw432]

Has anyone heard back from Covington post AC? I've heard that some PFOs' have been sent out but wonder if anyone has heard anything

 

[Chris Brown]

Has anyone heard back from Covington post AC? I've heard that some PFOs' have been sent out but wonder if anyone has heard anything

I have seen one person on this forum that has received a SVS offer from Covington post AC. 🙂​

 

[Mathlaw432]

I have seen one person on this forum that has received a SVS offer from Covington post AC. 🙂​

Looks likes it's a PFO then

 

[Chris Brown]

Looks likes it's a PFO then

It might depend on when they had their AC vs when you had your AC. If they had theirs earlier in the process that might be why they got their offer sooner. I wouldn’t assume PFO yet as you might end up being surprised! Best of luck for Covington & Burling! 🙂​

 

[SamiyaJ]

To my fellow cohorts still waiting to hear back from PW post SJT… what are we thinking? PFO or there’s a chance AC invites are still going out?