TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone

This is my second cycle and I want to take SQE1 this Jan following my law conversion, and then SQE2. My concern is that most TCs are advertised for 2027, but I want to start as early as possible if I pass the SQE (I know that this is a hypothetical).

I know there are several firms that will officially advertise for 2025 this year (mainly niche ones), or that have had an established unofficial practice of taking on new future trainees in the same year if they have already completed SQE (a handful of US ones).

My question is whether, with some existing future trainees not passing SQE, there would be potentially a larger range of firms open to *unofficially* filling their intakes from those future trainees who self-funded their SQE so that they don’t have to wait? This is just to narrow down my selection of firms because I wouldn’t be able to wait till 2027.

Possibly - but I think many firms will have a waiting list for trainees who can start earlier and may just backfill vacancies with those people.

I would recommend applying to firms you are interested in even if they are recruiting for 2027 anyway and if you got an offer, you could be on these waiting lists to start earlier.

 

[sm250]

Posting to join

 

[ohnoselim]

hey all quick question, is the Hogan Lovells lift off available for graduates to apply to aswell orrrr?

 

[Tintin06]

I started applying back in 2017. I'll probably be 50 before qualifying.

 

[Izzy1026]

How long do we have to complete the AO Shearman assessment after receiving it? Is it just by the WVS deadline on their website?

 

[dollydaydream]

posting to join

 

[Apple]

How long do we have to complete the AO Shearman assessment after receiving it? Is it just by the WVS deadline on their website?

I cant remember the exact date, I think its 5 or 7 days. But it definitely isnt just by the application deadline.

 

[Tom smith]

Hi, just wondering if third year law undergraduate are eligible for all vacation schemes, or are some firms exclusive to second year law undergraduates or third year non-law undergraduates? For example, on Sullivan & Cromwell's website it says this "We will accept applications for our 2024 summer vacation scheme from penultimate-year law students and final-year non-law students, as well as those studying for postgraduate degrees, from 1 November 2023 through 12 January 2024." - note sure if this would exclude third year law undergraduates?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi, just wondering if third year law undergraduate are eligible for all vacation schemes, or are some firms exclusive to second year law undergraduates or third year non-law undergraduates? For example, on Sullivan & Cromwell's website it says this "We will accept applications for our 2024 summer vacation scheme from penultimate-year law students and final-year non-law students, as well as those studying for postgraduate degrees, from 1 November 2023 through 12 January 2024." - note sure if this would exclude third year law undergraduates?

To me, this would exclude a final year third-year law student unfortunately. Different firms have different criteria, so it is always worthwhile checking as to what each firm's criteria is.

 

[lawyersum]

Hi all, just wondering where Legal Cheek vacation schemes would fit into an application form. For context, I attended the Winter, Spring, and Summer editions, participated in practice area workshops, and completed case studies sent to us in my own time. Should I group them under all my legal events in the work experience section? Or, should I have a heading stating: Legal Cheek Vacation Schemes, and pop the details under there? @Jessica Booker

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, just wondering where Legal Cheek vacation schemes would fit into an application form. For context, I attended the Winter, Spring, and Summer editions, participated in practice area workshops, and completed case studies sent to us in my own time. Should I group them under all my legal events in the work experience section? Or, should I have a heading stating: Legal Cheek Vacation Schemes, and pop the details under there? @Jessica Booker

I'd definitely only have them as one entry if you are including them in a work experience section, but I think they are better suited to any careers events sections if there is one, or something like additional information sections.

If there is nowhere suitable to list them elsewhere in the application form, then include them in a work experience entry but as one entry,

 

[lawyersum]

I'd definitely only have them as one entry if you are including them in a work experience section, but I think they are better suited to any careers events sections if there is one, or something like additional information sections.

If there is nowhere suitable to list them elsewhere in the application form, then include them in a work experience entry but as one entry,

Thank you very much!

 

[Amjaya]

Events :: A&O Shearman UK Early Careers

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earlycareersuk.aoshearman.com

you can sign up for the next one! i thought i hadn't received an invite for the one on the 12th but the invite was in my spam.

Thank you for this!!!!

 

[Zi48]

How long do we have to complete the AO Shearman assessment after receiving it? Is it just by the WVS deadline on their website?

I cant remember the exact date, I think its 5 or 7 days. But it definitely isnt just by the application deadline.

I spoke to grad rec today, we just have to complete it by the application deadline

 

[jasonbourne]

hey guys, for the HSF Social Mobility Open Day App, does our work experience have to be in chronological order starting with our most recent? They didn't say anything about this on their work experience section, I have my work experience down the other way around with my most recent at the bottom

 

[Thom&as]

How long do we have to complete the AO Shearman assessment after receiving it? Is it just by the WVS deadline on their website?

They said in one of their emails to me: "Shortly, you will receive a separate email containing a link to the interactive assessment, which you will be required to complete by the deadline (please check the website for specific application closing dates) ... Please note your application (including all online assessments) will need to be submitted by the deadline for this vacancy."

I don't see anywhere where it says it needs to be completed within 5 or 7 days.

 

[Gg2001]

Sidley Austin VS apps open. Not to put anyone off applying at all, but I have looked through their trainees on LinkedIn and found only 2 of their 30 trainee cohort who attended state school (granted I probably didn't find everyone).

I don't understand why the likes of Legal Cheek don't look into this and report it.

People know privilege is bad at these US firms - but do they really know it is that bad?

90% Oxbridge too - with some LSE/Bristol and Notts/Exeter came up.

It’s same for US and Magic Circle. Trainees on LinkedIn are either Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Kings, Warwick, Bristol. Some exceptions from other unis but that’s their main cohort.

 

[RVD23]

Does anyone know what Watson-Glaser score firms are typically looking for?

 

[TC seeker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica! I have some questions about the written exercise, usually what kind of information should be included when we write the report?

 

[AveragePoster]

Anything from Sidley?