TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

How do you guys pick yourself up when feeling defeated? Spending hours drafting applications to just be rejected after a random test.
Do you guys have any tips? @Andrei Radu, how do you manage to not give up?

Hey @AS24 , here’s my take on it…

Honestly, rejection is tough, and there’s no sugar-coating that. But it’s so important to remember that it doesn’t define your worth or potential as a future lawyer. The way I see it, these tests are often just a filter tool for law firms—they’re designed to sift through a high volume of applicants, not necessarily to measure your capability or future success.

Sometimes, tests don’t capture what really makes you stand out: your ability to analyse complex issues, your interpersonal skills, or your resilience. These things are crucial for a career as a commercial lawyer, but they can’t always be boiled down to a few multiple-choice questions.

So don’t let a few setbacks make you doubt yourself. The most successful people in the legal profession have faced countless rejections, yet they pushed through and kept improving. Rejections don’t close doors—they just redirect you to better opportunities. And every application you write is refining your skills, building your story, and bringing you closer to the right fit.

When you feel defeated, take a step back and remind yourself why you started. Revisit the long-term goal, but also allow yourself to take small breaks when needed. Lean on your support network, share your experiences, and most importantly, keep going. Every “no” brings you one step closer to a “yes.”

Keep your head high, and don’t let temporary setbacks stop you from achieving your goals. You will get there. 💪

 

[fingersarecrossed]

fun fact: in my first year of applications, when it asked for the employer's name, i would write the firm director's name instead of the firm's name etc 😭

 

[Amma Usman]

Any guidance re Taylor Wessing cover letter? e.g. anyone knows what length is acceptable? thanks

Hey @gazdgazd11 , good question. For cover letters where there is no word count, I tend to not go beyond 650 words. This is because I feel anything longer risks the danger of skipping off on tangents, or saying the same thing but with overflowerly language.

Ideally, the cover letter should cover three things (1) why commercial law (2) why the firm (3) skills, experiences, achievements that make you stand out.

For better structure, it is also worth mentioning that you will cover these three things in the introductory paragraph of the cover letter. This will give the recruiter ease when navigating between each paragraph.

 

[AlegalA]

Hey all, just have a few questions (specifically in reference to Mishcon if that's helpful).
1- they ask "do you currently hold a valid visa" right after I answered "no" for needing a visa to work in the UK. I've got a UK passport so don't need a visa, am I correct in saying no to that question or are they considering a passport to be a visa? (I am definitely overthinking this I just don't want to make a mistake lol).

2- They have 5 boxes for "achievements and awards". I have filled 2, one with all my virtual VS/ internships (like legal cheek's one) + Forage, the other with volunteering work I have done. Should I try and fill the other 3 as well (separating Forage from the rest, talking about hobbies etc) or is that overkill if I don't really have anything more to say?

Thank you!

 

[👩🎓]

Hi @Jessica Booker, if a firm has a word limit of 50 on each work experience entry, would you just expect a description of what you did, rather than what skills you learnt from it?

 

[Amma Usman]

Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application.

For this question, how many points should we aim to mention and should we outline the skills we gained from those experiences?

Hi @fingersarecrossed , I would suggest focusing less on the number of points you want to cover and more on grouping similar experiences together. For instance, you could combine extracurricular activities into one paragraph and positions of responsibility into another. It’s also a good idea to briefly highlight the skills gained, as the final part of the question mentions that these will help support your application.

 

[Looper88]

If you get a VS offer at a small US firm running a one-week scheme, while I obviously cannot quantify it, I would say you have good enough chances to be worth applying. In my case it worked out, but I don't know enough people who have been in similar circumstances to be able to make a more general judgement. A lot will depend on the attitude of the specific recruiters at each firm.

As per the second question, I'm not sure I can tell you as this is not part of any official firm policy and I would not want to misrepresent a firm's recruiting profile. Even the firm I went to changed its graduate recruitment staff this year, so there is no guarantee they will be inclined to have the same attitude this cycle. That said, I will say that I think in general higher flexibility is associated with (i) US firms rather than UK firms; (ii) small firms rather than large ones; (iii) one week schemes rather than multiple week schemes; and (iv) assessment/networking/training focus rather than work focus. To maximize your chances, what I'd advise you to do is to shortlist the firms you would be interested in using the first three criteria and then further research (perhaps by reaching out to ex-vac schemers) which vacation schemes have the least focus on work.

Thank you very much, that is all understood. Grateful for your kind advice in navigating these frustrating circumstances! 😇

 

[jojo23]

if you tick the section that say's 'have you previously applied for a position with us' are they likely to look back at old applications?

 

[Amma Usman]

if you tick the section that say's 'have you previously applied for a position with us' are they likely to look back at old applications?

Hi @jojo23. I expect this to be the case at interview stage mostly, but @Jessica Booker will have more thoughts on this.

 

[legal18]

If a deadline is 6th October does that mean midnight tonight or tomorrow.

 

[jojo23]

If a deadline is 6th October does that mean midnight tonight or tomorrow.

usually 23:59 on the 6th. Some might say 5pm though

 

[jojo23]

Hi @jojo23. I expect this to be the case at interview stage mostly, but @Jessica Booker will have more thoughts on this.

ok that's fair, i'm just proofreading an application before sending and i was considering taking some bits out but, i noticed i had put it in a previous application...

 

[F a v o u r]

I heard that at the Linklaters AC they ask you to do the Watson Glaser test again. Can anyone confirm whether this is true?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Please give details of your extra-curricular activities, and any prizes, scholarships, positions of responsibility, or noteworthy achievements that will support your application.

For this question, how many points should we aim to mention and should we outline the skills we gained from those experiences?

There isn’t really a fixed number for this type of question - I would just try to showcase as much variety as possible.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, if a firm has a word limit of 50 on each work experience entry, would you just expect a description of what you did, rather than what skills you learnt from it?

Definitely focus on key responsibilities rather than anything else given the word limit.

 

[Amma Usman]

Hey @legal18. Where the exact time is unspecified, I recommend submitting as soon as possible on the 6th. For some firms where the time is not stated, this could be 12pm, 11:59pm, etc. So, just to be safe, sooner is recommended.

 

[Amma Usman]

I heard that at the Linklaters AC they ask you to do the Watson Glaser test again. Can anyone confirm whether this is true?

Hey @F a v o u r , I’m unsure about Links in particular, but I know of some firms that have this policy.

 

[patternteddybear]

I have been quite unwell so haven’t yet started my application journey. My plan is to start from tomorrow and just power through - I aiming to apply for Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes. I have exams in January so realised that Winter Vacation Schemes most likely wouldn’t be ideal as I have lots of revision to do over Christmas! Terrified about applying but I have updated my CV and so just need to get on with the applications now!

 

[Zi48]

I heard that at the Linklaters AC they ask you to do the Watson Glaser test again. Can anyone confirm whether this is true?

When I did their AC last year they didn’t, not sure if it’s changed since then

 

[Amma Usman]

I have been quite unwell so haven’t yet started my application journey. My plan is to start from tomorrow and just power through - I aiming to apply for Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes. I have exams in January so realised that Winter Vacation Schemes most likely wouldn’t be ideal as I have lots of revision to do over Christmas! Terrified about applying but I have updated my CV and so just need to get on with the applications now!

Hi @patternteddybear , I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been unwell, I hope you’re feeling better now. It’s amazing that you’re pushing yourself out there and applying for Spring/Summer schemes. Updating your CV is a great first step. I’d also recommend narrowing down which types of practices you’re interested in as this would help you narrow down the firms to apply to. Best of luck!