TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[acb0410]

Hiya @acb0410

Great question! From my experience at assessment centres, elevator pitches can vary quite broadly. I've met candidates who've spoken about personal interests, covering topics from fashion trends to ESG policies to sports investments, as well as others who focused specifically on aspects relating to the firm or industry developments. I've personally found it helpful to focus on more commercial subjects or areas where I had strong knowledge and genuine interest (usually issues of regulation and politics/economics). There isn't usually a fixed expectation around the topic, so it’s good to be flexible here. I think the most important thing to remember is that you're not just giving a very short pitch/presentation on a topic, but also that you need to (1) clearly present a viewpoint or proposal in relation to the topic and (2) that your views should be presented in a structured way so that the audience can follow what you're saying in such a short timeframe.

Another thing I'd encourage you to remember is that you may have to field some follow-up questions. During an assessment centre at a US firm, I was pressed to elaborate further, and needed to come up with a concise, structured responses of around 40-60 seconds.

Overall, I'd encourage you to discuss a topic that you're really interested in and, if you can discuss a commercially relevant topic, that's great too. Just make sure you take a view, are structured in your short pitch, and are prepared to answer any follow up questions concisely. Hope that helps and best of luck with the pitch!

Thank you so so much!!

 

[BillSikes]

6,6,4,3 for me so don’t worry too much

Not sure how they graded it

the VI is gonna hold much more weight lets be real.

 

[Tintin06]

Hi, @Jessica Booker and anyone else that can help give some insight!



A close friend is looking for some insight and advice. He’s been offered a place on the following vac schemes:

White & Case ME: 7-18th April or 23 June - 4 July

HSF: he has already accepted this one, 7-17th April

CC ME: 16-27th June.



Problem is, CC don’t have any dates other than this scheme. HSF has a summer one in July. So he’s not sure if it’s ok to email HSF and ask them to move him to the summer scheme.

He’s also wondering if it’s risky or okay to ask W&C if he can switch the scheme to a U.K. scheme/TC interview if he’s unable to reschedule other schemes.



Any advice would be appreciated.

I’d look at Law Careers Net. Consider VS places vs TC spots. That might help your friend out.

 

[A worried graduate]

the VI is gonna hold much more weight lets be real.

I didn't do too well either (I stuttered and talked a little informally at times) so I will have to bank on my form which I think is decent

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Mishcon folks that did the VI for SVS, when do you think we will hear back re ACs?

 

[Legallygrey]

Ropes AC invite! Probably the most intense AC process I've seen ngl 😂

Congrats - I'm attending the one this Thursday. They've got a very packed schedule for us haven't they

 

[hanz123]

I didn't do too well either (I stuttered and talked a little informally at times) so I will have to bank on my form which I think is decent

same here I think I messed up a little on one question, just going to hope for the best

 

[Anon Lawyer]

same here I think I messed up a little on one question, just going to hope for the best

How many VI questions are there

 

[A worried graduate]

Thanks for letting me know. I just checked my downloads, and luckily, I did download it!!

CVMail actually has a weird habit of pre-filling your applications with your last version despite them not being visible

 

[A worried graduate]

How many VI questions are there

3 or 4

 

[A worried graduate]

Congrats - I'm attending the one this Thursday. They've got a very packed schedule for us haven't they

How many hours is it?

 

[tryingmybestlol]

Does anyone here happen to know how much K&L Gates pays for it's placement scheme? I can't find it anywhere...

 

[traineedreamer]

BCLP VS (Summer)

I received the call during the week but I've been taking time to soak it in! Because this has been a LONG journey.

I graduated in 2018, did a VS at a really good firm in 2020 and failed to convert it. Everybody told me that I'd definitely get something the next cycle, but every VS/DTC application I did was rejected at application/psychometric test. Then the cycle after that, I only managed to get to AC for one firm, but I didn't get the VS. I took a break from applying for the next cycle due to health issues and starting a Paralegal role at a magic circle firm (who said I couldn't get a TC there despite getting a 2.1 with mitigating circumstances - but that's a story for another day 💀). Honestly it has been a rollercoaster all these years, I knew that my applications were good, and I was passing the Watson Glaser (at least for the firms that would provide results). It felt like the only thing letting me down was some of my uni modules, even though I got a high 2:1 overrall.

But now this cycle is here, 7 years after graduating and 5 years after my last Vac Scheme, and I've finally managed to score this one!

I often see people talking about how they feel after not getting the TC offer a year or 2 after graduating, or feeling like being 25+ is too old. If anybody understands how you feel, it's me! So many people have told me to give up, try something else, but if this is truly what you want to do and you believe that you can do it, I say don't give up!! You only need one yes! Wishing everyone waiting on an outcome an abundance of good news this coming week ❤️

 

[Chris Brown]

BCLP VS (Summer)

I received the call during the week but I've been taking time to soak it in! Because this has been a LONG journey.

I graduated in 2018, did a VS at a really good firm in 2020 and failed to convert it. Everybody told me that I'd definitely get something the next cycle, but every VS/DTC application I did was rejected at application/psychometric test. Then the cycle after that, I only managed to get to AC for one firm, but I didn't get the VS. I took a break from applying for the next cycle due to health issues and starting a Paralegal role at a magic circle firm (who said I couldn't get a TC there despite getting a 2.1 with mitigating circumstances - but that's a story for another day 💀). Honestly it has been a rollercoaster all these years, I knew that my applications were good, and I was passing the Watson Glaser (at least for the firms that would provide results). It felt like the only thing letting me down was some of my uni modules, even though I got a high 2:1 overrall.

But now this cycle is here, 7 years after graduating and 5 years after my last Vac Scheme, and I've finally managed to score this one!

I often see people talking about how they feel after not getting the TC offer a year or 2 after graduating, or feeling like being 25+ is too old. If anybody understands how you feel, it's me! So many people have told me to give up, try something else, but if this is truly what you want to do and you believe that you can do it, I say don't give up!! You only need one yes! Wishing everyone waiting on an outcome an abundance of good news this coming week ❤️

Huge congrats!! Best of luck for your BCLP Summer VS and hopefully you are able to convert it into a TC offer! All of us on the TCLA forum will be rooting for you!! 🐐🐐​

 

[bjelostan]

has anyone received news from Reed Smith post ac

 

[Andrei Radu]

BCLP VS (Summer)

I received the call during the week but I've been taking time to soak it in! Because this has been a LONG journey.

I graduated in 2018, did a VS at a really good firm in 2020 and failed to convert it. Everybody told me that I'd definitely get something the next cycle, but every VS/DTC application I did was rejected at application/psychometric test. Then the cycle after that, I only managed to get to AC for one firm, but I didn't get the VS. I took a break from applying for the next cycle due to health issues and starting a Paralegal role at a magic circle firm (who said I couldn't get a TC there despite getting a 2.1 with mitigating circumstances - but that's a story for another day 💀). Honestly it has been a rollercoaster all these years, I knew that my applications were good, and I was passing the Watson Glaser (at least for the firms that would provide results). It felt like the only thing letting me down was some of my uni modules, even though I got a high 2:1 overrall.

But now this cycle is here, 7 years after graduating and 5 years after my last Vac Scheme, and I've finally managed to score this one!

I often see people talking about how they feel after not getting the TC offer a year or 2 after graduating, or feeling like being 25+ is too old. If anybody understands how you feel, it's me! So many people have told me to give up, try something else, but if this is truly what you want to do and you believe that you can do it, I say don't give up!! You only need one yes! Wishing everyone waiting on an outcome an abundance of good news this coming week ❤️

Huge congratulations @traineedreamer 🥳 🥳 your story is genuinely one of the best examples I have seen of determination and of why you should never give up chasing your goals; and I am sure it will motivate many forum members who are having second thoughts right now to keep moving forward! I know you will have a great time on the scheme and will nail it, but, as always, let us know if there is anything we can help out with in the meanwhile !

 

[Apple]

BCLP VS (Summer)

I received the call during the week but I've been taking time to soak it in! Because this has been a LONG journey.

I graduated in 2018, did a VS at a really good firm in 2020 and failed to convert it. Everybody told me that I'd definitely get something the next cycle, but every VS/DTC application I did was rejected at application/psychometric test. Then the cycle after that, I only managed to get to AC for one firm, but I didn't get the VS. I took a break from applying for the next cycle due to health issues and starting a Paralegal role at a magic circle firm (who said I couldn't get a TC there despite getting a 2.1 with mitigating circumstances - but that's a story for another day 💀). Honestly it has been a rollercoaster all these years, I knew that my applications were good, and I was passing the Watson Glaser (at least for the firms that would provide results). It felt like the only thing letting me down was some of my uni modules, even though I got a high 2:1 overrall.

But now this cycle is here, 7 years after graduating and 5 years after my last Vac Scheme, and I've finally managed to score this one!

I often see people talking about how they feel after not getting the TC offer a year or 2 after graduating, or feeling like being 25+ is too old. If anybody understands how you feel, it's me! So many people have told me to give up, try something else, but if this is truly what you want to do and you believe that you can do it, I say don't give up!! You only need one yes! Wishing everyone waiting on an outcome an abundance of good news this coming week ❤️

Stories like this keep me going lol

edit: Congrats!

 

[traineedreamer]

Huge congrats!! Best of luck for your BCLP Summer VS and hopefully you are able to convert it into a TC offer! All of us on the TCLA forum will be rooting for you!! 🐐🐐​

Stories like this keep me going lol

edit: Congrats!

Thank you both!! Best of luck to you for the rest of the cycle! We've got this!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Thank you for your insights.
Do you then think that selling AC insights for instance could be problematic? (If somehow firms were to find out which candidates have done so)

I think it looks more suspect general reputation-wise in the case it is found out, but I doubt a firm would ever go to the trouble of reporting you because of this. Moreover, as Jessica said before, I do not think the SRA would act upon such a complaint, and even if they did, I struggle to think of regulatory grounds they could realistically sanction you on. The only exception I can think of is if you signed a confidentiality agreement for the AC, in which case I would avoid sharing information that may be covered by it.

 

[BillSikes]

Thank you for your insights.
Do you then think that selling AC insights for instance could be problematic? (If somehow firms were to find out which candidates have done so)

No one is gonna find out