TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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?

 

[lilyhayward22]

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

 

[Chris Brown]

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

This has just happened to me lmao. I recently applied to Paul Hastings (PH) for their SVS. When I started my Baker McKenzie (BM) DTC application, all of my work experience that I entered for PH was pre-saved for BM but in the wrong order. CVMail is probably the hardest portal to navigate idk why firms use it. AllHires and Vantage are a lot more straightforward, at least in my experience with using all 3. I wonder if firms that use CVMail can see which other firms we have applied to. 🤔​

 

[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

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

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

Hiya @lilyhayward22


I've also tried looking this up previously, and it seems like K&L Gates might not be publicly disclosing how much they pay for their vacation scheme. I've tried looking through their site, as well as their profile on both lawcareers.net and chambers student. For future reference, I've found this Chambers Student page really helpful when trying to track down vacation scheme payments and compare schemes. I'd recommend checking back there occasionally, as they regularly update the details. Hope this helps!

 

[A worried graduate]

This has just happened to me lmao. I recently applied to Paul Hastings (PH) for their SVS. When I started my Baker McKenzie (BM) DTC application, all of my work experience that I entered for PH was pre-saved for BM but in the wrong order. CVMail is probably the hardest portal to navigate idk why firms use it. AllHires and Vantage are a lot more straightforward, at least in my experience with using all 3. I wonder if firms that use CVMail can see which other firms we have applied to. 🤔​

Allhires used to be the worst back when it was ''Apply4Law''