TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jta227]

Would it be rlly stupid to do a tc at a mid market uk firm over an American city firm? (only for the working hours)

is it a big mistake??? considering that I could always move to a better work life balance firm post the tc right or can I not @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

Self-awareness is important: I know one or two people that started a US TC and couldn't deal with the lifestyle, who ended up leaving the TC (and law altogether).

That being said, if you think you can hack it for 2 years, and the US firm is better than the mid-market UK firm in the areas that matter to you, then I would personally encourage you to go for it. You can indeed move firm post-TC - obviously you'd still have to interview for NQ positions and the job market is tough but I imagine you would be in a good position to get another role - if not upon qualification then at least in the subsequent years.

In terms of either decision being a "mistake" - this is ultimately a personal decision about what you want from your career. I'm sure you can have a great career at a mid-market UK firm, furthermore it could be possible to be able to move up to US/SC level from those firms after qualifying or a few PQE. A CMS trainee recently joined Fried Frank upon qualification (not saying this is the norm, just that it happens). I think whatever you choose, as long as you make the most of the opportunity you'll be fine!

Congrats on the offers!

 

[👩🎓]

Hiya!

Just adding to what @Jessica Booker has already said, but absolutely! I've definitely mentioned similar volunteering experiences in sections asking about non-academic interests. Depending on how extensive your volunteering at the university's law clinic is, you might even consider including a more substantial entry in your work experience section too (just be mindful not to discuss it in repetitive terms). Good luck!

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam!

Thank you so much, this is really helpful!

 

[jojo23]

Hey guys. Is 26/36 a good score for SH SJT? I have no idea haha

How many maths questions are there? I wanna know how many times I'm gonna cry

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Would it be rlly stupid to do a tc at a mid market uk firm over an American city firm? (only for the working hours)

is it a big mistake??? considering that I could always move to a better work life balance firm post the tc right or can I not @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Jessica Booker

Hiya @lawyeringitout

Just jumping in ahead of @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu and @Jessica Booker on this, but wanted to reassure you that it certainly wouldn't be ridiculous to choose a training contract at a mid-market UK firm over an American City firm.

Having completed vacation schemes exclusively at US firms, I've personally met several exceptional associates who trained at excellent mid-market UK firms (e.g. firms like Bird & Bird, Charles Russell Speechlys, Clyde & Co, Pinsent Masons, and Stephenson Harwood) before moving to those US firms a few years after qualification. Many of them expressed to me how much they appreciated the structured training and supportive environment during their training contracts, which helped them build strong foundations and become successful junior associates.

Additionally, trainees at US firms sometimes face considerable challenges post-qualification, either struggling to secure NQ roles internally due to competitive retention processes and also struggling to find external roles at mid-market UK firms due to the difficult economic market. I just wanted to be clear that training at a US firm doesn't automatically guarantee a smooth or superior career trajectory.

Ultimately, as @jta227 alluded to, it's important to consider carefully where you think you'll best develop the skills and experience that align with your long-term career goals. Think about the type of work, the areas of practice you're genuinely passionate about, and the environment that best suits your personal and professional growth. Hope this helps and looking forward to what the others have to say

 

[Bbhu19]

congratulations !! Also wanted to ask if your willing to share your SJT results

 

[TCseeker101]

Has anyone heard from Farrer & Co post AC?

 

[Overthinker123!]

Hey guys, just wanna reach out for some advice. I had a TI with a firm today, and the next stage is a two-day AC. Unfortunately, the first day of AC clashes with my interview with SM, but the first day is just an unassessed insight day to prepare us for the next day, so I might be able to miss it. I don’t know the outcome of today’s TI yet, but should I reschedule my SM interview just in case?

If I do reschedule, should I mention it’s due to another AC or give a different reason? Thanks

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

 

[ironspears45]

Travers PFO and Paul Weiss SVS offer to finish off the 24/25 application season.

 

[LawAspirer]

Would you guys say that direct TC applications are more competitive than TC through VS?

 

[VMS]

… Another Vac Scheme offer to finish my cycle 🙈

Last year (and the year before really), nobody wanted me and now it’s 3 VS’ and 1 TC 🤣 (I’m not allowed to say who my TC or last VS are for per firm’s rules).

To everyone going through this process, please don’t give up. You learn something new from every cycle. Without me learning from my mistakes on the last two, I never would have got to this point!

Best of luck to everyone still waiting to hear back from firms!

I’m going to keep popping on here though 👀 I’ve been on this forum for nearly two years, it feels a bit like home 💖

 

[SamiyaJ]

… Another Vac Scheme offer to finish my cycle 🙈

Last year (and the year before really), nobody wanted me and now it’s 3 VS’ and 1 TC 🤣 (I’m not allowed to say who my TC or last VS are for per firm’s rules).

To everyone going through this process, please don’t give up. You learn something new from every cycle. Without me learning from my mistakes on the last two, I never would have got to this point!

Best of luck to everyone still waiting to hear back from firms!

I’m going to keep popping on here though 👀 I’ve been on this forum for nearly two years, it feels a bit like home 💖

Your heart must be so full!! Well done and congratulations 🫶🏾🤍✨

 

[VMS]

Your heart must be so full!! Well done and congratulations 🫶🏾🤍✨

I’ve spent the last two days crying or dancing around the kitchen with joy!! 💖

A stark contrast to November when I was so depressed from rejections I couldn’t get out of bed!

Thank you so much.

 

[A worried graduate]

Anyone here heard from Hill Dickinson post-vi

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Would you guys say that direct TC applications are more competitive than TC through VS?

Depends. You need a very (or, depending on the firm, mildly) different profile for a Direct TC than a Vacation Scheme most of the time. If you have the experience, then both are equally challenging. If you don't have the experience, some Direct TCs will just reject you outright (I don't just mean legal experience, Direct TCs are ideal for career changers too)

 

[TCpleasex]

Congrats! May I ask what date you completed the assessment and what your stats were please?

Thank you!

I completed the assessment a couple of days before the deadline & my stats were 9977 & the highest bar for numerical & verbal

 

[nonlaw2025graduate]

Hi, I got an invite to Stephenson Harwood Assessment. It involves an amberjack test with a video interview at the end with 4 questions. Does anyone if we have unlimited preparation time or is there a time limit? Thank you!

 

[legaleagle11]

Hi, I got an invite to Stephenson Harwood Assessment. It involves an amberjack test with a video interview at the end with 4 questions. Does anyone if we have unlimited preparation time or is there a time limit? Thank you!

It is timed - it says all the information once you start the test, though there isn’t a ‘time limit’ per se, more something to be mindful of!

 

[user9809]

… Another Vac Scheme offer to finish my cycle 🙈

Last year (and the year before really), nobody wanted me and now it’s 3 VS’ and 1 TC 🤣 (I’m not allowed to say who my TC or last VS are for per firm’s rules).

To everyone going through this process, please don’t give up. You learn something new from every cycle. Without me learning from my mistakes on the last two, I never would have got to this point!

Best of luck to everyone still waiting to hear back from firms!

I’m going to keep popping on here though 👀 I’ve been on this forum for nearly two years, it feels a bit like home 💖

Congratulations! What did you change this application season?

 

[legallyells]

I can’t believe it but I got a call yesterday offering me a vac scheme at my favourite firm!!!! (asked not to disclose until a week or so). Last year I never made it to interview, so it feels very surreal to have actually progressed!

 

[VMS]

Congratulations! What did you change this application season?

I’d say two things: my confidence in interviews and my research into the firm.

I don’t think it can be understated just how much firms look at your people skills. I was so, so nervous and uncertain on my first two cycles, and although I was obviously still nervous this cycle, the experience I’d already had with interviews and the kinds of questions that were asked allowed me to prepare a lot better and therefore feel a lot more confident in myself going forward into interviews.

In one of my interviews this cycle, I was still so nervous I couldn’t eat that day. But, on my feedback, my interviewer said I didn’t seem nervous at all!

Regarding research, I was rather vague my first two cycles into what I’d researched. I’d say what the firm did on the surface-level and why I was interested, but I never specifically talked about cases that interested me. This cycle, I was a lot more specific and that allowed my enthusiasm to be communicated better.

I hope that helps!!