TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[IneedaTCASAP]

I wanted to query something. I’ve seen it’s normal to reapply to firms if you’ve been rejected post VS. Why. Especially if this was only last cycle. Why would a firm give you the opportunity again when there are others who have not reached that stage yet. This may be pessimistic of me but I did wonder what the point of putting in an application to a firm that has clearly stated you were not a fit. (Reapplying if you ran out of time for assessed elements is understandable or they’ve encouraged you to)

This also goes for firms who offer an AC after an open day. I know someone who attended Latham open day last cycle and did not convert from the AC. They plan to reapply again for the open day. Why. Utilise the experience and move on. Maybe this contradicts resilience in some way but I find it wastes the time of graduate recruitment as they’re most likely going to reject. If it’s your dream firm move there at qualification. This has rattled me on this fine Wednesday morning after debating with a few friends.

 

[bangarangbass39]

For those with middling grades (low- to mid-2:1s at uni), which kind of firms are you applying to? I want to know if I'm being realistic or not!

I wish I had someone with a similar experience at the start who would have reassured me and pushed me to apply where I truly want to be. Only now, in my 2nd cycle, have I found this confidence to apply at top firms.

Personal Context:
A levels: ABB - average state school in the midlands.

UG in History at Warwick: 14 modules in total. 2 were graded 2:2 (in final yr) and 1 graded 46 in 1st year. However, the 46 was a result of handing in the wrong essay, the OG mod grade was a 67. Furthermore, I was receiving treatment for depression and social anxiety in my final year. Overall, a mix of high, mid, and low 2:1s and a 1st here n there.

PG in History at Warwick: 5 mods in total. 2 were graded at 2:2 level. Not ideal but I was continuing to receive treatment in my PG degree. The rest were 1sts and a 2:1.

Applying exp

With firms that just ask for the overall grade, I.e, 2:1, 1st or 2:2. I never had a problem. I always progressed to the next stage off the back of my written app. I even landed an AC for my first VS application!

With firms that ask for a module breakdown, I never had any issues. I recently attend the Baker McKenzie open day and Mishcon Open day which asked for breakdowns. I have also been offered mentoring schemes with Macfarlanes, an elite sports firm, HSF, etc. Safe to say I’ve been fine.

At the Bakers open day they said they look for a strong 2:1. However, (and this is important), this doesn’t mean you need a 2:1 in every mod. They recognise that everyone slips up, and that they have many trainees in the firm who have done so. There is no definitive ideal academic record. This is close to what they said word for word, as best as I can remember!

What does this mean for me?

I’m not targeting MC/US firms. Mostly due to the WLB n culture but also the practice interests I have. I also don’t feel that my legal career is “successful” because I joined an “elite” firm. I feel confident to go where I want to be on the basis of my passions and ambitions.

 

[LexNavigator]

I would include this if you do not reference this in any other part of the application form as the firm does stress the need for academic excellence and so you will want to demonstrate that.

Thanks for this @Jessica Booker, what if adding a breakdown of all grades for A Levels and university makes the CV run into 3 pages instead of 2? Do you think it would be a reasonable alternative to add the year average on the CV and then attach A level and university transcripts separately? Or would it be better to add all breakdowns on the CV and try to cut something to make it 2 pages? Thanks for your help

 

[LexNavigator]

Hi @Jaysen @Jessica Booker hope you are well. I wondered when we should expect to hear back regarding TCLA Scholarship applications. Thank you in advance

 

[Jessica Booker]

I wanted to query something. I’ve seen it’s normal to reapply to firms if you’ve been rejected post VS. Why. Especially if this was only last cycle. Why would a firm give you the opportunity again when there are others who have not reached that stage yet. This may be pessimistic of me but I did wonder what the point of putting in an application to a firm that has clearly stated you were not a fit. (Reapplying if you ran out of time for assessed elements is understandable or they’ve encouraged you to)

This also goes for firms who offer an AC after an open day. I know someone who attended Latham open day last cycle and did not convert from the AC. They plan to reapply again for the open day. Why. Utilise the experience and move on. Maybe this contradicts resilience in some way but I find it wastes the time of graduate recruitment as they’re most likely going to reject. If it’s your dream firm move there at qualification. This has rattled me on this fine Wednesday morning after debating with a few friends.

People can develop their skills and knowledge and become stronger candidates. I don’t think it’s as simple/binary as saying you should or shouldn’t reapply again - there will be plenty of reasons why this is suitable, and yet a whole load of reasons why it may be a waste of time like you have suggested. But ultimately it’s people’s decisions to try again should they want to. They will only be wasting about 3-5 minutes of a graduate recruitment team’s time and to be fair their time get wasted in many other more frustrating ways!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for this @Jessica Booker, what if adding a breakdown of all grades for A Levels and university makes the CV run into 3 pages instead of 2? Do you think it would be a reasonable alternative to add the year average on the CV and then attach A level and university transcripts separately? Or would it be better to add all breakdowns on the CV and try to cut something to make it 2 pages? Thanks for your help

I would change formatting to get it on to two pages or make cuts elsewhere unfortunately. Most CVs I see with some very basic format changes (such as single line spacing and justified paragraphs) will get down to two pages.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jaysen @Jessica Booker hope you are well. I wondered when we should expect to hear back regarding TCLA Scholarship applications. Thank you in advance

Hi there - you should hear back later today or tomorrow in regards to the Scholarship applications.

 

[member7830]

how long does jones day take post first round interview

 

[Apple]

how long does jones day take post first round interview

Some people hear back same day or next day.

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

how long does jones day take post first round interview

Respond in less than a week after interview.

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Are people who have applied to Osborne Clarke still waiting for their online test?

I got their email saying they were having technical problems two weeks ago now, and have had no follow-up since.

Had an email that says to contact them if not received by end of November.

 

[LexNavigator]

I would change formatting to get it on to two pages or make cuts elsewhere unfortunately. Most CVs I see with some very basic format changes (such as single line spacing and justified paragraphs) will get down to two pages.

thanks very much for your responses Jess

 

[OrangeCherry1800]

When do people hear back from A&O post AC?

 

[IneedaTCASAP]

People can develop their skills and knowledge and become stronger candidates. I don’t think it’s as simple/binary as saying you should or shouldn’t reapply again - there will be plenty of reasons why this is suitable, and yet a whole load of reasons why it may be a waste of time like you have suggested. But ultimately it’s people’s decisions to try again should they want to. They will only be wasting about 3-5 minutes of a graduate recruitment team’s time and to be fair their time get wasted in many other more frustrating ways!

Thank you for this insight Jessica.

 

[Interested_In_Law]

When do people hear back from A&O post AC?

I vaguely remember that somewhere on the SOVA platform it was mentioned that it should be 1.5 to 2 weeks? They said at least a week on the day, although that was over a week ago now.

 

[Apple]

Any W&C WVS offers this week?

 

[NJS]

Anyone applied to W&C WVS not heard back from the app stage?

 

[Andrei Radu]

I wanted to query something. I’ve seen it’s normal to reapply to firms if you’ve been rejected post VS. Why. Especially if this was only last cycle. Why would a firm give you the opportunity again when there are others who have not reached that stage yet. This may be pessimistic of me but I did wonder what the point of putting in an application to a firm that has clearly stated you were not a fit. (Reapplying if you ran out of time for assessed elements is understandable or they’ve encouraged you to)

This also goes for firms who offer an AC after an open day. I know someone who attended Latham open day last cycle and did not convert from the AC. They plan to reapply again for the open day. Why. Utilise the experience and move on. Maybe this contradicts resilience in some way but I find it wastes the time of graduate recruitment as they’re most likely going to reject. If it’s your dream firm move there at qualification. This has rattled me on this fine Wednesday morning after debating with a few friends.

I will also add to @Jessica Booker's comment that different firms have different policies for considering people who reapply after being rejected at different stages. Some will outright not consider people who were rejected in a vacation scheme or AC and some will consider it but advise you to only reapply if you significantly improved your candidate profile. For these firms, I would agree with you that many times it may not make sense to reapply.

Other firms however actively encourage reapplications and make it a point to do so publicly. For instance, I remember White & Case made a special podcast with a trainee who was rejected 4-5 times (including at AC and VS stages) before getting the TC offer and explicitly said they thought reapplying shows commitment and resilience. I also personally know someone at White & Case who was rejected during a VS in one cycle but got a TC offer in the next. For these firms, I think there's actually an argument to be made that it is more beneficial to invest time in reapplying rather than making a whole new application at another firm.

 

[Andrei Radu]

what are some good questions to ask on an open day?

If you want to be able to reference the answers given to you in a subsequent VS application, I would advise you to ask for more insight about or just general questions around the firm's unique selling points that you think you could connect with your own interests, motivations and experiences. This is because that is likely to form the main subject matter of your 'why the firm' answer in a VS application.

For instance, if you go to Kirkland, it will make a lot of sense to ask about the firm's standing as the world's premier private equity practice or its meteoric growth. However, it would not be sensible to ask a lot about their commercial litigation team. If you were to go to an HSF open day, it would make a lot of sense to ask about their commercial litigation practice, but not so much about their PE practice.

 

[liv.5.rileyyy]

Just had an offer for Sidley WVS!

The interview was yesterday, and was a really good experience- happy to offer any help!