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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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- vacation scheme
This is a practise test -
Damage to roads in the area has made them unsuitable for loads over one ton. These loads are being transported to the capital by air, but as air resources are limited they are restricted to carrying food and medical supplies. Roads cannot be repaired until medical emergencies are dealt with. Therefore, ...
| Currently only food or medical supplies are arriving in the capital. Currently only food or medical supplies are arriving in the capital.
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Is this for Stephenson Harwood? I thought 600 words for each question is quite excessive. I am definitely using geopolitical conflict as one of the examples, especially with the recent presidential election.
I would say it does not follow because loads under one ton can still arrive in the capital according to the first sentence. This could exclude food and medical supplies.
im not sure, I still haven't heard back after my initial app in early sept lol. but some people have done vI and ac
yes... tempted to give up on the application because why is it basically 2000 words
is this something all applicants get, or is it selective? I got one too but wasn’t sure whether I should be happy or not haha
Hiya @emma.d 😊
@Amma Usman and @Andrei Radu would certainly have valuable insights to share, but I’ve done a quick search and found a few resources that could help. I’ve hyperlinked them along with some points you might want to consider. I’ve skipped over common topics like ESG and AI since there’s already plenty out there on those. Here are some other areas worth reflecting on:
- Broader Economic Pressures: A recent Law Society article discusses how the volatile UK economy is affecting clients, leading to pressures on law firms to reduce fees and boost efficiency. It cites an industry survey showing that 44% of partners are facing client demands for fee reductions, and 46% report clients moving to less expensive competitors. It might be useful to think about how these economic pressures could affect firms over the next several years.
- Professional Regulatory Pressures: An excellent recent piece in The Times covers how the Solicitors Regulation Authority is ramping up scrutiny, especially around fraud, money laundering, and firms' internal risk management. This focus stems from several high-profile financial crime cases across UK firms.
- Competitive Market Pressures: The Financial Times recently highlighted how UK firms' hourly rates and salaries are shifting, influenced not only by the growing presence of US firms but also by specialist boutiques. With clients becoming more price-sensitive, firms may need to navigate this carefully. More on this can be found here.
Oh nice one lol good luck with yours!they screen applications first and send out WG invites after
Hey guys what (free) resources would you suggest to prepare for AC case studies in general? @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam
That is what I thought! I think the question I am going to struggle with the most is, 'With reference to your professional, academic and personal experiences, what makes Stephenson Harwood the right place for you to train?'. It's had to come up with 600 words to write about a firm that has had no events. I looked for an open day and the website says 'dates tbc'. I am just hoping that, if I send it off early enough the competition is less because most people will be struggling in the same way.
Hiya @Apple
Absolutely! It's definitely worthwhile to apply directly for training contracts! One of my first training contract offers came despite having no prior commercial legal work experience or vacation schemes. While the direct training contract process can sometimes be more thorough/searching for those without vacation scheme experience, most firms understand that candidates may have legitimate reasons for not doing one—like limited annual leave or visa constraints, both of which affected me at one point.
Plus, some firms actually prefer hiring through direct training contract applications. We've compiled a llist of firms that offer direct routes here. Remember, focus on demonstrating your commitment to law, any relevant skills, and experiences that have helped you grow professionally or personally. Many candidates successfully secure training contracts without vac schemes, so go for it! If you need help fine-tuning your strategy, feel free to ask away 😊
Hiya @tarty23
For many City firms, a 2.1 isn’t a disadvantage at all. This is because the majority of firms aren’t overly strict about academic results (although some specifically state a requirement for a high 2.1 or first). Plenty of firms focus on other key aspects, like how deeply you've researched the profession, the work and volunteering experience you've gained, how well you understand the firm, and the overall quality of your applications.
I’d recommend focusing on how you present these other strengths in your applications, especially since many applicants' grades might already be set by now. I’ve met brilliant trainees at silver circle and magic circle firms who have 2.2s but have shown incredible growth and a real commitment to the profession through their experiences and insights. Don't worry about the 2.1 😊
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