TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

genuine question here - are regional offices really less competitive by a significant amount? Or is it just an assumption? Sorry guys for butting into your convo lol

Hiya @lawyersum

Don't apologise! This is a great question, though it’s challenging to answer with precision. One reason for this is the lack of reliable data on training contract statistics for the regional offices of large firms. Most available insights that I've seen tend to focus on London.

From my experience mentoring applicants who’ve applied to both regional and London offices, my impression is that regional offices are sometimes less competitive in a very specific sense - largely because they tend to receive fewer applications. London, as an international legal hub, attracts a high volume of candidates due to its global reputation and the broad scope of work offered. Regional offices, on the other hand, often appeal more to candidates with ties to the local area or a particular interest in specific practice areas such as agriculture, healthcare, or manufacturing.

That said, regional offices are by no means “easy” to get into. I’ve met highly capable candidates who have faced challenges securing training contracts at firms with offices in cities like Birmingham or Manchester. The standards remain high, as these offices still handle complex and high-quality work, often have leaner teams, few training contract spots, and maintain rigorous selection processes.

Hope that helps!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

i know this is probably a very obvious question but just want to check so im covering all bases but have a 'critical thinking test' coming up and not sure if it will just be WG based or further than this? there are zero details in the email

Hiya @LawLawLawLawLaw

This isn’t an obvious question at all, so don't worry. Always good to check these things!

In my experience, when firms mention a “critical thinking test,” it tends to be based on Watson Glaser-style questions. That’s because “critical thinking” is often a catch-all term for skills like analysing information, evaluating arguments, drawing inferences, making deductions, and spotting assumptions (all of which the WG test is designed to assess).

If the email didn’t provide details, it’s a safe bet to brush up on Watson Glaser practice, as these questions are super common for law firm assessments. That said, if you want to be extra prepared, it wouldn’t hurt to check with the firm or recruiter (if possible) or review general critical thinking exercises just in case.

Good luck 😊

 

[pepsicola96]

genuine question here - are regional offices really less competitive by a significant amount? Or is it just an assumption? Sorry guys for butting into your convo lol

Generally yes, but I think it really does vary by firm, quite often there's significantly fewer places on a vac scheme/training contracts than in London. I spoke with someone at a firm's event about this. Wasn't given specific numbers of course, but was essentially advised that in some years a regional opportunity can even be more competitive, as the vast majority of TCs are on offer in the London office, vs only a handful in some regional offices. 2000 applications for 50 spots in London, is better odds than 300 apps for 5 spots in Manchester

 

[GSJ]

Does anyone have any insights into Jones Day AC?

 

[lawyer195]

I think most of us haven't heard back on anything for the Summer Vacation Scheme HAHA

Did you apply for the Spring or Summer Scheme and were you on their open day?

spring but did AC last week. trying to gather where they are up to!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone have any insights into Jones Day AC?

Hiya @GSJ

Amazing job on getting to the AC! The Jones Day recruitment process has changed slightly since I was on the scheme, but I hope the following is useful to you. In addition to having strong research about the firm, you may be asked questions about areas of law or business that you’ve expressed interest in at the application stage. For example, I was asked several questions about the National Security and Investment Act, and I'd prepared for this because I'd mentioned my interest in the defence sector in my application and knew it might come up again.

Think about what makes Jones Day particularly appealing to you. Many applicants discuss the non-rotational training system, which you can definitely mention. However, I'd encourage you to consider other aspects of the firm that really affect how it delivers client services and demonstrates real legal expertise. You might want to think, for instance, about the firm’s global structure (the “one firm worldwide” approach), the sectors/practice areas it’s particularly strong in (real estate finance and mid-market private equity matters, as well as in areas such as fraud and civil litigation), its top-tier reputation for client service (Jones Day consistently ranks highly in surveys on client satisfaction), and also its chief competitors in London. Being able to convincingly articulate why 2-3 of these reasons matter to you will help your answers stand out during the partner/associate interview. Best of luck with the AC!

 

[bsh]

I think most of us haven't heard back on anything for the Summer Vacation Scheme HAHA

Did you apply for the Spring or Summer Scheme and were you on their open day?

Any more Latham offers / rejections post AC today?

Also interested!

 

[GSJ]

Hiya @GSJ

Amazing job on getting to the AC! The Jones Day recruitment process has changed slightly since I was on the scheme, but I hope the following is useful to you. In addition to having strong research about the firm, you may be asked questions about areas of law or business that you’ve expressed interest in at the application stage. For example, I was asked several questions about the National Security and Investment Act, and I'd prepared for this because I'd mentioned my interest in the defence sector in my application and knew it might come up again.

Think about what makes Jones Day particularly appealing to you. Many applicants discuss the non-rotational training system, which you can definitely mention. However, I'd encourage you to consider other aspects of the firm that really affect how it delivers client services and demonstrates real legal expertise. You might want to think, for instance, about the firm’s global structure (the “one firm worldwide” approach), the sectors/practice areas it’s particularly strong in (real estate finance and mid-market private equity matters, as well as in areas such as fraud and civil litigation), its top-tier reputation for client service (Jones Day consistently ranks highly in surveys on client satisfaction), and also its chief competitors in London. Being able to convincingly articulate why 2-3 of these reasons matter to you will help your answers stand out during the partner/associate interview. Best of luck with the AC!

thank you! do u have any insights into the group task or senior lawyer task?

 

[suhana]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam

I have a bit of a scheduling challenge and would appreciate your advice. I recently received an AC invitation, but the available date is the 30th. I already have an AC scheduled for the 29th and an interview on the 31st.

With everything being so tightly packed and my exams, I’m concerned about being able to prepare thoroughly for any of the assessments. Given these circumstances, would it be worth emailing graduate recruitment to see if my AC on the 30th could be rescheduled to a later date? Should I mention the other AC and interview when I reach out?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

for the freshfields PS, would u recommend addressing it to grad rec/someone (i.e., format it like a cover letter) or just start with the statement directly?

Hiya @lawbear123

Just adding to what @chrisbrown mentioned, but there’s no need to format it like a cover letter. I didn’t address mine to grad rec or anyone specific. You can just jump straight into answering the main questions the personal statement is geared towards: why commercial law, why Freshfields, and why you! I think the most important thing is to ensure you focus on being clear and structured, and you’ll be good to go. Good luck with the statement 😊

 

[Bread]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam

I have a bit of a scheduling challenge and would appreciate your advice. I recently received an AC invitation, but the available date is the 30th. I already have an AC scheduled for the 29th and an interview on the 31st.

With everything being so tightly packed and my exams, I’m concerned about being able to prepare thoroughly for any of the assessments. Given these circumstances, would it be worth emailing graduate recruitment to see if my AC on the 30th could be rescheduled to a later date? Should I mention the other AC and interview when I reach out?

I am not Ram, but if you do email Graduate Recruitment I would avoid mentioning your other assessments as I doubt they’d be sympathetic and they aren’t on the same day

 

[lawyersum]

Btw @Ram Sabaratnam if you took the most recent set of SQE exams - YOU SMASHED THEM HUNNY WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOUR SUCCESS🤭🤞🤞🙏

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Btw @Ram Sabaratnam if you took the most recent set of SQE exams - YOU SMASHED THEM HUNNY WE ARE ALL ROOTING FOR YOUR SUCCESS🤭🤞🤞🙏

THANK YOU! ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ If I fail, I'll just launch meme coins for the rest of my life.

 

[AS24]

Hey guys,

Regarding the Freshfields app, do you know if I can provide the info about my overseas academics in the section called

'Further information If you have completed any other academic or non-academic qualifications (such as Diplomas, for example) please list them here. Where appropriate include the score, grade or mark you attained'?​

@what do you think @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hey guys,

Regarding the Freshfields app, do you know if I can provide the info about my overseas academics in the section called

'Further information If you have completed any other academic or non-academic qualifications (such as Diplomas, for example) please list them here. Where appropriate include the score, grade or mark you attained'?​

@what do you think @Ram Sabaratnam

Hiya AS24

I think that's perfectly fine I did so myself when I applied. That space was particularly helpful when applying as a mature candidate with degrees from other universities outside of the UK. Good luck!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam

I have a bit of a scheduling challenge and would appreciate your advice. I recently received an AC invitation, but the available date is the 30th. I already have an AC scheduled for the 29th and an interview on the 31st.

With everything being so tightly packed and my exams, I’m concerned about being able to prepare thoroughly for any of the assessments. Given these circumstances, would it be worth emailing graduate recruitment to see if my AC on the 30th could be rescheduled to a later date? Should I mention the other AC and interview when I reach out?

Hiya @suhana

I think @Jessica Booker might have thoughts here, but I’d definitely encourage you to reach out. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate that week! I've generally found that many firms are quite understanding in situations like this, so it’s worth asking.

You could explain that you already have assessments and exams scheduled between the 29th and 31st, and ask if there might be any flexibility with the date of your AC. There’s no need to go into too much detail unless you feel comfortable doing so. The key is to show that you’re committed to giving the AC your best effort and want to approach it as prepared as possible. Good luck and I hope they’re able to accommodate you! 😊

 

[AS24]

Hiya AS24

I think that's perfectly fine I did so myself when I applied. That space was particularly helpful when applying as a mature candidate with degrees from other universities outside of the UK. Good luck!

Thank you @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[wqueens8]

For firms that have two intakes, September and March ish, how does that usually work? Do people request a certain intake or is it assigned to you? Would later intake correlate with a different SQE date?

 

[NCTC2025]

If you hosted a dinner who would you invite? - What would a law firm even be looking for from this question 😭

 

[AlegalA]

RPC VS!!! I am over the moon!!!
First VS ever!!! 🎉🎉