TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[B101]

Can’t find the link to apply anywhere?

I emailed grad rec my CV and Cover Letter

 

[APGCA]

Has anyone done the trowers AC and can share some insights

 

[latome19]

That’s interesting, there’s literally no info on this. Is this a policy they have?

I never stated it was their *policy*, but you can just search on linkedin for their current trainees to infer that they prefer their own paralegals to other candidates

 

[BillSikes]

Has anyone heard back for CRS’s summer vacation scheme? I know people have got VIs but I’m trying to figure out whether they’re doing spring and then summer or whether it’s all sent out in one go

They will do them all in one go. I put Spring as preference and have not heard back.

 

[F2020202]

When I interviewed with Slaughter and May it took them around a month to get back to me and I ended up receiving a VS offer. With Milbank, I only heard back two weeks afterwards and also got an offer. While some firms will respond very quickly, others spread out ACs over a longer period of time and/or simply have more drawn out decision-making processes. As such, there is not much you can infer from the wait time. I know how difficult it is, but try to get your mind off what the outcome will be. I found it useful to channel the post-AC anxiety into applications-related efforts; as that kind of work made me feel like at least I was doing all I could to prepare for the worst case scenario.

Hi Andrei, still haven't heard back and it's been 2 weeks now. Do you reckon its worth sending an email or would that show a lack of patience?

 

[nya]

Hey, congrats - when did you complete the WG?

Sunday afternoon!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Sunday afternoon!

Congrats, which dates did you get offered for the AC?

 

[floral.tcla]

if you have an upcoming ac at a mc firm, and you went to their insight evening (and got info about their culture) but not their nation-wide open day/fair where you can speak directly with trainees/associates/partners in a sector (and therefore missed those insights), do you still have a chance of getting the VS? just realised this when looking through my emails with the firm and it's adding to the pressure ahaha but someone please be brutally hones with me! 🧿

 

[simplyfaith]

(It's been 60 days)

 

[AveragePoster]

Just had an AC and it felt.. okay? Usually I have quite strong feelings one way or the other (bombed it or did pretty well). No idea how to feel coming out of this one. Could've been a bit better, I suppose, but equally could have been much worse. Perhaps it is better not to feel an 'extreme' one way or the other.

 

[Legal Wizard]

does anyone at all know the dates of morgan lewis' summer vac scheme this year? i cannot for the life of me find them anywhere online

June 23-July 11

 

[Katy12345]

Does anyone know if the live interview with Goodwin is the final stage now before the VS? The website says the tasks such as group exercise and written one will be assessed on the VS if you’re doing that route but I can’t find clear information? Asking for a friend not me!!

 

[AlegalA]

Hey guys, I had an AC today, but unfortunately I woke up extremely sick this morning. Since the AC I've been unable to move and have a very high fever. I didn't perform my best at all which is really frustrating as I did sooo much prep. Would you say it's worth sending an email to grad rec about it or will it just look super needy? I'm pretty positive I can get a doctor's note tomorrow if needed.
Similarly I have a VI to do before Wednesday - is it worth emailing them to potentially get it moved or do I just need to get on with it?

Thanks!

 

[Amma Usman]

Just did my NRF interview. I’m a non-law. how do I gauge whether or not I did well. I feel like i rambled/stumbled over myself a bit at times, but overall it was decent I think but idk. Like some answers were quite Strong, some had strong parts but also some very weak parts, 1 I just really struggled with. I hate interviews.

I totally get all what you mean. It’s so normal to think of so many stuff like that post-interview. The truth is, you would not be able to gauge or know anything till they release the outcome. I would suggest trying to keep it off your mind and remain positive.

Interviews can certainly be a rope to battle with, especially when you’re interviewed by really senior people in the City, or even by the mere fact that you’re being tested by someone you’ve never met before. What helped me was seeing them as people first, before considering their role or influence on my assessment as a candidate. This allows you to ease up, and most importantly…be yourself. This, at the end of the day is what they’re testing along with your commercial acumen, experience, etc. Being yourself first allows you to shine and communicate the other competencies more easily and naturally.

On another note, I believe your non-law background is a real asset - leverage it!

 

[Chris Brown]

Hey guys, I had an AC today, but unfortunately I woke up extremely sick this morning. Since the AC I've been unable to move and have a very high fever. I didn't perform my best at all which is really frustrating as I did sooo much prep. Would you say it's worth sending an email to grad rec about it or will it just look super needy? I'm pretty positive I can get a doctor's note tomorrow if needed.
Similarly I have a VI to do before Wednesday - is it worth emailing them to potentially get it moved or do I just need to get on with it?

Thanks!

I would email the firm you did the AC with as waking up extremely sick and having a high fever most likely will have affected your overall performance and could make the difference between an outright rejection and a reconsideration of your profile. I think they could even offer you the chance to take the AC again.

Similarly, it would definitely be worthwhile to email the firm you have the VI with, which is due on Wednesday, to see if it can be moved. I don’t think it’s a good idea to just ‘get on with it’ because that’s setting yourself up for failure with the VI. You want to be able to perform at your best!​

 

[theruleofno]

FF TC PFO

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Does anyone know if the live interview with Goodwin is the final stage now before the VS? The website says the tasks such as group exercise and written one will be assessed on the VS if you’re doing that route but I can’t find clear information? Asking for a friend not me!!

Hiya @Katy12345

The live video interview should be the final stage before the vacation scheme (this was definitely the case during the 2022-23 cycle and the year after that). You're absolutely right - the group exercise and written exercise will be assessed during the vacation scheme itself. Good luck to your friend! I hope they hear back with good news soon

 

[katgav_]

Has anyone heard back from CRS, Withers, or Wedlake?

 

[Amma Usman]

if you have an upcoming ac at a mc firm, and you went to their insight evening (and got info about their culture) but not their nation-wide open day/fair where you can speak directly with trainees/associates/partners in a sector (and therefore missed those insights), do you still have a chance of getting the VS? just realised this when looking through my emails with the firm and it's adding to the pressure ahaha but someone please be brutally hones with me! 🧿

In my opinion, this is not a big issue at all. To put it into context, you may have not gone to any event at the firm, and still be able to get a VS at the firm. It certainly helps because the best way to know about the culture of a firm is by directly speaking to those who work there. However, the work and practices generally remain the same across most firms (and this is more important than culture when crafting a compelling application). This information is easily accessible online, via their LinkedIn announcements for example. Another thing is that you could have been to events at other firms, whether online or not, and still reference this by touching on similar trends in work/industries. They just want to see the effort you have put into learning more about the industry and your overall understanding of it, as well as how you connect it to your experiences/resolve to work there.

 

[Jessica Booker]

if you have an upcoming ac at a mc firm, and you went to their insight evening (and got info about their culture) but not their nation-wide open day/fair where you can speak directly with trainees/associates/partners in a sector (and therefore missed those insights), do you still have a chance of getting the VS? just realised this when looking through my emails with the firm and it's adding to the pressure ahaha but someone please be brutally hones with me! 🧿

Once you secure an AC, what you have done or haven't done with the firm doesn't really matter - you have got to the AC based on your application and experience whatever that may be.