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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

yuk0n

Active Member
Apr 4, 2021
18
67
Get in there and show them what you're all about! (So, so well done!)

Ariana Grande Smile GIF by Wicked
Thanks Ram! That's really kind and encouraging of you :)
 
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Reactions: Ram Sabaratnam

tcfighterrr

Active Member
Feb 3, 2025
10
12
Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
596
1,970
Last edited:

gazdgazd11

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Feb 27, 2024
182
225
@Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu

Hi all, I have 3 ACs (one next week) and I’ve never done one. I’ve been preparing but I’m particularly stressed about written exercises. I won’t have time to do a mock one before next week.

I would like to ask what documents could be required as a written exercise. I know there’s a client letter, memo, but could you please tell me what else there could be? I need to prepare structure wise.

Additionally, I would like to confirm whether all written exercises must include an executive summary.

Thank you so much in advance. You guys are saving me this cycle!
 

gazdgazd11

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Feb 27, 2024
182
225
Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx
Im sorry about the rejections. You’ve reached so many final stages at some of the most competitive firms, which is great. I’m not a professional but personally, I graduated in 2022, and I’ve not had a good job until last year (law but in my country, not UK) and Ive managed to secure 3 ACs now. I think many people work in hospitality before their TC. I really doubt it could be an issue as there are many transferable skills. I would obviously try to apply for paralegal roles, but I know these are hard to get too (as someone who’s been trying). But imo hospitality isn’t bad. Just my impression of the process btw.
 

knight1999

Active Member
Jan 23, 2025
12
10
Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx

I‘m kind of in the same boat - I was thinking about volunteering abroad (in Africa or SEA) :) this would give you the time to travel and discover things while you will also gain a unique selling point for law firms (at least the ones that actually care about you as a person and don’t just treat u like a machine😅)
Also, I don’t thinks it’s bad at all to just leave the “career hunt“ for a bit and do smth fun like going abroad - the SQE and Trainee years are known to be hard and maybe you will be able to handle it better than others by being more relaxed !
 

VMS

Legendary Member
Oct 16, 2023
195
480
Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx

First off, that much success on your first cycle is really impressive. So, be proud of that.

Secondly, I have worked in the hospitality sector on and off from 14-20, and I have two VS’ (so far ;)) for this year. It will not make you look bad at all, if anything it’s more to talk about, but i did also make sure to have some legal experience on there - I contacted local high street firms and one of them (out of the twelve or so I contacted, lmao) answered and invited me to shadow one of their department heads for a few weeks. There’s also Citizens Advice or getting involved in your uni’s pro bono work, etc.

So, don’t sweat it. You can build up your CV in other ways and, imo, hospitality helps :) Shows people skills, which some people (from my experience) sorely lack and is imperative to solicitors.

EDIT: I’m on my third cycle for context. I only had a failed A&O AC to show for my second cycle, and I only had one AC in my first cycle (after the success of which, I didn’t manage to convert a VS). So, you’re doing really well to get all of those ACs!!
 
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Reactions: Jaysen and Chris Brown

slot123

New Member
Feb 7, 2025
4
5
Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx
I graduated from a RG in 2024 and have been working in hospitality full time this year (and went travelling in the first part of the year and even did some initial applications abroad!) Although I haven't secured a TC this cycle yet, I have attended // got in the future multiple ACs which means the hospitality working does not seem to impact negatively!
 
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Reactions: VMS

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
596
1,970
Hey all! I would like to ask for some advice.
This week I got two post AC rejections- White & Case and Fieldfisher. I feel pretty terrible. I have one final AC to go before I am out of options, but needless to say, my confidence is rocked.
This is my first(ish) cycle of applications, but I am graduating and unsure of what I will be able to do afterwards, which is where my question comes in: I fully intend to try another cycle, but what should I do in the meantime? I am graduating from a really top uni and am worried it will look bad if I keep working in hospitality (and maybe even travel for a bit), so I am uncertain.
Any help appreciated! xx
I graduated from a RG in 2024 and have been working in hospitality full time this year (and went travelling in the first part of the year and even did some initial applications abroad!) Although I haven't secured a TC this cycle yet, I have attended // got in the future multiple ACs which means the hospitality working does not seem to impact negatively!
I am in a similar position in that I graduated last year (July 2024) from a semi-top RG. Almost all of my work experience has been non-legal. Although I haven’t secured a TC this cycle (yet), I have been able to progress with multiple firms and been invited to partner interviews for Paul, Weiss and Willkie. I guess based on this, and as @slot123 said, working in hospitality or retail does not seem to have had a negative impact on my chances of success with city law firms either! I think travelling is a great addition to an application tbh, especially if you volunteer abroad as well! 🙂​
 

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