TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[andrecsaa]

I don't know if this is completely relevant but has anyone else struggled maintaining motivation with their degree (law degree for me) alongside these applications. It's my first cycle and all the time I spent to not get a vac scheme and then be behind on uni work for nothing has been so demoralising.
Sorry for the ramble I'm just struggling a lot to get back into uni work, even though I am behind and I need to catch up before exam season gets underway in the next few weeks, and was wondering if anyone has this too or any tips or smth to get the motivation back after all the rejections?

Sorry to hear that. Focus on your uni work, good grades can open doors now and in the future. No one will know about the rejections in VS / TC apps.

 

[hopefulforatc]

For Fieldfisher DTC is the AC the last step or is there a partner interview afterwards?

 

[LawHopeful1]

Oh my! I applied for the DTC not the vacation scheme, idk why I did that 😂 😂

😂 best of luck

 

[fTS3002]

For those who have completed the Ropes & Gray psychometric test, what scores did you guys receive? I don't think mine went well and now extremely nervous for the AC. Any advice on how to go about the AC?

 

[murm]

For those who have completed the Ropes & Gray psychometric test, what scores did you guys receive? I don't think mine went well and now extremely nervous for the AC. Any advice on how to go about the AC?

The test is not used to help influence post AC decisions. It is merely to produce questions that will be asked in the interview

 

[BBsharkk]

The test is not used to help influence post AC decisions. It is merely to produce questions that will be asked in the interview

That's interesting! May I ask how did you get that info?

 

[tc252627]

Hi @Jaysen and @Jessica Booker i hope you’re well! I have two paralegal offers and unsure which to go with. One is with motor injury at an international law firm of higher ranking, the other is with property recoveries at a more mid size/ international firm.

I am an aspiring commercial lawyer and recognise that property recoveries may lend more to the role, however the other firm is my preferred firm for a TC despite the practice area not being of great interest to me.

Any advice would be so helpful!

 

[murm]

That's interesting! May I ask how did you get that info?

At a Ropes event that I attended. It’s probs somewhere on website or somin too idk. But it defo is true

 

[fcac98]

Im preparing for interview questions in my Assessment Centre next week. What are your go to questions to prep for? I have:

1. Why do you want to be a lawyer
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses
3. Which of our sectors interest you the most
4. How would you pitch our firm to a client (struggling with this if anyone has any advice for structure)
5. What other firms have you applied to and why
6. How do your interests align with our work

I just want to focus on key questions as I have only got a few days to prepare. Any insight will be appreciated!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jaysen and @Jessica Booker i hope you’re well! I have two paralegal offers and unsure which to go with. One is with motor injury at an international law firm of higher ranking, the other is with property recoveries at a more mid size/ international firm.

I am an aspiring commercial lawyer and recognise that property recoveries may lend more to the role, however the other firm is my preferred firm for a TC despite the practice area not being of great interest to me.

Any advice would be so helpful!

I’d go the opportunity with your preferred firm. There may be opportunities to move internally after sometimes whether that is to another paralegal role or a TC. If it wasn’t your preferred firm for a TC, then I would say to go for the other opportunity.

 

[jta227]

Im preparing for interview questions in my Assessment Centre next week. What are your go to questions to prep for? I have:

1. Why do you want to be a lawyer
2. What are your strengths and weaknesses
3. Which of our sectors interest you the most
4. How would you pitch our firm to a client (struggling with this if anyone has any advice for structure)
5. What other firms have you applied to and why
6. How do your interests align with our work

I just want to focus on key questions as I have only got a few days to prepare. Any insight will be appreciated!

- Tell me about a time you [overcame a challenge, worked in a team, had to deal with a difficult client, had to explain something to someone, etc.]
- What would you do as a trainee in the [insert area] seat?
- Challenges facing law/the firm
- Tell me about a recent commercial news story that interested you
- Technical questions about M&A, contract, private equity, etc.

 

[fcac98]

- Tell me about a time you [overcame a challenge, worked in a team, had to deal with a difficult client, had to explain something to someone, etc.]
- What would you do as a trainee in the [insert area] seat?
- Challenges facing law/the firm
- Tell me about a recent commercial news story that interested you
- Technical questions about M&A, contract, private equity, etc.

It's difficult because ive prepared an answer for 'a recent commercial news story that interests you', and it overlaps on the 'challenges facing law/the firm'. Do you think it's okay to tailor one overarching issue to both? I've done so much research I think I could answer both using the same example but I wouldnt like them to think that Im just guessing

 

[tc252627]

I’d go the opportunity with your preferred firm. There may be opportunities to move internally after sometimes whether that is to another paralegal role or a TC. If it wasn’t your preferred firm for a TC, then I would say to go for the other opportunity.

Thank you for this Jessica. I’m just a bit anxious because I’ve already signed a contract with the other firm to start in a week. Would this have any negative consequences?

 

[Bread]

It's difficult because ive prepared an answer for 'a recent commercial news story that interests you', and it overlaps on the 'challenges facing law/the firm'. Do you think it's okay to tailor one overarching issue to both? I've done so much research I think I could answer both using the same example but I wouldnt like them to think that Im just guessing

I think as long as you are able to make the answer interesting you’ll be fine. Could always start with something along the lines of “taking the deal/news story I discussed earlier, I think that…” or smth like that

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you for this Jessica. I’m just a bit anxious because I’ve already signed a contract with the other firm to start in a week. Would this have any negative consequences?

Only with the firm you are reneging on - you will effectively be closing the door to that firm for a couple of years.

If you do, I would call them on Monday morning given they will be expecting you to start a week later.

 

[MaryAra299]

I'm so confused. I swear that I didn't use chatgpt. This one paragraph I wrote it on my own to answer the application questions but it's flagging as AI on quillbot and other sites. It's flagging upto around 40-50-80% and I haven't used AI for those. I'm so stressed what should I do? Changing tye words isn't helping

 

[Misty Meanor]

Hi all, does anyone have any experience or information about doing a vac scheme on a skilled workers visa? Would rather not lose out on my dream firm over visa regulations 😢.

 

[MaryAra299]

I have restructured my answer all by myself, copied and pasted on AI detectors like contentai and originalai, and it's coming out as 100% human. However, in quillbot, it's still flagging at 56% ai. Will be grateful for any input on how to deal with it?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, does anyone have any experience or information about doing a vac scheme on a skilled workers visa? Would rather not lose out on my dream firm over visa regulations 😢.

Unfortunately this is highly unlikely for a number of reasons.

1) You'd be limited to 20 hours a week. For anything over 20 hours a week, you'd need to be sponsored by that employer too.

2) It would need to be in an eligible role for a skilled visa, which an internship is unlikely to meet.

Most people I know on skilled visas have not been able to proceed with an internship unfortunately.

 

[Misty Meanor]

Unfortunately this is highly unlikely for a number of reasons.

1) You'd be limited to 20 hours a week. For anything over 20 hours a week, you'd need to be sponsored by that employer too.

2) It would need to be in an eligible role for a skilled visa, which an internship is unlikely to meet.

Most people I know on skilled visas have not been able to proceed with an internship unfortunately.

Oh no