TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

I understand Baker McKenzie are rolling basis. Does anyone know if rolling basis actually matters for Baker? as I know for most firms it is mostly irrelevant.

Hi there,

In my experience, the rolling basis has actually lived up to its name, with firms genuinely reviewing applications and shortlisting candidates as they come in. While some firms may take a more relaxed approach and not extend offers until later in the cycle, I’ve generally found that rolling means exactly that, so applying early can make a difference.

I’d recommend not leaving the Baker McKenzie application to the last minute, though still ensuring you take the time to research the firm and back up your answers with personal experiences. If you’d like to learn more about the firm before applying, you could also speak to future trainees or other members of the firm to gain insights that could strengthen your application.

On the application questions themselves, I remember someone mentioning that the Baker McKenzie app has about five. If you need any help maneuvering those, feel free to drop us a message, we’d be happy to help!

 

[Amma Usman]

A firm is requesting me to prove my right to work by sending my national insurance number. I don’t have one yet but applied for one as soon as I received the onboarding email today. I should receive the National Insurance number within 4 weeks from now and my VS starts on the 7th of April, so it’s a bit tight time-wise.
I have read that I can start to work (and even get paid) without a NI number, but I just need to be able to prove my right to work (which I can do through an online visa share code).

I will obviously explain all this to the firm but am still a bit worried — @Jessica Booker in your experience is this likely to be a significant issue? 😅 have you had this kind of experience before especially with international students like myself who don’t necessarily have a NI number

Hi there,

Before @Jessica Booker jumps in, I know of people that have faced this similar situation and it was not an issue - they were able to start their internship. I presume you will still need to provide the number when it comes, but I’m sure firms have systems in place for things like this and have gone through the same situation with many internationals prior.

 

[ad.]

Hi there,

Before @Jessica Booker jumps in, I know of people that have faced this similar situation and it was not an issue - they were able to start their internship. I presume you will still need to provide the number when it comes, but I’m sure firms have systems in place for things like this and have gone through the same situation with many internationals prior.

I see, thank you!!

 

[Law queries]

Hey there @Law queries ,

I have quoted a past post by @Ram Sabaratnam to help!

Thanks a lotttgt

 

[👩🎓]

you don’t need to actually submit the cover letters lmao.

They have specifically asked for a CV and cover letter in order to submit the application. It's not via a portal it's a submission over email.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I see, thank you!!

As @Amma Usman has said. This should not be an issue, especially given the scheme is likely to conclude by the time you have the NI number and when you get paid.

I do stress to international candidates who are getting to final round stages, especially late on or close to schemes starting, or when they start applying for jobs after graduation, it’s probably best to apply for an NI number earlier on rather than waiting until you have a job offer just to make these processes a little easier/less stressful.

 

[BillSikes]

They have specifically asked for a CV and cover letter in order to submit the application. It's not via a portal it's a submission over email.

Honestly unless it is physically mandatory to submit the application with cover letter I wouldn’t write one. If it was mandatory I would simply not bother. This is just my opinion and experience in paralegal app process.

 

[MR10]

I am currently a graduate working as a paralegal for the past 6 months. I achieved a 2.1 from a non russell group uni. I have a decent amount of legal and non legal work experience. Is it worth applying for direct TCs? Any help is appreciated. @Jessica Booker

 

[helenaskelton]

Holding email from CRS made tooo excited I thought I got a VI 🥹

Have they sent all their VIs out now?

 

[helenaskelton]

Has anyone who got a holding email from CRS heard back post-app?

No...do we assume PFO

 

[wanttosolicit]

HL and Sidley interview invitations..!

 

[James Wakefield]

Anything from Forsters post-AC?

 

[milawalton]

HL and Sidley interview invitations..!

Did you just get this? and was it for the spring or summer vac scheme?

 

[NJS]

HL and Sidley interview invitations..!

Sidley for summer?

 

[lawbear123]

has anyone gotten Bristows first round but is unable to book a slot?

 

[legallycurly]

HL and Sidley interview invitations..!

Congrats!! For HL, is this for DTC or VS?

 

[lou1707]

Birketts vac scheme offer 🙈

Update: they’re rescinding the offer because I’m on a student visa and can’t do more than 20 hours. I’m actually heartbroken. Please if @Jessica Booker or anyone has an idea of what I could do it would be greatly appreciated (I already emailed my uni to know if there’s anyway they could accommodate my term times around the vac scheme)

 

[wanttosolicit]

Did you just get this? and was it for the spring or summer vac scheme?

Sidley for summer?

Congrats!! For HL, is this for DTC or VS?

Sidley Spring & Summer and HL Summer
Sidley applied September and HL applied deadline

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

More or less the same application. Lots of grammar issues fixed (hopefully).

Interesting, I also was rejected post-TI for the VS so wasn’t sure whether to reapply/couldn’t decide if I needed to rewrite some answers (like my commercial issue one for example) for the sake of the application being different or if it was a waste of time

 

[bluescarf]

Hi, does anyone have any advice for how to stand out in a cover letter (this is for a DTC app)? I've never had to do one for a law firm before. They've given a few pointers i.e. why this firm/office/why a career in law, but I'm struggling with sounding quite generic (I feel!)

Hi bumping this, @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman