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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

lina.b

Standard Member
Jan 19, 2025
6
3
Hi, @Jessica Booker and anyone else that can help give some insight!



A close friend is looking for some insight and advice. He’s been offered a place on the following vac schemes:

White & Case ME: 7-18th April or 23 June - 4 July

HSF: he has already accepted this one, 7-17th April

CC ME: 16-27th June.



Problem is, CC don’t have any dates other than this scheme. HSF has a summer one in July. So he’s not sure if it’s ok to email HSF and ask them to move him to the summer scheme.

He’s also wondering if it’s risky or okay to ask W&C if he can switch the scheme to a U.K. scheme/TC interview if he’s unable to reschedule other schemes.



Any advice would be appreciated.
Hey, I know the spaces for the summer HSF scheme are not filled. Also i am currently on the summer scheme and would like to swap with someone for the spring one so if he would still like to switch to summer he could swap with me (if thats possible with grad rec).
 
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Reactions: Chris Brown

Ram Sabaratnam

Legendary Member
Staff member
Future Trainee
Gold Member
Premium Member
Sep 7, 2024
442
1,025
Is it a disadvantage to only have one vacation scheme? Would having multiple vacation schemes make a candidate more appealing/stand out more especially when firms are deciding on who to convert to a TC post VS?

Hiya @thelegalstudent

Just to add to what @Jessica Booker and @trainee4u have already said, I want to emphasise that what really matters is making the most of the opportunity and performing as well as you can on the vacation scheme. Securing a vacation scheme in itself is incredibly competitive, and if you’re in a position where you need to apply for direct training contracts or additional schemes, having one already under your belt shows that you’re a strong candidate. I only secured one vacation scheme in my first cycle, and although it didn’t result in a training contract offer, it was highly instrumental in my second application cycle. I was able to demonstrate to future firms what I had learned from the experience, and how my motivations had deepened. This is ultimately what helped me secure multiple offers during my second cycle.

While having multiple vacation schemes gives you more chances to secure a training contract, plenty of people still don’t convert them, often for reasons outside of their control. What’s important is that you treat your vacation scheme as a valuable learning experience (both in terms of developing your skills and understanding whether the firm is right for you). Good luck with your vacation scheme!
 

James Wakefield

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Oct 7, 2024
270
709
Is it worth applying to Withers DTC if you got rejected for the VS? Legit not much has changed in my application except that I will be a paralegal soon, but I doubt one more role is going to improve my application.
A paralegal role could make a big difference! Also if you’re allowed to take the Cappfinity test again, you’ve got that component to have another go at too.
 

Miss Chocolate

Legendary Member
Nov 27, 2023
281
378
A paralegal role could make a big difference! Also if you’re allowed to take the Cappfinity test again, you’ve got that component to have another go at too.
Yesss that's so true re the test. The rejection email doesn't give away much as to why I was rejected, whether I met the test threshold or not. Do you think firms would email you your score if you requested it?
 

wantatc

Active Member
Feb 4, 2025
13
36
Did anyone else apply for HCR Law? I just got a first round interview but it mentions that the AC, If successful is in Cheltenham, not sure if this is a mistake on my part where I applied, or if theyre all there
 

TonyStark

Star Member
Jan 12, 2024
46
59
I do not think it will be a disadvantage. Firstly, firms are aware that not all universities offer options for all specialist modules - for instance, because some academics in the department left, my university has not even been able to offer a competition law course this year. As such, there will be no expectation for you to have demonstrated your interest by having done a relevant module. Similarly, firms know that paralegal opportunities are in short supply, particularly in niche practices. As such, they will definitely not expect candidates to have that.

Secondly, and more importantly, the main reason why a module or a paralegal experience would matter here is because they evidence an interest in the practice. However, you can also prove your interest directly, and arguably to a greater effect, by simply showing off your understanding it. In particular, I have found partners are quite impressed when you are able to make comparisons with other practice areas and explain how the legal work done in the one you are interested in is relevantly different.
Hi Andrei,

How would you advise researching how the legal work done in practice areas is different from one another?
 

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