TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[A worried graduate]

Hi @zoobla20 just jumping in before @Jessica Booker can come back to you, in my view you should apply for vacation schemes rather than direct TCs unless one of the three following conditions apply:

1. You have more extensive experience working in the legal field (paralegal roles, previous vacation schemes etc)
2. The specific firm is known to recruit a substantial part/majority of its cohort from the direct TC track
3. You have specific visa requirements barring you from VS applications

A final exception is in my opinion for the case of lesser-known/smaller UK-based firms, where I have heard of more "speculative" TC applications succeeding. However, if you want to pursue that track I would still aim to have at least some legal work experience, even if it is just in the form of Forage Virtual Internships.

Do you have any idea which firms like to give out direct TCs?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I can’t believe I’m saying this but… I GOT A TC OFFER THIS MORNING!!!

Over the last three cycles, I’ve gone from rejections after rejections to, this cycle, getting two VS’ and a TC offer so far!! My wheel of fortune seems to be high right now

I’m rooting for all of the rest of you too! Please don’t lose hope, it took me until cycle three to start getting proper offers!!

Fantastic news!

Congratulations.

 

[wantatc]

Disney online assessment, does anyone know if its automatic

 

[Lawlife5]

Hi @Andrei Radu for in person interviews how did you go about remembering all of your answers before the interview and how long did you spend going over it all? I feel like its impossible for me to retain so much information and then be able to think of it all up on the spot!

 

[aphelion]

Anyone heard from Taylor Wessing post-AC?

They said they'd get back to people w/c 17th

 

[jta227]

Congrats to everyone who received good news today!!

 

[Bbhu19]

Disney online assessment, does anyone know if its automatic

It isn’t automatic congratulations and goodluck

 

[A worried graduate]

Disney online assessment, does anyone know if its automatic

It isn’t

 

[theruleofno]

Anything from Willkie on this day of reckoning?

 

[confusedbird]

Is this for spring or summer, I’m still waiting post app/test for spring and don’t know whether they’re still running ACs at this point.

summer for both..
I honestly don't know whats going on - I just want some sort of response atp

 

[simplyfaith]

Lol so PW just ghosted some of us post test if they've given VS offers

5 weeks since taking the test, surely they could let me know by now?!

 

[missilona]

I have seen that some people received vacation scheme offers from Debevoise. If other applicants have not heard back, does it mean that they were rejected?

 

[ish12345]

Has anyone done an interview with Aspiring Solicitors before? I am slightly confused by the group format of the interview for the Ethnicity Pathway Programme.

 

[James Wakefield]

Hi all. If you've got a VS at a firm which only do Spring (or make TC offers after Spring), are they likely to hold any TC offers open if you have summer VS's too? Surely they're going to understand you want to complete those too? Thanks!

 

[Aww06]

Has anyone done an interview with Aspiring Solicitors before? I am slightly confused by the group format of the interview for the Ethnicity Pathway Programme.

Has anyone done an interview with Aspiring Solicitors before? I am slightly confused by the group format of the interview for the Ethnicity Pathway Programme.

Please when did they let you know you’ve progressed? And congratulations!

 

[juanitasimi]

Has anyone done an interview with Aspiring Solicitors before? I am slightly confused by the group format of the interview for the Ethnicity Pathway Programme.

Yeah its so weird the format....

 

[zoobla20]

Hi @zoobla20 just jumping in before @Jessica Booker can come back to you, in my view you should apply for vacation schemes rather than direct TCs unless one of the three following conditions apply:

1. You have more extensive experience working in the legal field (paralegal roles, previous vacation schemes etc)
2. The specific firm is known to recruit a substantial part/majority of its cohort from the direct TC track
3. You have specific visa requirements barring you from VS applications

A final exception is in my opinion for the case of lesser-known/smaller UK-based firms, where I have heard of more "speculative" TC applications succeeding. However, if you want to pursue that track I would still aim to have at least some legal work experience, even if it is just in the form of Forage Virtual Internships.

Hi Andrei,

Thanks for your reply - I appreciate it.

I definitely don't have experience within the legal field apart from completing around 3 Forage experiences/informal legal shadowing. I'm only asking this as I've now been rejected from all the VS applications I made (around 8) and thought it might be worth doing some TC apps before concluding the end of my cycle for this year?

What do you think?

Thanks!

 

[simplyfaith]

Has anyone done an interview with Aspiring Solicitors before? I am slightly confused by the group format of the interview for the Ethnicity Pathway Programme.

I did a group interview with them for their Astrazeneca work experience a while back. It was really strange (I also didn't get through 🤣). If it's anything like then, there are about four of you in a zoom call and they go around each person asking the first question, then the next, etc. The questions themselves are pretty standard. They pitch the format as though it's for your sake, to practice speaking with company. Though, I can't see it being for any other reason than to save time lmao

 

[EA95]

5 weeks since taking the test, surely they could let me know by now?!

I’m on the same boat as you lool.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi Andrei,

Thanks for your reply - I appreciate it.

I definitely don't have experience within the legal field apart from completing around 3 Forage experiences/informal legal shadowing. I'm only asking this as I've now been rejected from all the VS applications I made (around 8) and thought it might be worth doing some TC apps before concluding the end of my cycle for this year?

What do you think?

Thanks!

While in general direct TC applications are more competitive than VS applications, I think you should go for it. I know people with similar levels of legal experience who managed to secure TCs in this way - perhaps partly because most people concentrate all of their applications efforts in the VS cycle and ignore summer opportunities, thus making them comparatively less competitive. Just make sure to select firms that are know to recruit substantial numbers from the direct track and ideally ones who do not explicitly state that they expect applicants to have substantial legal work experience.

Finally, although this is slightly unrelated, if you find yourself starting another VS applications cycle next year, I would definitely advise you to target more than 8 firms (unless you have very specific practice area interests or time limit issues). I think the "it's a numbers game" saying holds to some extent and that you therefore want to submit as many high quality applications as possible.