TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[TCLA0322]

SH test invite！Apply really close to ddl. Finally get some updates!

 

[fairbourne]

SH invite! Happy to exchange insights!

 

[legalxp2]

What is the position on accepting accommodation from a firm even if you don't need it? considering grad rec would know my address from my application would it be looked down upon? @Jessica Booker would appreciate some insight

 

[James Wakefield]

Are many people still waiting on Forsters?

 

[User5678]

Fair to assume a pfo if i have not been sent the SH assessment? (Applied on the deadline day)

 

[Chris Brown]

Fair to assume a pfo if i have not been sent the SH assessment? (Applied on the deadline day)

Nah not at all man! They most likely will send them in batches and/or might be prioritising Spring VS first. Don’t assume PFO just yet! Best of luck for SH. 🙂​

 

[BobThebIlly]

Nah not at all man! They most likely will send them in batches and/or might be prioritising Spring VS first. Don’t assume PFO just yet! Best of luck for SH. 🙂​

That’s reassured me too thanks Chris breezy

Also huge congrats on PW and good luck with SH’s assessment 🙏🙏

 

[zoobla20]

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.

Thanks Andrei, I appreciate the advice I only started applying in Jan 2025 because of SQE 1 time constraints but will definitely try to apply for more next year.

 

[Wompycapy]

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.

I don't even know if they have started running ACs atp lol (excluding fast-track ACs in Jan/early Feb).

 

[fcac98]

Anyone heard back from Gateley Reading - I know AC offers were made in other offices. They said they would reach out this week.

Have you heard anything?

 

[Maame Ama]

Does anyone have any tips for the Hill Dickinson VI - I can offer insight into Reed Smith, Foot Anstey and HFW. (Any tips/ advice would be highly appreciated).

Hello I would appreciate some insight into Foot Anstey's vacation scheme.

 

[Corporate.penny]

Hello I would appreciate some insight into Foot Anstey's vacation scheme.

Does anyone have any tips for the Hill Dickinson VI - I can offer insight into Reed Smith, Foot Anstey and HFW. (Any tips/ advice would be highly appreciated).

Hey, do you know roughly how long Reed smith takes to send offers/rejections?

 

[sapphireoreos]

Please put me out of my pain xx

 

[lawbear123]

anyone has insights for bristows first round interview? can provide insights for many firms.

 

[summerk27]

Have you heard anything?

Have you heard anything?

Got a PFO last week because I emailed them for an update

 

[MaryAra299]

I feel like I messed up with SH application. I applied for vs when I think I should've actually applied for the diversity placement of SH with aspiring solicitors instead, being someone from the minority groups. I might be wrong, but assuming a PFO since I haven't heard anything back yet

 

[Corporate.penny]

View attachment 7011
Please put me out of my pain xx

I need this meme for Reed smith haha

 

[Jessica Booker]

What is the position on accepting accommodation from a firm even if you don't need it? considering grad rec would know my address from my application would it be looked down upon? @Jessica Booker would appreciate some insight

if you don't need it, e.g. you have accommodation in London for the period of the vacation scheme, then I wouldn't take it up. I would only accept the offer if your accommodation in London was not available (e.g. outside of term time or tenancy ended before the scheme started) or if you were having to commute more than an hour each way.

 

[Aww06]

I feel like I messed up with SH application. I applied for vs when I think I should've actually applied for the diversity placement of SH with aspiring solicitors instead, being someone from the minority groups. I might be wrong, but assuming a PFO since I haven't heard anything back yet

Don’t see it as that! I heard they’re only recruiting 10 people from the scheme and it’s also an extra step on the scheme when applying so you’re still good! A lot of us are still waiting to be heard back, I’m assuming they’re sending in batches. Some people have been receiving invites go into their spam so keep an eye out for it there too hun x

 

[eirake]

Hey everyone, sorry to be a bit of a damper on what seems to be a pretty successful day for most people but I just wanted to ask for some advice.

I am an Oxbridge law finalist (with a mid-high 2.1 in my first year exams) and, with a PW post-interview PFO seeming imminent, I have gotten rejected from everything I have applied to this cycle.

Short story is, I don’t really know that to do now. A masters degree is not an option for me due to financial reasons. Almost everyone I know has a job by now, the thoughts of inadequacy are a bit overwhelming to say the least…

I have the backup option of applying to DTCs which I will do for sure, however, without much prior legal work experience I doubt I will get one. The other alternatives are a graduate visa, and starting the SQE without a TC or paralegal jobs, however I don’t really know how to start looking for them.

Honestly the biggest issue is I just don’t know how to deal with it emotionally, I feel I’m less capable than everyone else, and that combined with the uncertainty of being an international student makes it even worse. I have friendships here, a relationship, and it all seems to on the line. Anyways really sorry for treating this thread with a bunch of strangers like my therapist but I just wanted to get people’s thoughts on what my next steps could be.