TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[sc13]

Silly question but if you say over call that you likely cannot participate in the VS anymore due to other commitments and clashing dates and they agree to invite you to a direct TC assessment centre will I get an email saying I was accepted onto the VS?

 

[Overthinker123!]

I think it might make sense to just send an email to SM asking whether you could reschedule for a later day. I would advise you not to mention the reason or that if you to to keep it vague (something like 'personal circumstances' perhaps?) as just mentioning another possible AC is not sufficiently impressive to justify the potential perception of the firm as having a lower interest in them (particularly since SM seems to me to be a firm that really cares about recruiting people that are sold on its model). If you do that, I do not see any downside with your SM. If you do not do it, there exists a possibility that you only hear back with the TI outcome too late for SM to be able to reschedule.

Hi there,

I would personally wait to hear back from the telephone interview before carrying out any next steps/rescheduling. Another thing is that I do not recommend missing the first day of the AC despite it being unassessed. I’m sure it will do very well on preparing you for the next day, in terms of even little things such as successfully navigating tech for the following assessment day.

I have tagged the rest of the team for additional insights - @Jessica Booker @Ram Sabaratnam @Andrei Radu

Thank you, I really appreciate the insights! I’l reschedule just in case I’m lucky and can attend the AC. I’ll tell them about an exam I have on the same day, which has genuinely just come up recently. Thanks again

 

[floral.tcla]

I have been to a bunch of these sorts of events- honestly the best thing to do is simply be normal and polite. If you have something you want to ask about then you should lead the convo towards that but I wouldn't shoehorn in a random careers question for the sake of it because that is going to come across as unnatural and a bit odd; you need to note that before they're a law firm partner etc. they're a person. Ask about their work for sure and try to take an interest, but I definitely wouldn't say something like "yeah I've preed your linkedin in advance of this dinner and know you did XYZ" because that's a bit scary lol💀
There are some little etiquette bits to keep in mind (handshakes, particularly for older people) but otherwise I'd say there's really nothing to be nervous about try your best to enjoy it!

Thank you ahh thanks for the heads up - j was going to do a few of those things because I thought it would show I’m keen but that makes a lot more sense!!!

 

[ayiiii05]

What's a good strategy to secure a VS? Two years of applying and just rejection after rejection, I've gotten past the application stage twice, I'm definitely doing something wrong.

 

[OrangeCherry1800]

Does anyone know when we will hear back from OC post AC?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Does anyone know when we will hear back from OC post AC?

Maybe next week? I think their last London one was yesterday?

 

[gazdgazd11]

What's a good strategy to secure a VS? Two years of applying and just rejection after rejection, I've gotten past the application stage twice, I'm definitely doing something wrong.

Hey, this used to be me. I will be honest, TCLA premium resources helped me More than anything. You get access to successful apps and courses on how to write them and More. I swear im not sponsored! I know not everyone can afford it but if you can, I recommend getting it for one month and going through their courses and successful applications database. This really changed the game for me. I used to barely get past the app stage, whilst this year I got 3 ACs and had multiple VIs/second stage tests. Good luck!

PS. However, there are many free resources.
I think the biggest thing is to REALLY research the firm (I know this sounds generic) and to master your answers to basic questions like why law etc.

 

[A worried graduate]

Hey, this used to be me. I will be honest, TCLA premium resources helped me More than anything. You get access to successful apps and courses on how to write them and More. I swear im not sponsored! I know not everyone can afford it but if you can, I recommend getting it for one month and going through their courses and successful applications database. This really changed the game for me. I used to barely get past the app stage, whilst this year I got 3 ACs and had multiple VIs/second stage tests. Good luck!

PS. However, there are many free resources.
I think the biggest thing is to REALLY research the firm (I know this sounds generic) and to master your answers to basic questions like why law etc.

What’s on the premium resources?

 

[marisachr]

Just got an email from WFW Grac Rec after being rejected from the video interview asking me if I want a feedback call on my performance? Is this normal?

 

[g.cl.2020344]

Hope we all get some good news we can enjoy over the weekend!

 

[lolololol]

I think it would be rare for you to be asked both - I think it would be more likely to be one or the other.

However, if there was the opportunity to be asked both, I would focus "why law" on the topic of law and the type of key responsibilities you will have as a lawyer (research, drafting, document review etc) as things like working with legal frameworks and the ways in which you work/tasks you would do could be similar outside of commercial law but in areas like family or criminal law. You can then focus on why commercial topics in the latter question.

But I would listen carefully to the question and the context of what you have been discussing previously as it may be that your interviewer is effectively asking you why commercial law when just asking "why law".

thank you!

 

[gazdgazd11]

What’s on the premium resources?

Successful training apps, detailed Guides on all parts of applications, case study, interview, courses on different areas of law, law firm profiles, courses on finance, M&A and more

 

[Chris Brown]

I took the Stephenson Harwood test earlier and I think I scored 8766 across the four pillars (so 27/36 or 75%) and I think I got mid for verbal reasoning and high for numerical reasoning.

Does anyone here know what their benchmark is from previous cycles because I’m not sure what to think. I still have PTSD from the Paul, Weiss test that I did several weeks ago. 🥲🥲​

 

[student353]

I took the Stephenson Harwood test earlier and I think I scored 8766 across the four pillars (so 27/36 or 75%) and I think I got mid for verbal reasoning and high for numerical reasoning.

Does anyone here know what their benchmark is from previous cycles because I’m not sure what to think. I still have PTSD from the Paul, Weiss test that I did several weeks ago. 🥲🥲​

From what I remember from the open day, I think it’s based on the performance of that year ( I know that’s annoying as that’s impossibly vague!!) However, these scores seem pretty solid so I wouldn’t worry if I were you

 

[student353]

I took the Stephenson Harwood test earlier and I think I scored 8766 across the four pillars (so 27/36 or 75%) and I think I got mid for verbal reasoning and high for numerical reasoning.

Does anyone here know what their benchmark is from previous cycles because I’m not sure what to think. I still have PTSD from the Paul, Weiss test that I did several weeks ago. 🥲🥲​

From what I remember from the open day, I think it’s based on the performance of that year ( I know that’s annoying as that’s impossibly vague!!) However, these scores seem pretty solid so I wouldn’t worry if I were you

 

[student353]

SH SJT invite!!

 

[weupin2025]

Withers SVS! The firm that literally drew me to a career in law coming from an engineering background. SO excited. I must say that @Andrei Radu and his guide for interviews was key here and would encourage anyone with an interview to heed that advice.

 

[vacschemesearch]

SH SJT invite!!

Is this for spring?

 

[OliverTwist]

Can anybody who has completed the AC for Mishcon for Spring already please message me, or like this and I will message you, I have a couple of questions related to the format. As have one coming up for Summer! Thanks in advance

 

[trainee4u]

SH SJT invite!!

this is first contact after application, right? when did you apply?