TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[johnnn821]

I have been following this forum for about four and a half years now and I remember when the vacation scheme thread hit 999 pages back in 2021, which was the highest we have seen since then. But now here we are about to smash through 1000 pages and it’s only March! What a year this is shaping up to be! Congrats to everyone who secured a vac scheme!

 

[allenpopi]

Guys, does anyone know if i already have a p45, do i still need to fill in HRMC new starter checklist for the vac scheme?

 

[James Wakefield]

Guys, does anyone know if i already have a p45, do i still need to fill in HRMC new starter checklist for the vac scheme?

Probably if they’ve asked for it. You’ll get a starter checklist that basically just refers the law firm to your P45.

 

[manifestingthetc]

CRS London holding email

 

[Nine]

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. 🥲🥲​

what were the VI qs like? were there 4?

 

[arando]

Hi @arando I have linked here a thread where this topic was discussed in a lot of depth by forum members. I will also quote bellow a number of posts with useful advice to consider.

Thank you so much

 

[TCseeker101]

CRS London holding email

Same, I can’t decide whether it’s a good thing or not!

 

[saminoriya]

CRS reserve list for VS for Guildford. I hope they invite me at least to AC for TC🥹

 

[allenpopi]

Probably if they’ve asked for it. You’ll get a starter checklist that basically just refers the law firm to your P45.

hmm i see - thanks!. The issue is that i have to tick one of the three boxes on the checklist but i don't technically qualify for any of them because i have a P45.
I might just have to email and ask.

 

[anna57492]

CRS reserve list for VS for Guildford. I hope they invite me at least to AC for TC🥹

Same

 

[A worried graduate]

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

Interesting.

Anyone on here have guidance on landing high street paralegal roles?

I’ve had a few interviews but never the offer.

 

[Andrei Radu]

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.

Huge congrats @weupin2025 🥳 🥳 🥳 ! I'm glad I could be of help and so happy to see you seem to have found a perfect fit with the firm

 

[jojo23]

Email from crs gave me a mini heart attack 🤣 just for them to say we are still reviewing interviews and aim to respond next week😒

 

[Andrei Radu]

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.

Hi @ayiiii05 I will link here the Guide to Building a Winning Applications Strategy I have written a couple of months ago, as it describes in a lot of depth what I think led to my success after also getting rejected everywhere in the previous cycle.

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

what does it mean if a firm doesnt get back to you 5 weeks post AC? i've waited ages and i emailed them yesterday morning and they haven't replied. is it possible to get ghosted by a firm bc its just feels disrespectful at this point ... 😭 surely if they wanted to reject me they would've got back sooner instead of waiting so long???? i'm trying not to read into it but i honestly don't know what to do at this point

 

[Andrei Radu]

What do group exercises at AC’s tend to entail? Is it negotiation exercises as that’s all I’ve heard so far and how would they work? Secondly how is best to prepare? Any help is appreciated

Hi @mulan0 from what I have encountered so far they tend to be either based on a negotiation, a group discussion, or a presentation task.

1. Negotiations: The exercises can have different structures and team sizes depending on the firm, but I think the default one is for you to get around 30mins-1h of preparation time with your team during which you read a brief with background information and client demands, and then devise a strategy based on that (in many cases the preparation part is also assessed by the firm). Then, you normally have around 30-45 minutes to negotiate and hopefully reach an agreement with the other side.
2. Group exercises: Normally you would also have around 20 minutes to read a brief the discussion is based on, but this is done individually. Then, together with the rest of the group, you are tasked with discussing a number of options and choosing the best one. I have seen a number of exercises here around M&A and investments, with people discussing which companies would it be best to partner with/invest in.
3. Presentation tasks: This is very similar to the group discussion, with the only difference being that instead of simply reaching an agreement, you have to also make a presentation with your findings and recommendation. You would normally have a bit of extra time to prepare, as you need to allocate speaking roles and potentially practice as well.

A common issue candidates have with group exercises, irrespective of the format, is getting enough airtime to express their ideas and show off commercial awareness while also showing themselves to be team players. Since everyone knows that at the end of the day you are assessed individually and that progression is very competitive, many people will simply be looking to speak as much as possible. As such, I think it is good to think in advance of a few ways to ensure your contribution is seen without having to constantly fight over airtime. I'll link bellow a post in which I detailed some of the things that worked for me:

• Offer to keep the time: this shows a proactive attitude while not being very demanding as to your mental focus. It also enables you to (i) avoid taking the responsibility of any required writing, which is more demanding; and (ii) naturally intervene at certain points in the discussion to mention time considerations, which is also an opportunity for you to add substantive points.
• Try to introduce structure and organization: although many candidates will want to immediately start the analysis, instead of simply throwing yourself into discussing substantive points, try to introduce a framework: what points will you discuss, in what order, how much time will you spend on each, and what relevant assessment criteria should you keep in mind when analyzing the points? This will ensure a more comprehensive overview and a more clear output.
• Focus on finding more niche/less-obvious analysis points: as you are given a brief for the group exercise task, you will normally have a bit of preparation time during which you can think what points to bring up. You will find some points that are really intuitive which you will know the others likely also thought of. Instead of focusing on those and fighting with everyone to get to express those obvious points, I would use that time (and the extra thinking time in the initial discussion phase when everyone is fighting to say the obvious points) to find relevant ideas that others may have missed. The, as the discussion is winding down on that subpart of the task, I would mention these more niche points. This will avoid making you seem competitive and also showcase ability for more nuanced analysis.
• Focus on synthesis and weighing: another similar strategy for impressive contribution which may not require too much fighting over airtime is to once again seek to contribute as the discussion on the substantive points is winding down. What you can do here is intervene to summarize what everyone has contributed, weigh their points, and then make an informed argument as to what the decision should be.

 

[Andrei Radu]

what does it mean if a firm doesnt get back to you 5 weeks post AC? i've waited for ages and i emailed them yesterday morning and they haven't replied. is it possible to get ghosted by a firm bc its just feels disrespectful at this point ... 😭 surely if they wanted to reject me they would've got back sooner instead of waiting so long???? i'm trying not to read into it but i honestly don't know what to do at this point

I completely understand your frustration here, but it is unfortunately quite hard to tell, as different firm have very different processes. In the case of Slaughter and May, although I was given prior warning as to the long response times, I also had to wait more than 6 weeks post AC. However, this was not because they did not like my performance, as I still ended up getting the offer. Some firms simply interview over a long period of time and/or take long while to make decisions.

That said, 5 weeks is indeed definitely on the more extreme side of the wait time spectrum. It may also be the case that they have placed you on a waitlist, in which case they need to see how many people accept their offers or how many people who have previously accepted drop out before they decide what to respond to you.

 

[YS391]

Just got an email saying a space is available on Lewis Silkin initial AC, but it’s on Tuesday. Anyone have insight into presentation and other elements?

Hey, how come? Did someone drop out the original AC?

 

[Laur2cj]

Hey, how come? Did someone drop out the original AC?

assume so, they said they would be back in touch by 5th March latest so it’s a little last minute

 

[Jessica Booker]

what does it mean if a firm doesnt get back to you 5 weeks post AC? i've waited ages and i emailed them yesterday morning and they haven't replied. is it possible to get ghosted by a firm bc its just feels disrespectful at this point ... 😭 surely if they wanted to reject me they would've got back sooner instead of waiting so long???? i'm trying not to read into it but i honestly don't know what to do at this point

Although I would expect a firm to respond to you much earlier than 5 weeks post AC, I would stress that candidates cannot expect an immediate response from graduate recruitment teams to emails. Realistically it can easily take a week for most emails to be responded to unless they are urgent, and unfortunately although these type of matters maybe urgent to the candidate, they are not to the firm. I would see if you get a response to your email by the end of next week, and if not, then I think you can make more of the assumption that you may have ben ghosted.