TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker or anyone else who has an idea:

I have a summer three-week VS coming in June and am wondering what work experiences I can do in the meantime. I have completed all of my academic studies (just passed all of my SQE exams), so I am essentially free from now until then. I have been making direct TC apps every now and again. I have a four-week QWE from late April to early May. I have no clue how to best make use of my time. Would potential employers view my non-working months in a bad light? I am unsure about paralegal roles due to my unavailability during my VS. Does anyone know what I could do in the meantime (so I would also not be bored to death)?

You could try some paralegal temp agencies as an option, but if you have 4 weeks of work experience in a few weeks time and then a VS in June, it will be difficult to find anything that isn't temp work.

A few weeks between jobs is not going to be an issue for firms though - this is very common. Its only extended periods (e.g. over 6 months) of not being in any form of commitment, such as any job, any education or training, or any volunteering that would cause a level of concern.

 

[Legallylaw]

For a paralegal cover letter, the first thing is to look closely at the job description/job advert and pick out key information/requirements from that and build it into your cover letter.

It is important to cover the following within the cover letter:

• Why the firm
• Why the opportunity (e.g. why specifically that paralegal role in that department - e.g. if it is a Real Estate Paralegal role, why do you want to work in Real Estate and why specifically that paralegal role).
• Why you

Hi, I was looking for some advice on what should a cover letter entail for a summer work experience at a national specialist firm?Any advice you can provide would be much appreciated !

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

White & Case summer VS!!! genuinely in shock rn

Such great news before the weekend! Hope you're gonna celebrate!

 

[aphelion]

It’s definitely time consuming but I think it has worked out well for me. I have sent 16 VS applications this cycle and 5 got past the application stage (BCLP, Paul, Weiss, SH, White & Case and Willkie). I am still waiting to hear back from PH. 🥲

I think based on the 15 I know the outcome for, 1 in 3 got past the application stage. Of these, I got 3 VS offers. I think that’s a 1 in 5 rate (application to VS offer). If PH works out, that would be a 1 in 4 rate! 😅

I guess some people are able to send a lot more applications out, spending fewer hours on each. I spent a lot more time on doing firm research than writing. It’s hard balancing sending applications with working full time! 🥲​

These are such good stats.

I really do think that around 10-15 high quality apps with a lot of firm research/engagement can be the sweet spot for a lot of people, especially when you're working!

I'm also working full-time. I've done 11 apps (1 more to do) and I've found success with this strategy.

 

[A worried graduate]

I’ve gotten a holding email from Hill Dickinson that they’ll get back to us by 7 April!!

Seems like they’re gonna send me the PFO by then considering they’ve sent out AC invites😭

Personal instinct is that we are reserve list or applied later than those who got ACs.

We shall see

 

[User5678]

Personal instinct is that we are reserve list or applied later than those who got ACs.

We shall see

I hope you are right🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

Tbf i did apply a day before the deadline

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi, I was looking for some advice on what should a cover letter entail for a summer work experience at a national specialist firm?Any advice you can provide would be much appreciated !

Hiya @Legallylaw

I think @Jessica Booker might have more to add here, but I generally think writing a cover letter in this context isn’t too different from writing one for any other legal work experience or scheme. You’ll want to make sure your cover letter clearly covers these key points:

• A brief introduction: Who you are, what stage you’re at (e.g. student, graduate, etc.), and what you’re applying for.
• Why this firm?: This is the part to really tailor. Try to be as specific as possible about what interests you about this particular specialist firm. It could be their niche focus, recent work, reputation in a particular area, or even something about their values or culture.
• What you bring: Briefly outline any relevant experiences, skills, or qualities that make you a strong candidate. Even if you don’t have legal experience, you can mention experiences that you think would give you the transferable skills to do well on this summer scheme.

Unless they specify otherwise, I think it’s best to keep your cover letter to one page. I'd also avoid technical language or jargon as far as possible. Just try to be clear and professional in your tone. Best of luck with your application!

 

[a3736y]

You could try some paralegal temp agencies as an option, but if you have 4 weeks of work experience in a few weeks time and then a VS in June, it will be difficult to find anything that isn't temp work.

A few weeks between jobs is not going to be an issue for firms though - this is very common. Its only extended periods (e.g. over 6 months) of not being in any form of commitment, such as any job, any education or training, or any volunteering that would cause a level of concern.

Hi again. Thank you so much for your advice. Just now I have been updated that my QWE have been moved to November. Could you advise me how can I find other temp work in the meantime?

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi, I was looking for some advice on what should a cover letter entail for a summer work experience at a national specialist firm?Any advice you can provide would be much appreciated !

Hi @Legallylaw I do not have much to add to the great response from @Ram Sabaratnam. I will only say that I think the quality of your 'why the firm' section will matter a lot, in that many of the motivations that apply to international firms will not be equally relevant here. I would try to read about the practice areas this firm specializes in and to demonstrate a real understanding and interest in the work they involve. Also, if you have the time for this research, I think it would be great to mention and make comparisons to the firm's competitors in those specialist areas.

 

[bluescarf]

Hi, just a quick question, I was looking at the PMC DTC app, they are not asking to upload a CV nor are they asking for any work experience or grades? There are only a few questions to answer. Their portal is a bit weird.

Was this the the same for you all?

Thank you

Sorry if this is a late reply given I'm pretty sure the deadline is today but they do ask all of this, it's a separate form you have to do only once you have submitted through the portal. So don't leave it too late is my advice!!

 

[Justin]

Has anyone heard from disney post online-test?

Did you hear back yet?

 

[Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha]

Hi @Jessica Booker and TCLA team, how would you go about choosing between Dentons and BCLP as firms? I have done research into these firms already and know about things such as their international presence, practice areas and values but am not sure about the less publicised things such as career progression. They both seem like great firms, so it's difficult to choose.

 

[James Wakefield]

Hi @Jessica Booker and TCLA team, how would you go about choosing between Dentons and BCLP as firms? I have done research into these firms already and know about things such as their international presence, practice areas and values but am not sure about the less publicised things such as career progression. They both seem like great firms, so it's difficult to choose.

I’d have a look at BCLP’s retention rate… I believe it’s been very low over the last few years.

They’ve also just announced they are closing their Asian offices too.

 

[dlc3266]

Is it safe to assume King & Spalding PFO if we haven’t heard back?

 

[maymays]

Been a month since Mishcon VS- anyone got anything? 😢

 

[legallyells]

Personal instinct is that we are reserve list or applied later than those who got ACs.

We shall see

AC places have to be confirmed by 2nd April so they may give out more ACs if people fail to confirm attendance by then. there’s definitely still hope!!

 

[A worried graduate]

AC places have to be confirmed by 2nd April so they may give out more ACs if people fail to confirm attendance by then. there’s definitely still hope!!

How do you know the real deadline is the 2nd?

 

[User5678]

How do you know the real deadline is the 2nd?

She has an ac invite so it’s prolly mentioned on her email!

 

[ad.]

Hi @Jessica Booker and TCLA team, how would you go about choosing between Dentons and BCLP as firms? I have done research into these firms already and know about things such as their international presence, practice areas and values but am not sure about the less publicised things such as career progression. They both seem like great firms, so it's difficult to choose.

I’d reach out to relevant people in those firms (trainees, associates…depending on which questions you would want to ask them) on LinkedIn and schedule quick calls to find out more about the things that are less publicised

 

[James Wakefield]

Macfarlanes Dinner interview invite post-test! 😅

I can't believe there are so many stages for a dinner!