TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[A worried graduate]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

I'd be honest about it unless the American firm has no presence in HK as you might want to go back to them at some point.

Actually if you haven't took the TC then go for the Vac scheme if you feel you might prefer a London TC.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Renege the VS - other candidates with no TC offers will be on the waitlist for that VS. Good luck with your TC

This isn't good advice and I find it really wrong that it's become the norm here. If they got the UK VS offer fair and square, and they'd rather train at the UK firm, they are absolutely entitled to do the VS and shoot for the UK TC. They have something to gain here (literally a different jurisdiction that they want more), and they earned the chance to try it. Even if it weren't a massive difference like it being a different jurisdiction, they just wanted this second firm a little more, the best advice is for them to take it. I understand that it is frustrating not being able to secure a TC, but that doesn't entitle anyone to give advice not in the best interest of the person seeking the advice.

 

[trainee4u]

This isn't good advice and I find it really wrong that it's become the norm here. If they got the UK VS offer fair and square, and they'd rather train at the UK firm, they are absolutely entitled to do the VS and shoot for the UK TC. They have something to gain here (literally a different jurisdiction that they want more), and they earned the chance to try it. Even if it weren't a massive difference like it being a different jurisdiction, they just wanted this second firm a little more, the best advice is for them to take it. I understand that it is frustrating not being able to secure a TC, but that doesn't entitle anyone to give advice not in the best interest of the person seeking the advice.

It appears from tc1999's post history that they are on the waitlist for a VS, so there might be some self interest here....

 

[User5678]

This isn't good advice and I find it really wrong that it's become the norm here. If they got the UK VS offer fair and square, and they'd rather train at the UK firm, they are absolutely entitled to do the VS and shoot for the UK TC. They have something to gain here (literally a different jurisdiction that they want more), and they earned the chance to try it. Even if it weren't a massive difference like it being a different jurisdiction, they just wanted this second firm a little more, the best advice is for them to take it. I understand that it is frustrating not being able to secure a TC, but that doesn't entitle anyone to give advice not in the best interest of the person seeking the advice.

I completely agree and came here to write this!
I understand it’s hard to get a tc but we should celebrate everyone’s achievements and we all will get there eventually. I don’t think not doing the vac scheme is good advise at all.

@lawgal1908 you have worked hard to get this and you should do the vac scheme regardless of accepting the tc offer or not especially because you mention that you want to get some work experience in UK. You might also end up liking the UK based firm and choose to accept a tc here (you never know🤷🏻‍♀️) And regardless it will only help you in future

 

[James Wakefield]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

First thing is to check the details of your offer letters. Either offer may specify a problem about accepting the other, e.g., "your vacation scheme placement is conditional on not accepting a training contract elsewhere."

Second its completely up to you to do both. You might consider not doing the VS if you're 100% certain you want to take the TC in Hong Kong. But there's no harm in accepting and no one can hold it against you, and its still worth doing if there's even a remote chance you'd accept the TC in the UK.

 

[summerk27]

Hi If anyone has any advice/knowledge about the IM Insight day and final interview please pm me x

 

[summerk27]

Has anyone heard from Blake Morgan/ PMC direct TC?

 

[gazdgazd11]

Hi, does anyone have an idea how tariffs could impact the shipping/maritime industry?

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

 

[trainee4u]

Hi, does anyone have an idea how tariffs could impact the shipping/maritime industry?

@Amma Usman @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam

there's lots in google news:

tariff shipping - Google Search

 

[gazdgazd11]

there's lots in google news:

tariff shipping - Google Search

Thank you tbh should’ve opted for that 🫣

 

[EA95]

I need some help relating to the TCLA accelerator course. I have tried to enrol on the TCLA summer accelerator course, after receiving an email from Daniel, but it is now saying that I am unable to enrol because it is closed. Can anyone assist me in dealing with this, because I want to take this course? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all, I just wanted to ask something important regarding a decision related to a VS and TC. I received a vac scheme for a big American firm in London in February, and just last week, received a TC offer for another firm. I'd really like to do the vacation scheme because I've already processed everything and it would be my last opportunity to work in the UK, as my TC is for Hong Kong. I just wanted to ask if it would be inappropriate to mention this to the firm that offered me the TC, or if it's best to just renege for the vacation scheme and do the TC.

Unless there are terms in either your VS or TC offer that stop you from doing the vacation scheme because you have accepted the TC, you can choose to do the VS should you want to.

 

[bluescarf]

Hi everyone, what's the consensus on asking slightly controversial questions in interviews/at insight days/ACs? If the firm has some consistent issues being pointed out in reviews on glassdoor etc., is it really bad to ask? I.e. reviews say they don't care about employees enough, pay is below market rate for the amount of workload, etc. Should I keep quiet because I'd be grateful for any opportunity or should I be brave and question it? Haha

 

[LiveLaughLawyer]

Has anyone heard back from Mishcon post summer AC?

 

[lawstudent2]

I need some help relating to the TCLA accelerator course. I have tried to enrol on the TCLA summer accelerator course, after receiving an email from Daniel, but it is now saying that I am unable to enrol because it is closed. Can anyone assist me in dealing with this, because I want to take this course? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks

I also have a question about this course. Is it possible for me to access the recordings over the summer in June or July?
I have exams for another month and then am going on holiday and TCLA Gold is too expensive for me to spend money when I can't fully use it. I was going to pay for it for a month or so over the summer around July but will all of these courses still be available then?

 

[EA95]

I also have a question about this course. Is it possible for me to access the recordings over the summer in June or July?
I have exams for another month and then am going on holiday and TCLA Gold is too expensive for me to spend money when I can't fully use it. I was going to pay for it for a month or so over the summer around July but will all of these courses still be available then?

Hopefully @Jessica Booker , @Jaysen @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman can assist us.

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Hi everyone, what's the consensus on asking slightly controversial questions in interviews/at insight days/ACs? If the firm has some consistent issues being pointed out in reviews on glassdoor etc., is it really bad to ask? I.e. reviews say they don't care about employees enough, pay is below market rate for the amount of workload, etc. Should I keep quiet because I'd be grateful for any opportunity or should I be brave and question it? Haha

Well the pay is what it is and asking about it won't change it. Reviews on Glassdoor are positive if current or happy employees. However disgruntled ex-employees are more likely to leave a bad review especially in an anonymous forum.

Why put your head above the parapet and potentially rule yourself out of an offer? If you get an offer and have other offers too maybe this is enough for you to choose the other place over this one. But if its your only offer are you really going to turn it down because they pay less than someone else or because of what an anonymous ex-employee who may have axe to grind says?

 

[EA95]

Crisis averted now, but should I be getting a confirmation email to show that I have now registered? @Jaysen @Jessica Booker

 

[Legallywhatever]

Sorry for the repeated question but has anyone heard back from Michelmores yet post-test? For the vac scheme

 

[futuretrainee7]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson post-TI?