TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[aether]

Most Candidates I have spoken with and my own experience is that you find out if you have a place on the A/C two weeks prior to have enough time to prepare. I wouldn't worry about it as they also have an A/C in Jan so there is still a chance

That’s reassuring… thank you!

 

[needatccccc]

Just filled in the Taylor Wessing form and now I can’t access it because of the error. 🫠

Has the form come back for anyone or have you had to start again/set up a new account?

did it work for you in the end? I'm having the same issue now

 

[TC Chaser]

Hi all, just noticed that the Skadden application work experience section does not automatically sift the entered work experiences into dates, like other platforms. Did any other applicant put down their experience chronologically?

 

[studentdelaw786]

Assuming you took one and got an A*, A*ABB isn't that much better, given that the A* was achieved 10 years later. I think at this stage you should ascertain which firms have a hard limit and which look at things holistically - for the latter your degree performance, application and work experience should outweigh your BTEC results if good enough. There are also plenty of strong firms who either have no strict A Level requirements or require ABB: Mishcon de Reya, Pinsent Masons, Freshfields, Clifford Chance, etc. etc.

Of course if you simply want to do another A level then of course do so, I just doubt it would massively increase your chances even at those firms with the hard limits - chances are if they have the hard limit in the first place then they'd prefer the grades to be achieved at the same time.

Of course, I don't even have a TC yet so feel free to wait for Jessica's opinion.

these are very good points.

I am lucky to have extensive legal experience as a Paralegal and a high 2:1 at university. i just feel that i’ll be at a disadvantage compared to those who have AAB😭

 

[bella98]

Hi all,

i’ve just stupidly found out that DDM (pre-2016 BTECs) equate to ABB and not AAB as I thought this whole time. I have 128 UCAS points which should be fine for most firms, but could put me out of contention of applying for very specific firms.

I am now seriously considering taking an extra A-Level, but would anyone kindly provide some insight into whether is worth doing, or should I essentially deal with what I have?

@Jessica Booker
@Jaysen - would appreciate if you guys also have thoughts too.

Thanks everyone!

Hi,

I’m not Jessica, but I wanted to share my experience with you! I don’t meet the A-level requirements for most law firms (I completed high school in Italy and don’t have the equivalent of AAB or ABB. No mitigating circumstances—Italy’s education system is simply one of the toughest in Europe, though I suppose that’s not really an excuse, so I didn’t mention anything)

Last year, I applied to a variety of firms, ranging from regional to US firms, many of which had A-level requirements. Despite this, I progressed to the next stage for most of them and attended several assessment centres. No mitigating circumstances, no exceptions—just incredibly well-tailored applications. From my experience, I don’t believe A-level requirements are necessarily a deal-breaker.

 

[James Wakefield]

did it work for you in the end? I'm having the same issue now

Yes I did get it back and managed to submit it!

 

[ilovegardening1111]

hi all, does anyone know if the baker mckenzie deadline to submit is by 23:59 today (30 Nov) or is 23:59 by tomorrow (1 Dec). on their website it says that the deadline is 1 december but im a bit confused by what time exactly that means!

 

[studentdelaw786]

Hi,

I’m not Jessica, but I wanted to share my experience with you! I don’t meet the A-level requirements for most law firms (I completed high school in Italy and don’t have the equivalent of AAB or ABB. No mitigating circumstances—Italy’s education system is simply one of the toughest in Europe, though I suppose that’s not really an excuse, so I didn’t mention anything)

Last year, I applied to a variety of firms, ranging from regional to US firms, many of which had A-level requirements. Despite this, I progressed to the next stage for most of them and attended several assessment centres. No mitigating circumstances, no exceptions—just incredibly well-tailored applications. From my experience, I don’t believe A-level requirements are necessarily a deal-breaker.

Hi Bella,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It’s comforting knowing that you were given a chance as it means I could too. I hope that continues in this cycle and wish you the best!

 

[A worried graduate]

Hi @A worried graduate if your question is as to whether it is worth applying regarding success chances in view of particular circumstances, feel free to give me a bit more detail and I will be happy to give you my view on that. If your question is more to the effect of whether Simmons and Simmons is a good firm to work for, my answer is that I have generally heard good things. They may not have as generalist of an approach as the MC, but it has top tier practices in finance, funds, TMT and life sciences. If these practices/sectors are of interest, I would encourage you to apply.

My question was with regards to if it is too late as AC's have taken place

 

[jta227]

My question was with regards to if it is too late as AC's have taken place

Wait - ACs for the SVS have taken place? But the deadline isn't for a month and a bit 😭 😭 I hate rolling deadlines

 

[Seville123]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I was wondering if you could please help me with my query:

I’m attending a vacation scheme next week, and the firm has requested to see my original academic certificates. However, my degrees are framed, and I’m unable to remove them from their frames. I’m also reluctant to carry the framed certificates around London. What’s the best way to handle this situation? Thanks!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all,

i’ve just stupidly found out that DDM (pre-2016 BTECs) equate to ABB and not AAB as I thought this whole time. I have 128 UCAS points which should be fine for most firms, but could put me out of contention of applying for very specific firms.

I am now seriously considering taking an extra A-Level, but would anyone kindly provide some insight into whether is worth doing, or should I essentially deal with what I have?

@Jessica Booker
@Jaysen - would appreciate if you guys also have thoughts too.

Thanks everyone!

There would not be any point in doing an additional A-level now. If a firm cares about UCAS points, they will only count qualifications sat in the same period of time.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I was wondering if you could please help me with my query:

I’m attending a vacation scheme next week, and the firm has requested to see my original academic certificates. However, my degrees are framed, and I’m unable to remove them from their frames. I’m also reluctant to carry the framed certificates around London. What’s the best way to handle this situation? Thanks!

You can take a formal transcript rather than your certificate.

 

[Seville123]

You can take a formal transcript rather than your certificate.

Ok thank you!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anybody have any tips for passing the HSF test?

 

[hopefulforatc]

Any tips for Fieldfishers telephone interview? what kind of questions are they asking?

 

[Tom smith]

Does anyone have any experience with BCLPs first-stage interview??

 

[Andrei Radu]

If you could choose a career other than law, what would you choose? - For this question, I guess everyone has different approaches but would it be unwise to use personal experience to back why certain aspects of the career chosen, appeals to you. I am a bit unsure how else you write a good answer without it, but then don't want to repeat my work experience unnecessarily I guess.

I think it is completely fine to use personal experiences to illustrate points, as in many circumstances it will be personal experiences that shape our motivations more than professional/academic ones. However, I also do not think repeating work experiences is necessarily a big issue, unless your description of the role is very similar. If you discuss different aspects of the experience or you discuss it from a different perspective to the effect that it is clear you are making an entirely different point, I believe it is unlikely any recruiter will have a problem with it.

 

[Andrei Radu]

My question was with regards to if it is too late as AC's have taken place

I think it is still worth applying. Many firms run ACs through a period of multiple months, and all the people I know who did a Simmons & Simmons AC were applying for a WVS. As such, I definitely think this should not deter you from making a Spring/Summer VS application.

 

[mariistm]

Just did my CMS VI and was calm during preparation but my heart started beating at 200bpm once the video interview started and I WAS NERVOUS AND STUTTERING 😭😭 Im so disappointed but onto the next ig.. hope they don't long out my PFO

Anyone have any tips on the nerves? I feel super confident before but during I lose my composure instantly

I had the exact same problem when I did my VI yesterday!! I could have done so much better on the first question, but they were all so loaded and I got nervous!! Bad thing is the nerves never get better for me... this is my 3rd CMS VI!! Hoping for good news