TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[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!

 

[y3920]

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?

 

[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!

 

[aspiringcitylawyer]

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!

 

[Chris Brown]

Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner interview invite post-test!!! 😅​

 

[James Wakefield]

Macfarlanes Senior Partner Dinner interview invite post-test!!! 😅​

My motivation for this is the chance to meet you haha.

 

[Chris Brown]

My motivation for this is the chance to meet you haha.

Likewise my friend! I’m still baffled that they are making us do an online test and interview for a dinner. 😅​

 

[James Wakefield]

Likewise my friend! I’m still baffled that they are making us do an online test and interview for a dinner. 😅​

Also 15 minute TI is longer than any of my VIs. No idea what they’ll ask us.

I’ll also have to do the call in my lunch break during my VS next week.

 

[Chris Brown]

Also 15 minute TI is longer than any of my VIs. No idea what they’ll ask us.

I’ll also have to do the call in my lunch break during my VS next week.

I am in a similar boat. None of my VI this cycle were 15 minutes long, so I am curious about what they could ask us, given this is for a Senior Partner Dinner and not a VS. 😅​

 

[andrecsaa]

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.

Try checking out RollOnFriday and Reddit, you’ll find some honest insights there. In terms of career progression, Dentons seems worse than BCLP.

I know BCLP is great for anyone interested in real estate, planning, and construction. If these are your areas of interest, BCLP would be a great place to consider.