TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[plteo22]

Hey all - Got an offer for Freshfields Graduate Workshop, but I don't think it will be feasible for me to attend on that day, given the rail strikes. Do you think FF will have any flexibility if I ask if I can attend the non-law workshop instead, which I should be able to attend? I did study a non-law degree but have now graduated and am under the impression the the non-law workshop is just for current students.
Would be gutted if it meant I had to turn down the offer as it would've been great experience

 

[Percypig12]

Hey all - Got an offer for Freshfields Graduate Workshop, but I don't think it will be feasible for me to attend on that day, given the rail strikes. Do you think FF will have any flexibility if I ask if I can attend the non-law workshop instead, which I should be able to attend? I did study a non-law degree but have now graduated and am under the impression the the non-law workshop is just for current students.
Would be gutted if it meant I had to turn down the offer as it would've been great experience

The email says " Additionally, we are aware that there is a planned rail strike, and so if your travel is likely to be impacted please also let us know." So I don't think it would be inappropriate to ask.

 

[IwantaVacSchemePlz]

Hey all - Got an offer for Freshfields Graduate Workshop, but I don't think it will be feasible for me to attend on that day, given the rail strikes. Do you think FF will have any flexibility if I ask if I can attend the non-law workshop instead, which I should be able to attend? I did study a non-law degree but have now graduated and am under the impression the the non-law workshop is just for current students.
Would be gutted if it meant I had to turn down the offer as it would've been great experience

im literally trying to switch too hahaha, but the other way around. I have asked them and will keep you updated

 

[aspiringcatsolicitor]

Just wanted to check- Does Linklaters not include sections for work experiences, A-Levels and GCSEs on their VS apps?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey all - Got an offer for Freshfields Graduate Workshop, but I don't think it will be feasible for me to attend on that day, given the rail strikes. Do you think FF will have any flexibility if I ask if I can attend the non-law workshop instead, which I should be able to attend? I did study a non-law degree but have now graduated and am under the impression the the non-law workshop is just for current students.
Would be gutted if it meant I had to turn down the offer as it would've been great experience

There is absolutely no harm in asking them. They are likely aware of the issue anyway and either might be able to provide a solution, like moving to a different date.

 

[Jessica Booker]

How competitive is the Graduate Workshop? Think Freshfields has always been my top choice, so quite pleased to have been accepted and would this give me a strong chance of passing through to the WG with a good cover letter (I've previously made NRF, Travers Smith TI + AC with my cover letter form). Would appreciate your perspective @Jessica Booker

It’s a long time ago now, but there tended to be a good number of people recruited from the open days when I worked at the firm.

It was by no means a guarantee though - I saw enough open day attendees apply and unfortunately their application was not strong enough when translated to the personal statement format and when presented in a different way to the open day application.

The firm would generally look out for open day attendee’s applications though and hope to put them through, especially if they impressed at the open day itself, but there were no favours done - the individuals still had to meet the same benchmark as other candidates

 

[futuretrainee2024]

Any tips for answering strengths-based questions?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks so much, Jessica.

Of course, I would never just assume it's a guarantee and I will acknowledge that it's important to produce a strong cover letter. I'm sure the workshop will provide plenty of useful tips on how to tackle the application process.

I would stress that they wouldn’t have brought you through to the open day if they didn’t think there was a decent chance of you being successful in the recruitment process, and they probably feel that the open day will help you benefit from the learning which can then be applied to your next application.

Best of luck with the open day - I hope it goes well, and more importantly, that you enjoy it!

 

[Tintin06]

I thought I had a call from W&C just now, but it was only work. This is going to be a long day!

 

[hannah04]

Hi, I don't think that is the case! I also did the test a month ago and recently got invited to the first stage interview!

Congrats!! What day did you do your test?

 

[Percypig12]

I thought I had a call from W&C just now, but it was only work. This is going to be a long day!

Fingers crossed for you 🤞

 

[lawapplicant]

DLA really do have the worst grad rec of all time. Over a week since I requested reasonable adjustments for the VI - and still nothing.

Meanwhile Hogan and CMS replied straight away. Literally every other firm has responded in the same day too.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

DLA really do have the worst grad rec of all time. Over a week since I requested reasonable adjustments for the VI - and still nothing.

Meanwhile Hogan and CMS replied straight away. Literally every other firm has responded in the same day too.

Need to take into account grad rec are normal people and consider how many people they have in their grad rec team. Like some law firms only have 3 people on their team whereas others have 7-10 people.

Imagine how many emails they receive a day and also they might be going to events a lot like different university events on top of their open days.

My advice is to email them again or give them a call.

 

[Tintin06]

Fingers crossed for you 🤞

Thank you.

 

[lawyerinzootopia]

Bit of a random question but do people get TCs without having completed any vacation schemes?

 

[mfuturetrainee]

Bit of a random question but do people get TCs without having completed any vacation schemes?

yes people can apply directly for a TC and be successful that way without having completed a vac scheme

 

[BM99]

Are there any HL Lift Off offers? Only saw rejections lately

 

[aspiringlawyer47]

Are there any HL Lift Off offers? Only saw rejections lately

Same, still waiting on a response

 

[Jessica Booker]

DLA really do have the worst grad rec of all time. Over a week since I requested reasonable adjustments for the VI - and still nothing.

Meanwhile Hogan and CMS replied straight away. Literally every other firm has responded in the same day too.

Give them a call - emails can easily be missed, especially if they are still out on campus a fair amount.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Bit of a random question but do people get TCs without having completed any vacation schemes?

Yes - seen plenty of people do this, whether through the firms I have worked for/with or through TCLA