TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[TCLA Community Assistant]

After nearly six years, I will be concluding my involvement with TCLA this Sunday (15 June).

It has been a genuine privilege to support thousands of aspiring lawyers during that time. From answering late-night forum and WhatsApp questions to reviewing applications and advising many of you in one-to-one calls, I have been fortunate to play a small part in the journeys of so many within the TCLA community.

The most rewarding part has always been seeing so many of the individuals I have interacted with go on to become successful vacation scheme students, trainees, and qualified lawyers across the legal sector. It has been inspiring, humbling, and a constant reminder that talent flourishes when given the right support.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and for allowing me to contribute along the way.

 

[YnoFeedback?]

In my experience it doesn't matter. When I did a VS AC for A&O, in my feedback call when I got rejected they were happy for me to apply again the following year for the direct TC route which I got to the AC for. I also applied for the VS for Hogan Lovells in my final year and didn't even make it to the AC stage, but applied for the direct TC route the year after which I secured.

But there will likely be a limit to how many times you can apply, which in my experience, only takes effect once you reach AC stage/attend the VS and are not offered a TC at the end. But if you were rejected at application stage previously, you should deffo try again the next cycle as that will not hinder you at all as long as you improve it.

I appreciate your insight!

 

[LiveLaughLawyer]

Hiya,

I have my first vacation scheme, how do I best prepare to convert the vacation scheme into a Training Contract ?

Thank you

 

[Chris Brown]

After nearly six years, I will be concluding my involvement with TCLA this Sunday (15 June).

It has been a genuine privilege to support thousands of aspiring lawyers during that time. From answering late-night forum and WhatsApp questions to reviewing applications and advising many of you in one-to-one calls, I have been fortunate to play a small part in the journeys of so many within the TCLA community.

The most rewarding part has always been seeing so many of the individuals I have interacted with go on to become successful vacation scheme students, trainees, and qualified lawyers across the legal sector. It has been inspiring, humbling, and a constant reminder that talent flourishes when given the right support.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and for allowing me to contribute along the way.

Thank you for everything you have done for all of us on TCLA over the past six years. You are genuinely an absolute superstar! 🥳

Thank you so much for helping so many of us achieve our dreams of pursuing a career in the legal profession and in city law! 😅

Your contributions have been monumental and are greatly appreciated! Best of luck with the future @Jessica Booker (the GOAT). 🐐​

 

[adrian_nlh]

After nearly six years, I will be concluding my involvement with TCLA this Sunday (15 June).

It has been a genuine privilege to support thousands of aspiring lawyers during that time. From answering late-night forum and WhatsApp questions to reviewing applications and advising many of you in one-to-one calls, I have been fortunate to play a small part in the journeys of so many within the TCLA community.

The most rewarding part has always been seeing so many of the individuals I have interacted with go on to become successful vacation scheme students, trainees, and qualified lawyers across the legal sector. It has been inspiring, humbling, and a constant reminder that talent flourishes when given the right support.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey and for allowing me to contribute along the way.

Goodbye Jessica! Thank you so much for everything and good luck in all your future endeavours.

 

[Kakaboo]

Hi! I’ve tried to message my trainee on LinkedIn but they haven’t accepted after a week. The early careers person is doing a talk at my uni tomorrow after should I approach and ask if there’s any way to contact them before the scheme? Thanks

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi! I’ve tried to message my trainee on LinkedIn but they haven’t accepted after a week. The early careers person is doing a talk at my uni tomorrow after should I approach and ask if there’s any way to contact them before the scheme? Thanks

Hey! Totally get the nerves - especially when you’re hoping to feel connected before the scheme starts. But honestly, there’s no need to stress. It’s completely normal not to have heard back yet, especially as trainees can be super busy. You’ll meet everyone on the first day and there’ll be loads of time to get to know each other and catch up then.

You’re already doing great by being proactive. Good luck, you’ve got this!

 

[linkedinwarrior245]

Hi, I've never posted something like this before, but I feel very lost about what to do. I'm currently on a vacation scheme and I'm considering quitting because it is seriously affecting my physical and mental wellbeing, as I haven't had a break since my spring vac and I had final uni exams in between. I had to jump right into this. I've already called in sick (it's only week 1), but I fear it would look very bad if I pulled out of it because it shows that I couldn't push myself to complete it.

For context, I already have a TC offer from my previous vac and I have not accepted it yet because I wanted to weigh out my options.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, I've never posted something like this before, but I feel very lost about what to do. I'm currently on a vacation scheme and I'm considering quitting because it is seriously affecting my physical and mental wellbeing, as I haven't had a break since my spring vac and I had final uni exams in between. I had to jump right into this. I've already called in sick (it's only week 1), but I fear it would look very bad if I pulled out of it because it shows that I couldn't push myself to complete it.

For context, I already have a TC offer from my previous vac and I have not accepted it yet because I wanted to weigh out my options. But I feel like I'm at my limit.

You ultimately need to do what is best for your health - you shouldn’t compromise that.

Rather than quitting the vacation scheme, consider speaking to the graduate recruitment team about the possibility of deferring your scheme to a later date, whether that be later this summer or even in the next cycle.

However, this may not be appropriate if you hold an offer already and are in a position where you need to accept that offer and start your legal training before you could complete another scheme with the current VS firm.

The firm may also be able to offer you a direct TC recruitment process instead if you did decide to withdraw from the programme.

 

[lawstudent2]

Idk if this is the right place for this but is it true that you need more extensive legal experience to go through the direct TC process successfully. I don't have a vac scheme this summer or anything more than a few days in a couple legal offices and am trying to decide if it's worth my time to apply to some direct TCs this summer or just prep for applications next year (will be my third year of uni also for context). Any insights appreciated, thanks

 

[bangarangbass39]

How long after a final interview for a vac scheme should we wait to expect to hear back?

I was told in the interview that we should hear back on the 12th (or after, the details is a lil fuzzy). I understand things can delay the feedback and it’s not easy to decide. But the radio silence is excruciating.

My interview was in the last week of May.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Idk if this is the right place for this but is it true that you need more extensive legal experience to go through the direct TC process successfully. I don't have a vac scheme this summer or anything more than a few days in a couple legal offices and am trying to decide if it's worth my time to apply to some direct TCs this summer or just prep for applications next year (will be my third year of uni also for context). Any insights appreciated, thanks

For some firms this will be the case. For instance, I think (if I remember correctly) Linklaters state you need a certain number of weeks of legal work experience to go forward for their direct TC.

But for most firms it won’t be as simple/binary as needed a certain length of work experience. Some firms will look more at your work experience holistically (both legal and non legal) while others may look at your motivations and other evidence for pursuing a commercial legal career and weigh this up alongside your work experience. For instance, if you can show strong and clear motivations and show other evidence of learning more about the career outside of legal work experience, this could replicate (or be stronger evidence) than describing a vacation scheme experience.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

How long after a final interview for a vac scheme should we wait to expect to hear back?

I was told in the interview that we should hear back on the 12th (or after, the details is a lil fuzzy). I understand things can delay the feedback and it’s not easy to decide. But the radio silence is excruciating.

My interview was in the last week of May.

This is still quite early based on what you have said, especially if the point was you would hear after the 12th rather than by the 12th.

I know it can feel like a lifetime while you are waiting to hear back. The problem for the firm is it feels the complete opposite - two weeks can pass by and it can feel like a couple of hours, especially at this time of year when there can be a lot of things going on. Unless the scheme is due to start on the 23 June, I would wait until the end of next week before chasing them up for a decision.

 

[lawstudent2]

For some firms this will be the case. For instance, I think (if I remember correctly) Linklaters state you need a certain number of weeks of legal work experience to go forward for their direct TC.

But for most firms it won’t be as simple/binary as needed a certain length of work experience. Some firms will look more at your work experience holistically (both legal and non legal) while others may look at your motivations and other evidence for pursuing a commercial legal career and weigh this up alongside your work experience. For instance, if you can show strong and clear motivations and show other evidence of learning more about the career outside of legal work experience, this could replicate (or be stronger evidence) than describing a vacation scheme experience.

Okay amazing thanks so much

 

[bangarangbass39]

This is still quite early based on what you have said, especially if the point was you would hear after the 12th rather than by the 12th.

I know it can feel like a lifetime while you are waiting to hear back. The problem for the firm is it feels the complete opposite - two weeks can pass by and it can feel like a couple of hours, especially at this time of year when there can be a lot of things going on. Unless the scheme is due to start on the 23 June, I would wait until the end of next week before chasing them up for a decision.

Apologies. I meant to say after a vac scheme. So after the final interview for the TC.

But thank you for the perspective. Of course the doomerism is not great but the wait feels like it’s going on forever. I usually don’t care waiting, I’m not naturally impatient. But right now it’s just eating me up I can’t bare it😅

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Apologies. I meant to say after a vac scheme. So after the final interview for the TC.

But thank you for the perspective. Of course the doomerism is not great but the wait feels like it’s going on forever. I usually don’t care waiting long but right now it’s just eating me up I can’t bare it😅

I still think this is the case even if it after a VS (and probably even more so)! Maybe if you haven't heard back towards the end of next week, maybe send the GR team asking for clarity as to when you will hear back so you can then know for certain as to when you will hear back and then you can just focus on other things until then. I suspect the fuzzy details of when you will hear back probably isn't helping with your uncertainty, so it could help to get clarity on that.

 

[vera.mekhonoshina]

Hey everyone! My name is Vera, and I am Head of Product here at TCLA. We're about to run two Personal Service programmes (both starting next Monday!) that I think some of you might be interested in.

The Application Personal Service, run by my brilliant colleague @Aks.Khurana (future trainee at Latham & Watkins), is the most hands-on application support we have ever run at TCLA. You’ll work with Aks to write at least two stand-out applications to your dream law firms.

The Assessment Centre Personal Service, run by me (future trainee at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer), is a 1-to-1 practical preparation programme to become an assessment centre pro. If you have previously reached the AC stage and were unsuccessful, or are about to have a direct TC/ vacation scheme exit interview, this programme is for you.

Application Personal Service.

• Work with Aks through a 30-minute call every week for eight weeks, as we map out your application strategy, write your applications, and provide you with guidance on how to handle each part of the application process – from time management to SJTs
• Get personalised 1-2-1 feedback on your answers to your application questions each week
• Sit with Aks as we dissect what is working and what needs to be improved
• Map out your personalised application strategy, so you know exactly what to do once the cycle opens

By the end, you’ll walk away with:

• At least two applications ready to be submitted by August/September
• A strategy of exactly which applications you will send and when this application cycle
• The confidence that you will pass the application stage this year

You’ll also get:

• Access to a private WhatsApp group for ongoing questions and support
• 2 months of free access to TCLA Academy — our new flagship commercial awareness platform for commercial law training

→ View full programme
→ Sign up to Cohort 1

Assessment Centre Personal Service.

The programme extends up to four weeks, but if you have an interview coming up sooner, we will fit and adapt the programme to your deadline. You can go as far as completing all four interview sessions and three AC-style tasks in one week – the choice is yours.

Each candidate will get:

• 4 hours of 1-to-1 interviews, fully tailored to your individual situation
• A personalised improvement plan developed from a pre-programme assessment of your interview readiness
• ‘Homework’ assignment after each session, so you can keep progressing between sessions
• 3 assessment centre-style tasks to complete in your own time – client pitch presentation and research task based on the firm you have an interview with or are planning to apply to, and a written case study
• Practical guidance on how to ace each of these tasks and detailed feedback with a marking rubric on your performance
• Live strategy workshop and Q&A with the TCLA team on staying interview-ready
• Free four-week access to TCLA Academy – our flagship commercial awareness platform

→ View full programme
→ Join Cohort 2

If you're not sure which programme is right for you or just want to talk it through, please private message either me or @Aks.Khurana - we'll be happy to set up a quick 5-minute call.

Let’s make this the cycle that changes everything!

 

[xanderlawyer]

Would just like to express a massive appreciation to @Jessica Booker for all the support and advice you have provided to us throughout the application season. Your insight has been invaluable for many students and you will be missed! I wish you the best of luck for the future!

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Has anyone heard back from wiggin (DTC)?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, good evening! Does anyone here complete WFW VI for this cycle? Really appreciate any insights!!! Thanksss! Please DM🙏🙏🙏🙏

Hey,

Congrats on the VI.

I’m unsure about WFW as I’ve never completed it before, but this comprehensive guide by @Andrei Radu will help - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....de-for-competency-interview-preparation.9380/